The Academy of Dance Arts, Inc. was founded in 1947 and in it's 63rd year has touched the lives of thousands of families in our community. Many of our present students are our third generation, taking dance in the same studios as their mothers and grandmothers.
The Academy has been located at the corner of First and Hawthorne since 1948. It has expanded to include most of the block and now has four studios. The building was built in the 1920's by P. Huber Hanes and continues to serve as a tradition in the community. The Academy was also home to the Winston Salem Civic Ballet, which preceded UNCSA as the performance venue for dance in our city.
Vinni Frederick founded the Academy. She began her early training in New York and appeared at Radio City as a Rockette and in several Broadway productions. Vinni was the Founding Director of the Dance Department at N.C. Governor's School. Helen Stanley was an early partner with Vinni at the Academy. She danced for George Balanchine under the stage name Ariel Lang and is pictured in many of the dance history books.
Wanda Plemmons now serves as Director/Owner of the Academy. She began her early training with Vinni and continued to the U.N.C. School of the Arts. She danced with the Winston-Salem Civic Ballet, Governor's School and N.C.S.A. productions. Wanda has served as President of the Alumni at N.C.S.A. and currently serves on the Board of Associates. Wanda was awarded "Outstanding Teacher In the Arts 2009" by UNC-School of Arts at the 2009 Graduatioin Ceremonies where she was also a speaker.
The Academy has been actively involved in the community over the years, serving as Business Partner for many schools, helping with productions and costuming. The Academy students have performed for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting for Winston-Salem, the Vantage Tournament, Paramount Studios, Hanes Mall, Disney Productions and many other venues.
The Academy has a large professional faculty and has been host to many respected guest teachers including Richard Englund, Bobby Lindgren, Sonja Tyven, Job Saunders, Fanchon Cordell, Diane Markham, Rodwic Fukino and Marcus Alford.
Many of the Academy's students have gone on to professional careers in the Arts as Company members and soloist with such renowned companies as the Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey, Charleston Ballet and more.
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