The Academy of Dance Arts was founded in 1985 by Jennifer Church.

ADA outgrew its founding home on Monmouth Street in Red Bank and moved to 10,000 sq ft on Chestnut Street. Shayne & Nick Mishoe took over directorship in 2008 and in 2014 moved ADA to its current state of the art facility on Apple Street in Tinton Falls, NJ.

The Mishoes are also Artistic Directors of The Company of Dance Arts, ADA's pre professional performing affiliate that produces The Nutcracker and a spring show.