Higher Praise Dance Acade

What Higher Praise Dance Acade does

Higher Praise Dance Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in January 1997 and based in metro Detroit, Michigan. It provides faith-based praise dance training that integrates biblical study with classical and contemporary dance instruction, targeting youth ages 4-17 and adults. The academy operates from a studio housed within First United Methodist Church in Ferndale, Michigan (with a new location pending), and is founder-led by Executive & Artistic Director Susan Alexander and Co-Director Sandria Rush. It maintains an active Instagram and Facebook presence and runs a separate retail storefront, the Higher Praise Dance Outlet, inside the studio.

Name

Higher Praise Dance Acade

Legal name

Higher Praise Dance Academy

Website

https://higherpraisedanceacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Higher Praise Dance Academy is a Detroit-area 501(c)(3) non-profit offering faith-based praise dance classes, ministry training, and dancewear retail to youth, adults, and church dance ministry leaders in metro Detroit since 1997.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dance Education Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth/Student & Community Dance Recitals (MPAGADAI), Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance) (EDAAAGAD)

Keywords

• Praise dance training
• Dance education classes
• Faith-based dance instruction
• Dance ministry certification
• Youth dance programs

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 Instruction: Monthly subscription-style fees for ongoing dance classes including ballet, praise dance, tap, and ballroom instruction for youth and adults. Classes run year-round on a semester basis.
2. Dance Ministry School: One-year biblical study program priced at $600 annually, providing in-depth training for dance ministry leadership.
3. Dance Retail Store: Physical retail store selling new and gently used dancewear, shoes, and accessories. Operates as a one-time transaction model with various price points for leotards, shoes, accessories, and dance attire.
4. Summer Programs: Summer dance camp and Christian charm class offerings with variable pricing based on program length and hours.
5. Dance Workshops and Traveling Ministry: Youth dance workshops offered quarterly and traveling dance ministry team membership at $250/year for metro Detroit performances.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Higher Praise Dance Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides faith-integrated dance education classes (ballet, praise dance, tap, ballroom, intermediate) for youth ages 4-17 and adults, taught at its Ferndale, MI studio and via an online Dance Ministry Course. It also offers a one-year Dance Ministry School certification program ($600/year), summer dance camps, Christian charm classes, and operates a retail dancewear store called the Higher Praise Dance Outlet.

Product overview

Higher Praise Dance Academy offers a comprehensive suite of dance education programs centered on faith-based praise dance training. The core offerings include youth and adult dance classes (Ballet & Praise, Youth Praise Dance, Adult Praise Dance, Intermediate, and Ballroom) ranging from $45-48 monthly, with additional specialized programs like Summer Dance Camp, Christian Charm Class, and Youth Dance Workshops. The academy provides two formal ministry training programs: an in-person 1-year Dance Ministry School ($600/year) and an Online Dance Ministry Course for remote learners. A retail component, the Higher Praise Dance Outlet, sells dance attire and accessories. All programs emphasize spiritual enrichment and personal growth alongside dance technique.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NALAD (National Association of Ladies Active in Dance): Affiliate organization focused on dance ministry and health conferences for women over 45. An affiliate of Higher Praise Dance Academy directed by Susan Alexander.
• Higher Praise Dance Outlet

Products and services

• First Steps Ballet & Praise

Quantifiable outcome

• Classes highlighted on UPN Channel 50 News and Free Press Newspaper Mind, Body, and Soul Section
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• National Association of Ladies Active in Dance (NALAD)coreOthersNALAD is an affiliate organization of Higher Praise Dance Academy, currently directed by Susan Alexander. It focuses on health and wellness for women dancers over 45 through an annual Health Conference featuring stretching exercises, Zumba, praise dance, and nutrition education. NALAD provides networking opportunities and vendor booths for dance industry professionals.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Worship Motion: Online platform offering praise and worship dance instructional content for churches and individual dancers. Comparable as a faith-based dance education provider and a potential online competitor/adjacent to HPDA's Online Dance Ministry Course.

Broad incumbents

• The Ailey School (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater): Renowned NYC professional dance training institution with a pre-professional school for youth and adults. Comparable as a multi-style dance educator, but much larger, secular, and aimed at pre-professional track rather than community/faith-based students.
• Broadway Dance Center: Large, established NYC-based multi-style dance studio serving children through professionals. Comparable as a multi-format dance school, but much larger scale, secular, and oriented toward commercial/theatrical dance rather than ministry.
• Steps on Broadway: Long-running NYC dance school with broad multi-style open-class programming and youth divisions. Comparable as a community dance instruction provider but operates at national-recognition scale and is secular.
• Peridance Capezio Center: Established NYC dance school offering a broad multi-style curriculum (ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop) for children through adults. Comparable as a multi-style dance school but operates at much larger scale, secular, and in a major metro.

Direct peers

• Ad Deum Dance Company: Faith-based contemporary dance company that produces performances and offers training rooted in Christian values. Comparable to HPDA in combining spiritual mission with professional dance education and audience-facing performances.
• The Dancers' Studio: Community dance studio offering ballet, tap, jazz, and praise dance classes for youth and adults in a church-affiliated setting. Closely comparable small-format community dance academy model with similar age-group class structure.
• Ballet Magnificat: Christian ballet company and school based in Jackson, MS that integrates faith with classical dance training and runs structured academy programs. Directly comparable to HPDA as another faith-centered dance education organization producing performances and training programs.

Others

• Dance Masters of America: National dance education association supporting dance teachers and studios with curriculum, certification, and annual competitions. Comparable as an ecosystem participant relevant to HPDA's instructor development and certification pathway.
• National Dance Council of America: National governing body for dance competition and instruction, providing teacher certification and curriculum standards. Relevant ecosystem participant comparable to HPDA's structured curriculum and certification-style Dance Ministry School program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Higher-Praise-Dance-Academy-127739103963377
• Instagraminstagram.com/higher_praise
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/higher-praise-dance-academy

Compliance1 record

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 Higher Praise Dance Acade