Our team

Dance Teacher Bios

Director
Mr. Richard Cunningham
Lifetime Member Dance Educators of America
North American Dance Teachers Association

Richard began his professional career at age 16 after he won as a soloist both the regional and the national Dance Educators of America dance competitions in New York City. He began teaching at 16 in Dale City, Woodbridge, and Falls Church. He also taught master classes for Maryland University's dance department.
Richard furthered his training in classes with Gwen Verdon, Charles Kelly, Frank Hatchet, and Gus Giordano. He then went on to perform in the bicentennial production of "We the People" at Kings Dominion. His performance was so outstanding that he was named dance captain of the entire cast. After 179 shows at Kings Dominion, he accepted a part ownership and the position of tap and jazz director with the Vienna Dance Academy.
Alongside his teaching at the Vienna Dance Academy, he began his own company. The Richard Cunningham Dance Company performed at the Warner Theater, the Lincoln Memorial, the International Children's Festival at Wolftrap, and the annual Dance Celebration sponsored by the Fairfax County Council of the Arts. In addition to his company performances, Richard performed in Theater in the Woods at Wolftrap and performed a solo as the opening act for "A Chorus Line.” Later, he performed at the United States Ballroom Championships as the ghost of Fred Astaire.
Richard's extensive knowledge with musical theater dance led him to become the choreographer for musicals at Bishop O'Connell High School and Madeira School where he choreographed Guys and Dolls, Westside Story, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, Gypsy, Showboat, Brigadoon, Hello Dolly, Bye Bye Birdie, and How to Succeed in Business. He also wrote and produced an educational show, "The History of Dance in America" that he performed with Lisa and Julie in schools all over Virginia and Maryland.
In 1996, he became majority owner of the Vienna Dance Academy and has focused on sharing all of his training, experience, and knowledge in musical theater, dance, and performance with his students. He is well known in the studio for making sure his students have fun, first and foremost.

Director
Mrs. Julie Arindaeng
Lifetime Member Dance Educators of America
American Academy of Ballet

Julie has been ballet director and teacher at Vienna Dance Academy for over 35 years. She received her training in England with the Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance syllabi. Taking examinations in ballet, character, modern and national dance, Julie was selected to perform in Shall We Dance by Royal Academy of Dancing.

Here in the United States she performed as a soloist with the Old Dominion Ballet Theatre in McLean, VA, was part of the Richard Cunningham Dance Company, and was the principal dancer with Richard in "The History of Dance in America." She became a member of Dance Educators of America in New York City and is a member of the American Academy of Ballet. Julie's excellent classical training gives her students the valuable technical foundation required to excel in all styles of dance.

Director
Mrs. Lisa Cunningham
North American Dance Teachers Association
American Academy of Ballet

Lisa has been a director at Vienna Dance Academy for over 30 years. She was trained at Vienna Dance Academy under Richard and Julie. Lisa was asked to join the Richard Cunningham Dance Company and during her time with the company, Lisa performed professionally all over the DC Metropolitan area. In 1982, Lisa joined the Vienna Dance Academy staff as a teacher.

Lisa is the younger child's teacher for ballet and tap. She works extremely well with young children and is known for her patience and care. Lisa is also the head choreographer for our competition teams. Her innovative and challenging choreography has contributed to our competition team's success. She has won several "Choreographer of the Year" awards at regional competitions for her work.

Teacher and Communications Director
Mrs. Nicole Cunningham- Kleehammer
North American Dance Teachers Association
American Academy of Ballet

Nicole has been a teacher at Vienna Dance Academy for over 15 years. Daughter of Richard and Lisa, she started training with Vienna Dance Academy over 25 years ago. Nicole joined the competition team at the age of 7 and did very well as a group and solo dancer in regional dance competitions. In high school, Nicole earned first place in her category at a National Championship, was featured on ESPN, and performed at the Kennedy Center.

In 2007, Nicole attended Virginia Tech and joined the Dance Company of Virginia Tech to continue performing while attaining her degree. She choreographed several memorable pieces for the company during her time there. In 2011, Nicole graduated Cum Laude from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business with a degree in Marketing Management.

After two years as a Marketing Manager for a government training company and teaching hip hop part-time, Nicole decided to fully dedicate herself to her family's business. In 2013, Nicole joined Vienna Dance Academy as a full-time hip hop and jazz teacher. While sharing her passion for dance with her students, Nicole is also using her knowledge and experience in business to support and grow the business she grew up in.

Nicole teaches recreational and competition students ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater. In the 2023 competition season, Nicole won the Choreography Award for her musical theater piece, which was a great honor.

Teacher
Mrs. Lindsey Long
North American Dance Teachers Association
American Academy of Ballet

Lindsey, Julie's daughter, has trained at Vienna Dance Academy since she was 3. She joined the competition team at age 8. She did very well as a large and small group dancer. In 2003, she and Nicole crafted a hip hop program for Vienna Dance Academy.

In 2012, Lindsey graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and she also received a Minor in Dance.