Kezia Rolle

Executive Director/Founder

Jacksonville Centre of the Arts (JCA)

“JCA, The Dance Powerhouse of the South!“

For 28 years, Jacksonville Centre of the Arts (JCA) has been a pillar of growth, intensity, and artistic excellence in the Jacksonville dance community. Founded in 1997 by Executive Director Ms. Kezia Rolle, JCA provides elite pre-professional and recreational dance training, shaping students into highly skilled performers, well-rounded individuals and professional dancers choreographing, dancing, and producing shows across the world. 

JCA’s Pre-Professional Program operates in two locations:

• JCA Central – a 6,000+ sq. ft. studio in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, boasting 20-foot-high ceilings and a vibrant warehouse artistic atmosphere.
• JCA South – a 2,400 sq. ft. studio in Merrill Road Crossing Plaza, offering an intimate and inspiring space for young budding ballerina dancers to train and grow.

Training & Excellence

JCA students train between 8–25+ hours per week in an intensive conservatory-style program, mastering ballet, tap, jazz, modern (Graham, Horton, Contemporary), hip-hop, West African, turns and leaps, and stretch/conditioning. Our audition-based program places students according to their ballet proficiency, ensuring a rigorous and personalized training experience.

The results speak for themselves—JCA dancers have earned scholarships and acceptance into world-renowned programs, including:

 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
 Dance Theatre of Harlem
 The Juilliard School
 Joffrey Ballet School
 American Ballet Theatre …and many more.

Our students have gone on to prestigious universities, such as SUNY Purchase, Boston Conservatory, North Carolina School of the Arts, New World School of the Arts, and Florida State University, Jacksonville University, securing over $1 million in scholarship offers.

Success Beyond the Studio

JCA graduates are dancing on some of the world’s biggest stages, including:

• Broadway & National Tours
• Cirque du Soleil (Montreal Touring Company)
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
• Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Ballet Memphis, Dance Theatre of Harlem
• Universal Studios Japan, Princess & Carnival Cruise Lines

Our track record speaks for itself—100% of JCA dancers receive dance scholarships for college, summer intensives, or direct professional hires.

Academics & The JCA Standard

At JCA, we believe talent + strong academics = success. Our students aren’t just accomplished dancers—they excel in the classroom, too. 80% of JCA students are on the A-B Honor Roll and many are inducted into the National Honor Society.

The Revival of JCA’s Competition Team

After 15 years of dormancy, JCA’s Competition Team has made a powerful comeback, earning top awards, judge’s special recognitions, scholarships, and high honors. Under the leadership of one of our very own JCA Graduates, the team has experienced tremendous growth and success, solidifying its place in the competitive dance world.

Expanding Our Reach: JCA Sprouts

JCA is proud to introduce JCA Sprouts, our newest division that brings the joy of dance directly to preschoolers in daycare centers. This in-school dance program nurtures young children through movement, rhythm, and creativity, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of dance.

As the Founder & Executive Director, I am deeply passionate about guiding young dancers toward their fullest potential—both artistically and academically. At JCA, we don’t just train dancers; we shape the next generation of artists, leaders, and visionaries. Thank you.