Discover Your Passion
WLA Dance provides an uplifting and motivational environment for your child to craft their artistry & refine their technique
About Us
Our Mission
West LA Academy of Dance provides exceptional Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz and Tap Training for Ages 2+
We value an inclusive environment that celebrates all bodies, identities, and experiences.
Our staff is passionate about helping our students build confidence and have fun while becoming the strongest dance technicians and artists they can be. We strive to instill values of hard work, dedication, and passion in order to set our students up for success in life both in and out of the dance field.
Our Owner
Mariah MacFarlan began her dance training at the age of 3. She studied Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, and Jazz in Washington State and spent her summers traveling around the country to train at programs such as; Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Mariah furthered her education at the University of South Carolina and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2017 with her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography, and a dual minor in Business and Nutrition. During her time dancing with the UofSC Dance Company, she had the privilege of performing numerous Balanchine ballets as well as many original contemporary works by world-renowned choreographers. Mariah began her teaching career with Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet at the age of 16, she instantly fell in love with the art of teaching. She continued her career at UofSC Conservatory of Dance while studying Ballet Pedagogy under former NYCB Soloist Stacey Calvert.
After moving to California in 2017, Mariah was hired as the Studio Director of a dance school in Orange County. In 2019 she moved to Los Angeles to begin teaching at Dance studio No.1
Mariah is ecstatic about the future of West LA Academy of Dance and is honored to serve the community.