Tucson Dance Academy

Tucson Dance Academy is a professional dance academy under the artistic direction of Tammy Booth, an accomplished gymnast, dancer and choreographer who has been dancing and teaching for over 30 years. Tammy was ranked the Number 1 'Elite Gymnast' in the United States in 1975 and was an alternate for the 1976 Olympic Team. She danced in films including 'Outrageous Fortune' (doubling for actress Shelly Long), 'Teen Wolf Too', 'Electric Boogaloo-Breakin II', and 'The Ratings Game' with Danny DeVito. She was a member of the Rockettes and performed as a featured dancer on Italian Television Show 'Fantastico VI' in Rome, Italy. She co-directed the Spirit of Christmas show since 1989 with dance teacher legend Wanda Manville.

The studio's central philosophy is to encourage the best effort of each student and to help them achieve their full dance potential, whether or not they plan to perform professionally. Many teachers are certified to teach by Dance Masters of America, Inc., one of the longest running and largest dance teacher organizations in the country.

Classes are offered in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acro, Ballroom, Hip-Hop, and Preschool Combo for ages 3 through Adult. The faculty includes Haley Carolin, a third generation dancer and teacher who is a certified member of Dance Masters of America and studied under principal dancers from Ballet Arizona and The Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Carly Booth Lytvyn holds National and World titles for both American Smooth and International Latin styles in the Professional-Amateur division in 2011 and 2012, and currently dances professionally International Latin. Elizabeth George is an Associate Professor in the School of Dance at the University of Arizona with a BFA and MFA in Dance, and has taught guest classes with Lincoln Midwest Ballet Company and Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp. Debra Byler has taught for over 20 years with extensive background in competitive gymnastics and modern dance. Justine Wasilewski graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Arizona and performed works by Paul Taylor, Jessica Lang, Christopher Wheeldon, Jerome Robbins, Larry Keigwin, and George Balanchine. She danced with Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle under the direction of Donald Byrd for the 2021-2022 season and became a company artist with Monica Hogan Danceworks in Atlanta.

Countless students trained by Tammy Booth have become professional dancers, dancing on Broadway in New York, cruise ships, films, commercial videos, professional dance companies including River North, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Magnificat and Cirque du Soleil, and the Rockettes. The studio hosts performance showcases including the Spirit of Christmas at DesertView Performing Arts Center and the Summer Showcase at Centennial Hall.

The studio is located on the NE corner of Ina and Shannon at 2850 W. Ina Rd. You'll find four dance studios, all with sprung floors to ease the impact on joints. Classes welcome all ages from 3 through adult, regardless of ability or reason for study.

The faculty includes owner and director Tammy Booth (30+ years' experience, former Rockettes member and film dancer); Haley Carolin (certified Dance Masters of America, third-generation dancer trained under Ballet Arizona principal dancers); Carly Booth Lytvyn (National and World title holder in ballroom, currently dancing professionally); Elizabeth George (Associate Professor at University of Arizona School of Dance, former Dayton Ballet and Ballet Tucson dancer); Debra Byler (20+ years' teaching experience, known for training young dancers); Justine Wasilewski (BFA in Dance from University of Arizona, former Spectrum Dance Theater company dancer); and Hyla M Perillo-Wright (trained at American Ballet Theater and Alonzo King Lines).

All are welcome at Tucson Dance Academy regardless of ability or reason for study.