Business Details
50 Years
experience
Your Trusted Dance School in Vienna, VA
Vienna Dance Academy has been a family-owned institution since 1976, dedicated to nurturing dancers of all skill levels. Our founders, Richard Cunningham, Lisa Cunningham, and Julie Arindaeng, bring over 40 years of combined teaching experience and a legacy of professional dance expertise. We cultivate a supportive, family-centric environment where students develop technical proficiency, confidence, and a lifelong passion for dance. Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention, allowing each student to progress at their own pace while mastering foundational and advanced techniques. We offer diverse training in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, and tap, with structured semesters culminating in performances that showcase student growth.Our competition teams, choreographed by award-winning instructors, have achieved regional and national recognition. As a multi-generational business, we prioritize building strong relationships with students and families, fostering a community where creativity and discipline thrive. Our faculty includes lifetime members of prestigious dance organizations, ensuring the highest standard of instruction. We have produced professional dancers while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for recreational learners. Our commitment to excellence was recognized with the 2023 ADCCC Studio of Excellence Award, affirming our position as a leader in dance education.
Services
Ballet
Pointe
Jazz
Lyrical
Tap
Competition Teams
Recital Performances
Musical Theater Dance
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We offer small classes for personalized dance instruction and progress monitoring.
- Our family-friendly environment fosters lifelong relationships with students and families.
- Instructors include lifetime members of Dance Educators of America and the American Academy of Ballet.
- We have produced award-winning competition teams and professional dancers since 1976.
- We won the 2023 ADCCC Studio of Excellence Award for dance education excellence.
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program develops poise, balance, and technical precision through barre work, center exercises, and recital choreography. Students gain foundational skills applicable to all dance styles while enjoying a balance of discipline and creativity. Classes are available for pre-K through 12th grade with progressive leveling.
Jazz
Jazz classes combine classical jazz technique with musical theater elements, including barre warm-ups, across-the-floor drills, and performance choreography. Students alternate between jazz and musical theater routines each semester, building versatility and stage presence in a dynamic, energetic environment.
Tap
Tap instruction focuses on clean technique and rhythmic patterns, starting with basic Broadway-style steps and advancing to complex combinations. Classes include barre warm-ups, across-the-floor progressions, and recital choreography that emphasizes musicality and sound clarity.
Lyrical
Lyrical classes emphasize flexibility, control, and emotional expression through fluid choreography set to powerful music. Training includes barre stretches, across-the-floor technique, and performance pieces that challenge students to connect movement with musical interpretation.
Competition Teams
Our competition teams offer advanced training in choreography, technique, and performance excellence. Students participate in regional and national competitions, guided by award-winning instructors who create innovative routines across multiple dance styles to maximize competitive success.
People
Richard Cunningham
Director
Lifetime member of Dance Educators of America with 40+ years teaching experience. Former professional dancer and choreographer for musicals, including 'Guys and Dolls' and 'West Side Story'. Founded Vienna Dance Academy's competition program.
Julie Arindaeng
Director
Ballet director with 35+ years of experience. Trained in England with Royal Academy of Dance credentials. Former soloist with Old Dominion Ballet Theatre and principal dancer in 'The History of Dance in America' production.
Lisa Cunningham
Director
30+ years of teaching experience. Trained under Richard and Julie, joined the faculty in 1982. Head choreographer for competition teams with multiple 'Choreographer of the Year' awards at regional competitions.
Nicole Cunningham-Kleehammer
Teacher
20+ years teaching hip hop, jazz, ballet, and tap. National champion dancer, Kennedy Center performer, and Virginia Tech graduate with marketing expertise. Winner of 2023 Choreography Award for musical theater piece.
Lindsey Long
Teacher
15+ years of teaching experience. Co-created Vienna Dance Academy's hip hop program. Graduated from Radford University with dance minor. Specializes in recreational and competition team instruction across multiple styles.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer for children?
We offer ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, and tap classes for students aged pre-K through 12th grade with progressive leveling systems.
Are there performance opportunities for students?
All students participate in two annual performances: a uniform recital in January and a costumed performance in June.
Do you have competitive dance teams?
Yes, we offer competition teams with award-winning choreography in multiple dance styles at regional and national events.
What makes your instructors qualified?
Our directors have 30-40 years of teaching experience and are lifetime members of national dance education organizations.
How do you accommodate different skill levels?
Small class sizes allow personalized instruction for recreational dancers, serious students, and competition team members at all levels.
