dance alliance

Dance Alliance has instructed and grown with the many families of Saline, Michigan and the surrounding areas for over 45 years! The studio has seen many young dancers flourish and now begins to see the next generation of dancers filter through the doors.

As some may already know, Dance Alliance was purchased in 2004 by local, well-known dancers and choreographers, Adam B. Clark and Lisa Darby Clark. Their dance stories both began at the young age of three. They have spent the last several decades doing all of the things that dancers do to prepare themselves for a lifetime commitment to dance and this industry. Adam and Lisa didn’t cross paths until they were fifteen, which is where the story truly begins.

The two began training and performing together at a studio in Howell, Michigan where they were also part of a youth dance company, Performing Arts Dance Theater (PADT) which was co-created by Lisa’s mother, Jean Darby, and a couple of other “dance moms”. Performing Arts Dance Theater and Dance Alliance Repertory Company (the in-residence youth company of Dance Alliance in Saline) did joint concerts together. The couple spent the remainder of high school training and teaching together until they parted ways to continue their dance educations in different cities. Adam moved to Chicago where he began training with the world-renowned Gus Giordano Dance Center/Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and shortly after, set in motion his professional dancing and teaching career. Lisa continued her studies in Washtenaw County with the acclaimed dance faculty at the University of Michigan and also began her venture into the professional world of performing and instructing. 

Adam returned to Michigan to dance with the Ann Arbor based jazz company, Jazz Dance Theatre; he later became artistic director in 1993. This is where the two reunited for a lifetime commitment both personally and professionally. Adam and Lisa were married in August of 1994. For over twelve years, they taught seven days a week and spent many hours on the road commuting from Ann Arbor to teach at the many studios and universities where they were on faculty. They instructed in Lansing at Michigan State University, Ypsilanti at Eastern Michigan University, Howell, Brighton, Fenton, Livonia, Ann Arbor and of course, Saline.

Lisa joined the Dance Alliance faculty in 1994 and Adam in 2000. At that time, they became artistic directors of Dance Alliance Repertory Company (DARC). They have since taken their years of professional experiences and molded Dance Alliance and DARC into much more than just a dance studio and dance company. The students, families, company members, and faculty are truly like extended family. These two have spent a lifetime preparing to bring the best of the best to their own studio and their students. They are always striving to bring amazing choreography, the most comprehensive instruction, and simply provide the best environment for dance that the area has to offer. Adam and Lisa want the current and future dancers and families of Dance Alliance to know that their studio is a real dancers’ studio. It really is important to know your studio, know your instructors’ credentials and know what type of product you are receiving. Are your dancers receiving the best there is available? Being the parents of two boys, Gabe and Brendan, Adam and Lisa understand the importance of finding the most quality instruction, at a fair and competitive price, whatever the activity may be. Dance Alliance is proud to offer quality classes for the recreational dancer through the pre-professional/professional from exceptional instructors. In celebration of their 20th year of ownership, the studio is offering several money saving coupons for new and returning students at Dance Alliance. The studio will continue to offer these same savings during the seasons to come along with offering our very loyal and dedicated dancers and families a special savings just for them to say thank you for returning to DA. We are very grateful to have such amazing dancers and families here at Dance Alliance and are very fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful community.

Dance Alliance holds several weeks of summer workshops, camps and classes for all ages and abilities. It is a great time to prepare for the upcoming season and to have new dancers become familiar with the studio and staff. This is also the time when Adam and Lisa conduct auditions and four weeks of rehearsals for DARC in preparation for the upcoming season. Late spring and summer are the ideal time to get your students pre-registered for all of their fall classes at Dance Alliance. The studio will take new students and registration until it is time to begin ordering costumes for the Spring Concert. In late August, the studio holds its annual Nutcracker auditions which begin rehearsals promptly in September for the Nutcracker performance in December. In the fall, the studio and company participate in a variety of local events and performances, their favorite being the Saline Holiday Parade. Throughout the season, dancers are busy perfecting their craft and having a great time with their friends and instructors. DARC will be preparing for its Spring Annual Showcase Concert as well as for the conventions, competitions, auditions and performances they participate in during the year. The culmination of the season for Dance Alliance is the Annual Spring Concert. This weekend of four shows is quite amazing and most memorable for all involved.

If you would like any information about Dance Alliance, or to be added to the mailing list, please feel free to contact the studio at dancealliance@comcast.net and/or 734.429.9599. You can also check back here at the DA website, www.danceallianceofsaline.com, for current updates on events, look at class schedules, register online, make payments in our Parent Portal and much more. Adam and Lisa also welcome anyone interested in Dance Alliance to witness their product first hand at the studio or any of their performances throughout the year. 

Come see the difference!