Virginia Academy of Dance

- 207 E Poythress St, Hopewell, VA 23860

The Virginia Academy of Dance (VAD) is a premier ballet school situated in Hopewell, VA, serving the greater Central Virginia region, including Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Prince George County. VAD is dedicated to providing high-quality, authentic classical dance training for students of all ages, from toddlers taking their first steps to adults seeking fitness and artistic expression.

The school operates with a clear, principled code that guides every class and performance: safe, healthy, strong technique, classy, and fearless. This unwavering commitment to both technical excellence and moral values is a core differentiator, highly valued by families who choose VAD. The focus is squarely on the training received in the studio, ensuring strong, creative dancers who are built on a solid foundation, rather than superficial performance elements.

VAD’s comprehensive program includes not only classical ballet technique but also specialized training paths like the rigorous pre-professional program and popular summer intensives. For many Virginia families, the decision to enroll their children—even commuting long distances—is driven by the school's commitment to modesty and age-appropriate content, creating an environment where young ladies can develop their skills and self-confidence with integrity. This is more than a dance school; it is a community focused on holistic artistic and personal development.

Virginia Academy of Dance is conveniently located in the city of Hopewell, VA, making it an accessible option for local residents and those traveling from the surrounding counties of Chesterfield, Prince George, and beyond. Its address is a known point of interest within the local arts community.

The physical location of the dance school is:

207 E Poythress St, Hopewell, VA 23860, USA

In keeping with a commitment to serving the entire community of Virginia, the facility includes important accessibility features to ensure that all families can easily access the studio:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance: Providing easy entry for dancers and visitors with mobility needs.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot: Designated parking spaces offer convenience and proximity to the entrance.
• Accepts Credit Cards and Debit Cards: Offering versatile and convenient payment options for tuition and fees.

This dedicated location and its accessibility features underscore VAD’s welcoming philosophy, ensuring that the focus can remain on the high-quality dance instruction provided inside.

As a specialized ballet school, Virginia Academy of Dance offers a structured curriculum that emphasizes classical technique while providing opportunities for dancers to explore other related styles. The programs are designed to be progressive, catering to various stages of development from early childhood through advanced pre-professional training and adult classes.

The range of services and programs provided by VAD includes:

• Ballet Classes (Classical Ballet Technique): Foundational and progressive classes for students of all levels, focusing on proper body alignment, posture, strength, and the classical vocabulary of ballet.
• Pre-Primary and Primary Classes: Introductory dance classes for young children (ages 3-6) that blend creative movement, coordination drills, and basic ballet and tap fundamentals in an engaging format.
• Pointe Ballet: Specialized classes for eligible, advanced dancers who have demonstrated the necessary strength and technical readiness to safely begin training en pointe.
• Dance Training: General instruction that is rigorous and focused on building a safe, healthy, and technically strong dancer, regardless of the chosen style.
• Elective Classes: The school expands beyond classical ballet to offer elective classes in other genres, such as Tap, which often complement the core ballet training for a well-rounded dancer.
• Preprofessional Program: An intensive track for dedicated students aiming to maximize their potential and pursue dance at a collegiate or professional level, involving a comprehensive weekly schedule and rigorous training.
• Adult Classes: Ballet and other dance-related classes open to adults of all ages and abilities, offering fitness, social connection, and an opportunity to explore the art form.
• Summer Programs (Camps and Intensive): Short-term programs offered during the summer months, including fun Dance Camps for younger students and the structured Summer Intensive for more serious, dedicated dancers.
• Dance Instruction With Experienced Faculty: All training is provided by a committed faculty that adheres to the school's core values and technical standards.

The most prominent features of the Virginia Academy of Dance are rooted in its core values and the positive, principled environment it creates for its students. These qualities are highly attractive to families throughout the Hopewell and surrounding Virginia communities.

Key features and highlights of VAD include:

• Emphasis on Core Values ("The Code"): The school is defined by its commitment to a clear code: safe, healthy, strong technique, classy, and fearless, ensuring a positive and focused learning environment.
• Commitment to Modesty and Appropriateness: VAD is highly regarded by parents for its strong stance on modesty in both outfits and music choices, ensuring all dance moves and costumes are classy and never inappropriate.
• Focus on Strong Technique over "Pizzazz": The mission prioritizes the quality and strength of the technical training received, creating highly skilled dancers who value the discipline of the art form.
• Dedicated Faculty: Instructors are committed to teaching something new in every class, ensuring continuous growth and skill development for all students.
• Proven High Value: Customer feedback confirms that the experience is worth significant commitment, with families willingly driving "an hour each way" for their children to attend.
• Pre-Professional Pathway: The availability of a Summer Intensive and a Preprofessional Program offers a clear and structured path for serious young dancers to advance their training towards collegiate or professional aspirations.
• Accessible Facility: The school welcomes the entire community with both a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot, demonstrating inclusiveness.
• Family Loyalty: The strong adherence to shared values has resulted in significant family loyalty, with customers noting they have stayed with the school for many years due to its integrity and principles.

To learn more about registration, class schedules, or the unique philosophy of the Virginia Academy of Dance, local residents in Hopewell and the surrounding areas can use the following contact details:

• Address: 207 E Poythress St, Hopewell, VA 23860, USA
• Phone: (804) 352-5011
• Mobile Phone: +1 804-352-5011

Prospective students are encouraged to reach out to the Academy to discuss class placement, particularly for the advanced Pointe and Preprofessional Programs, which require technical readiness.

The Virginia Academy of Dance is truly worth choosing for any Virginia family seeking a dance school that places equal importance on artistic excellence and ethical values. In a world where concerns about age-appropriateness in youth activities are common, VAD provides a trustworthy, principled sanctuary. The strong, positive feedback from local parents, who emphasize the "classy, never inappropriate" nature of the outfits and moves, speaks volumes about the school's unwavering commitment to its stated code. This factor alone makes it an invaluable asset to the Hopewell and Tri-City community.

Beyond the moral foundation, the technical offering is exceptionally strong, as demonstrated by the detailed focus on classical ballet, the availability of Pointe work, and a dedicated Preprofessional Program. This depth of curriculum ensures that every dancer, whether recreational or serious, receives professional-level instruction designed to create a "safe, healthy, strong" artist. The willingness of families to commit to a long commute to attend VAD solidifies its reputation as a provider of unparalleled quality and value.

For Virginia residents, choosing Virginia Academy of Dance is a decision to invest in a school that fosters confidence, discipline, and a fearless spirit in a technically strong, principled environment. It is the ideal choice for those who want their children to develop their passion for dance with integrity.

Virginia Academy of Dance

207 E Poythress St, Hopewell, VA 23860, USA