Community Dance Academy

Youth Dance Training & Ballet Classes in Natick, Massachusetts

New students welcome! Inquire here—we have rolling admissions throughout the year.

Mother Goose, Spring 2023 (Molly and Her Sister)

About CDA

The Community Dance Academy at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, Massachusetts brings students of all ages together to create and explore dance in an inclusive, diverse, and nurturing environment. 

Classical ballet training is at the core of our program with four divisions of instruction for students beginning at age three. Classes are taught by experienced, professional instructors directed by Melanie Atkins, a former Boston Ballet soloist and Children’s Ballet Mistress at the Boston Ballet School. All divisions follow a structured curriculum of learning designed to provide students a love of dance and a strong technical foundation. Classical ballet training is supplemented by optional classes in Jazz and Modern to expose students to a wide range of genres and styles. 

The Community Dance Academy accepts new students ages 3 to 7 into our Children’s Division without audition. Dancers ages 8 to 18 participate in placement classes and are assigned to one of seven levels of instruction according to their ages, experiences and abilities. Students move through the levels of the program at their own pace to be continuously offered the most challenging learning environment.

Divisions

Class Details

community DANCE academy director

 Melanie Atkins 
 

Ms. Atkins was born in Reading, England. She trained at Walnut Hill School of the Arts after her family moved to Massachusetts. After completing her education, Ms. Atkins joined Fort Worth Dallas Ballet, now Texas Ballet Theatre. She was soon invited to join Miami City Ballet in 1997, where she rose to the rank of principal dancer.  In 1999, Ms. Atkins worked with Maria and Marjorie Tallchief in conjunction with The George Balanchine Foundation Interpreters Archive. The Archive preserves the choreographer’s legacy on video. 

In 2002, Ms. Atkins joined Boston Ballet as a soloist. Her repertory includes Marius Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty (Lilac Fairy, The Countess) and Raymonda, Act III; Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker; August Bournonville’s La Sylphide; James Kudelka’s Cinderella (Stepsister); Val Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias (Marguerite); George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, Serenade, Monumentum/Movements, Duo Concertant and Rubies; Helen Pickett’s Etesian; Jorma Elo’s Plan to B, Bronislava Nijinska’s Les Noces; and Jiri Kylian’s Falling Angels. Following her retirement from the stage in May 2009, Ms. Atkins was appointed Children’s Ballet Mistress and faculty for Boston Ballet School. She has staged the children’s roles for Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Coppélia and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote and Ivan Lisak’s Le Corsaire. As a faculty member at Boston Ballet, Ms. Atkins taught at all levels of the school. She has prepared students for Boston Ballet School’s annual Spring Showcase and Next Generation performances. Ms. Atkins is excited to be back on the Walnut Hill School campus directing the Community Dance Academy.

Meet the Faculty

Melanie Atkins

Melanie Atkins

Director of Community Dance Academy
Lindsay Brown

Lindsay Brown

Community Dance Academy Faculty
Naoko Brown

Naoko Brown

Community Dance Academy Faculty
Mark Grothman

Mark Grothman

Community Dance Academy Faculty
Elizabeth Grushkin

Elizabeth Grushkin

Tutor, Community Dance Academy Faculty
Jennifer Markham Martin

Jennifer Markham Martin

Community Dance Academy Faculty
Ashlie Swallow

Ashlie Swallow

Community Dance Academy Faculty

Questions & Information

Jess Bailey
Office Manager
Community Dance Academy 
Walnut Hill School for the Arts
12 Highland St., Natick, MA 01760
508.650.5042

communitydance@walnuthillarts.org

NEW STUDENT INQUIRY FORM