Variations Dance Academy Madison, WI

Variations Dance Academy is a multicultural dance and arts academy on Madison's east side, focused on strong technique and quality instruction in an uplifting environment. The studio serves dancers from preschool through adult, with classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Modern/Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Baton Twirling, Pilates, and Zumbini (parent-child). They also offer Healing workshops, Sound Bath workshops, Stagecraft, and community events.

Owner and lead instructor Mynda trained at Lansing Ballet Company and Ann Arbor Civic Ballet, became certified in Cecchetti method under Lee Ann King (former president of Cecchetti Council of America), and trained in Vaganova method under Susan Vaughn and Stan Godfrey. She worked with Gus Giordano, the "God-Father of Jazz Dance," and danced with Chicago City Ballet under Maria Tallchief, Marjorie Tallchief, Hans Homer Byant, Allegra Kent, Joel Hall, and Dan Duell. She is a licensed Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) instructor, a certified Reiki Master and Level Two Healing Touch Practitioner. Mynda also choreographs for Children's Theater of Madison's Summer Stage programs and serves as a ballet instructor at Tutu School in Sun Prairie.

The teaching team includes Miss Dara, a UW-Madison dance major pursuing a BFA in dance and certificate in Pilates, who trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip-hop, and African diasporic movement and was a member of Louisville's Vandiver Ford Dance Company. Miss Juliette brings 16 years of competitive baton twirling experience, winning many Illinois State and Midwest Regional titles and placing top five at the National Baton Twirling Championships; she is also an assistant coach of the National and World Champions Silver Knights Baton Twirling Corps. Ms. Elizabeth performed in Wisconsin Dance Ensemble's (now Dance Wisconsin) productions including The Nutcracker, Peter Rabbit, La Fille mal Gardée, and Coppelia, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, and danced with the American National Ballet in Duluth, MN from 2004–06. Miss Celina earned a BFA in Dance and Arts Management from UW-Stevens Point, trained at Milwaukee Ballet and Madison Ballet, studied at Broadway Dance Center, Steps On Broadway, and Ripley-Grier Studios in New York, and has trained with the Radio City Rockettes. Miss Laura trained at the Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy for 9 years under Rolando Yanes and Michael Pink, performed with Kathy Gorman's Kinesis Dance Theatre, led the La Crosse Area Family YMCA's Dance Program for nearly a decade, was awarded the 2019 Merit Scholarship by the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and received the 2022 Regional Choreographer of the Year award. Miss Shawna began dancing at age three at WSPA in Madison and won a scholarship to dance at Joe Tremaine's studio in Hollywood at age 12; she has trained with Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell, Jackie Sleight, Marcia Lane, Dave Carter, and Mia Michaels, performed in Russia, Denmark, and Alaska, and has 40+ years of teaching experience across all ages and levels.

Classes are structured for all ages and levels: preschool movement, dance and art for ages 2–5; beginner youth (ages 5–9); intermediate youth (ages 9–18); advanced youth (ages 12+) with pointe and technique classes; and adult classes for beginners and experienced dancers. The studio offers scholarships (40% off tuition, awarded on financial need) and works with families through teacher's aide and retail support roles to offset tuition. A free trial experience is available for all youth classes. The studio was voted the best dance studio in Madison 2024.

Classes run Monday–Thursday 3:30–9:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am–12:00 pm. You'll find strong technique training emphasising creative expression and artistry in a safe, nurturing environment where the studio prioritises forming relationships and fostering joy.

Mynda (owner, lead instructor, certified in Cecchetti and Vaganova methods, PBT instructor, Reiki Master) leads a team of ten instructors including Dara (UW-Madison dance BFA candidate), Juliette (16-year competitive baton champion, Silver Knights assistant coach), Elizabeth (BA Dance from UW–Stevens Point, American National Ballet performer), Celina (BFA Dance and Arts Management from UW–Stevens Point, Radio City Rockettes training), Laura (9 years Milwaukee Ballet training, 2022 Regional Choreographer of the Year), and Shawna (40+ years teaching experience, trained by Joe Tremaine and Mia Michaels).

Adult classes are structured to be inclusive and differentiated for all levels; free trial experiences available for all youth classes.