About Us

A Performing Arts Academy – Is the realized dream of Susan Byrne, owner/Director of Dance Exclusive in Swampscott for 25 years and 3rd generation owner/Director of The Deane School of Dance in Salem for 23 years, Seanna Chmura. Together they are dedicated to bring dance into the lives of their students with the same abundance of love, patience, and hard work their mentors always displayed. Today’s students are taught with the same time-tested fundamental teaching methods, along with some new methods that have been researched and developed to ensure that the students are getting the best possible dance education and training.

With two state of the art studios, fully equipped with professional Barres and Mirrors, as well as performance enhancing sprung floors for safety, A Performing Arts Academy is able to help children of all ages master the craft of dance.

Utilizing the same time-tested fundamental teaching methods, along with new techniques and methods, A Performing Arts Academy ensures that the students are getting the best possible dance education and training possible.

The APAA Dance Company performed at Walt Disney World in Florida for its 25th Anniversary Celebration in June of 1997 and then again in 1999, 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2014. We are planning to go back in 2017 for another dazzling performance. The Company also performed the “Disney Show” during Salem’s Heritage day’s festival and for Swampscott’s 100th anniversary. We have also performed at the Bank North Garden during Boston Celtics Basketball Games. We are looking forward to our first appearance at the Topsfield Fair October 5, 2013. For information on performance opportunities, please contact the studio.

The APAA Competition Teams – Successfully completed their first 3 competition seasons. Coming home with Gold, High Gold, Platinum and First Place awards.

Contact A Performing Arts Academy today or sign up online for seasonal registration.