Six years ago, dancer and educator Raquel Whitehead noticed a gap in her small town: a place where children could express themselves artistically, build confidence, and discover their passion. That vision became Pike Road Dance Academy (PRDA), a community-centered studio alongside her, is Britney Schremser, PRDA’s creative director, where young dancers dream, create, and truly shine.
“There was a need here for children to be able to express themselves artistically, and I wanted to make sure that was established in this town that we love,” said Whitehead, PRDA’s Owner and Artistic Director. “I love the small community feel and that sense of knowing everyone—and knowing they’re there for you whenever you may need it.”
Since opening, PRDA has grown into a thriving, family-rooted program that blends rigorous training with a warm, supportive culture. Now celebrating its sixth year, the studio continues to focus on developing well-rounded dancers through strong technical instruction across genres, coupled with creativity, discipline, and confidence-building. The goal, Whitehead said, is simple: create a positive space where every child feels seen, supported, and encouraged to shine.
Parents praise the approach. Students enjoy classes that are fun, engaging, and appropriately challenging, while families value the studio’s emphasis on solid technique, structure, and character. The most rewarding outcome, they say, is watching children grow in confidence, build friendships, and look forward to coming to dance each week.
Whitehead brings a rare blend of professional experience and educational vision. She holds a double degree in Communication Studies and Dance from the University of Alabama and has studied with the Alabama School of Fine Arts, the Juilliard School, the Kirov Academy of Ballet, and the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest. She was the youngest American ballet dancer to compete at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland and went on to dance professionally in Italy, France, and Germany.
Her competitive accomplishments include five years with the Miss Texas and Miss Alabama America Organizations, where she was crowned Miss Dallas, Miss Fountain City, and Miss Wiregrass Area. Over 18 years of teaching, she has served at C.J.’s Dance Factory in Prattville, the Academy of Ballet and Jazz in Tuscaloosa, and as School Director for The Montgomery Ballet. “I have a great love for the arts and hope to provide an artistic outlet for every child I encounter,” Whitehead said.
Creative Director Britney Schremser complements PRDA’s mission with deep roots in both Alabama and New York’s dance communities. She began dancing at age three and, by 1996, was a company member with the Academy of Ballet and Jazz in Tuscaloosa under Susan Prout and Pam Chancey, as well as with Tuscaloosa Community Dancers. In 2002, she moved to New York on a dance scholarship and graduated with honors from Marymount Manhattan College in 2006 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
At Marymount, Schremser worked with renowned choreographers and teachers, performing in the archival filming of Twyla Tharp’s Torelli and in Martha Graham’s Panorama staged by Denise Vale. While in New York, she taught in Broadway Dance Center’s Children and Teen Program, served as a placement judge for the International Student Visa and Intern Programs, and collaborated with BDC’s faculty on Summer and Winter Intensives.
After graduation, Schremser joined The PULSE on Tour, assisting many choreographers associated with So You Think You Can Dance and working alongside Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Wade Robson, Laurieann Gibson, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, Tyce Diorio, Shelia Barker, Liz Imperio, and Gil Duldulao. She performed with the New Dance Group Company under Rick Schussel and with Handcart Dance Company, assisting director Stacie Webster on multiple works. In 2009, after the passing of her father, she returned to Alabama to teach at the Academy of Ballet and Jazz in Tuscaloosa and at Jackie O’Neal School of Dance in Vestavia, where she served for five years as a master and company teacher.
“PRDA is more than a studio; it’s is part of our family/families”, said Whitehead. “It represents our passion, our purpose, and the opportunity to make a positive impact on children in our community.”
From behind-the-scenes support to helping at events, the studio’s team and their families play hands-on roles to keep everything running smoothly. That shared commitment—anchored by a passion for dance and a desire to serve the community—infuses the studio’s day-to-day life.
“Watching our dancers grow in confidence, discipline, and joy is incredibly meaningful,” Whitehead said. “Being able to share that with our own families makes it even more special.”
Whitehead shared, “PRDA provides amazing opportunities to their dancers that they would not get elsewhere. These opportunities include training with the best choreographers and teacher in the industry from NY, LA, and Europe. We have sent dancers to the Broadway Dance Center in New York, Joffrey Ballet, Alabama Ballet, and UNCSA (University of North Carolina School of the Arts).”
What sets PRDA apart is its personalized approach. In every class, dancers are challenged at an appropriate level, supported by instructors who prioritize both artistry and character. The result is a training experience that goes beyond steps: students learn technique, yes, but also resilience, creativity, and self-belief.
As PRDA marks six years, the studio remains rooted in its original promise to Pike Road: to be a welcoming, high-caliber home for young artists—and a place where children can grow, belong, and shine.
To learn more about Pike Road Dance Academy, visit their business listing to access their website.
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