Business Details
Elite Dance Academy: Excellence in Dance Education
At Elite Dance Academy, we combine decades of professional dance experience with a passion for nurturing young talent. Founded by Gia Waxman and Myrta George, our academy offers comprehensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary styles, emphasizing technical precision, artistic expression, and personal growth. Our instructors, all seasoned professionals, prioritize individualized attention while fostering teamwork and discipline.Through structured programs like our Apprentice/TA initiative and competitive dance teams, we cultivate leadership and confidence. With a legacy rooted in regional and international dance communities, we provide a supportive environment where students of all ages develop skills that extend beyond the studio, preparing them for lifelong success in dance and beyond.
Services
Ballet Training
Jazz Dance
Tap Classes
Hip-Hop
Contemporary
Lyrical Dance
Acro Dance
Adult Classes
Competitive Teams
Apprentice Program
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years combined experience from directors trained internationally.
- Our curriculum includes 8 progressive ballet levels with classical repertory.
- We maintain a 6:1 student-teacher ratio for personalized instruction.
- Our competitive teams have performed at national championships.
- We provide mentorship through our unique Apprentice/TA leadership program.
What people say
Knowledgeable instructors
Improved confidence
Appreciated and happy
Experienced team
Excellent training
Services
Ballet Training
Our ballet program develops technical mastery from pre-ballet through advanced pointe work. Students learn French terminology, proper alignment, and classical repertory while building discipline and artistry. Training incorporates Italian, French, and Russian influences to create well-rounded dancers. Regular performances in The Nutcracker and spring recitals showcase progress.
Competitive Teams
Elite Dance Company offers competitive training for ages 5+. Dancers train in multiple styles weekly and participate in 4-5 annual competitions. Teams receive elite coaching in choreography, performance quality, and technical precision while developing leadership and teamwork skills through collaborative routines.
Apprentice Program
This leadership program trains advanced students to become teaching assistants. Apprentices learn classroom management, instructional techniques, and mentorship skills while assisting instructors. The program builds responsibility and prepares future dance educators through hands-on experience.
Adult Classes
We offer ballet, jazz, and tap classes for adult learners of all skill levels. Sessions focus on technical fundamentals, physical fitness, and artistic expression in a non-competitive environment. Classes accommodate working professionals and dance enthusiasts seeking to maintain their practice.
Acro Dance
Our Acro program combines dance with gymnastics elements, emphasizing safe progressions in flexibility, strength, and tumbling. Students develop core stability and spatial awareness through structured drills while learning to integrate acrobatic skills into dance choreography.
People
Gia Waxman
Owner & Artistic Director
Professional dancer and educator with 40+ years experience. Former principal dancer with Youth Ballet of Phoenix and Ballet Concerto of Fort Worth. Developed multiple dance schools in Arizona while maintaining international teaching standards.
Myrta George
Co-Founder
Renowned ballet instructor trained at School of American Ballet. Performed with Radio City Music Hall corps de ballet and founded Youth Ballet of Phoenix. Brought extensive performance and pedagogy expertise to the academy before retiring from active teaching.
Sabrina Tomlinson
Assistant Company Director
Jazz and lyrical specialist with competition team coaching experience. Focuses on performance quality and choreographic innovation while mentoring students in advanced technical execution and stage presence.
Kira Dimartion
Lyrical Instructor
Certified in lyrical and improvisational dance. Trains students to express emotional narratives through movement while maintaining technical precision in transitions and dynamic control.
Sammi Nussbaum
Contemporary Teacher
Specializes in contemporary technique and injury prevention. Teaches modern movement principles while integrating classical ballet foundations for balanced technical development and creative expression.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer for young children?
We provide ballet, tap, jazz, and creative movement classes for ages 2.5+, with age-appropriate curricula focusing on motor skill development and musicality.
Are there performance opportunities for students?
All students participate in annual recitals including The Nutcracker. Competitive teams perform at 4-5 regional/national events annually with optional specialty routines.
What are the instructor qualifications?
Our faculty includes former professional dancers with degrees in dance education and certifications in multiple styles. All staff maintain current CPR/first aid training.
Do you offer trial classes?
Yes, we provide one complimentary class after discussing your experience level and goals with our directors to ensure proper placement.
What are your dress code requirements?
Specific attire varies by class but emphasizes proper dancewear for safety and technique. We provide detailed guidelines and offer approved apparel through our online boutique.
How are students placed in classes?
Placement considers age, technical ability, and experience level. Directors evaluate new students during trial classes to determine appropriate skill-based groupings.
