At Lake Norman Dance Gallery (LNDG), we believe excellence is earned through dedication, discipline, and consistent training. For more than 25 years, we have challenged dancers to reach their highest potential by fostering an environment built on hard work, accountability, perseverance, and respect.
Our programs are designed to develop technically strong, confident dancers while teaching life skills that extend far beyond the studio. Every class encourages students to build resilience, embrace challenges, work collaboratively, and take pride in their progress.
Whether a student joins us for recreational classes or pursues our nationally recognized competition program, every dancer receives quality instruction from passionate educators who are committed to helping them grow into skilled performers, confident individuals, and respectful leaders.
At LNDG we don't simply teach dance… We cultivate excellence, build confidence, and develop the character, discipline, and work ethic that prepare students for success both on and off the stage.
Recreational Dance • Competition Dance • Acro & Tumbling
Lake Norman Dance Gallery offers comprehensive programs designed for every age and skill level. Students receive quality instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics and tumbling.
What truly sets LNDG apart is our dedicated 3,500-square-foot acro and tumbling gym. Unlike many dance studios that offer limited acro instruction, our students have access to a fully equipped training facility specifically designed to safely develop strength, flexibility, balance, and advanced acrobatic skills.
Our acro and tumbling program is led by Barrett Anderson and Shawnie Tollefson, who bring a combined 35+ years of teaching experience and are passionate about helping every student progress safely and confidently. As an Acrobatic Arts Certified Studio, we follow a nationally recognized curriculum that emphasizes proper technique, strength development, injury prevention, and progressive skill advancement.
By combining exceptional dance education with specialized acrobatics training, LNDG provides students with opportunities that few studios in our area can offer, all under one roof.
Families choose LNDG because students don't have to travel to multiple facilities for high-quality dance and acrobatics training - we provide both in one premier location.
Instructional Spaces
Acro & Tumbling Gym 3,500 sq. ft.
Complete with a built-in tumble track, bars, beam, rings, suspended ropes, obstacle course, and cushioned Flexi-Roll flooring for acrobatics and tumbling instruction.
Studio A/Competition Studio 3,000 sq. ft.
Our largest studio features professionally installed floating Marley floors, providing the ideal space for competition rehearsals, technique classes, and advanced training.
Studio B/Ballet Studio 1,700 sq. ft.
Designed for ballet training with floating wood floors and wall-mounted ballet barres.
Studio C/Recreational Dance Studio 1,500 sq. ft.
A welcoming space featuring floating Marley floors and ballet barres for recreational classes and developing dancers.
Designed for Learning. Built for Excellence.
Since opening in 2004, our facility has been continually updated to provide a safe, professional environment where dancers of every age can learn, grow, and thrive.
Our facility also features:
• Spacious lobby with comfortable seating
• Viewing windows into every instructional room
• Dancer lounge with mini refrigerator & microwave
• Two vending machines
• Private restroom inside every dance studio and the gym
A Legacy of Excellence Since 1999
Founded with just 11 dancers, Lake Norman Dance Gallery has grown into one of the Lake Norman area's premier dance training programs. What began as a small studio with big dreams has become a nationally recognized program dedicated to developing technically strong dancers and confident young leaders.
In 1999 Lake Norman Dance Gallery was founded by Nikki Ritchie-Hensley, with the help of her parents, Ted and Norma Ritchie. With only 11 students at our opening, we have seen tremendous growth and success over the past 20+ years. Those first 11 dancers (including the talented Mr. Barrett) earned numerous national championship titles in their first season.
In more recent years, our LNDG competition teams have continued a championship legacy, settling for nothing less than excellence. We believe our reputation speaks for itself; however, our legacy is through our students, who learned the necessary skills to lead successful lives upon graduation from our studio.
As we enter our 28th season as a premier dance facility, we are certain that our legacy and reputation will prevail. We value our LNDG dance family and welcome new students with open arms.
