Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Dance Studio in Altoona, PA
Established in 1939, Sigel's School of Dance has been a cornerstone of dance education in Pennsylvania for over eight decades. Our studio specializes in Cecchetti Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop, nurturing students from beginner to advanced levels. Through generations of family leadership, we have cultivated a legacy of excellence, producing professional dancers for Broadway, film, television, and international stages. Our faculty combines extensive industry experience with Act 153-certified safety standards, ensuring a trusted environment for artistic growth. We emphasize technical precision, performance opportunities, and personalized mentorship, fostering confidence and discipline in every student.The annual recital at Mishler Theatre exemplifies our commitment to high-quality productions. With three generations of the Sigel family at the helm, we continue to prioritize community impact, family values, and dance education that transcends mere instruction. Our alumni network spans professional stages worldwide, while local students benefit from our focus on foundational skills and lifelong friendships. Recognized by the City of Altoona as a cultural institution, we remain dedicated to making dance accessible and transformative for all ages.
Services
Cecchetti Ballet
Tap Dance
Jazz Dance
Lyrical Dance
Hip Hop
Musical Theatre
Pointe Technique
Details
- Year established: 1939
Highlights and features
- We offer 82 years of proven expertise in dance education
- Our faculty includes professional performers and award-winning choreographers
- Act 153-certified staff ensures child safety and professional standards
- Three generations of family leadership maintain consistent quality
- We provide structured training from beginner to professional levels
Associations and certifications
- Act 153 Certified
What people say
Caring instructors
Professional training
Family atmosphere
Award-winning results
Lifelong friendships
Services
Cecchetti Ballet
Our Cecchetti Ballet program provides rigorous classical training following the official syllabus of the Cecchetti Council of America. Students develop proper technique, posture, and grace through structured lessons that build from foundational positions to advanced pointe work. This discipline forms the technical foundation for all other dance styles offered at our studio.
Hip Hop Dance
Contemporary Hip Hop classes focus on rhythm, musicality, and self-expression through street-style movements. Instructors with professional performance backgrounds teach current trends while emphasizing proper technique and injury prevention. Classes cater to all skill levels from beginners to competition teams.
Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre training combines dance, acting, and singing skills for stage performance readiness. Students learn choreography from Broadway productions while developing vocal projection and character interpretation techniques. Annual recital participation provides practical stage experience in full theatrical productions.
Tap Dance Instruction
Our tap program emphasizes clear rhythmic patterns and improvisation skills taught by instructors with professional touring experience. Classes progress from basic sounds to complex syncopation patterns, with opportunities to perform in both recital and competition settings throughout the year.
Lyrical Dance
Lyrical dance classes blend ballet technique with emotional storytelling through movement. Instructors focus on fluid transitions, floor patterns, and expressive quality that matches musical phrasing. Students develop versatility applicable to both competition and theatrical performance contexts.
People
Skip Sigel
Principal Tap Teacher
Professional dancer with credits including performances alongside Frankie Avalon and Ann Miller. Cecchetti-certified instructor with decades of teaching experience and multiple state choreography awards.
Mindy Frye
Artistic Director
Former Norwegian Cruise Line performer and Atlantic City show dancer. Award-winning choreographer with national competition wins and 12 years of professional teaching experience in Pennsylvania.
Pandy Foreman
Jazz Department Director
Professional dancer with Carol Lawrence in 'Sweet Charity' and artistic director of award-winning Altoona Dance Company. Specializes in jazz technique and competition team preparation.
Laura Oswald
Assistant Instructor
Alumni with 18+ years of experience teaching early childhood dance. Holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education with dance minors from Penn State and Wilson College.
Lynzi Vandevander
Hip Hop Choreographer
Six-time national hip hop champion and Beyonc choreographer intensive participant. Combines nursing background with dance fitness instruction for diverse student needs.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer Cecchetti Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Pointe instruction for ages 3+ with classes from beginner to advanced levels.
Are your instructors qualified?
All staff are Act 153 certified with extensive professional experience. Our faculty includes former Broadway performers, cruise line entertainers, and award-winning choreographers.
What performance opportunities exist?
Annual recitals at Mishler Theatre feature all students. We also offer competition teams and special performance groups with regional and national opportunities.
How do you ensure child safety?
All staff maintain Act 153 certification with comprehensive background checks. Our family-owned studio prioritizes safe, nurturing environment for all students.
What age groups do you accept?
We teach children starting at age 3 through adult classes, with specialized programs for different developmental stages and skill levels.
Do you offer trial classes?
New students may attend a trial class before enrollment. Contact us directly to schedule a complimentary introductory session in your preferred dance style.
