The Dance Atelier

The Dance Atelier is a professional dance studio in Park Circle, North Charleston, founded and directed by Anika McClellan. The studio teaches children ages 3–18 in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, and acrobatics/tumbling.

A defining feature of the studio is its commitment to the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, a nine-level programme combining high-quality artistic training with dancer health and child development principles. Pre-Primary through Level 3 ballet is taught by Anika McClellan, who has completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in these levels and holds ABT certification. The studio is also certified to teach Progressing Ballet Technique, a method designed to enhance ballet technique. Anika presents her classical ballet students for formal ballet examinations through the American Ballet Theatre.

The teaching team brings substantial professional credentials. Founder Anika McClellan trained full-time at The Conlan College of Classical Ballet in Sydney, Australia, and worked as a classical dancer with Universal Studios Japan, Tokyo Disneyland, and MSC Cruises, plus as choreographer and dancer with Elevate Performance Company. Tori Galeone teaches tumbling and acrobatics; she spent nearly a decade performing in shows on Princess Cruises and has coached gymnastics and movement to athletes ages 3–18. Audrey Lanning teaches teen lyrical and jazz; she holds a degree in Business and Dance from the College of Charleston, performed at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival with Annex Dance Company, won the League of Champions Choreography Award, and holds RYT 200 yoga certification. Victoria Hales teaches hip-hop; she performed as a member of the NCAA Division I Chanticleer Dance Team at Coastal Carolina University and works as Stage Manager for One Beat Dance Brands.

The studio is fitted with Harlequin sprung floors, the official floor of the American Ballet Theatre and Prix De Lausanne, designed to reduce injury risk through impact protection. The location is a 5-minute walk from Charleston County School of the Arts and 3 minutes from the world's largest all-inclusive playground. Classes run from August through May, following the Charleston County Schools calendar. For ages 2.5–4.5, the studio offers Tiny Tots Ballet (45-minute classes following the ABT curriculum with props and themed activities) and Jazz/Tumbling Tots Combo (combining tumbling skills and jazz dance). A free trial class is available for prospective students.

Classes follow the ABT National Training Curriculum and are taught by industry professionals with extensive performance and teaching experience. For your first visit, contact the studio to arrange a free trial class or placement class (dancers 8+ in ballet).

Founder Anika McClellan (ballet, Pre-Primary through Level 3, ABT certified) trained at The Conlan College of Classical Ballet in Sydney and performed professionally in Japan and on cruise ships. Tori Galeone teaches tumbling and acrobatics with nearly a decade of cruise ship performance and gymnastics coaching experience. Audrey Lanning teaches teen lyrical and jazz, holds a College of Charleston degree in Dance, and won the League of Champions Choreography Award. Victoria Hales teaches hip-hop and performed on the NCAA Division I Chanticleer Dance Team at Coastal Carolina University.

The studio emphasizes learning correct technique from your first class to ensure a long and healthy dance journey, and offers free trial classes.