ILLUSIONS Dance Studio started in 2015 when Front and Centre Productions, Inc. was still located at Pappy Jack's Place on Front Street in downtown Philipsburg. ILLUSIONS Dance Studio is under the direction of our Artistic Director, Sam Potter.
Sam studied Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, and Dance at Clarion University. Before returning home to help Front and Centre Productions create and start ILLUSIONS, Sam lived in Pittsburgh to attend graduate school at Duquesne University where he instructed fitness classes and had joined Exhalations Contemporary Dance Company.
Since the beginning of ILLUSIONS, Front and Centre Productions has been able to offer a safe and fun place for students to enjoy learning how to dance. ILLUSIONS now offers 20 dance classes having multiple options at each age level! Some of these classes include: Contemporary, Ballet, Tap, Broadway, Jazz Acro, and Hip Hop!
Starting fall of 2022 ILLUSIONS began offering Beginner Level classes for students who aren't quite ready to be dropped off at the door for an hour and the Senior Choreography class which allows senior students to learn how to choreograph a dance and see their peers perform it!
Under the Direction of Artistic Director, Sam Potter Contact Sam - [email protected]
CLICK HERE FOR THE ILLUSIONS DANCE STUDIO HANDBOOK
CONFIDENCE AND SELF ESTEEM! Dance provides children with an opportunity to learn a new skill, perform, and develop their self esteem and confidence. Gaining this through dance spreads through to other areas of their lives. Dance also promotes good posture which makes us all feel good about ourselves!
COMMUNITY Dance offers a community for children where they can make friends with similar interests and hobbies while experiencing dance classes and performances together! Children learn to work as a team when they are involved with dance.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS Dance is a great way for children to learn physical skills. These skills include but are not limited to flexibility, strength, posture, agility, conditioning, and stamina! Dance also teaches exercise safety and how to stay active while remaining safe!
ACCOMPLISHMENT Dance offers many opportunities for achievement whether it is performing on stage for a crowd, competing in a competition, or even just learning new skills! These accomplishments are great for building a child's self esteem or their self worth!
RESILIENCE Dance allows for children to be challenged in a positive environment. It is essential to keep trying, keep practicing, and never giving up! Dance teaches children to work hard and that great accomplishments come when you don't give up!
CREATIVITY Dance offers the opportunity for children to express themselves in new or different ways. This can be extremely beneficial to their self-expression in life as well as their overall physical and mental well-being. Learning how to be creative and use their imagination from a young age is important for problem solving and learning new ways of thinking!
STAYING ACTIVE This is a clear benefit for any activity that children might be involved in but especially of dance! Staying active is crucial for children of all ages as it encourages movement, spending time with their friends, and getting exercise!
DETERMINATION Dance teaches children that they have the ability to work towards a goal no matter how large or small. Dance teaches children to have the drive and determination to work towards the goals and ambitions they dream of!
PRESENTATION SKILLS Dance has benefits for a child's posture, presentation, and performance skills. The uniformity of dance encourages children to take pride in the way they present themselves. Encouraging children to take pride in their presentation is a skill that is useful for other aspects of life that they will experience once they have grown up!
WORK ETHIC In dance, there is often a goal to be achieved whether it is large or small. A work ethic is huge for children to be able to achieve these goals whether it be learning a new skill or perfecting a routine! Dance teaches children to work hard, and the progress will follow!