Specialties
J-DAPA offers programs for children from the age of 3 until well past childhood and into any stage of adulthood. We offer many different types of dance including lyrical, ballet, tap, hip - hop, jazz and acro, as well as acting classes and singing lessons.
History
Established in 2016.
J-DAPA (formerly Johnston Dance and Performing Arts) began as a dance program at Johnston High School in 2007, and roughly five years later, we combined our long-term Thornton Performing Arts program, an after-school program for elementary school children, to create a fully inclusive program. However, it wasn't until late summer of 2016 that we finally became a state recognized non-profit organization. In July 2021, we moved to a new location and Smithfield, RI.
Meet the Business Owner: Donna T.
Donna is the Founder and Director of J-DAPA. She has studied tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, acro, hip hop, and ballroom, starting at the age of 8 years old. Donna comes from a large family and her love of dance and acting often proved too great of an expense for her parents. Because of this, she was often forced to quit her performance classes as a child. Donna vowed that one day she would offer affordable dance classes so that children with family financial hardships would have the opportunity to experience the art of dance, singing, and acting. Donna has studied with Theresa Landry, Fran Golombiewski, Jeremy Anderson, Elaine Colenieri as well as many master classes from various artists over the years. When she isn't teaching dance she enjoys directing and doing choreography for J-DAPA's musical plays.
