Welcome to Christian Arts Academy Dance Studio
Andrea Wood-Director and Owner
Owner and founder of CAA, Andrea teaches many of the training classes. She loves all styles of dance, but specifically wants to teach others how to use their gifts and talents to show the love of Jesus in the community.
About Us
Sue Clayton
Melissa Scheck
Sue Clayton
Long time performer and teacher of over 40 years, Sue brings her professional experience and passion to CAA. Her training includes PBT, yoga, nutritional healing and she currently dances in and runs a performance company for dancers over 40.
Ambir Leon
Melissa Scheck
Sue Clayton
The Office Manager of CAA, this super organized woman can also melt your heart. She has a knack for business, homeschooling and creating friendship.
Ambir
Melissa Scheck
Melissa Scheck
Melissa Scheck
Melissa danced under the tutelage of Mary Geiger with the Geiger Ballet and Michigan Classic Ballet Company. She went on to teach dance for all ages for over 30 years. She has been a practicing physical therapist since 1999. She enjoys working with both dancers and people with hypermobility. She brings her physical therapy background into class with an emphasis on injury prevention.
Instructors
Mackenzie Defer
Mackenzie Defer
Mackenzie Defer
Vaganova trained, at Valentina's School of Dance, Mackenzie brings her enthusiasm for dance into the classroom. She is currently enrolled in the Worship Arts Conservatory and loves using her gifts and talents to help others worship through dance.
Emily Reschke
Mackenzie Defer
Mackenzie Defer
Emily is currently an Oakland University student studying Musical Theater. She has directed a Lion King dance production and performs in local theaters. She loves children and bringing Jesus into the classroom.
Changing the Atmosphere of the Classroom
Competition and Judgement fill the majority of studio atmospheres, but the classroom was never intended to be a place of comparison. It is meant to be a place of acceptance; a place where mistakes can be made and corrections help us work toward a goal. A studio is meant to be where students are united in one cause and not complaining over who got the better part. My goal is to help change the studio atmosphere by using prayer and scripture as the foundation of the classroom along with constructive correction and natural classroom discipline while providing creative opportunities. These elements should help students grow closer to the Lord while reaching toward a goal and stregnthing their relationships in the classroom.
My Inspiration
Sometimes God calls us to do something bigger than we ever thought or imagined. Something beyond what we thought we were capable. Then he reminds us that he doesn’t call the qualified he qualifies the called. I pursue this dream because God placed it in my heart and now I see His purpose for all the trials and training over the last 25 years. His purpose has become my inspiration.
About the Director
Andrea Wood has a passion to touch the heart of God through dance and to see the character of God’s children grow through the discipline of the arts. Growing up in the performing atmosphere of the former Macomb Ballet Center, she was privileged to be on stage with American Ballet Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Twyla Tharp in minor roles. Her love for dance grew at summer intensives from Ballet Magnificat, Colorado Ballet, Ballet Met and American Ballet Theater. Her training in Vaganova Ballet technique continued form childhood into adulthood through various scholarships to Western Michigan University and Oakland University where she graduated Magna Kum Laude. She was awarded the Jacob Decker Outstanding Performer Award at OU and danced as an apprentice with the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble while working as an instructor for local studios and programs like Jack’s place for Autism. She has been teaching for 17 years and is certified through Discipleship Institute of Biblical Studies from Christ Community Church. Now, Andrea pursues the dream placed in her heart to minister the love of God through teaching dance, scripture and prayer to her students at Christian Arts Academy.
