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What Our Students Say About Us...

"I wasn't getting the quality of training - in New York or Canada - that I'd gotten here... I could see I wasn't improving as fast. Even my roommates, when I told them my teacher was Giuseppe Canale, said, '...no wonder you're so good.'"

- Eddie Stark, 16
From the BAY CITY TIMES,

Mon 12/1/2003
"Bringing Them To Their Feet"

Eddie studied year-round at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Ballet School of the American Ballet Theatre in New York City on full scholarship after studying at NEAD.

"I paid attention to Eddie (Stark, also an NEAD student at NBS (the National Ballet School of Canada) because he was the best dancer there... coming here (to NEAD) has definitely been worth it. I've improved a ridiculous amount. If you want to be a classical dancer, these guys (Canale and Heinrich) have everything... technique, creativity, commitment, musicality..."

- Justin Estelle, 15
From THE BAY CITY TIMES,

Mon 12/1/2003
"Bringing Them To Their Feet"

In addition to studying at NEAD, Justin studied summers with the American Ballet Theatre on full scholarship.

She's never had a dance class outside of her hometown of Oscoda, but you'd never convince the experts of that.

People from the big ballet companies in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Toronto take one look at Maggie Stalker and ask the same thing: Oh my God. Where did she come from?..."

Click here to read the story in its entirety.

- From THE BAY CITY TIMES,

Mon 4/17/2006
"Stepping out"

"What brought me out here from Los Angeles, CA was simply, Giuseppe... I wanted to come out here and have him coach me (for the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition)."

- Taryn Olivieri, 16
From THE OSCODA PRESS,

4/24/2002
"Local Dance Instructors Train

Student for National Dance

Competition"

After studying with NEAD, Taryn danced professionally with the Signature Dance Ensemble.

"When I turn on the music and that familiar feeling swells up inside of me, I realize why I am doing this. I'm doing this because I love ballet. Thank you (Giuseppe and Scott) for being wonderful teachers. After all, you're the ones who put that wonderful feeling there."

- Maggie Stalker,

Student, Age 9
Oscoda, Michigan

Founded and Directed by
Giuseppe Canale and Scott Heinrich

Located in Oscoda MI, just a few hours north of Detroit, NEAD was established in 1997 by co-founders Giuseppe Canale and Scott Heinrich to provide Northeast Michigan with an additional cultural and artistic resource focused on the performance of and instruction in ballet and associated forms of dance. Our guiding philosophy is to use these opportunities of performance and instruction to allow each prospective student to explore their own individual abilities and talents for expression and communication through the performing art of dance. This individual journey for each student can lead them along any one of several fruitful and worthwhile paths: establishing and nurturing a love, understanding, and respect for the time-honored art forms of ballet and modern dance; the kindling of the spirit of appreciation for all forms of art in general; guiding each student along the road to improved physical health through the focus and attention placed on the condition of one's body; establishing or rebuilding a strong foundation of self-esteem or self-worth in each student; and for those so inclined, the opportunity to dance with an amateur or professional dance company. It is our aim and hope that NEAD enriches the lives of each student and their families in these and so many other ways.

The Northeast Academy of Dance is located on the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. The school has about 60 students, and has attracted students locally, as well as statewide, nationally, and internationally. Recently, we have relocated to a new facility which includes 2 spacious studios equipped with state-of-the-art sprung flooring, large windows, and air conditioning.

Students have been accepted for the American Ballet Theatre and School of American Ballet summer programs, as well as the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT, the National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto, the Royal Danish Ballet, the Sarasota Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Richmond Ballet, ABT II, Houston Ballet II, North Carolina Dance Theatre, and Signature Dance Ensemble. College placements have included The University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Hope College, Oakland University, Alma College, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and the University of Ohio Akron.

Welcome to Oscoda - and The Northeast Academy of Dance!

Welcome to Our Website!

What Our Students Say About Us...

Founded and Directed by Giuseppe Canale and Scott Heinrich

Founded and Directed by
Giuseppe Canale and Scott Heinrich