Academy of Arts Inc.

Dance and Music can provide a creative outlet for both the physical and emotional spirit of children. Academy of Arts offers a warm, caring, family environment where students have an opportunity to nurture their love of the arts. All classes are $45.00 per month and are offered for ages 3 to professional. Their large in-house faculty had a professional career, and are highly qualified instructors. Academy of Arts offers instruction in: Pointe, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, Flamenco, Modern, Belly Dancing, Musical Theatre, Voice, Piano, and Guitar. There are a variety of dance styles available for the more serious student or others wishing to pursue a professional career. In Ballet alone, they have 5 instructors and offer different styles used worldwide including Vaganova and Chechetti, and students are taught by teachers from the Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Nacional, Royal Winnipeg Ballet & more. A handful of students are accepted in July each year, and from the moment you walk in, you know you are blessed to have this amazing staff. They bring their passion for the arts, knowledge, and experience to each and every student enrolled at the Academy.
The focus at the Academy is not on dance recitals, or competitions, but rather the training offered by an excellent dance education. Due to fundraisers held, there are No Recital Fees, No Rehearsal Fees, No Minimum Ticket Purchases for performances, and No High-Priced Tickets to purchase. The Academy’s Performing Group is made up of students that have volunteered their time to be a part of many of the shows performed throughout the year. This year students had the opportunity to perform at Disney, Century Village, Senior Focal Point, Miramar Cultural Center, and Bailey Concert Hall. The children are not auditioned, but rather given a chance to enjoy the art of dance.
The Academy’s Dance Company is comprised of very talented young dancers that have been auditioned to be a part of the special program. The Company represents a dancing group of the community and for the community. It is an intense program which includes training in all areas of dance needed to prepare the students for a professional career. These dancers are not only taught by the staff at the Academy, but are also given the opportunity to work with guest artists, and are encouraged to receive training in all areas to help them reach their full potential.
In the past, many of the Academy’s graduating students had to choose between obtaining a college degree and pursuing a career in dance. Academy of Arts Professional Company, Metropolitan Ballet of Florida, gives local professionals and talented artists the opportunity for employment. M.B.F. also gives former students employment opportunities, while they continue training and receive compensation. It is our wish and hopes that you will help support this company and become involved and help spread the news!
Director, Rebeca Russo-Columna is involved in the enhancement of each and every student at the Academy. She is at the school from opening to closing, and all students can benefit from her extensive training and experience. At an early age, she resolved to be a dancer and trained with a local dance studio, was on scholarship with the Miami Ballet Company, and the Opera Guild. At the age of 13, Rebeca was awarded a full merit scholarship from the Ford Foundation, to attend the National Academy of Dance in Champaign, IL. and attended their boarding school. She was awarded first place in the U.S. National Merit Scholarship Competition for three consecutive years. Rebeca also received a full scholarship to the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts in Banff, Alberta, Canada. While in Canada she was spotted by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet director, and later went on to dance and tour with the company. Rebeca has danced many soloist roles, and has performed in music videos, commercials, and many televised events with well-known entertainers.
Rebeca is a certified teacher and has been teaching professionally since 1979. She opened Academy of Arts in 1994, and her hard work and dedication are reflected in the quality of her dancers and the success of the school. Her students have been accepted to some of the most prestigious schools in the country, including the Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Orlando Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, Washington Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Nutmeg Conservatory, Walnut Hill, and the Rock. They have also earned scholarships to the Chicago College for the Performing Arts, Hartt School of Music, Florida State University, New World School of the Arts, University of Central Florida and more.
Academy of Arts offers free trial classes for placement and is open Monday-Saturday. They are located at: Chapel Trail Trade Center
20841 Johnson Street, Suite #113, Pembroke Pines, FL. 33029.
Telephone: (954) 704-0068
www.academyofartsinc.com