School

Hayiya Dance Theatre, Movement Institute and Center for Cultural Arts is located in the heart of the magnificent Macon, Georgia.  Macon is home to many historic and contemporary performing arts treasures. Hayiya Dance Theatre is one.

Hayiya opened it’s doors on January 17, 2001. Owner and Director, Pilar Wilder opened the school while finishing her senior year at Wesleyan College. Hayiya is a Zulu word meaning “Dance With Joy”. We hold steadfast to this inspiration and set the standard for excellence in cultural arts education in Middle Georgia.

Students learn in a close-knit, family friendly environment. We are dedicated to educating adults and children alike. HDT is unique in that we are Middle Georgia’s premiere West African dance educators and offer ballet, tap, jazz, Latin, Contemporary, hip hop dance, fitness and more.

Our curriculum offers dance and cultural arts instruction by professional instructors. In addition to classes in our facility, Hayiya also offers programming to children and adults in the community-at-large through our various programs including Arts in Education, Adopt-A-Dancer Campaign and Get Fit!

Our mission is to educate and inspire the community by preserving and sharing West African Dance and Diaspora cultural art through enriching programs and exposure. Specifically, HDT is committed to facilitating leadership development, discipline and achievement in our youth.

Our Vision is that the language of movement and music will provoke and facilitate thoughtful conversation and interaction in the community. This dialog is capable of transcending the limitations of race, age, and culture. The lifelong lessons learned by our students will be our legacy.

Hayiya Dance Theatre is home to the 501 (c) (3) performance dance ensemble, Hayiya Dance Theatre, Inc.

Explore our web home, then come dance with us!  We would love to see you soon.