Center Stage Dance Academy: Where Stars Are Born & Dreams Come True

Where Stars Are Born & Dreams Come True

The lovely dancers of Center Stage Dance Academy have been featured on the cover of this magazine many times. We think that this year’s models are all shining stars at Center Stage! Introducing from back to front and left to right, Sarah Hill (14), Hannah Hill (15), Reese Sullivan (7), Karsyn Williams (10), Rylan Glover (8), Elle Augustus (9), Kynzleigh Dill (3), and Tinslee Cooper (5). Center Stage was founded by Lisa Hill who has been teaching in western Kentucky since 1987.

She opened her own dance academy in 1995 and has over 25 years of experience teaching children and sharing her joy for dance. Her two daughters, Kim Dill and Kristin Tracy have always been an integral part of this family business and have been teaching dance classes at Center Stage for several years. They became coowners in 2019 and have welcomed their children as students.

Center Stage is always striving to provide their students with professional instruction. Although Lisa Hill teaches many of the academy’s classes she is ably assisted by her friendly and approachable staff that includes Kim, Kristin and ballet teacher Ms. Stacy Blum. Brown has 30 plus years of teaching experience in many forms of dance and currently specializes in teaching ballet and pointe. She holds a bachelor’s degree in performing arts with an emphasis in dance.

Center Stage Dance Academy has all the equipment and top-of-the-line features you would expect including Marley dance surfaces, sound equipment, floor to ceiling mirrors, a ballet barre, viewing window, lockers for students, multi-stall bathrooms, a dressing room, and a large comfortable waiting room.

Center Stage has also reached out to neighboring local communities and offers classes at the Mayfield YMCA and in Benton at the Joe Creason Center. This allows families to avoid the drive time to Paducah while still taking advantage of the excellent instruction and instructors available at Center Stage.

Dancing Through COVID-19 “These are difficult times for our families,” said Lisa. “I especially do not want our kids or their parents to be fearful when they come to Center Stage. I want to continue to provide a sense of security, family, safety and comfort. The academy

has been deep cleaned and will be thoroughly cleaned between classes. We have hand sanitizer stations in multiple locations. All classes are planned to allow for CDC guidelines, with regards to social distancing and reduced attendance. Students should wear a face covering when possible while in the academy.”

To comply with state and local social distancing guidelines, which are based on square footage, parents will be asked to leave their child with a staff member at the door. Dancers will be walked back to their parents at the door or car after class. “Unfortunately, allowing parents in the waiting/viewing area, would reduce the number of students we can have in the academy at any one time,” explained Kim.

Center Stage is installing WiFi to the academy which will allow parents and family to watch their child’s class on a live stream. “We’re doing everything we can to keep parents connected and give them as much opportunity to view their child’s progress as possible,” said Lisa.

Class schedules have been re-tuned to accommodate smaller class sizes and those who will be learning from home this Fall. “Center Stage students can opt for online only classes which will be held during the daytime,” explained Kim. “We will still have afternoon and evening classes for those who are attending school and for parents who are working during the daytime.”

The pandemic has changed many families’ economic circumstances so Center Stage has made the decision to maintain 2019 pricing for all its classes. “We strive to remain the most affordable dance academy in the area,” stressed Lisa. “In today’s economy, and as a single parent, I know how hard it is provide children with all the opportunities you want for them. We have installment payment options and monthly tuition plans. We want every child to be able to take classes if they want to.”

In-House Competition Team Center Stage has an award winning, in-house competition team that has been recognized nationally, in all areas of dance, for many years. Any student five and over who attends Center Stage can be a part of the team. There are no auditions required. Two or three times a year students attend a regional or national competition.

Lisa wants every student at Center Stage to excel and competition helps the academy remain current and vital. Students and instructors learn what’s cutting edge in the dance world. The competition team helps students take their dance techniques a little bit further then just classes.

The Center Stage Family At this time of the year, many dancers and their parents are weighing their options and considering where to take dance instructions. “At Center Stage we design our classes to be age appropriate,” said Lisa. “Now more than ever students need both structure and fun. Our instructors are approachable and experienced, they are paying close attention to hygiene and social distancing. We encourage both parents and students to discuss the instruction and their expectations at any time. Our parents know that the dances will be suitable for all audiences to view. I am not only an instructor and owner, but I am also the parent of eight impressionable young ladies!”

Lisa, Kim and Kristin are all dedicated to making Center Stage the best school it can possibly be. As a dance teacher and educator, Lisa takes the responsibility of teaching her students very seriously. “I am committed to providing as much value as possible to students and their families,” Lisa told me. “Center Stage has a proven track record. We are a dance academy that constantly strives for high quality dance instruction. I want my students to learn to dance, but more importantly, I want to instill in them the values that I hold dear; hard work, dedication, teamwork, inclusion and kindness to others.”

“As a teacher I know that I am helping to mold the characters of young people and I take that responsibility very seriously,” Lisa told me. “We foster an environment of mutual respect and nurturing at Center Stage. Dance teaches you how to work as a team and how to overcome conflicts in a positive manner. When you work together you create healthy, strong and positive young people.”

Lisa Hill

Kim Dill

Stacy Blum

Lisa, Kim and Kristin see each of their students as individuals. “Every child at Center Stage is treated fairly and given the attention they need - whether your child sees themselves as a professional dancer or comes to class for socialization and to improve their dance skills. Many kids have had a very unusual and isolated 2020 so far. Center Stage offers a safe environment for kids to enjoy themselves and have great memories of their years dancing. It’s a little bit of normal in a very stressful time.” *

REGISTRATION ONGOING In Person & Online

NO REGISTRATION FEE FOR RETURNING STUDENTS

In appreciation for a year interrupted by COVID-19.

NOW REGISTERING FOR

Ballet • Tap • Pointe • Hip-Hop • Jazz • Modern/Contemporary Mommy & Me • Homeschool Dance • Musical Theatre • CrossFit

PADUCAH

Saturday, August 8 & 15 Sunday, August 9 & 16 Monday, August10 & 17

BENTON Joe Creason Center

Tuesday, August 11 & 18 9am – 12pm

1 – 4pm

4 – 6pm

4 –6pm

MAYFIELD YMCA

Saturday, August 1 & 8 Wednesday, August 12 9 – 11 am

4 – 6pm

Sign up also available for classes in Benton & Mayfield during the Paducah Open House. You can also register by phone by calling 270.564.7494 for all locations. Center Stage Dance Studio is located at 3160 Parisa Drive, Suite J, in Paducah.

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Center Stage Dance Academy | 3160 Parisa Drive | Ste J | Paducah, KY 270.564.7494 | csdacademypaducah.com This article is paid advertising & the information contained therein is provided by the featured individual or business. They are solely responsible for its accuracy.