Westside Dance and Gymnastics Academy

The academy was started by Carla Webber in 1974, with the original name of Portland Gymnastics Center and Carla Webber Studio of Dance. In 1984, the business was divided and the dance side was sold to Mellanie (Fletcher) Heniff, a former longtime dance and gymnastics student and teacher, who renamed the business Westside Dance Academy. The Gymnastics side of the business was sold to Chuck Richards, who owned Oregon Gymnastics Academy in Beaverton. He kept the name with two locations.

In 1995, Mellanie Heniff bought the Gymnastics side of the business and renamed it, Westside Dance & Gymnastics Academy. Many students at Westside Academy are “cross trained” in both dance and gymnastics, and have exposure to many different dance styles, as well as both rhythmic and artistic gymnastics.  

1992  Westside adds a Preschool Program, a traditional academic preschool including dance & gymnastics classes

1993  Westside adds the Elite Acro Program

1997  Westside adds the Rhythmic gymnastics Program

1997  Westside adds the Westside Pro-Shop

2000  Westside adds another facility the Westside Training Center for the Elite Acro Program and the Rhythmic gymnastics Team

2006  Started Ballet Company

2009  Started Hip Hop Company

2012  Westside started the Excel Gymnastics Program

2012  Westside Started the Dance Troupe

Visit the Westside Academy website – westsideacademy.com