Academy For The Performing Arts, Inc

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ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, INC - STUDIO INFORMATION
Styles: Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, Fitness-Influenced Dance (e.g., Zumba, Barre) Youngest Age: 3	Also Offers: Group Classes Trial Class

About ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, INC

Hi there! My name is Hillary Parnell, and I am the Owner and Director of the Academy for the Performing Arts (APA) and Preschool for the Arts. To know the full APA story, you need to know MY story. I’ll try to give you the short and sweet version.

I was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and moved to Cary, NC when I was 13. I have been dancing my entire life, but never intended on dance being my career. I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2000 and was planning on turning right back around to go to dental school. Well, that was the plan. But, I panicked. Instead, I moved to Atlanta for about a year and worked in ad sales. Lucky for me, the economy took a nose-dive and my company closed. I moved back home to Cary and after maybe a whole week of contemplation, and all the maturity of a 22-year-old, I asked my parents if I could live with them while I pursued my {new} dream of opening a dance studio. Now, don’t get me wrong… I had plans. I had a whole notebook of plans for my dance studio that I drew up when I was 9. However, reality hit when we opened the doors in the fall of 2001 with 4,000 square feet and only 6 dancers. Thank goodness for that immaturity of a 22-year-old, because I never flinched or gave up hope. There was no “plan B” and I knew I could make it work. I had an amazing staff, a solid mission, and a passion for teaching that I didn’t even realize.

In 2003, we added our competitive program, “Company”. Our Company of nearly 100 students is divided into three different competitive levels. These groups train weekly and compete throughout the year at local and regional competitions. Visit the Competitive Dance page to find out more about auditions, watch videos, and track our results through the competition season.

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