Heinz Academy for the Performing Arts

At Heinz Academy, we see it all the time: students walk into class unsure and scattered, and walk out with better posture, a clearer sense of self, and a whole lot more confidence. It’s more than movement — it’s a mindset shift.

The lessons your child learns in dance class are the ones they carry into every aspect of their future. At Heinz Academy, our teachers don’t just teach moves — they build character, resilience, and joy in every class.

It's never too late to start dance! Whether you are 18 or 85, we believe you can explore your love of dance and want to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all involved.

Pointe is an extension of ballet. The name “pointe” actually means the tip of the toe. In pointe the dancer actually dances on the tip of her toe. The elegant, fluid movements of pointe dance are absolutely beautiful to watch. This class is for the more advanced ballet dancer and not recommended for the beginner.

AcroDance is a unique blend of dance and acrobatics that focuses on strength, flexibility, balance, and seamless movement transitions. It combines the fluidity and artistry of dance with acrobatic elements such as rolls, handstands, cartwheels, and aerials. Unlike traditional gymnastics, AcroDance emphasizes choreography and musicality, allowing dancers to perform impressive tricks while maintaining grace and control. This exciting style helps build confidence, coordination, and body awareness in a fun and supportive environment.

This class is designed for the intermediate dancer that works to advance their skills in a more modern style. Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements.

This hip hop class is a fast-paced and energetic dance style using the latest street/urban dance moves set to hip hop music. Hip hop encompasses a wide range of street styles including breaking, locking and popping. This class for those specifically focuses on developing rhythm and coordination while encouraging individual style.

Our Modern/Jazz classes emphasize rhythm, syncopation, coordination, strength, flexibility and isolation of movement. The focus will be on learning proper dance technique, as well as improving performance quality.

Ballet is the foundation of all dance forms. Classes begin at the barre where students perform movement sequences to develop strength, coordination, balance and proper alignment. These skills are reinforced through center and across the floor combinations. Our tap classes emphasize rhythm, style and sound. Students will study the basic tap steps, combinations and rhythms, with an emphasis on developing proper technique and producing clear tap sounds. The students will develop coordination and rhythmic ability.

This 45-minute class is the first introduction to a structured dance class. Dancers begin building structure into their class by adding ballet barre and learning steps and progressions across the floor and in center. This class also introduces tap dance technique, where participants learn beginning vocabulary and steps associated with tap.

This 30-minute class is the first solo class for young dancers. They will work on locomotors, balance, coordination, rhythm and social skills in a play-style setting. Dancers will work with manipulatives such as ribbons, hula-hoops, and beach balls to keep them engaged and learning.

This 45-minute class is a combination of dance, exercise, singing and bonding time with your baby. Each class will be themed to expose your dancer to all styles of music and culture. Watch your babies senses develop as we progress through this upbeat, creative class.