Arts Inspired Dance Academy - Fuquay-Varina
Dance & Arts · Listed
Arts Inspired Dance Academy (AIDA) provides comprehensive arts education in downtown Fuquay-Varina, offering programs that extend beyond traditional dance classes. Our award-winning academy focuses on quality, affordable instruction that builds character and fosters community engagement through cultural arts.
Our diverse programming includes weekly classes for all ages in dance, drama, and gymnastics, theater productions like our upcoming “Madagascar Jr.,” and specialized children’s programs such as Share your Sparkle Saturday tea parties and Friday Nights at AIDA social events. We also offer AIDA Arts Adventures Camps, after-school programs, a Preschool Arts Adventure morning program, and wellness classes for both children and adults.
Our facility features three spacious dance rooms with professional sprung floors, mirrors, and ballet barres, plus a dedicated art room for creative exploration. All programs are led by safety-verified, first-aid certified instructors with backgrounds in both private and public education, ensuring a well-rounded approach to arts instruction.
While we maintain a non-competitive atmosphere, we provide numerous performance opportunities through our affiliated non-profit, Inspired Kids 501(c)3, which supports our performance companies and offers scholarships to students in need. Through community outreach events, seasonal showcases, and special performances, students build confidence while developing strong character and community connections.
We’ve recently expanded to offer classes at the Lillington Community Center, bringing our unique approach to arts education to more families in the area. Visit our in-house boutique for dance attire, shoes, and gifts that support your child’s journey in the arts.
Meet Michelle Hankins
Michelle Hankins has over 30 years of award-winning experience in the cultural arts as a student, performer, educator and executive. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance and a BS in Child and Adolescent Development from UNC-Greensboro. Her mission to build strong dancers, strong citizens and strong communities is recognized throughout the community with programs that focus on often underserved populations such as seniors, foster children and those with minimal resources and access to the arts.
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In 2016, Arts Inspired was the recipient of the Arts and Humanities award from the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association and in 2017 was recipient of the United Arts Council of Wake County Arts For Municipalities grant. In addition to her work in the community, Ms. Hankins has worked in both recreational and competitive fields of dance, gymnastics, music, and the creative arts. She has choreographed and produced two ballets, “The Littlest Angel” (2002), recipient of the United Arts Council Emerging Artist Award, and “The Toy Shoppe” (2016) along with numerous annual productions featuring students of all ages and abilities. While the accolades from a lifetime in the performing arts are a symbol of her personal and professional accomplishments, the real reward is the joy on the faces of her students and families as Arts Inspired Dance Academy and Inspired Kids offers students from expansive demographic backgrounds quality educational programming and makes a tremendous impact on the cultural enhancement of her growing community. In 2019 she completed training as a RhythmWorks Integrative Dance certification and she completes annual CEC credits in early childhood education.
In addition to her busy life impacting the community, Ms. Michelle is also the proud mom of two amazing boys, Camden, age 17and Dylan, age 15. She is also First Aid/CPR certified and is excited to share her passion for impacting communities, building strong dancers and strong citizens.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Arts Inspired Dance Academy offer?
- Arts education that reaches well beyond dance. There are weekly classes in dance, drama and gymnastics for all ages, theater productions, children programs such as Share your Sparkle Saturday tea parties and Friday Nights at AIDA, Arts Adventures Camps, after-school programs, a Preschool Arts Adventure morning program, and wellness classes for children and adults.
- Where is Arts Inspired Dance Academy located?
- At 118 E Jones St in downtown Fuquay-Varina, NC. The facility has three dance rooms with professional sprung floors, mirrors and ballet barres, plus a dedicated art room. A second location operates at the Lillington Community Center.
- Is Arts Inspired Dance Academy competitive?
- No. The academy keeps a non-competitive atmosphere while still providing performance opportunities through its affiliated non-profit, Inspired Kids 501(c)3, which supports the performance companies and offers scholarships to students in need.
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