Teaches: Contemporary and Zumba

Andrea Woodward, AKA "Ms. A," is the owner and Artistic Director of Hermitage Dance Academy (HDA). HDA was opened in the fall of 1997, one year into Andrea’s college studies at Cumberland University. HDA has gone from a one-room studio with about 50 students (where Andrea taught every class) to a 5 room studio with a dance-wear store, a thriving dance program, and a hugely successful performance company. Going into our 20th year as a studio, in 2017, Andrea wanted to dream bigger. She envisioned a studio that attended to the needs of the entire family, not just the dancer. Fulfilling that vision, she was led to the creation of our School’s Out Program, Little Bloomers Day Out Program, our AMPED Family Fitness classes, and most recently our AERIAL Fitness and Dance program, complete with an amazing staff of over 15 passionate teachers.

Andrea is passionate about continuing her education to create the best studio and environment possible and is consistently refining every element of the student and family experience to make it simple, enjoyable, and memorable.

From her success inside her own studio, Andrea’s teaching and choreography are in demand throughout the country. She travels often to teach master classes and create choreography for other studios. She also is on staff for the popular KAR Convention National Tour, where she teaches lyrical and jazz.

Andrea is so proud of the studio's accomplishments in dance throughout the years and she enjoys watching HDA alumni's continued success in the professional dance world.

Andrea is certified by Dance Masters of America and holds a B.S. in Psychology from Cumberland University in Nashville, TN.

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
My favorite thing about HDA is the welcoming family atmosphere that is given to everyone that walks through the HDA doors.

What do you hope students get out of your class?
I hope every student leaves the studio feeling empowered to purse their dreams in their everyday life. I love to see every student succeed and grow through the Art of Dance.

What do you do when you're not at dance?
When not at the studio, you can find me watching Disney Movies and listening to Country Music.

What's been the highlight of your career so far?
The highlight of my career has been to share the passion of Dance with every student and to see them grow as a person through Dance.

Teaches: Jazz, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Acrodance, Tiny Groovers and Ballet & Jazz Fundamentals

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
My favorite thing about HDA is the students I get to teach. I may be the teacher to them but I learn more from the students then what they could learn from me. They remind me of why I love what I do everyday!

What do you hope students get out of your class?
Every student I encounter, what I hope they take from my class is that they don’t need to strive for perfection but strive for a better version of themselves every time they step into class.

What do you do when you're not at dance?
Honestly, there is not a day that goes by where I’m not dancing. When I’m not teaching, I dance with a contemporary based company called Found Movement Group or you can find me taking dance classes around Nashville.

What's been the highlight of your teaching career so far?
The highlight of my teaching career has to be getting to teach an open class at Millennium Dance Complex here in Nashville,TN.

Teaches: Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz and Tech & Flex

A few of Kimberly's credits include: Walt Disney World, Celebrity Cruise Line, Lady Gaga-Monster Ball Tour, Worlds of Fun, Starlight Theatre, Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park, Broadcast acting, and published voice over work.

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
My absolute favorite thing about HDA is the family atmosphere! We strive to make everyone feel safe, welcomed, and loved!

What do you hope students get out of your class?
I hope students leave my class feeling inspired and challenged! I also hope they leave with a skill set that allows them feel empowered and proud of their hard work!

What do you do when you're not at dance?
I LOVE spending time with my family & friends. I also enjoy reading, going out on the water, working out, and spending quality time with my pups.

What's been the highlight of your career so far?
The highlight of my teaching career has been seeing my students follow their dance and theatre dreams. Knowing I have inspired and assisted dancers to take their talent to the next level is a wonderful reward.

Teaches: Ballet, Ballet Fit (barre style fitness class), Tap, Jazz, Turns & Leaps, 1st Position (Toddler & Me) and Ballet & Jazz Fundamentals

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
The awesome mix of teachers we have to collaborate with and learn and grow with is so rewarding. It's great to work in an environment that is always growing and changing for our students 🙂

What do you hope students get out of your class?
I hope that students take away not only the important technical skills they will learn in my class, but also how powerful and capable each one of them is and can be! I hope they all learn that there is no "can't" that there is always an "I will try"! It's amazing how they can surprise themselves.

What do you do when you're not at dance?
I am ALWAYS at Orangetheory Fitness either taking class or running a studio! I love working out. If I am not doing that I am snuggled up with my dog Bentley eating snacks and watching Netflix.

What's been the highlight of your teaching career so far?
The highlight would be watching one of my teams become state champions and national finalist with my choreography and coaching! It was awesome to watch them push and succeed! Some of them are now members of collegiate dance teams and it's been so fulfilling seeing how much they've grown as individuals and dancers!

What would you tell someone who is new to fitness?
Don't be afraid to try something new. A lot of times you end up surprising yourself, loving something that challenges you and no longer scares you.

Teaches: Jazz, Acrodance and Tech & Flex

Credits include Jessie James Decker- Whip My Hair, Music City Christmas Parade, 20+ years of dance experience, certified group fitness and yoga instructor.

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
My favorite thing about HDA is that it feels like home! I grew up dancing at HDA for 13 years, and I love being back in the place where my love of dance started.

What do you hope students get out of your class?
My hope for my students is that they will leave my class feeling more confident than when they started. Over the years dance really helped me to come out of my shell, and it is so rewarding to see that same transformation in my students!

What do you do when you're not at dance?
When I’m not at dance I love to read, kayak and spend time with my friends and family- especially if it involves tacos!

What's been the highlight of your teaching career so far?
It’s hard for me to pick just one highlight of my teaching career, but one thing that I always love is seeing my students so excited to come to class each week and watching their growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year at recital. They always make me proud!

Teaches: Ballet and 1st Position (Toddler & Me) 

B.F.A in Dance Performance from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
Danced professionally with Dayton Ballet, Ballet Pensacola and Dance Theatre of Tennessee.

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
My favorite thing about HDA is the family atmosphere. We really care for our students like our own while they are with us.

What do you hope students get out of your class?
When my students leave my class, I hope that they have learned something new and fallen a little bit more in love with dance! I also hope they have fun while learning the foundations of ballet.

What do you do when you're not at dance?
When I am not dancing, I get to be a mommy to my 2 little loves Ansley and Jack. They keep me on my toes even when I am not in the studio.

What's been the highlight of your teaching career so far?
Last dance season was my first recital in a few years after having my babies... and I was really proud of all of my classes. The highlight for me was teaching the Without Limits class. My students taught me so much and we made our big goal of getting a recital dance to the stage! So much joy!

Teaches: Ballet, Acrodance, Tiny Groovers and Tap

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
I love that HDA gives children of all ages the ability and creativity to explore multiple styles on many different levels.

What do you hope students get out of your class?
I hope my students gain a sense of accomplishment as they grow from week to week or year to year. Getting to experience their journey brings joy to the overall process.

What do you do when you're not at dance?
I teach when I'm not teaching and I spend time with my family as much as possible.

What's been the highlight of your teaching career so far?
I've enjoyed watching students graduate and move on to continue living their dancing dream. It's a passion and a career combined that I'm blessed enough to live as well.

Teaches: Hip-Hop and Boys Only Hip-Hop

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
The support and love from the parents and the HDA Staff.

What do you hope students get out of your class?
I hope students learn the confidence to achieve anything in life.

What do you do when you're not dancing?
When I'm not dancing, I am a father and the General Manage of BB Kings in Nashville.

What's been the highlight of your teaching career?
To see the students reach their goals and accomplishments.

Teaches: Zumba

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
I love the diversity and variety of HDA. I see it in the programs and class offerings, and I see it in the range of cultures and ages of the people that participate. I love it!

What do you hope students get out of your class?
I really hope that my class participants see and experience success in their personal health. I want them to know firsthand just what they’re capable of and also enjoy the endorphin rush, while making new friends.

What do you do when you're not teaching?
I love trying out new, healthful recipes my family will enjoy. I also enjoy serving at my church primarily as the children’s ministry director.

What's would you tell someone who is new to fitness?
Keep coming back! It gets easier and more fun when you do it regularly.

Teaches: School's Out

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
My favorite thing about HDA is that it feels like a family. When we are on breaks, I miss them as though they were a part of my family. Everyone is so close to each other and makes it such a great place to work.

What do you hope students get out of their time at HDA?
I would like to grow as a teacher and colleague by learning from others. Kids teach you so much about yourself and the world by how they view everything. I hope we can grow to be better people because of it by learning from one another.

What do you do when you're not at the studio?
When I am not at the studio, I am a nursing student at Belmont University. I spend most of my time studying or playing with my 3 year old Labrador puppy.

What's the highlight of your day when working with the kids at HDA?
The highlight of my day at HDA is circle time with my littles. They are so engaged and eager to learn. Watching them sing the songs and write their letters is so rewarding because they are so excited to show me what they remember.

Teaches: Yoga, Yoga Evening FLOW, and Yoga SCULPT

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
The people! I have been blessed to meet people who I can now call family.

What do you hope students get out of your class?
I hope my students feel empowered after one of my classes. That they give themselves the opportunity to open up and connect, wherever they are in their practice. And then feel strong and proud on the inside.

What do you do when you're not teaching?
When I am not teaching I enjoy time with family and friends, gardening, playing cards, sitting around a fire and watching football on Sundays.

What would you tell someone who is new to fitness?
When people are new to fitness I encourage them to start anywhere, make it a habit, even if it’s only five minutes a day walking. Everyday will get better, just don’t stop!

Teaches: Aerial Dance & Aerial Fitness

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
Everyone is so welcoming and fun. There are great offerings for every family member! (Sorry, I had to do two.)

What do you hope students get out of your class?
An increased sense of confidence and adventure.

What do you do when you're not at dance?
When I'm not at the studio, I stay busy running my non-profit dance company, Satellite, and raising my daughter, Saoirse Rose.

What's been the highlight of your career so far?
Choreographing for film and commercials has been an unexpected joy but I feel the best is yet to come!

What would you tell someone who is new to fitness?
Move for the sake of moving your body and nothing else. Let everything else go and enjoy the moment!

Teaches: School's Out

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
One of my favorite things about HDA is coming to work the all of the friendly staff.

What do you hope students get out of their time at HDA?
I hope the children have a good time with us and learn that being kind to each other is important.

What do you do when you're not at the studio?
I like to go to parks, playgrounds, long walks, and play games with my granddaughter. We also love to dance around the house and just have fun!

What's the highlight of your day when working with the kids at HDA?
The highlight of my day is seeing their smiling faces!

Teaches: School's Out, Little Bloomer's Day Out Program, Acrodance and our special needs Without Limits Class

What's your favorite thing about HDA?
My favorite thing about HDA is the relationships I get to build with so many families and seeing the joys the kids feel each time they come to a place that feels like home to them.

What do you hope students get out of your class?
I hope that students gain a love for dance and a trust for the studio from my classes.

What do you do when you're not at dance?
When I’m not at dance I am spending time with my family and watching my own children grow.

What's been the highlight of your career so far?
The highlight of my career so far has been watching how much each student I have had grow and become stronger through each class they have taken. Watching the children master their first dance steps and beaming with pride within themselves is such a joy!

What's the highlight of your day when working with the kids at HDA?
The highlight of my day with the children in the School's Out Program is getting to listen to stories about their days at school, while watching them laugh and continue to grow into creative individuals.

Teaches: Ballet

Alyssa studied ballet at Ballet Austin Academy, Austin City Ballet, and Texas Academy of Ballet. She performed as a lead in several shows such as the Snow Queen, Rose Queen, and Spanish Pas de Deux in the Nutcracker, the Wolf in Peter and the Wolf, Glinda the good witch in The Wizard of Oz. She moved to NYC to study Musical Theater at American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She also studies Film Production with Grand Canyon University online.

What’s your favorite thing about HDA?
I love the positive atmosphere. The students, parents, staff are all super friendly. I also love the motivation the students have in class to succeed!

What do you hope students get out of your class?
I want each student to know that they are all equally amazing and that each of them has potential to be great at anything they put their mind to.

What do you do when you’re not at dance?
I have many different interests, but my main is definitely music. I sing, write songs, produce songs, play piano, look for (Michael Jackson) vinyl, etc. I also love to explore or take mini adventures around town!

What’s been the highlight of your teaching career so far?
I think it’s amazing when I see students progress in a short time. I have always loved those “aha” moments as a student, and to see my current students have those “aha” moments is really special to me.