Join the JLA Dance Family
JLA is more than just a dance studio- it’s a community and a safe space where dancers can express themselves through dance
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About JLA
💫 Discover the Magic of Dance at JLA Dance Academy 💫
At JLA Dance Academy, we’re dedicated to empowering every dancer to reach their personal best—on and off the stage. Our mission is to provide top-tier training, valuable resources, and a supportive environment where passion and discipline go hand in hand.
Whether your dancer is just starting out or striving for the national stage, we offer opportunities to grow, compete, and shine. From recreational fun to elite competition teams, we encourage our students to push boundaries and build confidence through the art of dance.
We proudly offer both competitive and recreational classes in a variety of styles:
🩰 Ballet
🕺 Hip-Hop
💃 Jazz
🌊 Lyrical & Contemporary
👞 Tap & Musical Theatre
JLA Dance Academy is currently accepting dancers ages 18 months and up—because it’s never too early (or too late!) to fall in love with dance.
Join our vibrant dance family and experience the energy, creativity, and excellence that makes JLA unlike any other. Let’s make your dancer’s dreams take center stage!
💙 Meet Coach Julie – Founder & Artistic Director of JLA Dance Academy 💙
From a young age, Coach Julie dreamed of sharing her love of dance with her community. Born and raised in Springfield, MA, her vision was always clear: to create a space where dancers of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels could grow, express themselves, and fall in love with the art of movement.
Julie began her dance journey at just 2 years old, studying hip-hop, salsa, bachata, merengue, and plena. As her passion grew, she expanded her training into jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and ballet, spending over a decade training and competing at both regional and national levels. From ages 12 to 23, she competed across the Northeast, gaining invaluable stage experience and developing the strong, versatile foundation she brings to her teaching today.
In 2012, Julie began teaching at the very studio she trained in, specializing in hip-hop, jazz, and lyrical—and quickly made a name for herself as her choreography brought home countless awards. She continued her training at Holyoke Community College and later Bay Path University, where she was a proud member of the Bay Path Dance Company for four years, performing and competing annually. She was also invited back multiple times to choreograph for the university in genres including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop.
Julie’s experience extends beyond the classroom and stage—she has served as a competition judge for Dance to Inspire, bringing her eye for technique, creativity, and passion to the panel.
In 2018, Coach Julie achieved another milestone: she began teaching full-time at a public performing arts school, where she continues to inspire students daily.
Out of her dedication to her students and her desire to keep the love of dance alive, JLA Dance Academy was born—a studio built with heart, vision, and a deep commitment to empowering the next generation of dancers.
At JLA, Coach Julie continues to teach her dancers, guiding them to move with confidence, express themselves boldly, and most importantly—to love dance as much as she always has.
Company Competition Teams
Our Competitive Level Program is designed for passionate, driven dancers ready to take their training to the next level. Entry into this prestigious program is by invitation, audition, or teacher recommendation, and selections are based on skill, dedication, and a strong work ethic.
Being part of our Competition Team is like being on a select sports team — it requires commitment, discipline, and teamwork. Dancers in this program train at an advanced level and represent our studio at competitions, performances, and special events. It’s an incredible opportunity for growth, leadership, and unforgettable experiences.
If you’re ready to rise to the challenge and can meet all program requirements, we invite you to audition in July (After July auditions you can be considered for our Advanced or Junior Companys only).
Take the leap. Train harder. Perform stronger. Compete with heart.