Mid South Dance Academy opened its doors in July of 2001 under the ownership of Ms Ayanna Shelton. At that time we were known as Mid South Academy of Dance and were located in a space of about 2000 square/feet. Within our first year we averaged 80-100 students, teaching ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acrobats and pom technique.  By the end of our 2nd year we had out grown our space with an average of 150-200 students. The summer of 2003 Ms Shelton took on two partners Ms Kathalene Taylor and Premier System Parking, Inc. With big plans of relocating  and new ideas of how to continue developing young dancers, Ms Shelton and Ms Taylor found the perfect building to relocate. In November of 2003 our name changed to Mid South Dance Academy, and we had a new home with over 13,000 square/feet.

 

MSDA has five incredible teachers, over 40 classes taught per week, and about 380 students. MSDA is also the official practice facility for the Memphis Grizzlies Dance Teams including the Grizzlies Grannies, Junior Dance Team and Jr Cheerleaders.

 

MSDA is working hard to prepare our dancers who aspire to dance in the entertainment industry and keep those who dance just for fun motivated. As Artistic Directors and Studio owners Ms Shelton and Ms Taylor have made it their priority to get the studio involved in more community and charitable events throughout the Mid South. One of our goals is to bring Los Angeles and New York dancers/teachers and choreographers to MSDA to train our local dance talent in the Mid South.