
Welcome to Wonder and Wander – Jackson’s 2022 Holiday Gift Guides! We worked with small business from Jackson County to bring you the absolute best gift ideas for the people in your life. Today, we are sharing a business feature highlighting one of our favorite small businesses:
Academy of the Arts!
Meet: Academy of the Arts
The Academy of the Arts was established in 1996 and is currently owned by a mother-and-daughter duo – Elizabeth Shaffer and Kate Price. AOTA is a Christian Dance Studio. What makes us a Christian-based business is very simple – when a child enters AOTA they feel Christ’s LOVE. They feel safe, encouraged, loved, and a part of the FAM. AOTA provides creative technical dance training in a multitude of styles with our loving and talented faculty for children ages 18 months to 18 years old. Located in Spring Arbor, Michigan (just outside of Jackson, Michigan), in a beautiful 10,000-square-foot five-studio facility. 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.
Give the gift of Dance this Christmas!
A weekly gift for your little one that keeps giving past Christmas day! Registration for our Winter and Spring Session is open now. Register by December 25th and receive 50% off your first month of dance (be sure to mention that you saw this offer on the Wonder and Wander – AOTA Gift Guide!)! AOTA Gift Cards are available, and we are also home to Academy Dancewear, a dance shop stocked with all your little one’s needs as they start their first dance class. We would love for your family to join our dance family!
Class Information

Hip Hop Flip Flop
This is a combo class perfect for ages 5-8 years old. Children will learn beginner hip hop and acro. Boogie and tumble once a week at AOTA! Monday 5:15-6:15 pm Wednesday 5:15-6:15
Cherubs
The perfect first ballet class! Once-a-week ballet and creative movement class for 3-4-year-olds. Monday 4:30-5:15 pm Wednesday 6:15-7 pm Thursday 6:15-7 pm Saturday 10:45-11:30 am


Pre-Ballet/Tap
A fantastic combo class for 4-5-year-olds. Once-a-week introductory Ballet, Tap, and creative movement class. Tuesday 6:15-7:15 pm Thursday 4:15-5:15 pm Thursday 4:30-5:30 pm Saturday 11:30-12:30 pm
Intro Ballet/Jazz
The perfect combo class for ages 5-7 year-olds. A once-a-week Ballet and Jazz class. Full of fun, fitness, and good grooves! Tuesday 5:15-6:15 pm Wednesday 4:15-5:15 pm Thursday 5:15-6:15 pm Saturday 12:30-1:30 pm


Mommy and Me
Discover, bond, and boogie with your little one. A creative movement class for ages 18 months – 3 years old and their parent or guardian. A great chance to build special memories with your little one in this once-a-week class. Saturday 10-10:45 am
Also offered – Level One classes for Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Irish, and Acro! We offer so many awesome dance styles at AOTA. Ages 6-9 is a perfect time to start dance and to try something new. Dance combines physical activity and art. Join us for creativity, good jams, friendship, and fitness in a safe, encouraging, and loving space! What are you waiting for? Check out all of our class offerings at our website www.aotadance.com . You can also find AOTA on Facebook and Instagram.
Looking for additional holiday gift giving inspiration? Click here!
This gift guide is sponsored by Academy of the Arts.