Class Registration Opens in June for 2023-24 Season
About ACDA
The Arts Castle Dance Academy
ACDA seeks to awaken the joy of dance with a combination of quality technique and personal expression. This objective is best met within a supportive, family friendly environment, open to dancers of all ages and abilities and cultivated by a nurturing, professional team of instructors.
The Arts Castle Dance Academy (ACDA) offers professional instruction in a fun, non-competitive environment. We believe everyone should have an opportunity to dance. Ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling and combo classes are offered beginning in August and running through May. For younger dancers, pre-academy classes are offered quarterly. In addition, the ACDA Junior and Senior Dance Companies provide additional performance opportunities for dedicated dancers.
Join us and enjoy the art of dance!
Register for Dance Academy Classes in June
Health Forms | Payment Forms | Policies | Brochure
ACDA Calendar for the 2023-24 Season

Schedule and Class Descriptions for the 2023-24 Season
MONDAY
Intermediate Jazz
4 – 4:45pm
Miss Jessika
Intermediate Tap
4:45 – 5:30pm
Miss Jessika
Intermediate Lyrical
5:30 – 6:15pm
Miss Jessika
Junior Company
6:30 – 7:30pm
Miss Jessika
Turns, Leaps, and Jumps
7:30 – 8:30pm
Miss Jessika
TUESDAY
term
MON
5:30 – 6:30
Junior Company
6:30 – 7:30
Turns, Leaps, and Jumps
TUES
5:15 – 6:00
Junior Musical Theater
6:00 – 7:00
Senior Musical Theater
7:00 – 8:00
Senior Company
WED
3:30 – 4:00
Combo 2
4:00 – 4:45
Combo 3
5:45 – 6:15
Beginning Lyrical
6:15 – 6:45
Beginning Tumbling
THUR
4:15 – 5:30
Adult Ballet
5:30 – 6:00
Ballet 1
6:00 – 6:45
Ballet 2 & 3
6:45 – 7:30
Boys Ballet
7:30 – 8:30
Intermediate Ballet
Ballet & Pointe
Ballet 1
Miss Lauren






Ballet 1 is a 30-minute class for ages 5 through 8. This class is for beginner dancers or dancers who have completed Combo classes. Students are required to wear black-capped sleeve leotards and standard pink ballet tights with the proper ballet shoes (recommended by the teacher).
Prerequisite: None
8/25/2022 – 5/11/2023 | Thurs., 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 30 min.
Ages: 5 – 8
Ballet 2 & 3
Miss Lauren
Ballet 2 & 3 is a 45-minute class for ages 6 through 10. This is for dancers who have completed Ballet 1, or have been placed in this class by their teachers. Dancers may spend two or three years in Ballet 2 & 3, unless the teacher determines that their skills allow them to move up to Intermediate Ballet. Students are required to wear black-capped sleeve leotards and standard pink ballet tights with the proper ballet shoes (recommended by the teacher).
Prerequisite: Completion of Ballet 1 or Teacher Recommendation
Ages: 6 – 10
8/25/2022 – 5/11/2023 | Thurs., 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. | 45 min.
Boys Ballet
Miss Lauren
Boys Ballet is a 45-minute class for ages 5 through 10. This class is for beginner dancers or dancers who have completed Combo classes. Students are required to wear black or white shirt, black leggings or tight pants, black socks or tights, and black ballet shoes.
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 5 – 10
8/25/2022 – 5/11/2023 | Thurs., 6:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | 45 min.
iNTERMEDIATE BALLET
Miss Lauren
Intermediate Ballet is a 60-minute class for ages 8 through 12. This class is by teacher recommendation as long as students that have completed Ballet 1, 2, and 3. Students are required to wear black-capped sleeve leotards and standard pink ballet tights with the proper ballet shoes (recommended by the teacher).
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
Ages: 8 – 12
8/25/2022 – 5/11/2023 | Thurs., 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | 60 min.
adult ballet
Miss Lauren
Adult Ballet is a 75-minute class for ages 18+. This class is a fun low-pressure Ballet class for adults of all ages! You do not need any previous experience. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned dancer, this is a great class to join! AS A CLASS, you will determine if you would like to perform in the Holiday Dance Recital! (Recital Fees Required). Wear something comfortable such as fitted clothes, e.g., leggings and tank tops, socks or tights, and leather or canvas ballet shoes.
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 18+
10/06/2022 – 5/11/2023 | Thurs., 4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | 75 min.
Jazz
advanced Jazz
Miss Jessika
Advanced Jazz is a 45-minute class for ages 10+. This is a teacher recommended class, geared toward students with 3 to 4 years of experience in Jazz. Students are required to wear black leggings, black shorts [finger tip length], black-capped sleeve leotard (no hoodies or baggy sweatshirts), and nude turning shoes.
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
Ages: 10+
8/23/2022 – 5/9/2023 | Tues., 8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. | 45 min.
Musical Theater
Jr. Musical Theater
Miss Jessika
Jr. Musical Theater is a 45-minute class for ages 6 through 11. This class is for students who are new to Musical Theater and have not been placed in Sr. Musical Theater. Musical Theater is a form of Jazz and Broadway-style dance with an emphasis on personality and acting out a character to a specific piece of music. Students are required to wear black leggings or shorts, black leotard or comfortable t-shirt, and tan jazz shoes.
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 6 – 11
8/23/2022 – 5/9/2023 | Tues., 5:15 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 45 min.
SR. Musical Theater
Miss Jessika
Sr. Musical Theater is a 60-minute class for ages 12 through 18. This class for advanced dancers placed in Senior Musical Theater. Musical Theater is a form of Jazz and Broadway-style dance with an emphasis on personality and acting out a character to a specific piece of music. Students are required to wear black leggings or shorts, black leotard or comfortable t-shirt, and tan turning shoes (tan character shoes may be requested).
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
Ages: 12 – 18
8/23/2022 – 5/9/2023 | Tues., 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | 60 min.
Lyrical
Beginning Lyrical
Miss Carrie
Beginning Lyrical is a 30-minute class for ages 5 through 9. This class is for dancers who are new to Lyrical. Students are required to wear convertible pink ballet tights, black leotard, black or pink skirt, and white hanami ballet shoes.
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 5 – 9
8/22/2022 – 5/8/2023 | Mon., 5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. | 30 min.
Lyrical 2
Miss Jessika
Lyrical 2 is a 30-minute class for ages 6 through 10. This class is for dancers who have completed Beginning Lyrical or have at least 1 year of Lyrical experience. Students are required to wear tights with shorts or a skirt (long or short), black leggings, black leotard or comfortable shirt, and tan turning shoes.
Prerequisite: 1 year of Lyrical experience
Ages: 6 – 10
8/23/2022 – 5/9/2023 | Tues., 4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. | 30 min.
Combo Classes
COMBO 1
Miss Jessika
Combo 1 is a 30-minute class for ages 3 and 4. This class is for children new to dance. Dancers are introduced to basic Ballet and Tap. Students are required to wear standard pink ballet tights, a black capped-sleeve leotard, no-tie pink ballet shoes, no-tie black tap shoes. Boys: Black jazz shorts or ballet leggings, black shirt.
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 3 – 4
8/22/2022 – 5/8/2023 | Mon., 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | 30 min.
COMBO 2
Miss Jessika
Combo 2 is a 30-minute class for ages 4 and 5. This class is for dancers who have completed Combo 1. Dancers are introduced to basic Ballet, Tap, and Tumble. Students are required to wear standard pink ballet tights and a black capped-sleeve leotard, no-tie pink ballet shoes, no-tie black tap shoes. Boys: Black jazz shorts or ballet leggings, black shirt.
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 4 – 5
8/24/2022 – 5/10/2023 | Wed., 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | 30 min.
Combo 3
Miss Jessika
Combo 3 is a 45-minute class for ages 5+. This class is for dancers who have completed Combo 2. Dancers are introduced to basic Ballet, Tap, and Tumble. Students are required to wear standard pink ballet tights and a black capped-sleeve leotard, no-tie pink ballet shoes, no-tie black tap shoes. Boys: Black jazz shorts or ballet leggings, black shirt.
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 5+
8/24/2022 – 5/10/2023 | Wed., 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | 45 min.
Tumbling Classes
Beginning tumbling
Miss Carrie
Beginning Tumbling is a 30-minute class for ages 6 through 8. This class is for beginner tumblers. Students are required to wear a black leotard or t-shirt that can be tucked in, black shorts/leggings, and no shoes or socks are required.
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 6 – 8
8/24/2022-5/10/2023 | Wed., 7:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. | 30 min.
Turns, Leaps, and Jumps
Turns, Leaps and Jumps
Miss Jessika
Turns, Leaps, and Jumps is a 60-minute class for ages 8+. This class is open to all dancers who want to work on perfecting their technique. This class is required for dancers who are enrolled in Junior and Senior Company classes who are not taking a Ballet class. Turns, Leaps, and Jumps is a non-recital class.
Prerequisite: None
Ages: 8+
8/22/2022 – 5/8/2023 | Mon., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | 60 min.
Company Classes
junior Company
Miss Jessika
Junior Company is a 60-minute class for ages 8+. This class is by teacher recommendation only and dancers are selected during tryouts. This class is for younger students who are serious about dance and are willing to stay focused and work hard during class.
Dancers are required to take Turns, Leaps, and Jumps (or a Ballet class) but can take both. Must be willing to participate in any volunteer opportunities, parades, or performance opportunities that may be scheduled throughout the year.
Students are required to wear a black leotard or ACDA shirt, black shorts with tan tights or black leggings underneath, and tan turning shoes (unless otherwise requested by their teacher).
Prerequisite: Placement Audition
Ages: 8+
8/22/2022 – 5/8/2023 Mon., 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | 60 min.
Senior Company
Miss Jessika
Senior Company is a 60-minute class for ages 12+. This class is by teacher recommendation only and dancers are selected during tryouts. This class is for students who are serious about dance and are willing to stay focused and work hard during class.
Dancers are required to take Turns, Leaps, and Jumps (or a Ballet class) but can take both. Must be willing to participate in any volunteer opportunities, parades, or performance opportunities that may be scheduled throughout the year.
Students are required to wear a black leotard or ACDA shirt, black shorts with tan tights or black leggings underneath, and tan turning shoes (unless otherwise requested by their teacher).
Prerequisite: Placement Audition
Ages: 12+
8/23/2022 – 5/9/2023 | Tues., 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | 60 min.
Dance Academy Instructors

Carrie Blust – (Miss Carrie)
Carrie has been dancing for 18 years. She grew up in Sidney, Ohio and is currently residing in Delaware, Ohio. Carrie graduated from Bluffton University with a Bachelors in Education and currently is an Intervention Specialist. Carrie has been trained in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical, acro, modern, and musical theater. Carrie began dancing at Sharon’s School of Dance and later became a member of the Sidney Dance Company. Carrie is excited to be a part of the Arts Castle team and for the opportunity to share her love for dance with others.

Lauren Cox (Miss Lauren)
Lauren has exclusively studied classical ballet for fifteen years. She has performed in several productions, including The Nutcracker, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, and Peter Pan. She loves all forms of dance and hopes to try new styles in the future. She teaches ballet to young students from her home, and is so excited to start teaching at the Delaware Arts Castle. She loves all things art and will be attending Columbus College of Art and Design in the fall.

Jessika Wickenheiser – (Miss Jessika)
Jessika is a dance instructor and choreographer who has taught in Lewis Center, Westerville and Sunbury area. At a young age Jessika had a passion for dance and began formal dance instruction at age 4. She enrolled at Dance Rhythms Studio where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, lyrical and hip hop. As her dancing progressed she earned spots on the studio’s competition teams dancing in jazz, tap and lyrical competitions.
Jessika was also an award winning competition soloist in lyrical and contemporary dance. Jessika’s love of the performing arts expanded when she began studying voice. She performed for four years as a member of her award winning high school choir and performed in multiple church and community musical productions. She also danced and sang as a member of the award winning WHS Ensemble.
Jessika has also instructed adults and children as a certified Zumba and dance fitness instructor and lead classes throughout central Ohio for the last five years. Jessika currently resides in Galena with her husband and two sons. Jessika is excited to share her passion of dance and the arts, and to inspire a new generation of young dancers.

About The Arts Castle
The Arts Castle is dedicated to nurturing the creative energies of the residents in Delaware County and surrounding areas by offering full access to a variety of multi-arts experiences such as classes, workshops, performances, exhibitions, and special events.
The Arts Castle was founded with a grassroots effort by the community and for the community. We are recognized as one of Ohio’s premier community teaching centers for the arts. Join us by taking a class, visiting an exhibit, or participating in one of our special events.