About the Academy

Our History

Founded in 1973 by Ann M. Williams, Dallas Black Dance Academy is the official school of Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

We believe dance does more than teach technique—it develops discipline, confidence and life skills that extend far beyond the studio.

Our Programs

We welcome students from beginners to advanced levels across multiple dance styles including Ballet, Jazz, African, Modern, Hip-Hop, and Tap. Adults can join our Ballet, Modern, and Dance Cardio classes.

Age-Specific Training:

  • Ages 2-3: Parent & Me

  • Ages 4-14: Ballet foundation required annually

  • Ages 6+: Encouraged to explore additional styles like Jazz, African, Tap, and Modern

  • Adult classes available for continuing dancers

Schedule:

Regular academy classes run September through May, with special summer programming offered separately.

At DBDA, we’re committed to developing not just skilled dancers, but confident individuals who carry the discipline and self-esteem gained through dance into every aspect of their lives.

Our Alumni

We're proud of the paths our graduates have taken. They've earned talent scholarships to prestigious universities, colleges, and dance conservatories across the country. Many have gone on to perform with professional ballet, modern dance, and jazz companies throughout the United States and Europe, while others are sharing their passion as dance educators in studios and schools nationwide.

Here are some of the places where you'll find our alumni:

    • John O'Malley (1979): freelance choreographer/dancer, artistic director of Neo Lobos, New York

    • Mark Robison (1979): Videographer for PBS Dance Productions, Elizabeth Streb Dance Company

    • Darryl Sneed (1979): Alvin Ailey Repertory Dance Company, Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance Company, assistant artistic director of Dallas Black Dance TheatreDescription text goes here

    • Milton Tatum (1980): Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Ballet, Dancers Unlimited, Bella Lewitzky Dance Company, Debbie Allen, Walt Disney movie Polly

    • Dereque Whiturs (1981): Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Disney World, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Dancers Unlimited, Director of NIA-the Dance Theatre, Deeply Rooted Dance Company

    • Ramona Jackson (1983): Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dance Umbrella choreographer awardee, guest dancer with Ralph Lemon Dance Company, BTWHSPVA dance faculty

    • Betsy McCracken (1983): Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Dance Company

    • Theresa Sneed Hardy (1983): Dancers Unlimited, dance faculty at Hampton University, principal dancer with Dallas I Black Dance Theatre, faculty at Pearl C. Anderson Learning Center, Thomas Jefferson H.S.

    • Kelly Sponseller (1983): J. David Kirby Dance Company, City Jazz

    • Derrick Brown (1984): Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Perridance, Ballet Manhattan, Scapino Dance Company-Holland, Monnaie Dance Group/Mark Morris

    • Brian Fox (1984): Tulsa Ballet, new age composer for national commercial for J.C. Penney, dance photographer

    • Linda Miller (1984): Dallas Ballet, Lexington Ballet, Ballet Arkansas

    • Shawn Holt (1985): Pat Graney Dance Company, American College Dance Festival choreography awardee

    • Susan Richardson (1985): Perridance, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance Company

    • Carla Wattley Stribling (1985): Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dancers Unlimited, Mary Kay Industrial Shows, faculty at Greiner Arts Academy, BTWHSPVA dance faculty, freelance choreographer, dancer with Incredible Productions

    • Phillip Griff Braun (1986): Dallas Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, The Feld Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, New York Metropolitan Opera

    • Kerry Lacey (1987): EFX with David Cassidy

    • David Wilson (1987): principal dancer with Dallas Black Dance Theatre

    • Steffany George (1988): Mimi Gerrard Dance Company

    • Gesel Mason (1988): Repertory Dance Theatre of Utah, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Mason/Rhynes Productions

    • Bridget Moore (1988): Ron Brown/Evidence Company

    • Veronica Erickson Bovey (1989): The Greenhill School Dance Faculty, elledanceworks

    • Misty Owens (1989): Peggy Spina Tap Company, BTW dance faculty, faculty for Mark Morris

    • Rhonda Allen (1990): Dallas Ballet, Ballet Dallas, New Jersey Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre

    • Amy Harris (1990): Dallas Ballet, Ballet Dallas, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Tulsa Ballet

    • Karly Hicks (1990): Caroline Dorfinan Dance Company, freelance dancer in Austin, TX

    • Carter Smith (1990): Hartford Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, faculty at Boston Conservatory, Rock School of Ballet

    • Cortney Palomo (1993): Michael Crawford MGM Grand Show, Cleveland Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Washington Ballet

    • Angela Sharp (1993): Ground Level Dance Company

    • Jay Franke (1994): Twyla Tharp Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Company, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

    • Sydney Freeman (1994): former Dallas Black Dance Theatre School Director

    • Erin Bellard (1995): Nunsense

    • Dylis Croman (1995): The Feld Ballet, Applause, Chicago, Fosse, Thou Shalt Not, Oklahoma, Sweet Charity, the lead in the National Tour of Moving Out, and A Chorus Line

    • Adam Hougland (1995): winner of the 2006 Princess Grace Award for Choreography, Toronto Dance Theatre, Jose Limon Dance Company, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

    • Melissa Glasgow (1997): owner of X2Dance

    • Jennifer Racine (1997): Greensboro Ballet Company

    • Giovanna Godinez (1997): Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández

    • Courtney Blackwell (1998): Ballet Theater Munich-Germany; staff at The Juilliard School

    • Emily Haag (1998): Summer Stock, 42nd Street (Pennsylvania)

    • Delanie Large (1998): Elledanceworks

    • Alicia Pegues (1999): Elisa Monte Dance Company, Dallas Black Dance Theatre

    • Vernon Gooden (2000): Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance Company, Taylor2 Dance Company

    • Emily Shytles (2000): Manager of New York's Pure Yoga

    • LaQuet Thompson (2002): Memphis, The Lion King, Sweet Charity (Broadway & 1st National Tour), Shrek

    • Nolan McGahan (2003): Aspen Santa Fe Ballet

    • Stephen Adams (2003): Cleo Parker-Robinson Dance Company

    • Dean DeLuna (2004): International tour of West Side Story

    • Christopher Vo (2004): Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly With Me

    • Jonathan Campbell (2006): Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

    • Alex Edwards (2006): Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Meet Our Ensembles

Classes & Programs

Student & Educator Resources

Come Dance with Us!

 

STUDIO ADDRESS
2700 Ann Williams Way
Dallas, TX 7201

PHONE: (214) 871-2387
EMAIL: academy@dbdt.com

MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. Box 131290
Dallas, Texas 75313-1290

  • Dallas Black Dance Academy is pleased to offer parking directly in front of the building, however spaces are limited.

    One Arts Plaza, located at 1722 Routh Street, offers additional convenient parking options for our visitors.

    Please note: One Arts Plaza is not affiliated with Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

  • Monday – Tuesday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
    Wednesday – Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
    Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm