Spring Arbor & Jackson, Michigan
About AOTA
The Academy of the Arts was established in 1996 by founder and director Mrs. Lori Ladwig. Nathan and Kate Price purchased AOTA in 2010, and today AOTA is proudly owned and directed by Ally McIntosh.
AOTA is the official training school for the Jackson Dance Company, a pre-professional dance company that connects the artistry of dance with our passion for Christ.
AOTA provides an array of diverse dance training for children ages 18 months to 18 years old. Located in Spring Arbor, MI (just outside of Jackson, MI), in our beautiful 10,000 sq. ft. facility with five studios.
- 1996Established
- 18 mo–18Ages we teach
- 10,000Square feet
- 5Studios
Our Directors, Staff & Faculty
Meet the Team
Ally McIntosh
AOTA Owner & Artistic Director, JDC Artistic Director
Nicole McIntosh
AOTA & JDC Operations Director
Elizabeth Shaffer
Costume Director
Grace Rupp
Ads & Enrollment Director
Carli Hammond
Tap & Hip Hop Director, Creative Media Director
Kelly McGraw
Studio Manager, Social Media Manager
Laura Reaume
Front Desk Staff
Sarah Kilgore
Ballet Program Director
Kate Price
Mini Company Director
Nicole Khon
Acro Program Director
Annamia Rumley
Youth Ballet Director
Audrey Bickel
Dance Faculty
Caitlyn Young
Dance Faculty
Brooke Smith
Dance Faculty
Mataya Konopacki
Dance Faculty
Madi Childs
Dance Faculty
Bria Medley
Dance Faculty
Our Mission
Academy of the Arts was created to serve the community by providing a Christian atmosphere for the development of positive attitudes and values for all students and by offering programs that are fun, encouraging and uplifting. Academy of the Arts strives to provide a safe learning environment for students with loving, encouraging teachers, quality and competitive technical training, as well as artistic and challenging choreography.