School is back in session, but a well-rounded education means much more than textbooks and homework. The Fredericksburg area is filled with opportunities for your children to make music, dance, sing and show their creativity. Check out our annual, updated guide to the arts. With this first-class list of options, each child can enjoy the arts in his or her own way.

Arts and Crafts

Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts ~ Summer art classes for children and exhibits throughout the year. 813 Sophia St, Fredericksburg.
540/373-5646.

Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation ~ Offers a variety of arts and craft classes throughout the year. Annual spring Fine Arts Show and Children's Art Expo in July. Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St. 540/372-1086.

Kids N Clay ~ Pottery studio. Create from clay or paint your own. Classes offered for all levels. Birthday parties and groups welcome. Call
540/370-4114 or visit www.kidsnclay.com/stafford.

Libertytown Arts Workshop ~ Variety of classes in introduction to art, pottery, origami, mosaic and more. Group and private instruction and classes for home-school students. 916 Liberty St., Fredericksburg. libertytownarts.com 540/371-7255.

Pots & Palettes ~ Classes in drawing and painting, pottery throwing, drying and painting, hand building and sculpture. Ages 6 and older. 1013 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg. potsandpalettes.com 540/373-7046.

Stafford Parks & Recreation ~ Offers a variety of arts and craft classes throughout the year. Info: 540/373-8192 or www.staffordparks.com.

Dance and Performing Arts

The Academy of Ballet ~ Ballet classes and a limited number of jazz classes. Ages 3 and older. Home of Fredericksburg City Ballet. 824 Caroline St., Fredericksburg - rear alley entrance off George St. 540/371-6781.

Avery Ballet ~ Training for beginners age 3 through advanced students adult. Classes in ballet, pointe, variations, pas de deux with piano accompaniment. Pilates, mat and reformer sessions also available. 810 Caroline St., Fredericksburg. 540/371-6088.

Ballet Academy of Warrenton ~ Dance instruction for ages 3 and up. www.ballet-academy.com. 540/347-4011.

Barton & Williams School of Dance ~ Professional instruction in pre-ballet, ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz and tap. Award-winning performing and competition Company. Dance year runs September through June culminating in a recital performance. Six-week summer program. 619 Garrisonville Rd., Stafford. 540/720-1801.

Brushwoods School of Dance ~ Gordonsville. 540/832-5220.

Commonwealth Highland Dance Association ~ Educational performances and information on instruction in traditional and competitive Scottish Highland dancing. Info: Megan Burgess, 540/891-2116.

D's Dance Studio ~ Bealeton. 540/439-2300.

Dance & Gym Expressions ~ Dance classes in creative movement, preballet, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and pointe. Recreational gymnastics and cheerleading. Ages 2 and older. 263 Garrisonville Rd, Stafford. 540/720-5406.

Dance Spot ~ Offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, hip-hop and acrobatics for ages 3 and older. 3249 Jeff Davis Hwy, Stafford. 540/657-9983.

Drama Kids ~ Acting classes for children age 5-17. Meets weekly in Stafford. 540/658-1190.

For a Dancer, Inc. ~ Warrenton. 540/349-9862.

Fredericksburg Ballet Centre ~ Creative movement classes for ages 3-5, preballet, ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical and musical theater for older children. Home of the Fredericksburg Ballet Company. 1634 Lafayette Blvd., Fredericksburg. 540/373-0978.

Fredericksburg Colonial Dancers ~ A family activity to learn and enjoy colonial dances. Meets at 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays at St. George's Episcopal Church. Contact: Trip Wiggins, 540/371-3906.

Frick and Frack Music 2:49 – Musical Theatre classes for kids ages 6 – 12. Award winning theatre directors offer courses for kids featuring music, dance and drama. Kids learn and produce a Broadway-style musical each semester. Classes taught at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, 65 Toluca Road, Stafford. Classes are held Mondays for 90 minutes - 1pm for homeschoolers and 5pm for all others. Tuition is $70 per semester and is all inclusive. Enrollment on-going. No auditions necessary. For information call Neesa Hart @ 540/850-3700. www.frickandfrackmusic.com

Grace Center for the Arts ~ Private and group instruction in music, acting and dance. 1141 Heatherstone Dr, Fredericksburg. 540/785-2293 or www.gracearts.org.

In Motion Dance Center ~ Warrenton. 540/349-2439.

Kinderdance International ~ Tap, ballet and gymnastic classes that come to your child's daycare center. Classes for ages 6-8 are taught at Holy Cross Academy. Currently available at 18 Minnieland locations and Hazelwild. 540/785-4040.

King George Ballet Co. ~ Classes in preballet, kinderdance, classical ballet, pointe, pas de deux, character (ethnic dances such as Celtic, Irish and Spanish), jazz, tap and lyrical offered for students beginning at age 3. 10230 Kings Hwy, King George. 540/775-3714.

M&S Studio of the Performing Arts ~ A host of lessons for all ages: Creative dance, ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, drama, voice, hip hop and acting. A competing dance company. Yearly performances include one-act plays, vocal and dance recitals. 1498 Central Park Blvd., Fredericksburg, behind Wal-Mart. 540/785-6772. North Stafford Location in Aquia Park. 540/720-5500. www.mandsstudio.com

Riverside Center Dinner Theater ~ Learn from professionals who have different specialties. Ongoing afternoon acting classes. Summer camps in acting, singing and dancing with added technical support. Opportunity to audition for children's and mainstage performances. 95 Riverside Pkwy., Falmouth. 540/370-4300.

Stafford Ballet Academy ~ Creative dance, ballet and jazz classes. 102 White Oak Rd, Stafford. 540/371-8992.

Stafford Performing Stars ~ A performance-based group that teaches singing and dancing to children, beginning at age 4. Fall term will feature a Christmas theme and students will perform in various community venues. Courthouse Community Center, Stafford. 540/720-2070.

Stage Door Productions ~ Community theater group in Spotsylvania. Classes for ages 5-18 in acting, art and creative writing through the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Parks and Rec. Performances at Massaponax High School, Rt. 1, Spotsylvania. 540/834-4619 or stagedoorproductions.org.

Starfires ~ Girls 6-18 learn techniques in dance, cheering and floor gymnastics while competing and performing. Fredericksburg Parks and Rec. 408 Canal St., Fredericksburg. 540/372-1086.

Studio 17 School of Performing Arts ~ Classes for children and adults in ballet, jazz, tap, creative movement, Irish, Scottish Highland, hip hop, lyrical, modern and liturgical. Call for pricing information. 282 Deacon Rd. Fredericksburg, 540/370-4866.

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Music and Voice

Sandra Anderson ~ teaches all levels of piano; also music history, music theory and preparation for the AP music exam. 540/373-7166.

The American Children of SCORE ~ Children's musical group, ages 8-12. Based in The Plains. Open auditions each year. 540/253-7460

Apple Music ~ Private lessons in all string instruments. Children start around age 10, when their hands are large enough to hold full-size instruments. 1009 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg. 540/371-0473.

Bang Music ~ Private lessons in all instruments plus voice are start at $20 per half-hour. Starting at about 6 to 7 years old. Registration is ongoing and rebooked monthly. 261 Garrisonville Rd., Stafford. 540/659-6687.

Cindy Campbell – piano for all ages. Fredericksburg. 540-548-8424.

Billy Cooper's Steel Guitar Shop ~ Instrument sales and lessons. Orange. 540/854-5940.

Century Piano ~ Lessons in piano are $18 per half-hour, once a week. 918 Bragg Rd, Fredericksburg. 540/548-1411.

Chancellor Music ~ Private and group lessons in almost any instrument and voice starting at age 3-1/2. Rental and repair. 4127 Plank Rd. (Chancellor Shopping Center). 540/785-1463.

Christine Bemko Kril ~ Piano instructor. Member of Virginia Music Teachers Association. 540/372-3337. cbkril@msn.com

Jean Calloway ~ Virginia Music Teachers Association. Fredericksburg. JeanCallow@aol.com.

Andrea DePaul ~ Teaches voice, piano and clarinet. Fredericksburg. 540/374-1976.

Drum and Strum Music ~ Warrenton. 540/347-7484.

East Gable Music ~ Lessons for guitar and piano. Instructor: Tiffany Pope. 540/854-8310.

Feathermerchant Music, LLC ~ Warrenton. 540/349-7215.

Flinn Piano Studio ~ Private piano lessons for children ages 4 to adult. Two locations: The Music Studio, 300 Brafferton Square, Stafford, 540/288-8227 and Aquia Harbour, Stafford, 540/659-0506 or www.flinnpiano.com.

Forte Music Studios ~ Beginning band, theory class and private lessons. Home school band program. 1691 Jeff Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, 540/899-6787 or www.fortemusicstudios.com.

Beth Hagie ~ teaches private piano and voice lessons. $20 per half-hour; first lesson is free; ages 10 and older. 540/455-7164.

Katy Hichborn ~ teaches beginner and intermediate piano, introducing students to all types of music. $18 per lesson, half-hour per week at her in-home studio. Also available as a pianist for social events. Stafford. 540/752-1241 PianolaGirl@juno.com.

Vicki Jeffers - voice and piano lessons. Stafford (Aquia Harbor). www.notableinstruction.com

Nicole Kent ~ teaches private voice lessons for middle to high school age students. 540/972-5379.

Kindermusik ~ introduction to dance, music, and singing for children birth to 5 years; 15 weekly sessions. Spring semester now registering. North Stafford. 540/658-4659.

LessonPortal.com - find your next music teacher fast!

Norma McNeill ~ Piano lessons. Warrenton. 540/347-3318

Jessica M. Moore ~ violin instructor; Suzuki Method; classical; all ages. 540/371-7556.

Music Quest ~ Drums, guitar, bass, saxophone, flute, trombone, trumpet and keyboarding are offered by eight teachers. Children start at age 7 in private half-hour lessons at $20 each. Registration is ongoing. 432 Garrisonville Rd., Stafford. 540/659-9637.

The Music Studio ~ Private and group instruction in piano and symphonic instruments. 300 Brafferton Square, Stafford. 540/288-8227 or www.TheMusicStudio.net.

The Music Room ~ Warrenton. 540/347-7544.

Music Together ~ Experience the joy of music and movement with children ages birth through 5 in a Music Together class. Classes meet year-round. Free demo classes are available. www.MusicTogethervivo.com. 703/619-6441.

Orange Music Instruction and Supply ~ Orange. 540/672-6267.

Picker's Supply ~ Private lessons in almost any instrument: piano, percussion, strings, woodwinds, brass, guitar and voice. $20 per lesson. A voluntary monthly "open-mike" performance lets students show off what they have learned. Group guitar lessons for children. Registration is ongoing. Also, music/movement programs for children. 902 Caroline St., Fredericksburg. 540/371-4669.

Stephanie Randall ~ teaches piano, clarinet, saxophone for all levels; trumpet, guitar and bass guitar for beginners. 540/455-7444.

Rappahannock Youth Symphony ~ Non-profit group dedicated to the nurturing of youth through musical performance. Meets Mondays at James Monroe High School. Rolling Auditions. Contact: Deborah Tripp, Executive Director. 540/371-6200.

Roberson's Music ~ Private lessons: $25 per half-hour weekly for children ages 4 and older. Twenty teachers offer classes in strings, guitars, percussions, woodwinds, brasswinds, voice and piano. Registration is ongoing. Instruments available for rent or sale except piano and guitar. Repairs, also. 1300 Jeff Davis Hwy., Fredericksburg. 540/373-3775.

Stafford Music Learning Center ~ Private and group lessons in almost any instrument and voice starting at age 3-1/2. Band instruments for rent or purchase. New Stafford location at 2608 Jeff Davis Hwy (near Food Lion) 540/659-5212.

Veronica Sutherland ~ Teaches private flute lessons and directs an area high school flute choir. Meets at H.H. Poole in Stafford. 540/775-1257.

David Symington ~ Guitar lessons. Bealeton. 540/439-0171.

William Wassum ~ Heart Strings Violin Academy. Lessons in Suzuki violin and viola, teaching beginners from age 3 to advanced. Also teaches cello and bass through the intermediate level. Thornburg Middle School Orchestra Director. 540/809-5114 or
violin_teacher@mindspring.com.

Naomi Wilson - violin lessons, Suzuki Method, private and group instruction, all ages and levels. (540) 287-0736 or www.fredericksburgviolin.com

Yamaha Music School ~ Group lessons available in keyboard and piano for children as young as 3. Sessions begin in September, February and June. 207 William St., Fredericksburg. 540/371-4526.

Allyson Zadnik, MT-BC, Board Certified Music Therapist ~ Music therapy for infants. Ruther Glen. 540/809-6345 or 804/448-1861 or vamusictherapy@hotmail.com.

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Enrichment and Academics

Abbey Achievement Center ~ Warrenton. 540/351-0826. www.abbeyachievementcenter.com

DaVinci's Kids ~ Enrichment courses for children ages 7-13. Includes Lego Robotics, CSI Jr., Mad Science, Space Odyssey, and Code Blue.540-368-5497 or visit www.davinciskids.com.

Beyond Higher Learning ~ One-on-one in home tutoring. Assessment, remediation, college prep, GED and SOL prep. 703-678-9010

Education Solutions K-12 ~ Culpeper. 540/829-8008.

Fredericksburg Learning Enhancement Center~ Specialized tutoring services for kids of all ages. MASTER THE CODE, PACE, Samonas Sound Therapy, and others. 540-368-1960 or visit www.fredericksburglearningcenter.com.

Huntington Learning Centers ~ Tutoring for all grades, subjects, and study skills. Group setting. Private tutoring for SAT/PSAT/ACT prep. Three centers available locally: Fredericksburg in Central Park (540/548-8500), Spotsylvania (540/710-7090), and Stafford (540/658-1200).

Kumon of Fredericksburg ~ After school learning program. Math and Reading. Students learn to build learning and study skills. Call 540/78-LEARN or visit www.kumon.com.

The Learning Lab ~ One-on-one tutoring in your home. Math, Reading and Writing, and Cognitive Skills Training. 540-760-4034 or visit www.yourlearninglab.com.

Virginia Academics ~ One-on-one tutoring in your home, library, or local coffee shop. All grades and subjects. Free in-home assessment. Prices begin at $50 per week. Call 540/408-3065 or visit www.VirginiaAcademics.com.

We have made every effort to include as many local music, art, dance and theater opportunities as we were able to contact. To be included in next year's print list, or to be added to this web list, please contact us at resources@fredericksburgparent.net or call 540/899-5319.