DETROIT WINDSOR DANCE ACADEMY

What DETROIT WINDSOR DANCE ACADEMY does

Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy (DWDA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dance education institution headquartered at 3031 W Grand Blvd Suite 260 in Detroit's New Center district. Founded in 1985 and currently in its 39th season, the academy provides multi-level dance training to the Detroit-Windsor international community, serving students from age 2 (toddler classes with adult participation) through seniors aged 60+, with structured tiers spanning Introduction to Dance (ages 4-5), Pre-Dance (ages 6-7), Level 1/2 (ages 8+), and a four-tier audition-based Pre-professional track (Pre-professional 1, Pre-professional 2, Junior Company, Second Company). Instructional disciplines include Ballet, Acro, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Liturgical, Jit, and Belly dance.

The academy's core proprietary offering is the Dancer I.Q. Program, a curriculum framework covering alignment, vocabulary, history, and anatomy, designed to develop skill, strength, grace, flexibility, and style. Annual student concerts are staged at Music Hall Detroit, and the academy claims a 30+ season record of critical acclaim across five continents. Co-founder and Artistic Director Debra White-Hunt (60+ years of teaching, Kresge Artist Fellow, Milken National Educator Award recipient, Michiganian of the Year, Michigan Women's Hall of Fame inductee) leads a faculty that includes a 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow (Michael Manson Jr.), a former Radio City Rockettes performer, a Detroit Lions cheerleader captain, and instructors with BFA/MFA credentials from institutions including University of the Arts, Drexel, Marygrove, Michigan State, and DePaul.

DWDA operates a subscription-based revenue model anchored in monthly tuition ($50-$160/month for youth/teen students based on class frequency, with multi-class discounts up to 31%, plus a $20/month Pointe add-on). Ancillary revenue includes annual registration ($20), new parent fees ($40), costume fees ($65/class), adult 6-week and 10-week workshop courses ($60-$100), and drop-in single classes ($20). Donations are solicited at $10, $25, $50, $100, and custom tiers to fund program expansion. Enrollment is handled through the Dance Studio Pro and GoStudioPro online platforms, and the academy markets through a Squarespace website, email newsletter, photo/video gallery, and prominent customer testimonials. Veterans and seniors aged 60+ receive a 10% discount, and no registration fees apply for early Fall 2026 sign-ups.

Name

DETROIT WINDSOR DANCE ACADEMY

Legal name

Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy

Website

https://detroitwindsordance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dance school in Detroit, MI, founded in 1985, providing multi-level training from age 2 to seniors across Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Tap, Modern, and other disciplines, led by a Hall-of-Fame artistic director.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dance Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Dance Companies (711120)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance) (EDAAAGAD), Dance Competitions & Showcases (Non-Esports) (MPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Dance education
• Youth dance training
• Ballet instruction
• Hip-hop classes
• Adult dance workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Dance Class Tuition: Monthly tuition payments for dance classes with tiered pricing based on number of classes per week. Includes class instruction, concerts, rehearsals, photo day, and certificates. Billing is monthly on the 2nd Saturday of each month.
2. Registration and Fees: Annual student registration fees ($20), new parent fees ($40), and costume fees ($65 per class). Drop-in single class fees ($20) and 10-week course options ($150).
3. Donations: 501(c)(3) non-profit accepting donations to expand programs and improve dance education. Donation options at $10, $25, $50, $100, and custom amounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy (DWDA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dance education institution that delivers multi-level, in-person dance instruction across multiple disciplines (Ballet, Acro, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Liturgical, Jit, Pointe) for students from age 2 through adulthood. Instruction is anchored in a proprietary Dancer I.Q. curriculum covering alignment, vocabulary, history, and anatomy, and culminates in annual professional-stage performances at Music Hall Detroit. The academy sells monthly class subscriptions, audition-based pre-professional tracks, adult workshops, and a seasonal summer camp.

Product overview

Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy (DWDA) is a multi-level dance education institution offering structured training across multiple dance disciplines including Ballet, Acro, Tap, Modern, Hip-Hop, Jazz/Funk, Liturgical, Jit, and Belly dance. The academy provides age-appropriate programs ranging from toddler classes (ages 2-3 with parent participation) through Pre-professional levels with a 4-tiered audition-based track. Core educational offerings include the Dancer I.Q. program for dance excellence instruction and annual professional stage performances at Music Hall Detroit. The institution also serves adult students through dedicated workshop programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Multi-Level Dance Classes
• Pointe Classes
• Pre-Professional Program
• 10-Month Adult Workshop
• Summer Camp 2026

Quantifiable outcome

• 39 seasons of operation and 30+ years of international critical acclaim
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ToyotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDWDA was sponsored by Toyota for the International Auto Show in Detroit. Debra White-Hunt choreographed 'Obon' and 'Kokoro' for this event with choreography by Debra White-Hunt.
• Music Hall DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDWDA holds their Annual Concert at Music Hall Detroit, a stage where many stars have performed. This provides professional stage experience for students.
• Detroit School of Arts (DSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDWDA instructor Demetrius Shields currently serves at Detroit School of Arts (DSA) after working with Radio City Rockettes, TV & film, and teaching in New York tri-state area.
• Detroit Institute of ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe front steps of the Detroit Institute of Arts on Woodward Ave serve as a backdrop for the 35th Annual Concert photo, showing ongoing partnership with cultural institutions.
• Dance Studio ProcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline registration and enrollment platform used by DWDA for student registration, scheduling, and studio management.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Dance Institute: Nonprofit dance education organization founded by Jacques d'Amboise that provides structured, multi-level dance instruction to children nationwide. Comparable to DWDA as a tuition-and-donation-supported nonprofit dance school focused on youth development and community access.
• Mark Morris Dance Group (Education): Nonprofit dance organization offering community and youth dance education programs in multiple genres. Comparable to DWDA in nonprofit structure, multi-genre offerings (modern, ballet, jazz), and focus on inclusive access to dance training.
• Dance Theatre of Harlem (School): Multidisciplinary dance institution offering ballet-based and community dance training with a strong youth pipeline and pre-professional ensemble. Comparable to DWDA in mission (multi-level youth instruction, community engagement, professional-stage performance opportunities) and nonprofit structure.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Ballet School: Education arm of Boston Ballet offering age-graded ballet and dance instruction from toddlers to pre-professional levels. Mirrors DWDA's age-segmented curriculum (toddlers, Introduction to Dance, Pre-Dance, leveled classes) and performance-based learning model.
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Ailey School): The Ailey School is the training arm of one of the most prominent modern dance companies in the world, offering multi-level youth and pre-professional programs. Comparable to DWDA's structure of beginner-through-pre-professional track and adult workshops, but operating at national scale with broader brand recognition.
• Interlochen Arts Academy: Pre-college fine and performing arts boarding school with a rigorous dance program. Comparable to DWDA's pre-professional training track and arts-focused curriculum, though operating at a residential, conservatory scale.
• Joffrey Ballet School: Major U.S. ballet training institution offering youth and pre-professional programs in classical and contemporary dance. Comparable to DWDA's pre-professional pipeline (Pre-Professional 1/2, Junior Company, Second Company) and tiered multi-class pricing structure.

Regional players

• Detroit School of Arts: Detroit public magnet high school with a performing arts focus that shares faculty crossover with DWDA (instructor Demetrius Shields teaches there). Comparable as a Detroit-area arts-education institution serving serious dance students and acting as a talent feeder for DWDA's pre-professional pipeline.
• Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Midwest-based professional dance company with deep youth and community education programs. Comparable to DWDA in offering youth dance training, performance showcases, and a Midwest urban footprint, though operating at a larger metropolitan scale.
• Cass Technical High School (Dance Program): Detroit magnet high school whose dance program has produced multiple DWDA instructors (Demetrius Shields, Deyanna Adams, Dr. Alescia Farr). Comparable as a Detroit-based dance-education feeder that supplies advanced student talent and teaching professionals to the academy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/detroit-windsor-dance-academy

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DETROIT WINDSOR DANCE ACADEMY