Nurturing Confidence, and Expression Through Dance with Dance Academy of Virginia

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey into working with children?

“Dance Academy of Virginia was founded on the knowledge that dance is one of the most powerful tools for shaping young people, not just as performers, but as confident, curious & committed humans. My own path into this work grew from a lifelong love of the art form as a Professional Dancer and an equally deep love of mentorship. Watching a shy student find their footing, or a young dancer walk a little taller after their first performance, never gets old. Every class, every moment of encouragement is an investment in who these children are becoming and our DAV team is the reflection of this.

DAV supports children from age two and half to adult on their journey through dance offering classes in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, and more. We also offer a Pre-professional program called "Academy" as well as performing "Ensemble" Program for kids who just can't get enough of dancing with their friends on stage!

Many new students discover us through summer camps and classes and I absolutely love that - our summer camp program is fun and energetic with popular themes (Taylor Swift and Bluey are among my favorites!) for dancing, crafts and play. Kids who have never danced before feel just as welcome as school regulars. My favorite part is that each week long summer camp concludes with a little performance for parents and the kids are so proud to show off their new dance skills!

Our summer classes offer students an opportunity to improve their technique, gain strength and flexibility all while having a shorter class schedule. I love it as an opportunity for students to try something new!”

How do you support children's confidence, creativity, and personal growth?

“At DAV, we've built an environment where students are challenged with care. Technique gives them structure, artistry gives them voice, and our faculty gives them the steady presence every young person needs to take creative risks. We prioritize storytelling in the studio, so dancers learn early that movement is a form of self-expression, not just a series of steps. Confidence isn't something we hand to our students, it's something they earn through consistency, repetition, and the quiet pride of doing something well.

At a very young age kids learn the value of showing up for their fellow dancers and how teamwork can create something beautiful.”

Can you share a memorable moment or success story from your program?

“So many come to mind, but one that stays with me is watching our dancers perform in The Nutcracker at Capital One Hall. Seeing students who started with us as beginners (many of them through summer camps and classes!) step onto the big stage at Captial One Hall fully prepared and full of pride is the kind of moment that reminds you why this work matters. The growth happens long before the curtain rises. It happens in the small daily routines in the studio, and the performance is simply where it gets to shine. We had 150 dancers perform last year and I am so incredibly proud of every single one of them.”

How has your experience been working with Neelcamp so far?

“Neelcamp makes it easier for families in our community to discover what we offer and understand the heart behind it. The team genuinely cares about connecting parents with thoughtful, well-run programs, and that shared value has made the partnership feel natural from the start.”

How do you see platforms like Neelcamp shaping the future of discovering programs created for children?

“Parents today look for more than a list of activities. They're looking for programs that align with their values and genuinely invest in their children. Platforms like Neelcamp meet that need by curating quality and making it accessible, which benefits families and providers alike. We're optimistic about what this kind of platform means for the future of arts education and specialized children's programming. It creates space for programs like ours to reach the families looking for exactly what we do.”