Find your rhythm.
Feel your best.
Locally-owned. Mechanicsville/Richmond Dance Classes for all ages.
For 27 years, School of Dance Arts has been unequaled in personal attention and talented instruction. Through a progressive dance curriculum, we will take your child from student to artist in a fun, creative environment, designed to nurture their artistic development!
Why Dance Classes?
Dance classes do more than get you moving—they help you grow, stay fit, and connect with others. Whether you're boosting confidence, improving fitness, or expressing creativity, dance has something for everyone. Join us to discover the joy and lasting benefits of dance in your life.
Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem
Dance classes boost confidence as students master new skills and express themselves, leading to increased self-esteem in and out of the studio.
Improves Physical Fitness
Dancing is a fun way to stay fit, enhancing heart health, muscle strength, flexibility, and coordination—all while enjoying music.
Encourages Creativity and Expression
Dance lets students express emotions through movement, fostering creativity and new ways to communicate.
Enhances Social Skills
Dance classes help make new friends and develop teamwork skills, promoting cooperation and lasting relationships.
Boosts Mental Well-Being
Dancing reduces stress, elevates mood, and improves focus, promoting overall mental well-being.
Promotes Discipline and Perseverance
Dance teaches dedication and discipline, helping students set goals and work hard to achieve them in all areas of life.
Students are thriving.
Parents are thrilled.
We've helped 8,000+ students over the last 26 years find their rhythm and feel their best.
Donna Wescott
Programs
Every program features the following:
Superior Facilities. Our dance studio rooms are state-of-the-art with professional floating wood floors to reduce fatigue and prevent injuries.
Dedicated Student Resources. We give personalized attention to each student in order to place them at the appropriate level for progression in our program.
Limited Class Sizes. Personalized instruction means more progress for each student. Assistant teachers are provided in larger classes to provide attention to students when needed.
Exciting Year-end Recital. We produce a yearly recital for students to showcase their skills and experience the stage! Our recital is fully costumed and lit by professional theater technicians.
Ballet
The Foundation of Dance, ballet is structured and used to strengthen dancers bodies, minds, and artistic expression.
Ballet Classes for Students of All Ages
Choosing the right dance class can be a challenge. Ballet benefits both children and adults, offering physical activity, creative expression, and socialization. Kids enjoy a fun outlet for energy, while adults get a great workout and a creative outlet.
Tone Muscles and Discover Your Potential
Our classical ballet classes provide a fun and challenging way for students of all ages to strengthen their bodies and explore their capabilities.
Fun and Progress in Every Class
Classical ballet classes offer students of all ages a fun and challenging way to tone their muscles and learn what their bodies can do. With a unique combination of art and fitness, students learn to express themselves through movement in a safe and nurturing environment. Our experienced teachers will guide them each step of the way.
Pointe For Advanced Dancers
Pointe work is for the more advanced ballet dancer and all students wishing to dance on pointe must be assessed for proper body alignment, core strength, strength of ankles, turnout, and feet strength. SODA Instructors personally assist each dancer at a fitting for their first pair of pointe shoes.
Experience the Elegance and Discipline of Ballet
Refine your ballet skills and embrace the art with expert instruction, from basic steps to advanced pointe work.
Lyrical
Lyrical is ballet technique with more expression to lyrics in music. It is used to transform the words in the song to movement in the dancer's bodies.
Build Strength and Fluidity
Students develop both physical strength and fluidity, mastering the art of connecting powerful movements with delicate transitions.
Enhance Musical Interpretation
Lyrical lessons teach students to interpret and embody the lyrics of music, deepening their connection to both the song and their own performance.
Cultivate Creative Freedom
Through lyrical dance, students are encouraged to explore their creativity, crafting unique performances that reflect their personal style and emotions.
Unlock Emotional Expression
Lyrical dance helps students tap into their emotions, allowing them to express their feelings through graceful, flowing movements.
Begin Your Journey of Emotional Expression
Discover the power of lyrical dance to express your inner emotions and tell your unique story. Join our lyrical classes today and unlock a new level of creativity and movement.
Jazz
Experience the thrill of dancing with energy, style, and confidence in our Jazz program, where every class is a dynamic blend of rhythm, creativity, and fun.
Master Rhythm and Groove
Students will develop a strong sense of rhythm, learning to move in sync with upbeat music while mastering intricate footwork and dynamic routines.
Build Confidence on the Dance Floor
Through fun and challenging routines, students gain the confidence to showcase their unique style and personality in every performance.
Unleash Your Energy and Style
Jazz classes let students express their individuality with high-energy moves, learning to dance with confidence and flair.
Stay Fit While Having Fun
Jazz dance classes offer a fun way to stay active, combining cardio and strength-building exercises with exciting choreography.
Step into the Spotlight with Jazz
Get ready to move, groove, and express your unique style. Join our Jazz classes today and dance your way to confidence, rhythm, and fun!
Modern / Contemporary
Explore the freedom of movement and emotional depth in our Modern/Contemporary program, where creativity meets technique in a dynamic and expressive dance experience.
Explore Creative Freedom
Modern/Contemporary dance encourages students to break free from traditional forms, allowing them to explore their creativity and personal expression through innovative movement.
Build Strength and Versatility
Modern/Contemporary classes focus on developing both strength and flexibility, providing students with the versatility to explore a wide range of movement styles and techniques.
Connect Emotion with Movement
Students learn to translate their emotions into powerful, expressive movements, creating performances that resonate on a deep, personal level.
Innovate with Improvisation
Through improvisation exercises, students develop the ability to create spontaneous and original choreography, honing their artistic instincts and adaptability.
Embrace the Art of Modern and Contemporary Dance
Dive into a world of creative expression and emotional depth. Join our Modern/Contemporary classes today and discover the freedom to move, innovate, and connect through dance.
Tap
Step into the world of rhythm and precision with our Tap program, where every movement creates music and builds confidence.
Build Confidence with Every Step
Tap dance offers a unique way to express creativity by combining movement and sound, allowing students to craft their own rhythmic patterns and styles.
Express Yourself Through Sound
As students progress in tap, they gain confidence in their ability to perform complex routines, showcasing their skills and personal flair on the dance floor.
Master the Art of Rhythm
Tap dance teaches students to create intricate rhythms with their feet, turning movement into music and developing a strong sense of timing.
Enhance Coordination and Precision
Tap classes focus on precise footwork, helping students improve their coordination, agility, and attention to detail with every step.
Step into the Rhythm with Tap
Discover the joy of creating music with your feet. Join our Tap classes and develop your rhythm, timing, and coordination in a fun, energetic environment.
Creative Movement
Introduce your child to the joy of dance with our Creative Movement program, where imagination and play take center stage.
Ignite Your Child’s Imagination
Creative Movement classes encourage young children to explore their imagination through dance, fostering creativity and self-expression in a playful environment.
Introduce the Joy of Dance
These classes provide a joyful introduction to the world of dance, where children can explore movement, rhythm, and music in a fun and encouraging atmosphere.
Develop Motor Skills and Coordination
Through fun and engaging activities, children enhance their motor skills, balance, and coordination, building a strong foundation for future dance experiences.
Build Confidence and Social Skills
Our Creative Movement program helps children gain confidence and develop social skills by interacting with peers in a supportive and nurturing setting.
Nurture Your Child's Love for Dance
Give your little one the perfect introduction to dance. Join our Creative Movement classes, where imagination and play help children explore movement and build confidence.
Yoga & Pilates
Achieve balance, strength, and serenity through our Yoga and Pilate's programs, designed to nurture both body and mind.
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Find Your Inner Peace
Our Yoga and Pilates classes guide students toward mental clarity and relaxation. Through mindful movement, breathwork, and Pilates' controlled techniques, students cultivate a sense of inner peace and well-being, both mentally and physically.
Reduce Stress and Increase Focus
Through meditative Yoga practices and Pilates' precise movements, our classes help students reduce stress, increase focus, and achieve greater mindfulness in their daily lives, all while improving physical stamina and mental clarity.
Improve Flexibility and Strength
Both Yoga and Pilates enhance flexibility, build strength, and improve posture. With Yoga’s dynamic stretches and Pilates’ focused core work, these practices offer a balanced approach to wellness and physical fitness.
Balance Body and Mind
Our Yoga and Pilates classes promote harmony between body and mind. Inspired by the teachings of Joseph Pilates and the principles of Yoga, these classes offer a holistic approach to health that supports emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
Find your balance.
Achieve balance, strength, and serenity through our Yoga and Pilate's programs, designed to nurture both body and mind.
Where dedication meets achievement.
Join SODA’s Teen and Senior Perform Companies to compete at top events like Showstopper and StarQuest. Our dancers excel through advanced choreography, workshops, and private coaching. Elevate your dance journey with us—competition team members take at least 6 classes and participate in private rehearsals.
Achieve Excellence in Dance
Our Perform Companies are dedicated to helping students achieve their highest potential, both on and off the stage. With rigorous training and personalized coaching, we prepare our dancers for success.
Experience the Thrill of Competition
Competing with SODA means being part of a team that excels. From local events to national stages, our dancers consistently bring home top awards and gain confidence with every performance.
Your Instructors
Meet the passionate instructors who inspire and guide our dancers.
Valarie is in her 27th year as director of SODA.
Valarie grew up dancing in Florence, South Carolina, where she became a soloist with the Civic Ballet Company. She was also a member of the Robert Ivey Ballet in Charleston, SC. In 1983, she was crowned Miss Darlington and earned two Talent Awards in Miss America Preliminary scholarship pageants. Her career expanded beyond dance when she worked as an on-air host for NTV network's "Dialing for Dollars" in Kearney, Nebraska. In the 1990s, she produced and hosted her own radio program, "Working Women," on WRVA, which led to several television programs, including "The Family Front." Since then, Valarie has received several business leadership awards in Virginia alongside her husband, Craig. Together, they lead the School of Dance Arts and Taekwondo Works in Mechanicsville, forming a family team of artists committed to excellence in the arts and in life.
Janie has been a dancer at SODA for 23 years.
Janie has studied various styles of dance, including ballet, lyrical, modern, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop. She studied dance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for two years, where she took upper-level ballet and modern classes, as well as trained with guest artists from NYC and LA. Since 2016, both her dancing and choreography have been recognized and awarded at numerous prestigious dance competitions. In addition to her dance expertise, Janie completed a 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training in Greece, further deepening her connection to movement and body awareness. Alongside her passion for dance and yoga, she is also an accomplished photographer, capturing beautiful and expressive moments through her lens.
Josie has been a dancer at SODA for 16 years.
Josie was a soloist and part of SODA’s Senior Perform Company for many years. This is her 4th year as a teacher at SODA! She leads the Teen Perform Company, and her choreography, as well as her performances, have earned multiple awards at various competitions.
2025 Summer and Fall Class Schedules
Take the leap!
Join a 27-year legacy of over 8,000 happy students by claiming your free class today.
