Dance Classes For Kids, Teens, And Adults In Rapid City, SD!

We are happily serving families in the Black Hills with two convenient locations:

• 4251 Canyon Lake Drive in Rapid City serves our youngest dancers. Located just behind the Common Cents car wash on the corner of Jackson Blvd. and Canyon Lake Drive, this spot is ideal to bring your dancer and observe through the viewing window, enjoy a dog walk in the park across the street or take a quick run while your dancer is active and having fun learning with friends.

• 230 Main St., Rapid City: Our newest Downtown gallery location offers expansive room to move, with 12’ ceilings, a state-of-the-art sprung AND floating dance flooring system, plus a footprint equal to our City theatre. Upper Division students will experience more chances to dance in the heart of the City’s latest improvement district. Within a block of Armadillos Ice Cream, Pure Bean Coffee and Kicks and Giggles, families can take time to shop or relax with a treat while their dancers actively pursue their goals and dreams.

Yes! The Academy of Dance Arts has two studio locations in Rapid City and we serve all of the Black Hills including the Northern Hills.

See our Enrollment page for more details.

Yes, there's parking for you to be nearby as your dancer is safely enjoying class inside.

Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City: We provide parking in the gravel lot adjacent to the studio, and in our overflow lot across the alley, bordered with our white fence. All property is owned by the Academy of Dance Arts, and is available to families of our studios for parking. We also have free WIFI access.

230 Main Street, Rapid City: Free, non-metered parking along both Main Street and Third Street is available throughout the day.

Of course! We are entirely transparent about our processes and love that our parents have multiple viewing options!

Parents may join us in the lobby weekly or as desired, and in the studio moving space during our scheduled parent observation weeks in the Fall and Spring. Summer performance nights are also in the studio moving space! 

Our Dance Shoppe knows exactly what you need for success, priced at the best value for the performance quality. Our simple dress code helps dancers to shine, with items which will last and perform well. We can help you in person at 230 Main Street in Rapid City, you can order online HERE, and we can deliver items to your Academy class location at no additional charge!

The right pair of shoes can change a life! When a little dancer steps into the dress code uniform they are wearing clothing of legends! It's still exactly what the best professional dancers everywhere and across history have worn! From Anna Pavlova to Misty Copeland and Mikhail Baryshnikov, the tools of the trade are simple and powerful. The technology has improved, so a leotard and tights are now buttery soft and the shoes are supple, hugging little feet with the right amount of performance magic. Make sure you are getting the RIGHT tools by shopping local or at a dance supply store, instead of spending your hard-earned dollars on play shoes from a big box store. Set your dancer up for success from the very first step!

TRIAL CLASS Dress Code:

If you already have dress code items, like a leotard, tights or dance shoes, wear those! But we don't expect anyone to invest in the uniform before taking a test spin on the floor! The important thing is to be comfortable so that you can get the most out of the experience. Uniforms are a proud part of the enrollment process.

Enrolled Dancer Dress Code:

Our certified, generous, innovative team of professional teaching artists, community outreach collaborators, and client care specialists continues to grow in our single-hearted devotion to serve our students with integrity. We believe every child matters and do our very best to see individual results, goals and dreams are achieved within our supportive family environment.

Dancers learn more, have fun and discover their joy one step at a time! Providing your child with the best opportunities to explore and grow in a safe, nurturing environment is one of the biggest challenges parents and caregivers face.

To help you in your search, join a trial class on us to experience first-hand what our dancers and families share they love about us! Our studio is one-of-a-kind in the nation. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Age-appropriate learning: Families love how we place students by age AND level, to help each person gain the best individual progress. We have G-rated music, costumes and dress codes to treasure the magic of childhood! Dedicated students who continue studies are trained and can compete with those living in large metropolitan or coastal areas, too!
2. Small Classes: We limit class sizes, for the highest quality focus and personal attention possible. We don’t strive to be the largest studios because we don’t want to skimp on quality, or miss students if they are lost in a sea of bodies. No one is invisible in our classrooms.
3. Whole-child philosophies: our experienced teachers value every student, because every person matters. We understand that every person is unique in learning styles, ability, physique, personality and more. With that in mind, every child gets a personalized learning plan with individualized instruction. We meet students where they are and help them to find the next right step!
4. Safety: We train dancers with safe, proven methods for injury-prevention in mind ~ we are born with just one instrument, one body to use so we encourage our dancers to care for it well! In the event that a student needs special accommodations (due to injuries from other activities) we SAFELY offer opportunities for best class modifications with caregiver/doctor's permission.
5. Best Practices: 100% of our faculty are certified in first aid and CPR. We are also certified in specific techniques and methods of training to bring out the best in your dancer: Vaganova, and Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) are the latest additions to our pro faculty training skills.
6. Mentorship: We have a reputation as a drama-free zone. We lead, mentor and guide dancers as young people of character and integrity, growing together in community.
7. Recognition: The first studio awarded recognition by the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) in South Dakota to start a chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). Inductees are awarded points for leadership, dance artistry and academic excellence, and may apply for national scholarships. For more information, please click here.
8. Spaces: We provide room to explore and grow: The only studios with multiple locations and online services in the Black Hills region, we have hardwood flooring for drum-worthy tapping resonance, and a full theatre-sized sprung marley floor for those who reach farther and dance larger downtown!
9. Protected Childhoods & Family Values: We value the magic of childhood, quality family time, friendships and healthy physical activity. Because we recognize how precious those irreplaceable years are, we build dance skills AND life skills! Students gain lifetime friendships while learning healthy movement and sound technique, building new ways of connecting, growing social skills, finding mentors and dreaming big to achieve real-world goals!
10. Joy!: Imagine seeing your child bounce out of class with a huge smile on their face because they’ve made new friends and learned new skills to build their confidence and abilities! Our motto to “Be Bold, Be Brave and Be your Best” is one way we encourage students to grow one joyful and strong step at a time!

We look forward to helping you to grow your budding dancer, one lovely step at a time!

We have been bringing dancing dreams to life for more than a couple of generations in the Black Hills community, because of our commitment to quality, whole-child education and artistry!

More than 60 years ago, Helen Griffiths sold the Academy to Kay Schneider, who grew professional dancers and programs across our State, founded both Black Hills Dance Theatre and co-founded the South Dakota Dance Network, with programs still active today! In 2000 Miss Kay’s student and former professional dancer, Julie A. McFarland, purchased the Academy and added “Arts” to our name, to better reflect what we do best!

Many of our Academy students are children and grandchildren of Alumni.

As of August 1, 2021, our ownership team expanded to include Kristin Goeringer, Claire Leivestad and Alina O. Johnson to see that every child experiences the magic and joy of dance as they learn more with us!