Dance Academy

The Arts Castle Dance Academy News

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Why Choose The Arts Castle?

With so many excellent choices for dance education in Delaware, why should you choose The Arts Castle?

AFFORDABLE. We strive to make all of our classes affordable for all families. Scholarships, discounts for multiple classes, and alternative payment schedules are available. There are no registration fees.
NO SURPRISE FEES. Aside from class fees, only one low fee covers costume, recital, props, etc. Students are never faced with “surprise” fees. Every student receives complimentary annual recital tickets for family and friends, and extra tickets are less than $5 per person. Several free performances are held annually.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY. We are family-friendly and appropriate for all audiences. Costumes, song lyrics, and dance routines are carefully vetted so that everyone can enjoy the dancing.
SUPPORTIVE. We are non-competitive and supportive in nature. We love to dance, and we strive for excellence as individuals and ensembles while having a lot of fun!

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About the Dance Program

The Arts Castle Dance Academy offers professional instruction in a fun, non-competitive environment. We believe everyone should have an opportunity to dance. Our Dance Academy is unique in offering many avenues for students to learn and enjoy dancing, while working with a busy schedule and budget.

Dance Academy seeks to awaken the joy of dance in our students with a combination of quality technique and personal expression. We feel that this objective is best met within a supportive, family-friendly
environment, open to dancers of all age and abilities, and cultivated by a nurturing, professional team of instructors. Ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, tumbling and combo classes are offered annually.

In addition, The Arts Castle Youth Dance companies provide additional performance opportunities for dedicated dancers. For younger dancers, The Arts Castle has Pre-Academy classes offered quarterly. Come join us and enjoy the art of dance!

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About The Arts Castle

The Arts Castle is dedicated to nurturing the creative energies of residents of 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.

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Dance Academy Schedule and Description 2021-2022

Ballet & Pointe

Sky Blue Ballet

Lauren Cox
This beginner-level class teaches the building blocks of ballet through barre and center floor. Students learn positions and placement in both English and French terminology.
No Prerequisite Ages: 4 to 6
8/26/2021-4/28/2022 Thurs., 5:00-5:45PM| 45 min.

Turquoise/Royal Blue Ballet

Lauren Cox
Students who have mastered the basic ballet skill set will continue learning sequencing and intermediate ballet steps. More complex combinations will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: 1 year of experience Ages: 7 to 13
8/26/2021-4/28/2022 Thurs., 5:55-6:55PM| 60 min.

Indigo Ballet/Pointe

Lauren Cox
This advanced level class is geared toward increasing students’ skills and movement vocabulary in ballet. Intricate sequencing and refinement of technique and style is explored.
Prerequisite: Placement Test Ages: 12 to 18
8/26/2021-4/28/2022 Thurs., 7:00-8:30PM| 90 min.

Open Ballet/ Pointe

Carrie Blust
Students who have mastered the basic ballet skill set will continue learning sequencing and intermediate ballet steps. More complex combinations will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: 3 year of experience Ages: 9+
8/23/2021-4/25/2022 Mon., 7:55-8:55PM| 60 min.

Jazz

Royal Blue Jazz

Meghan Patijarevich
This is intermediate level class continues to build on expanding knowledge of Jazz styles, flexibility and techniques. Building on the foundations to introduce advanced concepts of turning and leaping.
Prerequisite: 1 year of experience Ages: 10+
8/25/2021-4/27/2022 Wed., 8:00-8:45PM| 45 min.

Indigo Jazz

Jessika Wickenheiser
This advanced level class continues to build on expanding knowledge of Jazz styles, flexibility and techniques. Building on the foundations to continue advanced concepts.
Prerequisite: 3+ year of experience Ages: 12+
8/24/2021-4/26/2022 Tues., 8:30-9:15PM| 45 min.

Musical Theater

Jr. Musical Theater

Jessika Wickenheiser
If you’re preparing for Broadway or your schools next musical you’ll love this class! Musical theater combines acting, dance, spoken dialect and songs in one fun class. Students will learn choreography from Broadway shows to help them with each of the facets of this class.
No Prerequisite Ages: 6 to 11
8/24/2021-4/26/2022 Tues., 5:00-5:45PM| 45 min.

SR. Musical Theater

Jessika Wickenheiser
If you’re preparing for Broadway or your schools next musical you’ll love this class! Musical theater combines acting, dance, spoken dialect and songs in one fun class. Students will learn choreography from Broadway shows to help them with each of the facets of this class.
No Prerequisite Ages: 12 to 18
8/24/2021-4/26/2022 Tues., 6:40-7:25PM| 45 min.

Tap

Turquoise/Royal Blue Tap

Jessika Wickenheiser
This intermediate level class continues to build on knowledge of tap through graded barre and center floor work and an introduction to advanced techniques such as time steps, wings and pull backs.
Prerequisite: 1 year of experience Ages: 7+
8/24/2021-4/26/2022 Tues., 5:55-6:35PM| 30 min.

Lyrical

Lyrical

Carrie Blust
This class builds on the foundation of ballet, jazz and acro technique with an emphasis on coordination and basic steps.
Prerequisite: 1 year of ballet experience Ages: 8+
8/23/2021-4/25/2022 Mon., 6:10-6:55PM| 45 min.

Combo classes

Sky Blue Combo

Carrie Blust
These are beginning level classes for students with less than 2 years experience. In these classes students will learn ballet, tap and tumbling during their hour class.
No Prerequisite Ages: 4 to 6
8/25/2021-4/27/2022 Wed., 4:45-5:45PM| 60 min.

Sky Blue Combo

Jessika Wickenheiser
These are beginning level classes for students with less than 2 years experience. In these classes students will learn ballet, tap and jazz during their hour class.
No Prerequisite Ages: 4 to 6
8/24/2021-4/26/2022 Tues., 3:55-4:55PM| 60 min.

Turquoise Combo

Carrie Blust
These are beginning level classes for students with less than 2 years experience. In these classes students will learn ballet, tap and tumbling during their hour class.
No Prerequisite Ages: 7 to 10
8/23/2021-4/25/2022 Mon., 5:20-6:05PM| 45 min.

Turquoise Combo

Carrie Blust
These are beginning level classes for students with less than 2 years experience. In these classes students will learn ballet, tap and jazz during their hour class.
No Prerequisite Ages: 7 to 10
8/25/2021-4/27/2022 Wed., 5:50-6:50PM| 60 min.

Company Classes

Our dance companies provide the opportunity for students to explore and perform choreography in a variety of dance styles while building ensemble dance skills through rehearsals and performances. In addition, company events provide opportunities for students to build long-lasting friendships, confidence, and performance skills!

Company Placement

3 ways students are placed in dance company levels.

• Teacher recommendation
• Attend summer dance and teachers evaluate
• Attend a placement audition on open house weekend

Pre-Company

Carrie Blust

In order to participate, students need to:

• Be at least 5 years old by September 1
• Attend one technique class each week
• (combo, ballet, or jazz)
• Attend Pre-Company class each week
• Perform at four events per year
• Demonstrate good classroom etiquette.

Prerequisite: Placement Audition Ages: 5-7
8/23/2021-4/25/2022 Mon., 4:45-5:15PM| 45 min.

Intermediate Company

Carrie Blust

In order to participate, students need to:

• Be at least 8 years old by Sept. 1
• Have at least 1+ years prior experience in dance
• Attend one technique class each week
• (combo, ballet, lyrical, musical theater, or jazz)
• – An additional ballet class per week is recommended
• Attend Intermediate Company class each week
• Perform at four events per year
• Demonstrate good classroom etiquette

Prerequisite: Placement Audition Ages: 8+
8/23/2021-4/25/2022 Mon., 7:00-7:45PM| 45 min.

Senior Company

Meghan Patijarevich

In order to participate, students need to:

• Be at least 10 years old by Sept. 1
• Have at least 3+ years experience in dance
• Attend one contemporary technique classes
• (lyrical, musical theater, tap, or jazz)
• Attend one ballet class or private per week.
• Attend Senior Company class each week
• Perform at four events per year
• Demonstrate good classroom etiquette

Prerequisite: Placement Audition Ages: 10+
8/25/2021-4/27/2022 Wed., 6:55-7:55PM| 60 min.

Senior Comapny Advanced

Jessika Wickenheiser

In order to participate, students need to:

• Be at least 10 years old by Sept. 1
• Have at least 3+ years in dance
• Attend one contemporary technique classes
• (lyrical, musical theater, tap, or jazz)
• Attend one ballet class or private per week.
• Attend your Company class each week
• Perform at four events per year
• Demonstrate good classroom etiquette
• Splits (or close to) on both sides

Prerequisite: Placement Audition Ages: 10+
8/24/2021-4/26/2022 Tues., 7:30-8:30PM| 60 min.

Dance Academy Instructors

Chelsea Miles
(Miss Chelsea)
Dance Coordinator

Chelsea began her dance training at the age of 3 years old at Dublin Dance Center. Throughout her years as a student, Chelsea trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical and modern.She graduated from the Pre Professional Training Program at BalletMet.

During her time at BalletMet she performed with YouthMet and in The Nutcracker. Chelsea has attended summer intensives at BalletMet, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and Ballet Magnificat. In 2006 she was accepted into Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, Texas and danced with them for a season. During her time there she performed throughout Texas and in New York.

After her season with Ad Deum Dance Company, Chelsea was accepted into the Ailey/Fordham BFA Dance Program at the Prestigious Alvin Ailey Dance Company. In addition to Chelsea’s dance career, she has taught at studios and in public as well as private schools in Ohio and Texas for fifteen years. She was the director of a professional dance company for three years and the owner/director of a dance school for almost ten years. Chelsea recently performed and choreographed with Xclaim Dance Company.

In addition to teaching, she loves attending dance master classes and conferences to expand her knowledge of dancing. Chelsea loves sharing her passion for dance with her students while encouraging them as they learn and grow in their art form!

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Meghan Patijarevich
(Miss Meghan)

Meghan has been teaching dance at the Artscastle for over 9 years. Being in the studio is one of her favorite places to be and she brings her love and passion for dance to each class she teaches. She loves seeing all of her students grow and develop into confident dancers and people.                                                                                            

Meghan is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she received a Masters of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Dance Education. She has also received her Bachelor of Arts and K-12 teaching license in Dance from the University of Akron. Meghan has more than 20 years of dance teaching experience in different local studios and public school districts in Ohio, including Delaware, Lima, Akron and Columbus. She has taught ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, cultural & social dance and creative movement to ages 2 through adult.                                                                        

Meghan lives with her husband and daughter just outside of Columbus and loves to cook, read and practice yoga.

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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.

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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.

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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 Ohio 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.