Sawnee School of the Arts Introduce
For more than three decades, Sawnee School of the Arts, formerly known as Sawnee School of Ballet, has been a cornerstone of the dance community in Cumming, Georgia. This well-established institution is a place where aspiring dancers of all ages and abilities can find their rhythm and passion. From the youngest students taking their first steps in a "Creative Movement" class to seasoned adults rediscovering a love for ballet, the school offers a rich and diverse curriculum. It is widely recognized for its high standard of excellence and for producing spectacular, professional-quality shows that are a true highlight of the local arts scene. The school's commitment to providing a nurturing yet challenging environment has made it a beloved destination for families across Forsyth County and beyond. This guide will provide an in-depth look at what makes Sawnee School of the Arts a truly special and invaluable part of the Georgia dance landscape.
The philosophy at Sawnee School of the Arts is centered on delivering the highest quality of dance training while also nurturing each student’s unique talent and creativity. The school, which identifies as women-owned, strives to provide an encouraging and supportive atmosphere where every dancer feels valued and has the opportunity to excel. This dual focus on technical mastery and artistic expression is what allows students to thrive, whether their goal is to dance professionally or simply to enjoy a fun and active hobby. The school is also the home base for the non-profit Sawnee Ballet Theatre, a distinction that speaks to its commitment to excellence in performance and community engagement. This dedication to the arts as a whole is a key part of the school's identity, making it a place where students can truly immerse themselves in the world of dance.
Sawnee School of the Arts is conveniently located at 543 Lake Center Pkwy in Cumming, GA 30040, USA. This location is easily accessible for families in Cumming and the surrounding areas, making it a practical choice for those with busy schedules. The academy is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment, and this is reflected in its physical amenities. The facility features a wheelchair-accessible car park, a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, and even a wheelchair-accessible toilet. This extensive range of accessibility features ensures that the school is truly open to everyone, regardless of mobility. Additionally, the school provides gender-neutral toilets, further demonstrating a modern and inclusive approach. On-site services make it a convenient and centralized place for all of your dance education needs. The location and amenities have been thoughtfully designed to create a comfortable and hassle-free experience for students and their families, ensuring that the focus can remain on the art of dance.
The comprehensive accessibility features are a notable highlight and a testament to the school's commitment to serving the entire community. This level of planning and consideration is not always found in local businesses and reflects a high degree of professionalism and care. The school's central location in Cumming and the availability of on-site services further enhance its appeal, making it a convenient and well-equipped place to pursue a dance education. These factors, combined with the school’s stellar reputation, make it a top choice for families across the region who are looking for a dance school that prioritizes inclusivity and convenience.
Sawnee School of the Arts offers an incredibly diverse and comprehensive range of dance classes for students of all ages, skill levels, and interests. The curriculum is designed to provide both a strong foundation in classical forms and opportunities to explore popular contemporary styles. The services offered include:
- Ballet: As a school rooted in classical ballet, Sawnee offers classes for all levels, from "Creative Movement" for early childhood to advanced and pointe classes for serious students. The school has a strong reputation for its rigorous and effective ballet training.
- Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop: In addition to ballet, students can explore a variety of other popular dance forms, including high-energy Jazz, rhythmic Tap, and dynamic Hip Hop. These classes provide a well-rounded dance education and cater to different artistic interests.
- Acro/Tumbling: The school offers Acro Tumbling classes, which focus on floor work and acrobatic skills, enhancing a dancer's flexibility, strength, and overall athleticism.
- Adult Classes: For adults looking to learn or return to dance, Sawnee offers a variety of classes, including Adult Ballet and Adult Jazz. These classes provide a great way to stay active, learn new skills, and connect with a community of fellow dancers.
- Private and Trial Lessons: The school offers private lessons for individualized attention and skill development, as well as trial classes for new students who want to experience a class before committing to a full session.
- Youth Classes: With classes ranging from "Ready, Set, Dance" for toddlers to "Teen Dancers," the school has a structured progression that allows children to grow and develop their skills from a very young age all the way through their teenage years.
- Musical Theatre and Modern: The curriculum also includes specialized classes in Musical Theatre and Modern dance, offering students a chance to explore different performance styles and artistic expressions.
The vast selection of classes ensures that every student can find a program that suits their interests and goals. The availability of classes for adults is a great feature, as it makes dance accessible to individuals who may have wanted to learn for years but never had the opportunity. The structured progression of classes, from beginner to advanced, provides a clear path for students to follow as they grow as dancers. This diverse and well-planned curriculum is a key reason for the school’s long-standing success and strong reputation in the community.
Sawnee School of the Arts is celebrated for several key features that set it apart from other dance schools in the area. Customer reviews and a long history of community engagement highlight what makes this a special place. Here are some of the key highlights:
- Professional and Experienced Faculty: The instructors are consistently praised for their passion, enthusiasm, and professionalism. The reviews mention that the individual instructors are "amazing" and that the children "loved every one of them."
- Incredible Productions: The school's annual productions, including their renowned "Nutcracker" ballet with Sawnee Ballet Theatre, are a significant highlight. They are described as "incredible shows" and a "beautiful experience for both the audience and dancers alike." The shows are "creative and artistically choreographed," making them a "holiday magic" tradition for many families.
- Community and Dedication: The school has been a long-time staple in the community. As one review states, the annual "Nutcracker" is a "staple for our family for the Christmas season for many decades," and the shows are "not to be missed!" This loyalty speaks volumes about the quality of the productions and the impact the school has on its students' lives.
- Support for all Dancers: The school offers classes for all ages and skill levels, ensuring that every dancer, whether they are a dedicated pre-professional or a recreational student, has a place to grow and feel supported.
- Convenience and Accessibility: The wide range of accessible amenities, including wheelchair-accessible seating and restrooms, makes the school inclusive and welcoming to all. The availability of on-site services and a central location also adds to the overall convenience.
These highlights demonstrate a clear commitment to providing a professional, high-quality dance education that is also deeply integrated into the local community. The emphasis on incredible productions, particularly "The Nutcracker," provides a tangible and exciting goal for all students to work toward. The positive experiences of students with their individual instructors are a testament to the school's focus on hiring talented and caring professionals who inspire a love for dance.
For those in the Cumming area who are ready to begin their dance journey, getting in touch with Sawnee School of the Arts is simple and straightforward. Their address is 543 Lake Center Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30040, USA. You can contact them by phone at (770) 887-0756 or via mobile at +1 770-887-0756. The school also accepts credit and debit cards, making the payment process easy and convenient for new and existing families. The staff is ready to answer any questions about class schedules, trial classes, or any other inquiries you may have. This accessible and transparent contact information is a key part of the school's professional approach, ensuring a smooth process from the moment of first inquiry to enrollment.
Having a clear line of communication is essential for any local business. The availability of multiple contact options and flexible payment methods demonstrates that Sawnee School of the Arts is a well-run organization that values customer service and aims to make the experience as easy as possible for its community members. This professionalism is a great reason to trust the school with your or your child's dance education.
For families in Georgia, choosing a dance school is a significant decision. Sawnee School of the Arts stands out as a top choice for several compelling reasons. While some reviews may highlight frustrations with policies, the overwhelming feedback from long-time patrons is a testament to the school's artistic quality and dedication to its students. The fact that families have been attending for "several years now," and that their children "absolutely LOVE" being part of the productions, speaks volumes about the positive impact the school has had on their lives. The artistic director's ability to produce "incredible shows," including "The Nutcracker" and the end-of-year recital, which are both entertaining and artistically brilliant, is a major reason to choose Sawnee. The school provides a unique balance of a nurturing environment with a high level of professional training. The talented instructors, the extensive range of classes, and the commitment to inclusivity and accessibility all make it a truly special place. For a dance education that combines fun, discipline, and a deep appreciation for the arts, Sawnee School of the Arts is a premier destination in Cumming that is well worth choosing for your dance journey.
Sawnee School of the Arts Services
Dance School
- Adult lessons
- Advanced classes
- Beginner's classes
- Intermediate classes
- Jazz
This is eclectic style of movement and fusion of many dance forms. Jazz is a fun, exciting, energetic and popular style of dance and is the primary style of dance used in Broadway productions, television, and film. Jazz focuses on technique, placement, strength, coordination and style.
- Private lessons
- Youth classes
- Acro Tumbling
- Acro/Tumbling
Tumbling will emphasize the teaching, practicing, and perfecting of skills such as various rolls, cartwheels, walkovers, and handsprings. Classes will begin with stretching and conditioning to strengthen and prepare the tumblers for the above listed skills.
- Adult Ballet
- Adult Classes
- Adult Jazz
- Advanced Ballet
- Ballet
Ballet is not just for serious dancers, but for all students of dance who want to improve posture, coordination and agility. Alignment, placement, strength, flexibility and technique are achieved at the barre and in the center.
- Ballet Classes For
- Creative Movement
A delightful introduction to the world of dance, our ballet classes for ages 2-6 years old are presented in a manner appropriate to children in this age range. The curriculum includes the use of props, musical rhythmic games, imaginative play encouraging expression through simple steps and dances.
- Early Childhood Dance
- Floor Work
- Hip Hop
Hip Hop is high energy street dance as seen in commericals, music videos, and movies. Hip Hop has a range of styles including breakdancing, pop-n-locking, and krumping. It often mixes various styles such as urban, stepping, and jazz and is also well known for its isolated movements and musicality.
- Individual Class
- Intermediate Ballet
- Intermediate Dance Classes
- Modern
Modern technique is based on the artistry of Martha Graham, Lester Horton, and Jose Limon to name a few. This style of dance concentrates on body awareness, exploring different levels, traveling movements, and increasing the body's strength and flexibility.
- Musical Theatre
- Pointe
Advancement to the Beginning Pointe level and Pointe Work is based not solely by age and amount of training, but by the physical and technical readiness of the individual. The decision for this advancement is decided strictly by the Director and the student's instructors.
- Private Lessons
- Ready, Set, Dance
- Tap
Tap dancing is a unique American style of dance that evolved from Irish and African roots. Tap uses percussive foot ware enabling the dancer to make precise sounds, phrasing, and rhythms. Tap dance develops rhythmic ability, balance, critical thinking skills, listening skills, and musicality.
- Teen Dancers
- Trial Classes
Sawnee School of the Arts Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- On-site services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Gender-neutral toilets
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Sawnee School of the Arts Photos
Sawnee School of the Arts Location
Sawnee School of the Arts
543 Lake Center Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30040, USA
Sawnee School of the Arts Reviews
balletstudioseasonstudentsthe nutcrackervideoperformanceaudienceconcertshows
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1My girls danced there for years and loved their instructors. We never had a problem until their most recent recital when we weren't allowed to use our phones to capture memories of our children dancing. The owner waved her hand in my wife's face to stop her in the middle of our daughter's routine, resulting in us not being able to enjoy the dance our little one had worked so hard on. Then releases the video that nobody can record and charges you for it. After years of seeing our children, the owner never knew either of our daughter's names. The owner makes it pretty clear she is more interested in dollar signs than the children she is "teaching". The individual instructors are amazing and my kids loved every one of them, however, if you aren't a sapphire (dancers in multiple classes who pay TONS of money) your children do not exist to ownership.
August 09 · Clint TracyHighly recommend SSA for all ages. We LOVE Sawnee School of the Arts!! We have 3 dancers at SSA and have been attending for several years now, after switching over from another studio. (.. started our switch a few years prior even to that, after viewing a few Spring Concerts. Our Nutcracker journey then began with Sawnee Ballet Theatre and Sawnee School of the Arts. (Formerly Sawnee School of Ballet.) I think we’re at year six with The Nutcracker… and it is usually the first 2 weekends in December (at the Focal Center) and is not to be missed! It’s holiday magic. It’s been a staple for our family for the Christmas season for many decades and we were so delighted when seeing SSB/SSA’s Nutcracker. Our children absolutely LOVE being a part of it and my oldest has dreamed of being Clara since she was 4.The artistic director produces incredible shows which are a beautiful experience for both the audience and dancers alike! This seasons end of year Recital was my husband’s (and fam/friends!) favorite so far. It was so creative and artistically choreographed, especially the opening and finale. Entertaining is an understatement! We loved each of our children’s separate numbers… we may be biased. ;)
May 28 · Sandy TisonThe show was spectacular!! The lighting and sound was great. Any seat is a good seat truly. The dancers were fabulous. We have been to multiple shows and it never disappoints. The facility is so clean and beautiful easy to get in and out. Clean bathrooms that are convenient on each side with family bathrooms
May 28 · Jade woodwardMy daughter and I started at Sawnee for the 22-23 season. What a beautiful, full circle journey it has been for us both.Ms. Laurie was the perfect introduction to ballet for our 3 year old. She was energetic and patient; allowing Olivia all the time and space she needed to enjoy herself in class. Slowly but surely Olivia was able to participate in class without my husband or I. By January she joined a larger class with Mrs. Courtney - she was ready to soar. Watching Olivia at the recital this weekend was pure magic - she was a little star, confident and joyful.I returned to ballet after nearly 20 years of college, career, and children. It was my 60 mins every week; I was able to focus on myself and breathe. The video my sister took of Olivia watching my recital performance will forever be a core memory of mine..."go Mommy! Your dancing is so beautiful!" from the audience.Thank you Sawnee, you've made some big and little ballerina dreams come true! See y'all in August!
May 29 · Elizabeth LandersWe just finished our first season at Sawnee School of the Arts and are SO happy with our experience. It was our first introduction to dance at an early beginner level and Ms. Courtney was so patient, kind and fun. My daughter looked forward to class every week, as did I for her. The end of the year recital was extremely well planned - from both a parent of a dancer and from a viewer experience. As a parent, the recital portal and email updates made it extremely easy to buy tickets, understand costume/makeup/hair requirements and to follow the schedule for the rehearsal and recital days. The theater was well-marked so I knew exactly where to take my dancer. As a viewer, the show was entertaining with numbers of all skill levels and styles but was under 80 minutes total which was the perfect length. If my daughter decides to continue pursuing dance, I will definitely keep her at this studio!
May 28 · Molly Gilleland
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