In 1992, Thomas and Julie Knowles envisioned a school for the arts that would be unlike any other in the region. The first studio, called Crescent Dance Center, was located on Winchester Road near Old Germantown Rd and Quince Rd. It was here that Mrs Julie began teaching in her own school and developing her successful dance curriculum. Two years after opening on Winchester and as the program grew, the fledgling studio moved to East Memphis and into the second floor of a building on Brookhaven Circle near the Clark Tower. The studio became Memphis Dance Theatre. For the next nine years, the Knowles would grow their programs and teach literally thousands of students across the various arts disciplines they offer.

For many years, the school operated in the city of Memphis and in satellite locations around the city. In 2004, the Knowles relocated to Collierville, TN, re-establishing and renaming their school the Collierville Arts Academy.

The school they've created in Collierville has become recognized as a community leader in arts education for all ages in a wide variety of disciplines.

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