By offering a positive environment that caters to dancers and their families, Elite Dance Academy is ready to launch a new season of dancing

By Patricia Nugent

If you want to know why Elite Dance Academy has made such an impressive name for itself over the past 29 years, all you need to do is see the headshots and pointe shoes of past students hung on the 20-foot wall in its centerstage studio.

“Whether you’re a serious dancer or younger person just starting out, we’re a positive environment for every skill and level of commitment,” says owner and founder Julie Grabowski. “The common denominator to all our programs is helping students harness a passion for excellence. Dancers become like family and never really leave us. We have alumni who come back to take classes and some are even bringing their daughters to class now. Our motto is, We teach more than dance.”

All in the Family
Julie didn’t plan it this way, but over the years her daughters went from dancers to instructors and now to directors of the studio. Alexandra is company director, Erica is creative director, and Brianna is choreographing like her sisters as well as helping to manage the dance teams.

“For parents thinking about starting their children in dance, I’d say it’s an invaluable endeavor that impacts the sort of person they will become,” she says. “Dance teaches responsibility, builds work ethic and helps children become excellent multitaskers. The insane level of passion that walks through our studio every day is inspiring.”

Three well-appointed, recently renovated studios feature suspended floors and walls of mirrors. And dancers can kick back in a cozy studio space within the 30,000-square-foot building, where they can do their homework between classes.

The competitive company is just coming off a successful run at Radix Nationals in Las Vegas.

Elite Dance Academy was the only studio from Ohio. The company made it to dance in the closing Gala with a junior, teen and senior dance where they were each awarded a Best of Radix. “It was so inspiring to be around so much talent,” says Alexandra Grabowski. It only pushes our dancers to be better. “We’re also proud of dancers who have moved on from our studio to take roles on college dance teams and dance professionally at major metropolitan ballets, as well as Cleveland sports teams,” says Julie.

Princess Parties
Within the darling princess studio on the second floor, which features an enchanting castle décor, Julie says they offer camps and people can rent it for birthday parties.

“We’re tight with all the Disney princesses—Elsa is a favorite—who makes special appearances at parties,” she says. “We also offer events to get fathers involved, such as Daddy Disco Night.”

New Adult Classes
Julie believes in pushing herself to evolve as a person and an instructor, so the veteran dancer went back to square one and earned her yoga certification so she can teach it at the studio.

“We have lots of moms who already spend time here, so we decided to add classes to appeal to them, too,” says Julie. “Yoga and barre classes have been a huge hit along with adult dance classes for alumni and we’ll soon be launching Pilates to meet demand.”

Elite Dance Academy is located a half-mile east of I-77, at 1241 Industrial Parkway, in Brunswick. Visit EliteDanceOfBrunswick.com or call 330-273-9421 for more information. Check out their Instagram for a gallery of amazing photos and videos.

Elite Open Houses

Visit Elite Dance Academy August 22, 5-8 p.m., or August 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a chance to tour the studio, meet the staff and enter a raffle for a free month of dance.

The Princess Studio will be open for children to twirl around in and for a dance level assessment.

The current schedule is online. Mention Mimi and receive free registration with signups.

Register Now
The 2024-25 season kicks off Monday, September 16. Sign up for classes from Mommy & Me for 18-month-olds, to Baby Ballet, Tots N Tutus, Tiny Toes & Tappers for Boys, Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theater, Pom Dance, Acro, Pre-Pointe, Ballet II, Jazz II, Lyrical and Teen Musical Theatre. They offer pop-up classes, too. Check the website for a schedule. Try out your first class for free.

To register, visit the website EliteDanceofBrunswick.com.