Tucson Dance Academy

✨We are SO excited to welcome Gianni Howell to our teaching staff‼️

Gianni Howell is an Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona School of Dance, where he teaches jazz, tap, and careers in dance while also serving as the School’s Marketing Coordinator. A proud University of Arizona alumnus, Howell brings a diverse background in performance, education, and arts leadership to his work with students.

His professional career includes performing with Odyssey Dance Theatre and spending seven years with Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles LOVE in Las Vegas, where he appeared in more than 3,500 performances and later served as an Artist Coach. His additional credits include work with Carrie Underwood, Foster the People, Nevada Ballet Theatre, and Broadway Bares.

Beyond the stage, Howell is the co-producer of the Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase, one of the nation’s leading collegiate jazz dance events, connecting dancers with renowned artists, educators, and career opportunities. As an educator, mentor, and creative leader, he is committed to helping students develop the artistry, versatility, and professional skills needed to build successful careers in today’s dance industry.

✨We are SO excited to welcome Tammy Dyke-Compton to our teaching staff‼️

Tamara Dyke-Compton earned her BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School (2003), her MFA in Dance from the University of Arizona School of Dance (2013), and a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate with Flourish Yoga Tucson, AZ. She is a Professor of Dance at the University of Arizona School of Dance, where she teaches jazz and modern technique, choreography, dance pedagogy, dance history, and coordinates the Traveling Dance Ensemble.

An accomplished educator, choreographer, performer, and yoga teacher, Tamara previously served as Graduate Director/Coordinator and Associate Director for the School of Dance. She also serves as the Associate Artistic Director of Summer Programming at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, after serving as Co-Director of Dance from 2015–2025.
Tamara’s professional performance career includes principal roles in the first national Broadway tours of Movin’ Out and Fame, and she has worked with renowned choreographers and performed internationally. Her choreography has been presented throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan.

Her research centers on mindfulness, dancer wellness, yoga, and sustainable training practices. She is the author of The Mindful Dancer: A Dancer’s Guide to Mindfulness, Emotional Resilience, and Artistic Longevity and has received numerous honors for her teaching and scholarship, including the 2026 Extraordinary Faculty Award for Arizona Artsand the Charles and Irene Putnam Excellence in Teaching Award.

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✨ REGISTRATION IS OPEN! ✨

Registration is now available for our 2026–2027 Dance Season! 💃🩰 We can’t wait to dance with you this season!

📲 Register online: tucsondanceacademy.com

📌 Reminder: Our office is currently closed through August 10.

📧 Have questions? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

We’re so excited for another amazing year of dance! 🤍✨

👑 One magical morning. Endless memories. ✨

Our last Fairytale Dance Camp is happening July 29 | 10:00–11:30 AM!

Perfect for ages 3–5 who love to dance, imagine, and have fun with friends. Don’t miss our final fairytale adventure of the summer! Register online at tucsondanceacademy.com 🩷

Didn’t make it to Bootcamp or Company Placement Intensive?

Don’t worry—there’s still an opportunity to be considered for a company group!

Join us for our July Session (July 20–30) to keep dancing, sharpen your technique, and be evaluated for the upcoming season.

We can’t wait to see you in class! 💙

Every season has a starting point. 💙

Bootcamp is where dancers reconnect, refine technique, and get back into the studio before the new season begins.

Designed for intermediate and advanced dancers, these three days of training are all about growing, learning, and preparing for the season ahead.

If you’ve been considering Tucson Dance Academy, this is a great opportunity to experience our training. New dancers are welcome and will have the opportunity to be evaluated for our company program.

✨Discover the difference!

📅 July 13–15

🏆 Nationals may be over…
The work that got us there starts now. 💙

The memories and accomplishments from this season were built through dedication, consistency, and hard work. Now it’s time to begin the next chapter.

Join us for TDA Bootcamp or Company Placement Intensive and let’s make this our best season yet!

We are so excited to announce that “Ritmo” (choreographed by Ms. Carly) was awarded the National Teen Critics Choice Award in the Gala—one of the highest honors at New York City Dance Alliance Nationals!

We are beyond proud to see their efforts rewarded on the national stage and couldn’t be happier for this incredible group of dancers.

Congratulations on an unforgettable achievement! ❤️🔥

Stay tuned for a full Nationals recap! We can’t wait to celebrate all of the accomplishments and memories from an incredible week!