Ann Parsley School of Dance was founded in 1976 by Ann Parsley. It is a school dedicated to providing superior dance instruction in a non-competitive environment. Our goal is to build a strong foundation with a focus on technique and joy of movement, in a nurturing and family-friendly environment.
What makes APSD different?
Strong Foundation
We believe that building a strong foundation is key. Ballet is the cornerstone of all dance disciplines, and APSD offers and unsurpassed program. Our goal is to give students individualized training through the focus of technique and discipline. In addition to providing a solid classical foundation, we also firmly believe in training our dancers to be versatile. We apply the same principles that we use for our ballet program to every genre of dance that we teach. With a strong foundation, our dancers are able to excel in various styles of dance including contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop and more.
Unique Focus
Dedicated to providing quality dance instruction in a non-competitive environment, APSD values individual excellence over competitions or trophies. We are passionate about helping students find and strengthen the best in themselves, and believe in the innate potential that exists in every student. High technical standards are maintained and a joy of movement and sense of artistry are instilled through encouragement and positive reinforcement. Dance, in a disciplined, non-competitive environment gives children, as well as adults, the opportunity to express themselves freely through music and movement. It enhances the ability to pursue individual goals and to work together as a group while also building skills such as coordination, musicality, self-discipline, creativity, arts appreciation and self-esteem.
Family Friendly
Ann Parsley School of Dance offers a family oriented atmosphere where movement, music and costumes are tastefully chosen and always age-appropriate. APSD is home to dancers with an array of aspirations. Whether students choose to dance professionally, or move on to other interests, the skills they learn at APSD benefit them throughout life.
Professionally Trained Instructors
Our faculty are all adult, highly qualified and professionally trained teachers. All of our Cecchetti ballet teachers have taken and passed teacher examinations for the levels that they teach and are certified by the Cecchetti Council of America. Additionally, many of our instructors train teachers throughout the area, and prepare them for Cecchetti Teacher Examinations.
Several APSD students have been offered full or partial scholarships for summer intensives around the country, and have placed in the top 12 in the Youth America Grand Prix Semi and ADC IBC Finals. Many APSD dancers have gone on to attend highly regarded collegiate dance programs, accepted traineeships, and/or have had professional careers in dance. Below are some of the programs and schools that our dancers have attended after their training with APSD:
Traineeships and Professional Contracts:
Alabama Ballet
Ballet 5:8
Ballet West
Cincinnati Ballet
Disney
Fort Wayne Ballet
Joffrey Ballet, Chicago
Joffrey Ballet, New York
Pittsburgh Ballet
Grand Rapids Ballet
Ballet Met Columbus
KS Dance - England
Louisville Ballet
Orlando Ballet II
The Rock Pre-Professional Training Program
Summer Intensives:
American Ballet Theatre
Ballet Met Columbus
Ballet West
Carolina Ballet
Cecchetti International Summer School
Cecchetti USA
Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Cincinnati Ballet
Ellison Ballet
Grand Rapids Ballet
Houston Ballet
Louisville Ballet
Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey Midwest
Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
The Rock School for Dance Education
Texas Ballet Theatre
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
College Dance Programs:
Butler University
Eastern Michigan University
Grand Valley State University
Hope College
Indiana University
Oakland University
University of Arizona
University of Oklahoma
University of Michigan
Western Michigan University
Wayne State University
At APSD, we believe that dance can be life changing. Let us show you how. Click here to get started.