Oak Ridge Academy of Dance

Programs

The Oak Ridge Academy of Dance welcomes new students of all ages. Whether your needs are for individual fitness in dance or if you are interested in gaining dance expertise, the ORAD has the program for you.

From the pre-school age to adults in their 70s, the Academy offers a wide variety of genres in which to choose from.

Classes are broken down into dance genres and age groups. With over 42 years of operation, the Academy is known to many dancers as their ‘Home’ with the instructors being their ‘Family’. The Academy is felt by many to have a ‘Home Away From Home’ quality.

Here at the Academy we have many programs for dancers to be involved in as they mature and grow.

Specialized Preschool Ballet Program

The Preschool ballet program is an introductory course into the world of the ballet. The comprehensive curriculum encompassing the basics of classical ballet with coordination building exercises for strength and agility for the ballerina. Our program is geared to the preschool age incorporating music for that age group but also introducing classical music. This program is a first step into the world of ballet including imagination building skills and individuality into movement. It is our goal to provide the dancer of this age an understanding and love for the art of classical ballet.
 

Contemporary Dance Ensemble

The Contemporary Dance Ensemble is an all-volunteer educational dance organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the art of dance. The Ensemble is committed to provide the dancer with a professional program of training in all areas of dance and to teach excellence in performance techniques on a professional level. Members of the Ensemble have performed on National Television at the Peach Bowl, the FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami, and danced in the Nationally Televised Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 1998 and 2006. They also have participated in the Rockette Workshop at Radio City Hall in New York City, Disney’s Magic Music Days at Walt Disney World, Orlando, New York Knicks Dance Team Workshop and various workshops at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City.
 

Contemporary Dance Ensemble Competition Teams

The Ensemble has four Competition Teams who represent the CDE at area, regional and national competitions annually. The CDE travels to regional conventions/competitions to train with teachers in the industry. The Ensemble is dedicated to provide their members with the most significant and comprehensive training programs available annually. The most recent training programs the dancers have attended are Jump Dance Convention, Monsters of HipHop Nationals, Co.Dance, The Pulse, the Shock Intensive, and Tremaine Conventions to name a few. Some competitions the Teams have attended are: National Dance Team Championships, International Dance Challenge, Star Systems, Starpower, Showbiz Talent Competition, StarQuest, and Showstoppers.
 

Oak Ridge Dance Teams Training Program ORDTTA

The Ensemble has three separate Dance Teams: Middle School, Junior Varsity and Varsity. All teams perform at area middle school and high school basketball games annually. Annually members participate in area competitions and attend Universal Dance Association during the summer at the University of Tennessee. All dancers must audition annually. Auditions are held in the spring of each season. All members must be 5th grade through Seniors in high school.
 

Student Instructor Program

The Student Instructor Program (SIP) is a focused program on teaching. Advanced dancers beginning in the 7th grade may apply for this program. This is a dedicated program which consists of student teaching at a minimum of three hours weekly in lower level classes. As an assistant to the teacher, teaching techniques are learned, skills are demonstrated, choreography is memorized for assistance in teaching and class organization such as calling the roll and talking to parents is experienced. This program is only for the chosen dancer with dedication and ability for teaching. Any dancer interested in the SIP must contact a staff member for more details.
 

Performances

The Oak Ridge Academy of Dance and the Contemporary Dance Ensemble have professional performances annually.

The ‘Holiday Spectacular’ is presented annually in December.

The ‘Weekend Dance Spectacular’ is presented annually in late May or June.
 

SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

The SEP is a weeklong day camp at the ORAD. This is a comprehensive program of training in all 5 major dance styles. Throughout the week dancers will learn basic dance skills, dance combinations, and dance history. The week ends with a performance for family and friends and an award ceremony with medals and a certificate of accomplishment!! All dancers receive a free Summer Enrichment Logo T-Shirt which serves as our performance uniform when showing our talents to the family and friends. The youngest dancers (3 & 4 year olds) enjoy the week with training in Classical Ballet and Tap. The dancers ages 5,6,7 years will be excited to have a taste of all dance styles; Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and HipHop. Dancers who are intermediate level and are 8-12 years of age, will also have training in all forms of dance. The weeklong program encompasses a well-rounded curriculum filled with fun and excitement!
 

SUMMER INTENSIVE

The Summer Intensive is a four-day concentrated training program with Nationally Ranked College Dance Team Members as the faculty. The ORAD brings these amazing individuals in to the Academy to teach advanced dancers 13 years of age thru college age. Each Instructor brings a different prospective to the dance floor. The Intensive teachers are members of The University of Memphis, The University of Cincinnati, University of Tennessee, University of Louisville, and Arizona State University. This four-day long Intensive is embraces the aspects of college dance and gives the dancer a taste of the world of collegiate dance.
 

SUMMER TECHNIQUE CLASSES/TUMBLING

Every summer the ORAD has summer classes taught twice a week. These are drop-in classes are $5 per class and are a unique blend of dance styles. This is a great way for dancers ages 10 and up to perfect some dance skills that are used in competition and performance throughout the year.

Tumbling classes are taught weekly. Summer classes are a great way to perfect the tumbling skills worked on throughout the year. Instructor Susie Norris is a brilliant teacher who encourages and inspires her students reach their goals. Space is limited. Pre-Registration is required.