Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your Premier Dance School in Little Rock, AR
Shuffles & Ballet II has been a cornerstone of the central Arkansas dance community since 1986, dedicated to providing premier instruction in a nurturing environment. Our award-winning faculty brings decades of professional experience and technical expertise to students of all ages, offering specialized training in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theatre, lyrical, and hip hop. With a 8,000-square-foot facility featuring five state-of-the-art studios, we combine technical rigor with creative expression to foster personal growth and artistic development.Our pre-professional program prepares students for dance careers, while adult classes and community outreach initiatives ensure accessibility for all. Over four decades, we have cultivated a supportive community where dancers achieve excellence through personalized guidance, performance opportunities, and a commitment to both discipline and joy in the art of dance.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Jazz
Modern
Hip Hop
Musical Theatre
Lyrical
Adult Classes
Pre-Professional Program
Summer Workshops
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- Our faculty includes professional performers with Broadway and international experience
- We offer specialized training in 7 dance disciplines from beginner to pre-professional levels
- 8,000-square-foot facility features sprung floors and professional performance spaces
- Proven track record preparing students for professional dance careers since 1986
- Community-focused approach combining technical excellence with personal development
What people say
Award-winning faculty
Professional performance opportunities
Supportive learning environment
Lifelong dance skills developed
Experienced instructors
Services
Ballet Instruction
Our ballet program develops technical mastery from foundational positions to advanced pointe work. Certified instructors with professional performance backgrounds guide students through progressive curriculum aligned with international standards. Classes emphasize proper alignment, musicality, and artistic expression while preparing dancers for both recreational enjoyment and competitive/professional pathways.
Hip Hop Classes
Contemporary hip hop instruction focuses on street dance techniques, freestyle development, and performance skills. Certified instructors with industry experience teach proper warm-up routines, movement isolation, and choreography creation. Classes cater to all skill levels while maintaining technical rigor and creative self-expression in a supportive environment.
Pre-Professional Training
This intensive program prepares serious dancers for professional careers through advanced technique classes, performance opportunities, and industry networking. Faculty with Broadway and international experience provide personalized mentorship, audition preparation, and college program guidance. Participants gain practical experience through community performances and collaborative productions with regional arts organizations.
Adult Dance Classes
Designed for adult learners, these classes combine technical instruction with fitness benefits in a non-competitive environment. Offerings include ballet, tap, and modern classes that accommodate varying experience levels while emphasizing proper technique and injury prevention. Participants enjoy social engagement and physical activity through structured dance education.
Summer Workshops
Intensive summer programs provide concentrated dance training across multiple genres. Faculty-led workshops focus on skill development, choreography creation, and performance preparation. Participants engage in technique classes, creative exploration sessions, and showcase opportunities while maintaining the studio's commitment to technical excellence and artistic growth.
People
Jana
Owner and Director
With 45 years of teaching experience and 37 years leading Shuffles, Jana has shaped Arkansas' dance community through professional performances and educational leadership. Recipient of the Arkansas Arts Council's Lifetime Achievement Award, she continues to direct the studio's artistic vision while maintaining active involvement in regional theater productions.
Allison
Assistant Director
A Shuffles alumna with 15 years of professional performance experience, Allison holds a BFA from Butler University. Her Broadway credits include Radio City Christmas Spectacular and 42nd Street. Now teaching locally, she combines global experience with community-focused instruction to develop the next generation of Arkansas dancers.
Hope Wenneker
Dance Instructor
A University of Oklahoma graduate with BFA in Dance, Hope brings professional experience from Contemporary Dance Oklahoma and musical theater productions. Returning to her Arkansas roots, she specializes in modern techniques while mentoring students through choreographic projects and performance opportunities that bridge academic training with practical application.
Leslie Dodge
Ballet Instructor
With Butler University honors and professional experience from Ballet Arkansas, Leslie directs the Pre-Professional Ballet Program. Her expertise spans classical repertoire to contemporary works, having performed with regional companies and participated in national dance festivals. She combines technical precision with creative interpretation in student-centered instruction.
Donna
Costume Manager
A 34-year studio veteran, Donna oversees costume design and production while maintaining administrative operations. Her background includes teaching and directing dance programs, with particular expertise in transforming technical requirements into visually compelling stage presentations that enhance student performances and reinforce the studio's artistic standards.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We provide instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theatre for ages 3 to adult, with specialized programs for competitive dancers and recreational learners.
Are there adult dance classes available?
Yes, we offer adult ballet and tap classes designed for both beginners and experienced dancers seeking to maintain technique or explore dance for fitness and enjoyment.
How do I register for classes?
Registration opens June 18th annually through our website. New students can schedule placement evaluations, and returning students receive priority enrollment with automatic registration options.
What performance opportunities exist?
Students participate in annual recitals at Wildwood Park, community outreach performances, and collaborative productions with regional arts organizations throughout the academic year.
Do you offer summer programs?
Our summer workshops provide intensive training across dance genres, featuring technique classes, choreography sessions, and showcase performances for all skill levels.
What qualifications do your instructors have?
Our faculty includes Broadway performers, university-trained professionals, and award-winning choreographers with combined decades of teaching and industry experience across multiple dance disciplines.