Programs

Dance

From first steps in Creative Movement to the spotlight of The Nutcracker — HCA's dance programs inspire excellence, artistry, and lifelong love of movement.

42 Classes / Week

7+ Styles

Pre-K to Adult

Competition Team

Dance Disciplines

Find Your Style

Ballet

Classical technique from Pre-Ballet through advanced Company level. HCA alumni have gone on to perform with City Ballet of Cleveland, Ballet 5:8, Ohio Northern University, and Kent State.

Pre-Ballet (ages 5–6): Thu 5:00–5:45 PM

Ballet 1 (ages 7–8): Mon 4:00–5:00 PM

Ballet 2 (ages 8–9): Thu 6:45–7:45 PM

Ballet 3: Mon 5:00–6:15 PM & Thu 5:30–6:45 PM

+4 more levels...

Jazz, Tap & Contemporary

Dynamic classes in jazz, tap, and contemporary styles for intermediate through advanced students.

Jazz 1 (advanced intermediate): Tue 6:30–7:30 PM

Jazz 2/3 (advanced): Tue 4:30–5:30 PM

Jazz 2/Contemporary: Tue 4:30–5:30 PM

Beginning Tap: Mon 6:15–7:15 PM

+2 more levels...

Tumbling

Progressive tumbling program from Pre-K through advanced skills including aerial and layout.

Pre-K Tumbling (ages 4–6): Sat 11:00 AM–12:00 PM

Tumbling 1 (beginners, age 5+): Thu 4:30–5:30 PM

Tumbling 2 (limbers, running cartwheel): Fri 5:30–6:30 PM

Tumbling 3 (walkovers, front handsprings): Mon 5:15–6:15 PM

+2 more levels...

Preschool Dance

Creative movement classes for ages 3–5. No experience required — just a love of movement and fun!

Creative Movement (Miss Ella): Wed 4:00–4:45 PM

Creative Movement (Miss Shannon): Thu 10:00–10:45 AM

Elite Competition Dance

HCA Elite is our competitive dance team that has competed in Nashville, Las Vegas, and Orlando.

Mini/Junior Elite (ages 7–11): Wed 5:15–6:15 PM

Teen/Senior Elite (ages 12–18): Tue 5:30–6:30 PM

Adult Fitness

Club Fit / PowerFit Cardio — high-energy dance fitness classes for adults. Monthly membership, cancel anytime.

PowerFit Cardio: Mon/Wed/Fri 9–10 AM

Saturday PowerFit: Sat 8–9 AM

Monthly membership: $31/month

On Stage

Performance Opportunities

HCA students perform before live audiences throughout the year — from The Nutcracker at Ohio Star Theater to community events across Holmes County.

December · Ohio Star Theater

The Nutcracker

Spring · Center Stage Theater

Spring Recital

Year-round · Various

Elite Tumblers Showcase

Community Performances

HCA students also perform throughout the community, bringing the arts to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Walnut Hills Retirement Home

Majora Lane Retirement Home

Broadway Showcase at Hiland High School

Holmes County Fair

Share-a-Christmas

Holmes County Chamber of Commerce Christmas Luncheon

Faculty

Dance Instructors

Abi Besse

Dance Director

BalletDirection

Abi trained at Light of the World Ballet in New York and has served as a guest artist with the City Ballet of Cleveland. As HCA's Dance Director, she brings professional artistry and a nurturing approach to every class.

Holley Johnson

Ballet Instructor

Ballet

Holley holds a BFA from the University of Utah and has danced professionally with the Atlanta Ballet and Lexington Ballet. She has performed at the Royal Festival Hall in London and the Fox Theater in Atlanta. One of HCA's founding instructors.

Shannon Olsen

Executive Director & Dance Instructor

DanceDirection

Shannon founded Take A Bow dance studio in Georgia and brings over 30 years of teaching experience to HCA. She serves as Executive Director while continuing to teach and inspire students of all ages.

Kori Bower

Tumbling & Dance Instructor

TumblingJazzContemporary

Kori has competed in Nashville, Las Vegas, and Orlando. She has choreographed HCA's Nutcracker, Newsies, and Lion King Jr. productions. A dynamic instructor with a passion for technique and performance.

Emma Yoder

Tumbling & Beginning Ballet

TumblingBallet

Emma is an HCA alum who performed the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen roles and attended the Cincinnati Ballet summer intensive program. She brings firsthand experience of HCA's training to her students.

Ella Sommers

Ballet Instructor

Ballet

Ella is an HCA alum with 13 years of training who attended Ballet Magnificat summer intensives. She teaches Pre-Ballet and Ballet 3 with grace and expertise.

Taryn Grassbaugh

Ballet Instructor

BalletPointe

Taryn studied ballet at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music. A returning HCA alum, she teaches advanced ballet and pointe technique.