ABOUT US

A circular logo celebrating 50 years of the Ann Parsley School of Dance, established in 1976, with the text 'Celebrating 50 Years' and 'Ann Parsley School of Dance' around the edge.

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in Dance Education

Founded in 1976 by Ann Parsley, Ann Parsley School of Dance (APSD) is committed to providing exceptional dance education in a non-competitive, supportive environment. Our mission is to nurture each dancer’s technical growth and artistic development while fostering a genuine joy of movement. We believe that dance education should be both disciplined and uplifting—rooted in tradition, yet welcoming to all.

As we proudly enter our 50th year of inspiring dancers, we are excited to expand our offerings to include music, theatre, and voice lessons—bringing even more opportunities for creative expression to our community. Whether your dancer dreams of a professional career or simply loves to move, APSD is a place where every student can thrive.

OUR HISTORY

Founded in 1976 by Ann Parsley, our school has been a cornerstone of quality dance education in Macomb County for nearly five decades. Ann’s vision was simple yet powerful: to provide exceptional training in a supportive, non-competitive environment where every student could thrive. Her commitment to strong technical foundations, artistic expression, and personal growth became the heart of the studio’s mission.

Over the years, Ann Parsley School of Dance earned a reputation for excellence in ballet training and well-rounded dance education. In 1983, Ann furthered her commitment to the arts by founding the Macomb Ballet Company, offering young dancers opportunities to perform full-length ballets in a pre-professional setting.

In 2009, Ann passed the torch to longtime student and faculty member Amber Megna Michalik, who continues to honor the school’s legacy while expanding its programs and reach. Under Amber’s leadership, APSD remains dedicated to cultivating dancers of all ages in a positive, family-friendly environment that emphasizes discipline, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Now celebrating our 50th anniversary season, Ann Parsley School of Dance proudly carries forward a tradition of excellence—training the next generation of dancers with the same care, integrity, and passion that started it all.

OUR BELIEFS

What Makes APSD Different?

Celebrating 50 years of excellence, APSD is dedicated to nurturing both technical growth and a lifelong love of the performing arts.

Our high-quality, non-competitive training is rooted in a strong foundation of classical dance, guided by professionally trained instructors who care deeply about each student’s journey. We offer age-appropriate, thoughtfully designed programs that inspire creativity, build confidence, and support artistic development across all dance styles.

More than just a studio, APSD is a welcoming community where children and families feel at home—growing together through movement, music, and the joy of performance.

  • At APSD, we believe a strong foundation is essential to every dancer’s success. Ballet serves as the cornerstone of all dance disciplines, and our program is recognized for its exceptional quality and structure. Through focused instruction in technique and discipline, we provide each student with individualized training that nurtures both skill and artistry.

    Our commitment to a solid classical foundation extends beyond ballet. We apply the same principles of precision, control, and musicality to every genre we teach—including contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, and more. This approach ensures our dancers not only develop classical strength, but also the versatility needed to thrive in all styles of dance.

  • At APSD, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dance education in a supportive, non-competitive environment. We prioritize individual growth over trophies, believing that every student has unique potential waiting to be discovered and nurtured.

    Our faculty maintains high technical standards while fostering a genuine love of dance through encouragement and positive reinforcement. In this nurturing setting, dancers are free to explore their creativity and express themselves through music and movement—without the pressure of competition.

    Whether for children or adults, dance at APSD promotes personal expression, goal setting, and collaboration. Students gain valuable skills such as coordination, musicality, discipline, creativity, self-confidence, and a lasting appreciation for the arts.

  • Ann Parsley School of Dance fosters a welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere where movement, music, and costumes are always tasteful and age-appropriate. Our studio is a place where dancers of all backgrounds and aspirations feel at home.

    Whether a student dreams of a professional career in dance or simply enjoys the joy of movement, the lessons learned at APSD-discipline, confidence, teamwork, and self-expression-extend far beyond the studio and enrich every stage of life.

  • Our faculty consists of experienced, qualified adult instructors who are passionate about dance education. All of our ballet teachers are certified by the Cecchetti Council of America and have successfully completed the required teacher examinations for the levels they teach.

    Many of our instructors are also leaders in the dance community-training other educators across the region and preparing them for their own Cecchetti Teacher Examinations. This level of expertise ensures our students receive the highest quality instruction in a structured, supportive environment.

Ballet students practicing at barre with instructor in ballet studio, mirrored wall, and ballet-themed artwork.
A group of young girls in ballet costumes sitting and kneeling on the floor, gathered around their ballet instructor in a dance studio with floral wall decor.
A ballet instructor giving corrections to a young ballerina during a ballet class at a dance studio, with other students stretching at the barre in the background.
Young girls in purple ballet dresses practicing in a dance studio with mirrors and ballet barres.
Young girls in leotards performing splits during a ballet class in a dance studio, with an instructor observing.
Ballet class with young girls practicing in front of a mirror, wearing costumes and ballet slippers, with an instructor guiding.
Group of young women ballet dancers sitting on the floor, talking and smiling, dressed in blue and beige tutus.
Ballet class with young dancers practicing stretches and ballet moves in a dance studio, supervised by instructor
Four young girls in purple ballet leotards standing in a line at a ballet studio, facing the same direction. The background includes a white wall with some writing and a wooden door.
Young girls in purple leotards sitting on the floor in a dance class, smiling and talking to each other.
Group of young girls in purple dance costumes practicing ballet in a dance studio.
Ballet instructor and students practicing at a dance studio mirror
Ballet dancers in turquoise, beige, and purple leotards and tights practicing stretches on a black dance studio floor.
Ballet students sitting on the floor in a dance studio, watching their instructor in front of a mirror.
Ballet class with young dancers and instructor in dance studio with mirrors and ballet barres.
Ballet class with five young women practicing at ballet barre, wearing leotards and tights, in a dance studio.
Young girls in colorful dance costumes practicing ballet in a dance studio.
Children in ballet costumes standing in a circle in a dance studio.
Ballet students in blue leotards practicing ballet stretches with their instructor in a dance studio.
Young ballet students in pink costumes and ballet slippers stand in a line at a dance studio, practicing ballet moves with their arms raised. The studio has mirrors and ballet barres.
A ballet class with six young girls in colorful leotards and an instructor practicing dance moves in a studio decorated with butterfly and floral wall art.