stART here.
At AOA School of the Arts (SOA), we believe in nurturing creativity and artistic talent in our community’s youth through classes serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Our program offers a diverse range of artistic disciplines, dedicated instructors, and a supportive environment to help young minds grow and excel in their chosen art forms. We provide performing and visual arts classes and opportunities through SOA and The Center Players, to increase confidence and skill in both students who enjoy the arts as a hobby and those who seek to enter the professional industry. The mission of AOA School of the Arts is to refine talent and potential into skill and mastery by providing the best quality classes, lessons, and material to our students.
Our Programming
At present, the AOA School of the Arts hosts semester-long after school classes during the Spring and Fall, as well as various week-long camps through the summer. Each session is unique and is thoughtfully planned with the help of our talented instructors to engage and enrich the lives of our local youth to our best abilities.
It is our goal to provide arts opportunities to all students, regardless of economic circumstances. Please email admin@artsaoa.com to inquire about tuition assistance.
Summer camps are here!
AOA School of the Arts camps and classes are held across our
three spaces:
AOA main building, 516 E Main Street
Madrin Studio, 115 N Poindexter Street
Water Street Studio, 115 N Water Street
Meet the Instructors
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Lauren Luther
Intro to the Stage
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Savannah Winslow
Musical Theatre
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Grace Jones
Acting & Theatre Tech
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Danny Tate
Violin
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Kim Wilkerson
Visual Art
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Natalie Hill
The Center Players
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Nelly Holdford
Scene Study
Group Music Classes for
18 months—3rd Grade
Mrs. White offers a fun, exploratory introduction to music for toddlers, pre-schoolers, and homeschool students up to third grade.
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Contact: ashley.L.white44@gmail.com
Ashley White is originally from Richmond, Virginia. She and her husband moved here in August of 2021. Ashley graduated from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music at Shenandoah University in 2016 with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education.
She is certified to teach choral/general music education for grades pre-k all the way through 12th grade. In addition, Ashley became an Orff Schulwerk certified clinician in August of 2018. She taught music in the public school setting for 5 years in Virginia before relocating. She has also choreographed award winning middle and high school show choirs across Central Virginia for 15 years. Her passion is teaching children to understand music while ALSO enjoying it at the same time!
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, spending time with her 2 cats and husband. Fun fact: She and her husband are on a mission to hike the highest point in every state!
Broadway Buddies: Where all the world’s a stage… for EVERYONE!
Designed specifically with children with special needs in mind, this musical theatre class will introduce the basics of musical theatre in a fun, sensory-friendly way. Students will play games, learn theater terminology, be exposed to a variety of musicals, dance and sing. Each student will have a trained one-on-one buddy to assist them in class and class sizes will not exceed 10 students in hopes that a smaller number of students will allow for a less overwhelming experience. Routine and structure will also be a staple in class planning. Sensory items such as noise reducing headphones and fidgets will be available for use.
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Class Registration - Opens July 20, 2025
Age Range: Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade (or 18 years of age - whichever comes first)
Class Schedule: Mondays from 6:00-7:00 PM for 12 Classes
First Class: September 8, 2025
Last Class: December 8, 2025
Breaks: September 29 and November 24, 2025
Class Cost - $100/student with scholarships available as needed through AOA
Location: Water Street Studio - 115 North Water St.
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Each child will be paired with a one-on-one buddy to help them through class. The minimum age requirement for volunteers is 13. Volunteers over age 18 will be background checked. All volunteers will receive training!
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Ashley White is originally from Richmond, Virginia. She and her husband moved here in August of 2021. Ashley graduated from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music at Shenandoah University in 2016 with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education.
She is certified to teach choral/general music education for grades pre-k all the way through 12th grade. In addition, Ashley became an Orff Schulwerk certified clinician in August of 2018. She taught music in the public school setting for 5 years in Virginia before relocating. She has also choreographed award winning middle and high school show choirs across Central Virginia for 15 years. Her passion is teaching children to understand music while ALSO enjoying it at the same time! Additionally, Ashley has over 15 years of experience working with people with special needs, overseeing programs for those same individuals and providing training for volunteers.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, spending time with her 2 cats and husband. Fun fact: She and her husband are on a mission to hike the highest point in every state!
More Music Education Opportunities
AOA hosts local instructors conducting private lessons and small group music classes in voice, guitar, piano, ukulele, and more!
All inquiries should be directed to the instructors, who coordinate rates and scheduling independently.
