Martell School Of Dance

What Martell School Of Dance does

Martell School of Dance is a privately held, non-competition dance studio operating two physical locations in Akron, Ohio (Martell Main at 788 West Market Street and Martell Tu at 1530 W. Market Street, within 1.5 miles of each other). Founded in 1980 as Franklin School of Dance, the business is currently in its 47th operating season (2026-2027) under Owner/Director Rachel Huffman, who acquired the studio in Summer 2017. The legal entity is Rachel Huffman Yunker LLC. The studio serves a community of hundreds of dancers aged 2 through adult, segmented across children (ages 2 through 4th grade at Martell Tu), pre-teens and teens (5th grade through high school at Martell Main), and adult learners, with a leveled curriculum (Levels I-VI) and an Accelerated Level Program requiring contracted commitments for advanced placement.

The core offering is weekly dance instruction across 15+ styles including Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Fusion, Clogging, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Acro, supplemented by specialized programs (Tap Dance for Non-Traditional Populations, Summer Dance Intensive, Princess and JOJO summer camps) and private instruction for weddings, flash mobs, and corporate events. The studio runs on a subscription-based tuition model ($59-$68/month per class, billed across a 9-month September-May season) with discounts for multi-class enrollment, sibling enrollment, annual prepayment (10% off), and referrals ($10 discount). Registration, billing, attendance, and parent/staff communication are managed through the JackRabbit Class SaaS platform; recital flowers and merchandise are sold through a Shopify-hosted e-commerce shop with PayPal checkout, and Zoom supports virtual class delivery.

The go-to-market motion is community-led: word-of-mouth referrals, parent-driven evangelism through the Martell Parent Association (MPA), local performances at parks, churches, and schools, and earned-media recognition including repeated #1 Dance Studio designations from Akron Life Magazine. The studio positions itself against competition-focused studios by emphasizing personal growth, inclusion of children with special needs, and multi-generational family enrollment, with a strategic partnership with Akron Children's Hospital providing free bi-monthly Certified Athletic Trainer injury evaluations. The studio employs approximately 13 people, generates undisclosed private revenue from tuition, recital fees, private lessons, and merchandise, and operates with no external investors or parent company.

Name

Martell School Of Dance

Legal name

Rachel Huffman Yunker LLC

Website

https://martellschoolofdance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Martell School of Dance is a privately held non-competition dance studio operating two locations in Akron, Ohio, serving hundreds of dancers aged 2 through adult with weekly instruction across 15+ dance styles, summer intensives, and private lessons on a subscription tuition model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dance Education & Performing Arts Instruction

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

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), Youth/Student & Community Dance Recitals (MPAGADAI)

Keywords

• Dance education
• Dance studio classes
• Ballet instruction
• Youth dance programs
• Adult dance classes

Headquarters

HQ city

Akron

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Dance Class Tuition: Monthly tuition payments for dance classes based on class duration (30-90+ minutes). Tuition is calculated on a 9-month dance season (September-May) divided into equal monthly installments. Additional revenue from registration fees, costume fees, and recital charges.
2. Recital Products: Sale of recital flowers (rose bouquets in various sizes) for performances. One-time product purchases through the studio's e-commerce shop.
3. Private Instruction: Custom private lessons, flash mobs, wedding party choreography, and wedding dance preparation. Pricing based on individual requests and availability.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Martell School of Dance is a non-competition dance studio that delivers weekly in-person dance classes across 15+ styles (Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Fusion, Clogging, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Acro) for students ages 2 through adult, taught at two physical studios in Akron, Ohio. The studio supplements core classes with private lessons (weddings, flash mobs), summer intensives and camps, an inclusive Tap Dance program for children with special needs, and recital flower/merchandise sales, all enrolled through the JackRabbit Class platform and Shopify e-commerce shop.

Product overview

Martell School of Dance is a non-competition dance studio offering a comprehensive dance education program with two locations (Martell Main and Martell Tu). The core offering centers on weekly dance classes across multiple disciplines including Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Fusion, Clogging, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Acro for ages 2 through adult. The studio operates a tiered program structure with Martell Tu serving younger students (ages 2 through 4th grade) and Martell Main serving older students (5th grade through adult). The Accelerated Level Program (Levels III-VI) provides advanced training with contracted commitments. Seasonal offerings include Summer Dance Intensive, summer camps (Princess Training Camp, JOJO Summer Camp), and private instruction. The studio also provides specialized services including Tap Dance for Non-Traditional Populations and partners with Akron Children's Hospital for athletic training support. Ancillary offerings include recital flowers and merchandise through an online shop.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dance Education Classes Weekly in-person dance instruction across multiple styles including Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Fusion, Clogging, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, and Acro for ages 2 through adult, from beginner through advanced leveled programs.
• Martell Tu Program Sub-brand program at the Martell Tu location in Wallhaven serving young dancers ages 2 through 4th grade, with age-appropriate classes such as Move With Me, Pre-School/Tiny Tumblers, Kindergarten, and grade-level specific instruction.
• Summer Dance Intensive

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Akron Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Akron Children's Hospital's Dance Outreach Initiative provides free injury evaluations to dancers twice monthly. Certified Athletic Trainers evaluate possible injuries, provide pertinent exercises, assess technique and biomechanics, and refer dancers to doctors when needed. Available to all students, faculty, and staff at no cost.
• ArtSparkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtSparks is a community partner of Martell School of Dance. Owner Rachel Huffman recently completed her final term on the ArtSparks Board of Directors and maintains active partnerships with the organization. ArtSparks brings dance education to the Northeast Ohio community.
• Samantha's Gift of HopeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity charity partner displayed on Martell's website. Samantha's Gift of Hope is a local charitable organization that Martell supports through their philanthropy-based studio model.
• Legacy PortraitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotography partner for capturing dance portraits and studio photography. Legacy Portraits is featured on the Martell website as a recommended photography service.
• C. Massouh PrintingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal printing partner for promotional materials and studio documentation. Featured as a community partner on the Martell website.
• The Dance Exchange of The Vincent HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRachel Huffman maintains active partnership with The Dance Exchange of The Vincent House, continuing the studio's community outreach and dance education initiatives.
• Stage CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended dance wear retailer located at 908 N. Main St., Akron, Ohio 44310. Martell directs families to Stage Center for all dance wear needs including leotards, tights, and dance shoes.
• Dancer's PointeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRecommended dance wear retailer located at 4954 Darrow Rd, Stow, Ohio 44224. Second preferred vendor for dance attire and supplies.
• Stevens CloggingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVendor for clogging shoes (Ms. Stomper or kids Stomper) required for clogging classes. Shoes must be ordered through Stevens Clogging as they are not available wholesale.
• Carl's Clogging SuppliesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVendor for clogging supplies including Freestyler shoes for clogging classes. Alternative supplier for clogging footwear.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Martell-School-of-Dance-169073999776544
• Instagraminstagram.com/martelldance1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/martell-school-of-dance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Martell School Of Dance