The ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A POSITIVE, SELF-ESTEEM BUILDING, AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE DANCE AND PERFORMING ART EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. APA presents a learning environment that offers outstanding technical training, in a nurturing, and creative manner. The APA philosophy is that dance and art can enhance every person's life, the very young child who is just beginning to explore his/her surroundings, the physically and mentally gifted child who wishes a professional dance career, the recreational dancer, who wishes to learn new things, or an adult who wants to put a spring in their step and rekindle some skills. APA welcomes all bodies, all ages, all visionary people who wish to expand their horizons, awaken some passion and appreciation for dance and the performing arts.

When owner and director of the Academy of Performing Arts, Deborah Skinner, first relocated to Tracy, she had a young family and a long commute to the Bay Area. Having already been dancing, teaching and choreographing over the hill for 20 years, Deborah knew the impact that dance can have, when taught in a sensitive, scientific and caring manner. She wished to share that impact within her new community as well as work in the city her young sons were growing. Consequently, in 1991 she began a creative dance movement class at St Paul's Preschool. She also answered a classified ad placed by the city of Tracy's Park and Recreation Program. Mrs. Skinner was hired and the very first seedlings of the Academy of Performing Arts was planted. That first ballet class began with 3 students and met for one hour on Friday afternoons. APA currently offers over 70 classes a week, and has an enrollment of around 600. As the program grew it became an entity of its own. The program grew so large that it became necessary to make an amicable separation from the City. So after several moves to new locations (Joe Wilson on Adams Street, Tracy Park's and Community Services facility on East Street and to the West Valley Mall); it became necessary become an independent business owner. Hence, The Skinner Moving Co./ APA was born.

In the time between 1993 and to the present, many programs are housed in the APA facility. The Children's Dance Theatre began with 15 students and performed 2 major productions a year. CDT would seek out makeshift places to perform, small spaces with no lighting or sound equipment. For the 2007 production of The Nutcracker, CDT is ecstatic to say we had 84 dancers, a lavish set, beautiful custom made costumes and were able to perform in the beautiful new Grand Theater. And we earned the right to proudly say CDT was the very first theater/ performing art group (community or professional) that was able to have 3 consecutive sold out performances at the beautiful Grand Theater. APA is home to the Side by Side Inclusion Preschool (in partnership with the TUSD), and Tracy Jazzercise. APA has also produced many, many talented, well trained and successful dancers. Dancers that are excelling in college and the professional dance arena.

In November of 2007, the ultimate dream became a reality. Jack and Deborah Skinner were able to purchase a building in downtown Tracy. The building has been remodeled, and continues to offer some of the finest dance and theatrical training in the tri-valley area. The Skinner's our proud to be in the new location and think the ambience and atmosphere is very conducive to fostering the artful and creative vibe already present in historic, downtown Tracy. They will continue to develop APA's programs as well as try to have a positive impact in the Tracy community for years to come. The goals are to offer a wide variety of classes that appeal to many. Provide our students with joyful and professional dance experiences through classes, competitions, conventions and master teachers. APA offers traditional ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop, and modern. The teachers at APA are educated and formally trained. APA is proud to be a Dance Master of America affiliate, a professional dance teacher organization that requires its membership to be tested in order to participate. Dance Masters of America insures that the dance students are being taught by qualified and certified teachers.

Baby Combo is for 2.5-3 year old. It is a 30-minute class that explores creative movement, an introduction to ballet, tap and jazz. The primary function of this class is to introduce the joy of dancing and to prepare the student to separate from their parent and learn how to listen.

P/S Combo is for 3-4 year old. These classes are 45-60 minutes long. The students are exposed to ballet, tap, and jazz dance technique. They continue to work on learning to separate from their parent as well as learn how to take class and become astute listeners. At this level it is much more about the process of learning rather than the product.

Kinder Combo is for the 4-5 year old. These classes are usually 60 minuets long. They are designed along the basic principles as the Baby and P/S combination classes. They concepts are more advanced and they begin to distinguish between line and design and proper technique. They are able to use proper French vocabulary for ballet and rapidly expand their movement vocabulary.

Pre-classes (4-6 yr.) are for students ready to begin focusing on a full hour of a particular discipline. Their concentration needs to be more fully developed. They will more rapidly advance due to the full hour lesson in one particular subject. These classes are good for those students are decided as to what form of dance they want to study.

The Ballet Technique taught at the Academy is strongly based on Cecchetti technique, with influences of Royal Academy of Dance and Vaganova technique. We are serious about studying traditional ballet technique. The students learn the traditional ballet vocabulary as well as refined technique. Students are placed in classes according to their technical level and ability, as well as age of the student. Class advancement is determined by the teacher. Unlike school it is possible to take a beginning level class for two or three years. We are a process-designed academy. It takes time, effort, and concentration to develop the neuro-pathways to execute fine technique.

The Tap Technique taught at the Academy is eclectic and varied. We use Broadway Show tap, rhythm tap and classic tap. The tap teachers are well versed in accepted technique and will have the opportunity to explore the many styles currently used.

Modern Dance originally has its beginnings as being a rebellion against the rigid standards of ballet. It became a dance movement that was indicative of creative, free movement and some sort of intention or political or artistic statement. Currently, it is the most significant form of dance at major colleges and universities. At the Academy students are exposed to the various modern dance techniques, i.e. Horton, Limon, Graham, Cunningham, Humphrey. They are fully prepared for the college dance experience.

Lyrical /Contemporary Dance technique is a bridge somewhere in between ballet and modern dance. Lyrical dance has the creative expression and interpretive feeling as modern but the technical base of ballet. The intention of this form of dance is to express the meaning of the lyrics to a song or the mood of a piece of music directly and fluidly.

Hip Hop is street or social dance. The style and skill is as varied as the instructors and students themselves. It a form of dance that is a contemporary statement of self-expression. At the Academy we provide a safe place, (age appropriate lyrics and movement)

Broadway Babies (4-6 yr.) is a class that is creative and fun. It is going to explore various musicals, movies and cartoons with a pre-jazz emphasis.

Liturgical Dance (8 & up) is a class that is devoted to devotional and praise dancing. Any level of dance and age are welcome. Non-denominational. We are hoping to establish a dance company that will be able to perform at various churches and community events. Our goal is to bring back the LIGHT; to spread joy and hope.

Performance Dance (8 & up) is a class where audition skills will be taught as well as a dance(s) that will be used at various local community shows. Our very own Rachel K. will be teaching the class.

Belly Dance I is a class teaching basic technical foundations of Belly Dance. Core movements broken down and drilled. Based in the Suhaila Salimpour Belly Dance Format.

Dance Fusion is a fun class targeted at developing core dance foundations while working out in an upbeat and high energy atmosphere. Jazz/ Ballet/ Belly/ & Hip Hop fusion!