Orlando, FL 32810
(407) 796-2581
About the Director
Andrea Phillips (Instructor, Choreographer, Owner of AAP Dance), graduated with honors and holds a Bachelors degree in Dance from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, where she completed dual concentrations in Dance Education (K-12) and Private Studio Teaching, and was a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda (academic honor society) and Nu Delta Alpha (dance honor society).
Andrea began dancing during her childhood and studied dance of various styles until high school, in addition to competitive cheerleading and color guard. Immediately after high school, Andrea attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a career in law, then later elementary education. After 7 great years in the public elementary schools in North Carolina, Andrea transitioned to make dance her full-time career.
Her career as a dance instructor, choreographer, and mentor has included work in the secular and sacred arenas. In mainstream dance, Andrea has taught at numerous studios & schools, choreographed & performed for collegiate dance companies/concerts (Meredith Jazz & Tap Company, Meredith Dance Theatre modern dance company, DanceWorks, American College Dance Festival), coached award winning dancers in Belize, been featured in a dance documentary, performed at Walt Disney World, studied with the National Dance Institute & Jacque D’Amboise in New York, and was offered a scholarship to study with Garth Fagan (Lion King).
Her accomplishments in the sacred world of dance have been equally as rewarding. During her early adulthood years, Andrea founded the Ebenezer Praise Dance and Mime Ministries and was the director from 2001-2011, when she relocated to Orlando, FL. This ministry was the catalyst to a career in dance as Andrea’s dormant gifts and calling were ignited. In addition, she founded AAP Dance Ministry—her worship dance training and mentoring business. Through AAP Dance Ministry, Andrea has shared her ministry gifts at numerous workshops & conferences, taught & mentored hundreds of dancers in the eastern United States, taught women and children abroad, as well as shared stages with several gospel recording artists.
Currently, Andrea is operating AAP Dance Studios, training worship dancers through AAP Dance Ministry, and performing with a professional company.
History
AAP Dance informally began in 2000 as Andrea Phillips began to dance as a soloist for local churches and events. At the time, Andrea was simply pairing two things she loved--Jesus and dance--into dance works that she could share with her community. In 2001, when Andrea established the Ebenezer Praise Dancers, semi-professional dance company and ministry, she began to recognize her passion and anointing for dance ministry and teaching. Throughout the next several years as Andrea continued to build a foundation for the group ministry, the foundation was also being built for AAP Dance. Her artistic vision, dedication to serving others, and passionate pursuit of excellence strengthened her into a powerful, well-respected leader and created opportunities to share the gift of dance beyond choreography and beyond her community.
As the opportunities increased for Andrea, she was compelled to give a formal name to her work. In 2005, AAP Dance was officially launched and the letters were simply the initials of the owner, Andrea A. Phillips. AAP Dance offered training, choreography, and mentoring for other dancers, instructors, and leaders. From 2005-2012, AAP Dance traveled nationally and internationally to teach many types of dancers, performed at numerous musical concerts and special events, and developed curriculum for worship dance ministries. While AAP Dance had been blessed with amazing opportunites during these formative years, there were still many other dreams and visions, and therefore AAP Dance would continue to grow and develop.
AAP Dance Studios was opened in the fall of 2013: a positive place where dancers can improve their skills, develop an appreciation for dance and the arts, and excel artistically. AAP Dance, LLC, as it is now recognized, offers daily and weekly technique classes for traditional, as well as worship, dance styles. Even though the initials of the owner changed after marriage, she kept the AAP which now represents the heart of the business: Artistic, Authentic, Passionate.
Andrea Phillips
Director, Owner
of AAP Dance
About Us
AAP Dance offers dance instruction for children and adults--beginners and advanced--in classical, contemporary, and urban styles of dance (ballet, modern, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, acrobatics, and beyond) in a professional, positive, fun, multicultural dance center that promotes a spirit of excellence and a love for the arts in each of its dancers.
We welcome all ages and abilities, and we are happy to be able to offer classes that serve a diverse population. Our highly trained staff has performance experience and pedagogy training that equip them to prepare the serious student for professional work, as well as create a fun and educational experience for the recreational dancer.
At AAP Dance, we consider our students family. We foster an environment of love and encouragement that provides a "safe" place to learn, while artistically and technically challenging each dancer.
Our company was incorporated in Florida in 2013 and to date we have operated solely as a dance studio. This season, we will begin to introduce additional elements of the AAP Dance brand, which include a professional dance company.