All Departments Newsletter: September 2026

Welcome to Season 22 at APA!

We are so thankful to have you joining us for another exciting year! Each season, we proudly stand by our mission of building happy, healthy, and responsible kids through arts education — and Season 22 will be no exception.

We kicked things off this summer with our incredible Student Appreciation Day, welcoming more than 400 attendees! We love being able to bring our APA families together and celebrate the amazing community we’ve built.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for our next FREE community event — our annual Trunk or Treat! Join us on Saturday, October 31st at our sister studio, Next Step Dance Studio in Franklin. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Behind the scenes, our dedicated staff has been busy this summer continuing their education and training so they’re ready to provide an amazing experience for every student who walks through our doors.

As always, if you have questions or need anything throughout the year, please reach out to our friendly Front Desk team. We’re here to help!
Here’s to an incredible Season 22 filled with learning, creativity, confidence, connection, and community!

Never miss an important date or event:
subscribe to the APA Calendar!

It’s the easiest 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:

-Tuesday, September 8th:  First Day of Classes

-September 14th-October 24th:  Our 6-week Mini Session I starts for Ages 2-3-year-olds & select dance, music & theatre classes – Click HERE to view

-October 2: Glow in the Dark Party – SIGN UP HERE

upcoming at apa banner

Exclusive Offer: Pay in Full & Save for Group Classes!

Secure your student’s spot in classes through June and enjoy special savings! Opt for our Pay in Full option to receive 1 month of free tuition plus a complimentary dance costume (if enrolled in dance). Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to invest in your child’s growth while enjoying great benefits! If you are interested in this option, please email our office manager at [email protected] for more details.

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.

Oct 2026 - glow party (1)

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!

dance dept banner

Tips for dancers & Families:

Give Your Dancer Time to Settle In!

The first few weeks of a new dance season are exciting, but they can also be an adjustment — especially for our littlest dancers!

If your child is hesitant to enter the classroom, becomes emotional at drop-off, or isn’t quite sure about class yet, give it a little time. Repetition and consistency can make a huge difference as young dancers become familiar with their teacher, classmates, classroom routine, and expectations.


Our teachers and assistants are here to help make that transition as comfortable as possible!

Not Sure It’s the Right Class?

Every class has its own personality! Some classes may be high-energy and fast-moving, while others may have a different pace or teaching style.

If you feel your dancer might be happier in a different class, time, or dance style, please talk to us! We’re always happy to help find the best fit.

Current APA students are also welcome to try another style of dance class for FREE, based on age, availability, and current class enrollment. It’s a great way to explore something new without making a commitment first!

Why Is My Dancer’s Teacher Using an iPad or Phone?

You may notice our teachers using an electronic device during the beginning of class or circle time. They’re not checking their email!

Teachers use Jackrabbit on their iPads to take attendance, review student information, and help learn and reinforce everyone’s names — especially during these first few weeks when they’re getting to know a brand-new group of dancers.

One of our goals is for every dancer to feel known and seen in their classroom, and learning those names quickly is an important part of that!

Dance Student Assistants:

You may notice a Student Assistant working alongside the instructor in some of our younger and larger classes.

Our Student Assistants are dancers ages 10+ who have committed to assisting throughout the season. They help our instructors support students, transition between activities, change shoes when needed, and give our younger dancers some extra attention.

A big THANK YOU to all of our Student Assistants who have committed to helping this season!

Poms for Purchase:

Students enrolled in Poms classes are required to have their own set of poms to bring to and from class for practice and to use in our recital.
Poms: $30 per set – price will increase to $35 starting 10/1.

Dancers may reuse their poms from last season! If you need to purchase a new set, please stop by the Front Desk to place your order.

Dance Shoe & Pom Pricing Changes October 1

Planning to purchase new dance shoes? Due to continued increases in product costs, our dance shoe prices will increase beginning October 1st.

If your dancer needs new shoes, we encourage you to purchase them before October 1st to receive our current pricing.

Stop by the Front Desk and we’ll be happy to help with sizing and purchasing!

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.

Our website will also be updated in mid-October with additional Winter Show details, including show times, costume photos, and more!

music dept banner
new group music graphics & posters 2026

New Year, New Group Music Classes!

This fall, we’re excited to offer some NEW group music classes, including:

  • Little Music Makers: Sing, Move & Play – NEW!
  • Intro to Music – NEW!
  • Intro to Piano – NEW!
  • Glee Pop Choir


New this year:
Some of our group music classes are also available as 6-Week Mini Sessions, making it easier than ever to explore a new interest, build confidence, and experience the performing arts without committing to a full school year.

Our After-School Private Lessons May Be Fillung up. BUT…Fall Day-Time Private Piano or Voice Lessons Are Available!

Are you a homeschooler or a parent with preschool children? APA now has NEW Day-Time lessons for piano students at our Oak Creek location! Take a look at our Fall Music schedule (and scroll down to “2026-2027 DAYTIME/Homeschool Private Lessons”) on our website to enroll.

»»Do you have friends and family who would benefit from day-time music lessons? Send them our way! Make a referral and receive a $50 tuition credit for you AND the family you referred!

new website blog graphics (9)

NEW Music Families Newsletter

All Music families will receive a Music‑only newsletter called “This Month in Music – 3 Key Things for Parents” on the 15th of each month. It’ll highlight the top 3 need‑to‑know updates for the month.
~Watch for the first issue on Sept. 15.~
Didn’t get it? Please email our front desk at [email protected] so we can update your address.

new website blog graphics (8)

Save the Dates: Winter & Spring Music Concerts!

Mark your calendars now for both concerts at the Saber Center (Franklin H.S.):

→Winter Concert: Sat, Dec. 5 & Sun, Dec. 6
→Spring Concert: Sat, June 5 & Sun, June 6

Click Below (and scroll down to Performance FAQs) for all concert details.  Performance orders will be posted in November. All key APA dates—including concerts, holidays, and closures—are always on the APA calendar!

Music Lesson Make-up Policy / Snow Days:

Please review APA’s Private Music Lesson Video Makeup Policy before fall semester begins (9/8).

new website blog graphics (10)

Music Lesson Tuition Reminder

Private lessons are $119 per month for 30-minute lessons. APA closed dates are already factored into the schedule.

Tuition is based on the total annual cost of lessons, divided into 10 equal payments (Sept–June). This keeps the monthly payment the same and slightly lower than paying per lesson.

Even though June has fewer lessons, your tuition is evenly spread out across the school year, so your monthly payment stays the same.

new website blog graphics (1)

Purchasing Music Books

When your student needs a new book, you may:

  1. Have APA order it for you ($3 service fee—just let your teacher know).
  2. Purchase it yourself from any store or website.
theatre dept banner

Welcome Back, APA Theatre Students!

We’re thrilled to kick off another exciting season in the APA Theatre Department! This year promises to be full of creativity, growth, and unforgettable moments on stage. As we dive into rehearsals and classes, we encourage each of you to come ready to work hard, collaborate with your peers, and embrace every opportunity to learn and shine. Let’s make this season not only productive but also a ton of fun!

We’re excited to see what this season will bring and can’t wait to create something amazing together. Let’s make it a great one! Break a leg!

-Miss Rachel

new website blog graphics (1)

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.

 

Session I Theme for both clsses is: Animated Adventures!
September 14–October 24

Step into the world of your favorite animated characters! Students will use BIG imaginations to explore colorful characters and bring stories to life.

 


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

______________________________________


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

______________________________________

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

Want Even MORE Time on Stage?

Join the Cast of APA’s Production Class!

For students who want the experience of working toward a fully staged production, our Production Class offers hands-on training in acting, singing, dancing and stagecraft.

Rather than a traditional audition-first experience, students learn and grow throughout the production process while working together toward a completed show.


Open to performers ages 8–18.

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.
Learn more & book HERE

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. 

Automatic Withdrawals for Tuition

Payments will occur on the 15th of every month starting with September 15th for your October tuition payment. Your last payment will be on May 15th. Please remember we do not prorate tuition for months with fewer classes. This is a 10-month program that we divide into 10 equal payments no matter how many classes there are in a month.

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 AWX-3481!

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!

Facebook & Instagram: Interact with APA on social media!
We have fun contests, photos from classes, and more on both our Facebook and Instagram pages. Click
here to join us on Facebook and here to follow us on Instagram!

Text Messaging:
You can text APA at (414) 441-4629 if you have any questions and we’ll get back to you asap!

Like this article?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *