Ankeny Dance and Performing Arts Academy

06/15/2026

🎪✨ And that’s a wrap on Recital 2026: Dancing Under the Big Top! ✨🎪

What an incredible weekend filled with talent, hard work, and unforgettable performances. We are beyond proud of every dancer who stepped on stage and gave it their all.

A huge thank you to our amazing staff, dedicated parents, and everyone who helped make this recital such a success. Your support and encouragement mean the world to us. Until next year! ❤️

06/13/2026

Day 2 of rehearsal is all wrapped up! ✨
We had so much fun today and are so excited to perform tomorrow! Join us Saturday, June 13, at either 1:30 PM or 6:30 PM. We can’t wait to see you there! 💙🎭

06/12/2026

Day 1 rehearsal recap ✨
The countdown to recital is officially on and we are SO excited to see all of the hard work come to life on stage this weekend 💛

06/04/2026

✨ 9 days until recital! ✨

Our dancers and tumblers are so excited to show you everything they’ve been working on this season. From countless hours of practice to learning new skills and routines, they’re ready to take the stage and shine. We can’t wait to celebrate all of their hard work! 💙

06/03/2026

Just a little recital throwback while we count down to this year’s big weekend ✨🎪

06/01/2026

There’s still time to join the fun this summer ☀️🩰

Our summer camps are the perfect way for dancers to stay active, make friends, and keep dancing all summer long! From themed camps to fun activities and movement, we can’t wait to dance with you.

Registration is still open — grab your spot before camps begin!

Ankeny Dance and Performing Arts Academy, established in 1976 in Ankeny, IA, is a premier dance school nurturing talent and creativity. Specializing in competition dance team, early childhood, and recreational classes, our academy offers a wide range of dance disciplines, including ballet, jazz, poi...

05/29/2026

✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨

Wrapping up our senior spotlights with Gabby Twitchell 🤍

After graduation, she plans to attend Iowa State University to major in accounting and minor in event management.

Her favorite dance memory was traveling to California last summer to perform at Disneyland and spend the week with her team 🤍

Advice to her younger self: “Show up and work hard because it will all pay off in the end.”

So proud of you, Gabby 🤍

05/28/2026

✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨

Highlighting another senior: Afton McConnell 🤍

After graduation, she plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa to study pre-physical therapy.

Her favorite dance memory is cheering on her friends as they perform and supporting them every step of the way 🤍

Advice to her younger self: “Continue to be yourself and go out there and just have fun.”

So proud of you, Afton 🤍

05/27/2026

✨ SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ✨

Highlighting another amazing senior: Andrew Gaskill 🤍

After graduation, he plans to attend DMACC to become a firefighter and paramedic.

His favorite dance memory is performing “Orange Juice” at recital 🤍

Advice to his younger self: “If better is possible, then good is not enough.”

So proud of you, Andrew 🤍