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.
Classes are now in session for the Spring 2025 School of the Arts semester!
Summer camps will be taking place from June 16—August 1. Stay tuned for schedules and registration.
AOA School of the Arts 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!
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.
