Business Details
11 Years
experience
Premier Performing Arts Education in Fredericksburg, VA
Umbiance Center for the Performing Arts has been dedicated to nurturing artistic excellence and community engagement through the performing arts since its founding. Our institution provides pre-professional training in dance, theater, and piano, empowering students to develop technical proficiency, self-confidence, and a commitment to artistic expression. With a focus on inclusivity, we extend our programs to special needs and at-risk students, ensuring accessibility regardless of financial or physical barriers. Our faculty comprises industry professionals with extensive experience in prestigious institutions and productions, offering students mentorship grounded in real-world expertise.Through annual performances, charity events, and partnerships with local schools, we foster a holistic approach to arts education that emphasizes discipline, creativity, and social responsibility. Our mission is to cultivate a supportive environment where students of all backgrounds can thrive artistically and personally, preparing them for future careers in the arts while strengthening the cultural fabric of our community.
Services
Dance Classes
Theater Programs
Piano Lessons
Community Outreach
Summer Camps
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer pre-professional training led by industry professionals with Broadway and international experience.
- Our outreach programs provide free/affordable arts education to at-risk and special needs students.
- Faculty members have performed with Alvin Ailey and Dance Theatre of Harlem.
- We host annual charity performances that combine artistic excellence with community service.
- Students receive mentorship from instructors trained at prestigious institutions like Debbie Allen Dance Academy.
What people say
Amazing staff
Dancers have so much fun
Learn important characteristics
Exceptional learning environment
Positive community impact
Services
Dance Classes
Our dance curriculum includes ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop instruction for students aged 2-18. Classes are taught by professional dancers with Broadway and international performance experience. The program emphasizes technical precision, artistic expression, and performance readiness through structured training and recital opportunities.
Theater Programs
The theater program offers acting, voice, and stagecraft instruction for aspiring performers. Students participate in full-scale productions of classic and contemporary works, gaining experience in character development, vocal projection, and stage presence under the guidance of industry professionals with regional theater backgrounds.
Piano Lessons
Private and group piano lessons focus on classical technique, sight-reading, and performance skills for students of all levels. Instructors hold music degrees and specialize in preparing students for recitals, competitions, and college auditions while fostering a lifelong appreciation for musical arts.
Community Outreach
Our outreach initiatives provide free or subsidized arts education to underserved populations through partnerships with local schools and community centers. Programs include after-school workshops, mentorship opportunities, and scholarship-funded training for low-income families and special needs students.
Summer Camps
Annual summer camps offer immersive training in dance, theater, and music with masterclasses from guest artists. The program includes daily technique sessions, collaborative projects, and a final showcase while maintaining affordability through scholarship support and community fundraising.
People
Aubrey Kennedy
Owner/CEO
Aubrey Kennedy, a professional dancer and graduate of the American Musical Dramatic Academy, has trained with industry legends like Debbie Allen. With extensive performance experience in Broadway-style productions and a commitment to social justice advocacy, she leads the center's artistic vision.
Khalia Harris
Founding Director
Khalia Harris, a former Alvin Ailey dancer, brings 15+ years of professional performance and choreography experience to her role. Her work has received critical acclaim in productions like 'The Wiz' while mentoring students who have joined professional dance companies.
Ivy Dozier
Program Director
Ivy Dozier, a Virginia State University graduate, directs the center's educational programming with expertise in multiple dance styles. Her background includes training with Richmond Urban Dance Company and developing curriculum that emphasizes technical excellence and artistic expression.
Demetia Hopkins
Instructor
Demetia Hopkins, an Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. graduate, brings six years of experience with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to her instruction. A Tony Award-nominated choreographer, she specializes in classical ballet and contemporary techniques while mentoring emerging artists.
Victoria Edwards
Dance Educator
Victoria Edwards, with 13 years of Nutcracker performance experience, teaches classical ballet techniques to advanced students. Her expertise in pointe work and repertoire development stems from training at Fredericksburg Ballet Centre and professional performance engagements.
Questions
What performing arts disciplines do you teach?
We offer comprehensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, theater arts, and piano instruction for students aged 2-18.
Do you provide financial assistance for students?
Yes, our L.E.A.P. program offers scholarships and subsidized rates for low-income families through community fundraising and sponsorships.
What performance opportunities are available?
Students participate in annual recitals, community charity performances, and regional competitions with professional production values and choreography.
Are there programs for special needs students?
Our outreach initiatives specifically include adapted dance and theater classes for special needs students, ensuring accessible arts education for all abilities.
What qualifications do your instructors have?
Our faculty includes Broadway performers, Alvin Ailey alumni, and Debbie Allen Dance Academy-trained professionals with extensive teaching and industry experience.
How do you incorporate community service into your programs?
Annual performances benefit local charities, and students participate in outreach workshops that combine artistic training with social responsibility initiatives.
