Oak Ridge Academy of Dance

Every summer the ORAD has summer classes taught twice a week. These are drop-in classes are $5 per class and are a unique blend of dance styles. This is a great way for dancers ages 10 and up to perfect some dance skills that are used in competition and performance throughout the year. Tumbling classes are taught weekly. Summer classes are a great way to perfect the tumbling skills worked on throughout the year. Instructor Susie Norris is a brilliant teacher who encourages and inspires her students reach their goals. Space is limited. Pre-Registration is required.

The Summer Intensive is a three-day concentrated training program with Nationally Ranked College Dance Team Members as the faculty. The ORAD brings these amazing individuals in to the Academy to teach advanced dancers 13 years of age thru college age. Each Instructor brings a different prospective to the dance floor. The Intensive teachers are members of collegiate dance teams. This three-day long Intensive embraces the aspects of college dance and gives the dancer a taste of the world of collegiate dance.

The Preschool ballet program is an introductory course into the world of the ballet. The comprehensive curriculum encompassing the basics of classical ballet with coordination building exercises for strength and agility for the ballerina. Our program is geared to the preschool age incorporating music for that age group but also introducing classical music. This program is a first step into the world of ballet including imagination building skills and individuality into movement. It is our goal to provide the dancer of this age an understanding and love for the art of classical ballet.

ORAD has four Competition Teams who represent at the local studio competitions. The ORAD travels to regional conventions/competitions to train with teachers in the industry. ORAD is dedicated to provide their members with the most significant and comprehensive training programs available annually.

The ORAD has three separate ORDTTA Dance Teams: Youth, Junior, and Senior All Star. All teams compete at the National Dance Team Championships in Orlando, Florida every February. ORDTTA teams first competed in 2010 in the Jazz and Hip Hop divisions. We now have all three teams competing in Jazz, Hip Hop, and Pom divisions. In 2014 our program achieved it’s first national title in Senior Large Hip Hop. Since then our teams have won national titles in Senior Large Pom, Senior Large Jazz, Junior Large Hip Hop, Junior Large Jazz, Junior Large Lyrical, Junior Large Pom, Youth Large Hip Hop, and Youth Large Pom. Our ORDTTA programs have a total of 23 national titles.

The Contemporary Dance Ensemble is an all-volunteer educational dance organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the art of dance. The Ensemble is committed to provide the dancer with a professional program of training in all areas of dance and to teach excellence in performance techniques on a professional level. Members of the Ensemble have performed on National Television at the Peach Bowl, the FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami, and danced in the Nationally Televised Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 1998 and 2006. They also have participated in the Rockette Workshop at Radio City Hall in New York City, Disney’s Magic Music Days at Walt Disney World, Orlando, New York Knicks Dance Team Workshop and various workshops at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City.

The Student Instructor Program (SIP) is a focused program on teaching. Advanced dancers beginning in the 7th grade may apply for this program. This is a dedicated program which consists of student teaching at a minimum of three hours weekly in lower level classes. As an assistant to the teacher, teaching techniques are learned, skills are demonstrated, choreography is memorized for assistance in teaching and class organization such as calling the roll and talking to parents is experienced. This program is only for the chosen dancer with dedication and ability for teaching. Any dancer interested in the SIP must contact a staff member for more details.

The SEP is a three day dance camp at the ORAD. This is a comprehensive program of training in all 5 major dance styles. Throughout the week dancers will learn basic dance skills, dance combinations, and dance history. The week ends with a performance for family and friends and an award ceremony with medals and a certificate of accomplishment!! All dancers receive a free Summer Enrichment Logo T-Shirt which serves as our performance uniform when showing our talents to the family and friends. The youngest dancers (3 & 4 year olds) enjoy the week with training in Classical Ballet and Tap. The dancers ages 5,6,7 years will be excited to have a taste of all dance styles; Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and HipHop. Dancers who are intermediate level and are 8-12 years of age, will also have training in all forms of dance. The weeklong program encompasses a well-rounded curriculum filled with fun and excitement!