Happy October!
We hope your child is settling into class and, most importantly, having fun! At APA, we use the arts to help students learn, grow, build confidence, and become great kids.
Starting in mid-October, students will begin working on their performance pieces. Check out the Music, Theatre, and Dance sections below for more details.
October Value: Give Back to Our Community – Trunk or Treat Event
As part of our October value of giving back to our community, we’ll be hosting a free Trunk or Treat at our sister studio, Next Step Dance! This community event is a fun way to bring local families together and give back to the community we’re so grateful to be part of.
Parking Lot Reminders:
As the days get darker, we want to remind all of our families to please slow down while driving through the parking lot.
- Follow the traffic flow at all times.
- Do not park in the designated drop-off lanes.
- Many students are walking through the lot — help us keep them safe.
- We highly recommend parents walk younger students to and from the front door.
Thank you for helping us keep our community safe!
Never miss an important date or event:
subscribe to the APA Calendar!
Apple users: ⇒ Add to Apple Calendar (Open in Safari or Mail for best results)
Google users: ⇒ Add to Google Calendar
The calendars, and emails* from [email protected], are the best way to keep up with performances, breaks, and special events all year long!
*If you’ve opted out of emails and want to opt back in, please CLICK HERE!
Looking Ahead:
- October 1st: Optional Kringle Fundraiser – Earn funds to deduct off tuition or costumes! Learn more HERE
- Friday, October 2: Glow in the Dark Party @ Next Step Dance – SIGN UP HERE
- Thursday, October 15th: Recreational Dance Costume Charged for Showcase
- October 26th – October 31st: Halloween Spirit Dress Up Week
- October 26th: Our 6-week Mini Session II starts for Ages 18mo-3yrs & select dance, music & theatre classes – Click HERE to view
- Saturday, October 31st: Trunk or Treat Night from 2-3pm – FREE community event @ NSDS parking lot (Want to decorate your own trunk? Click HERE)
APA Apparel Store
Our APA apparel store is OPEN! Items are available for purchase from the 1st–10th of each month. Please allow 3–4 weeks for delivery. Orders will be available for pickup at APA—just indicate which location you prefer when placing your order. We will notify you via text, when you items are available for pick-up.
October 2nd – Glow in the Dark Party
@ Next Step Dance Studio– Friday, October 2nd 5:30-7:00 pm – Cost: $25 Come join us for a night full of dance, games, and glow in the dark, at our sister studio, Next Step Dance!
Trunk or Treat:
Wear your costume, grab your candy bag, and join us October 31st @ 2:00-3:00 pm, in the Next Step Dance Studio parking lot for Trunk or Treat fun!
Get Involved!
We’re looking for volunteers and businesses to help make our annual Trunk or Treat event a success. Let us know how you’d like to participate:
- Decorate a Trunk: Bring your vehicle, decorate, and hand out candy or business merchandise.
- Provide a Service: Offer a fun activity such as face painting, a craft, or another kid-friendly service.
- Business Handout Only: Share a flyer, coupon, or promo item (without decorating a trunk).
Halloween Spirit Dress Up Week!
Monday, October 26th- Saturday, October 31st:
Have your student come to class dressed up for Halloween Spirit Week! Students are allowed to wear costumes as long as they can easily remove their costume if they need to use the restroom during class time.
6-week Mini Sessions II !
Available for toddler dance Ages 18mo-3rs & select dance & theatre classes! Click below to view classes starting the week of October 26th.
Age 18 mo-3yrs 6-week Mini Session II
Little Movers Dance Party: Inspired by YouTube’s Miss Rachel
Is your little one interested in trying dance? Click below to register for our fun themed class starting the week of October 26th through December 12th.
(*APA is closed 11/25-11/28 due to Thanksgiving Break so end dates vary from 12/1-12/12)
Are You BRAND NEW to APA Dance?
We know there’s a lot to learn when you first join! Click below for helpful FAQs and answers to some of our most common new-family questions.
Dance Recital Costumes charged October 15th:
Recital costume/tights packages will be auto-charged to the payment method on file on October 15th.
If your dancer will NOT be participating in our Winter Show on December 19th, please notify the Front Desk before October 14th so your account is not charged.
Costume pricing is listed in your registration information and newsletter. If you’d like to use a different form of payment for your costume, please see the Front Desk by October 14th.
For complete information about costumes, performance dates, and classes that are not charged a costume fee, click HERE.
2026 Winter Showcase Details – Saturday, December 19th @ OCPAEC: Please visit https://academywi.com/winter-dance-performances/ for showtimes. Scroll down to the FAQs section under Showcase Performance Times. More details will be available by November 1st.
NEW! READY FOR THE STAGE: Performance Preparation Workshop!
Give your music student the chance to practice performing before the big day! In this NEW small-group workshop, students will:
- Perform a prepared piece in a supportive setting
- Receive personalized feedback and coaching from five APA music educators
- Get tips on musicality, stage presence, confidence & performance polish
- Try it again! Immediately apply their coaching through a second performance
- Learn by watching and listening to other student performers & instructors
MEET YOUR COACHING TEAM:
Miss Eleanor • Mr. Isaac • Miss Megan • Miss Ruta • Miss Tiffany
November 8 | APA Franklin | Ages 10+ | $59
Perfect for students preparing for our December 5 & 6 Winter Concerts—or any upcoming performance or audition!
ONLY 12 PERFORMER SPOTS AVAILABLE!
Daytime Piano Lessons — Now Enrolling!
Looking for a lesson time that works with your daytime schedule? APA offers daytime private piano and voice lessons at our Oak Creek location—a great option for homeschool families, preschool-age students, and families with daytime availability.
Click the button below and Scroll to “2026–2027 DAYTIME/Homeschool Private Lessons.”
This Month in Music: 3 Key Things for Parents
Music families receive our “This Month in Music: 3 Key Things for Parents” email on the 15th of each month.
It’s a quick roundup of the three most important Music Department reminders, dates, and updates you need to know each month.
Not receiving it? Email [email protected] so we can make sure we have your correct email address.
Winter Concert Prep Starts This Month!
It may be October, but Winter Concert preparation is already beginning!
Throughout the month, music instructors will be talking with families about whether their students would like to perform in this year’s Winter Concerts. For participating students, instructors will finalize music selections and begin helping students prepare during their lessons.
And for students who want some extra performance practice before concert weekend, don’t forget about our NEW Ready for the Stage Workshop on November 8!
See the details above—performer spots are limited to just 12 students.
SAVE THE DATES:
Winter Concerts: December 5 & 6
Saber Center at Franklin High School
More concert details will be coming as we get closer!
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Looking Ahead: Spring Music Concerts
While you have your calendar out, save these dates too!
Spring Concerts: June 5 & 6
Saber Center at Franklin High School
Concerts, holidays, closures, and other important APA dates can always be found on the APA Calendar.
Before the Snow Flies…
Winter weather will be here before we know it! Private music lesson families, now is a great time to review APA’s Private Music Lesson Video Makeup Policy so you know what to expect when weather impacts in-person lessons.
Take the Stage with APA Theatre!
Does your student love to act, sing, perform, tell stories, or just have a BIG imagination? There’s a place for them in APA Theatre!
From 6-week introductory classes for younger performers to year-long performance opportunities for teens, students can build confidence, make friends, develop new skills, and experience the excitement of performing.
No matter where they begin, our goal is to help students build confidence, develop performance skills, make connections and discover how much fun it can be to take the stage!
Ages 6–11: Try Theatre in Just 6 Weeks!
Not sure if your child is ready for a year-long commitment? Our 6-Week Theatre Mini Sessions are the perfect place to start! Every session has a different theme – see below for details.
NEXT UP: Spooky Season – The Nightmare Before Christmas
October 26–November 30
Enter a delightfully spooky world filled with curious characters, Halloween fun, and plenty of imagination! Inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas, young performers will explore acting, movement, character creation, and storytelling while bringing their own spooky-season adventure to the stage.
Drama Jr. | Ages 6–11
Through theatre games, storytelling and beginner scene work, students learn stage directions, expressive movement, clear speaking and how to work together as an ensemble.
Mondays | 5:30–6:15 PM | Franklin
$99 per 6-week session
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Musical Theatre Jr. | Ages 6–11
For kids who love to sing AND act! Students explore age-appropriate songs, movement and beginner choreography while learning how music and movement work together to tell a story.
Mondays | Franklin
- Ages 6–9: 6:15–7:00 PM
- Ages 9–11: 7:00–7:45 PM
$99 per 6-week session
Both Drama Jr. and Musical Theatre Jr. finish the session with a Parent Observation during the final week, so families get to see what their performers have been learning!
Ages 11–18: Take Your Training to the Next Level!
Ready for more? Our school-year Theatre classes give older students the opportunity to develop their skills AND perform in our Winter and Spring Theatre performances!
Drama Club | Ages 11–18
Build confidence and strengthen your acting skills through scene work, improvisation, character development and ensemble performance.
This year brings TWO different areas of focus:
-Semester 1: Scenes & Monologues
Explore characters, scripted scenes and rehearsal techniques.
-Semester 2: Puppetry
Create characters and bring them to life through voice, movement and storytelling with puppets!
Fridays | 4:30–5:30 PM | Oak Creek
$82/month
Winter showcase: December 4th
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Musical Theatre | Ages 11–18
Combine singing, acting and movement while developing confidence, stage presence and performance skills.
Semester 1: Production Group Numbers
Rehearse and perform staged ensemble numbers while building teamwork and performance energy.
Semester 2: Solos, Duets & Trios
Develop individual performance skills with an emphasis on vocal confidence, character connection and storytelling.
Fridays | 5:30–6:30 PM | Oak Creek
$82/month
Winter showcase: December 4th
Group Production
Our Fall Group Production enrollment is now closed as students begin preparing for their December performance.
Missed this one? Group Production enrollment will reopen in January for our Spring session! Watch for more information later this year.
Save the Date!
Winter Theatre Showcase: December 4
Featuring our Group Production class, Friday Night Drama Club, and Musical Theatre Club.
Important Reminders:
Studio Birthday Parties
Celebrate with APA! Our sister studio, Next Step Dance Studio, is the official birthday party host for all APA studios—fun, stress-free parties led by trained instructors.
Member Portal
Use the Member Portal to update your contact information, check balances, and enroll in classes so you don’t miss important updates. Your username is the email you provided.
Referral Program:
Share us with a friend!
Earn Tuition Credits Share APA with a friend and earn rewards!
When a new family registers and mentions your name, you BOTH receive a $50 tuition credit.
Credits are applied after the new family has completed 2 months of enrollment.
There’s no limit to the number of families you can refer!
APA Spot the Sticker & Yard Sign Contest:
Congratulations to license plate AJD-8543!
One of our staff spotted your APA window sticker. Please contact the front desk to claim your $50 tuition credit.
Want to join in? Pick up a FREE APA window sticker or yard sign at the front desk for your chance to win!
Text Messaging:
You can text APA at (414) 441-4629 if you have any questions and we’ll get back to you asap!
