Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Premier Dance Studio in Altoona, PA
Established in 1939 by William C. Sigel and Rosalie Sigel, our school has cultivated generations of dancers who have excelled in film, television, Broadway, and international performance venues. Our faculty, certified under Pennsylvania's Act 153 requirements, brings decades of professional experience from Norwegian Cruise Lines, Atlantic City venues, and prestigious dance competitions. We maintain affiliations with the Cecchetti Council of America and Dance Masters of America, offering a structured curriculum that combines technical excellence with artistic expression. Our alumni network spans professional teaching studios across Central Pennsylvania, while our current instructors hold advanced degrees in education and dance studies.The studio's commitment to quality is evidenced by our affiliation with the Actor Equity Association and our role as the official school of the Altoona Dance Company. Through 82 years of operation, we've maintained a family-oriented environment where students develop discipline, grace, and lifelong friendships. Our annual recitals at the Mishler Theatre showcase student achievements in a professional production setting. The third-generation family leadership ensures continuity of our founding values while embracing contemporary teaching methodologies. Our facility houses the Sigels Dancewear Spot for student convenience and maintains rigorous standards for dance accreditation through the Cecchetti system.
Services
Cecchetti Ballet
Hip Hop
Jazz
Lyrical
Tap
Musical Theatre
Pointe
Dance Company
Recital Preparation
Dancewear Sales
Details
- Year established: 1939
Highlights and features
- 82 years of proven success in dance education since 1939
- Act 153 certified instructors with professional performance backgrounds
- Cecchetti Council of America accredited ballet curriculum
- Third-generation family ownership ensures consistent values
- Alumni network includes Broadway performers and dance educators
What people say
Caring teachers
Professional staff
Lifelong friendships
Confidence building
Excellent technique
Services
Cecchetti Ballet
Structured ballet training under the Cecchetti system with examinations administered by the Cecchetti Council of America. Designed for serious students aged 8+ with minimum two years experience. Focuses on technical precision, theory, and classical repertoire preparation.
Hip Hop
Dynamic hip hop classes for ages 9-11 combining street dance techniques with performance training. Instructors include national competition champions with experience teaching at regional colleges and choreographing for professional artists.
Dance Company
Competitive dance company offering advanced training in multiple styles. Members receive specialized choreography instruction and compete regionally while representing the studio's professional standards in community performances.
Act 153 Certified Instruction
All staff maintain Pennsylvania's highest child safety certifications with comprehensive background checks. Instructors combine formal education credentials with professional performance experience in national touring productions and entertainment venues.
Recital Production
Professional-grade recital held annually at Mishler Theatre featuring elaborate staging, themed productions, and student performances across all skill levels. Combines technical excellence with theatrical presentation in a Broadway-style format.
People
Mindy Frye
Artistic Director
Professional dancer with Norwegian Cruise Lines and Atlantic City venues. Award-winning choreographer with Dance Masters of Pennsylvania. Holds BFA in Dance and Masters in Education. Teaches advanced students and directs recital productions.
Laura Oswald
Assistant Instructor
Alumni with 18 years teaching experience. Holds Masters in Education and Dance Studies minor. Specializes in early childhood dance education while maintaining public school teaching credentials. Combines pedagogical expertise with performance training.
Lynzi Vandevander
Hip Hop Instructor
National champion choreographer with experience teaching at regional colleges. Certified nurse with unique ability to combine fitness training with competitive dance instruction. Teaches hip hop fitness classes for adults alongside youth competition teams.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We offer Cecchetti Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre instruction for ages 3+ with beginner through advanced classes.
Are your instructors qualified?
All instructors are Act 153 certified with professional backgrounds including Broadway, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and national dance competitions.
What performance opportunities exist?
Our annual recital at Mishler Theatre features professional production values, and students participate in regional dance competitions through affiliated companies.
Do you offer dancewear?
Yes, our on-site Sigels Dancewear Spot provides necessary attire and accessories for all dance styles taught at our studio.
How long has the school operated?
We've been teaching dance excellence since 1939, making us one of Pennsylvania's longest-running family-owned dance studios.
