Excellence in Dance Education

DANCE ARTISTRY CENTER

Welcome to Dance Artistry Center, a school focused on the whole dancer. We believe in nurturing creativity, wellness, and artistic development in students of all ages and levels.

About DAC

Strong. Active. Confident.

Dance Artistry Center provides quality dance programs in a supportive environment. We believe that dance training prepares students for life by developing strong minds and bodies, while encouraging self-confidence, focus, and social skills.

Preschool Dance

Our Pre-Ballet classes are developmentally appropriate for children ages 2 to 4. These classes allow children to develop their imaginative and creative talents, while teaching them movements that will help improve balance, coordination, and other fine and gross motor skills. Basic Ballet steps and terminology will be taught, while fostering a love of dancing.

Pre-Ballet 1 Ages 2-3 - Wednesdays 4:30-5:00pm

Pre-Ballet 2 Ages 3-4 Wednesdays 5:05-5:35pm

Classic Division

Our Recreational Division instills creativity, discipline, & confidence in beginning and intermediate students. Offering classes in Ballet, Hip-Hop, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary for students aged 4 through 18.

Ballet

Ballet 1 Ages 4-5 Tuesdays 5:10-5:40pm

Ballet 2 Ages 5-6 Tuesdays 5:45-6:25pm

Ballet 3 /4 Ages 7-10 Thursdays 5:55-6:35pm

Ballet 5/6 Ages 11+ Mondays 7:00-8:00pm

Jazz

Jazz 1/2 Ages 7-9 Thursdays 7:00-7:40pm

Jazz 2/3 Ages 10-12 Tuesdays 5:00-6:00pm

Jazz 4/5 Ages 12+ Wednesdays 8:05-9:00pm

Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop 1 Ages 4-5 Tuesdays 5:45-6:15pm

Hip-Hop 2 Ages 5-6 Tuesdays 5:00-5:40pm

Hip-Hop 3 Ages 6-8 Thursdays 5:15-5:55pm

Hip-Hop 4 Ages 8-10 Thursdays 6:05-6:55pm

Hip-Hop 5/6 Ages 11+ Thursdays 8:00-9:00pm

Boys Only! Hip-Hop 1 Ages 5-8 Fridays 5:00-5:30pm

Boys Only! Hip-Hop 2 Ages 9+ Fridays 5:40-6:25pm

Contemporary

Contemporary 3/4 Ages 10+ Tuesdays 8:00-9:00pm

Tap

Tap Ages 5-7 Fridays 6:30-7:00pm

Tap Ages 8-11 Fridays 5:45-6:30pm

Tap Ages 12+ Fridays 7:00-8:00pm

Company Division

The Company Division is for intensive students who want to focus on dance and perfecting their technique. Offering classes in Ballet, Pointe, Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary. It is recommended that dancers in the Company Division take all classes for their level. Dancers are required to take a minimum of 2 Ballet classes per week (3 per week if enrolled in Pointe).

Trainee Level:

Tuesdays: Ballet 6:30-7:20pm and Contemporary 7:20-8:00pm

Thursdays: Hip-Hop 5:05-6:00pm, Ballet 6:00-6:50pm, and Jazz 7:00-7:40pm

Apprentice Level:

Mondays: Jazz 5:45-6:45pm and Ballet 6:45-7:45pm

Wednesdays: Ballet 4:45-5:45pm and Hip-Hop 5:50-6:50

Thursdays: Contemporary 6:55-7:55pm

Saturdays: Ballet with Pre-Pointe 10:00-11:00am

Demi-Soloist Level:

Mondays: Ballet 4:45-5:45pm and Jazz 5:45-6:45pm

Wednesdays: Hip-Hop 4:50-5:50pm, Ballet 6:00-7:15pm and Pointe 7:30-8:15pm

Thursdays: Contemporary 5:00-6:00pm

Saturdays: Ballet 11:00am-12pm and Pointe 12:00-12:30pm

Soloist Level:

Mondays: Jazz 8:00-9:00pm

Tuesdays: Ballet 6:25-7:30pm and Pointe 6:30-7:00pm

Wednesdays: Hip-Hop 6:55-7:55pm and Ballet 7:55-8:55pm

Thursdays: Contemporary 8:00-9:00pm

Saturdays: Ballet 12:30-1:45pm and Pointe 1:45-2:15pm

Principal Level:

Mondays: Contemporary 7:00-8:00pm and Ballet 8:00-9:00pm

Tuesdays: Jazz 6:15-7:15pm, Ballet 7:20-8:20pm, and Pointe 8:20-9:00pm

Wednesdays: Ballet 7:00-8:00pm and Hip-Hop 8:00-9:00pm

Acro Program

Acro classes will work on laying the foundation of gymnastics. For example, forward & backward rolls, cartwheels, round-offs, handstands, tabletops and bridges, moving on to more advanced work as a student progresses. Not only do we set a solid foundation of the basic tumbling skills we work on flexibility, balance, listening, following directions, spatial awareness, fine and gross motor skills and socialization. Students are placed into classes according to mastered skills.

Acro levels are determined by skill and placed by the instructor. Acro is held on Monday nights. Please contact for availability.

DAC Competition Team

The DAC Competition Team gives dancers additional chances to perform. The program fosters the development of team work, discipline, artistry, and technique in each dancer.

"I want to thank DAC for their dedication and time. They have taught my daughter what it takes to be a true dancer. Their passion for technique shines on the stage. My daughter stands tall as she walks out of the studio 3 days a week, encouragement and discipline, a mother couldn't ask for anything more! Thank you!"

H. Spina

Gallery

"I cannot say enough about this dance center. It is a place where every child is led to great potential, where lifelong friendships start, where harmony exists between students, parents & teachers. Thank you for living a dream and creating dreams in all of our girls hearts."

K. Stremmel

Registration

DAC Fall Dance Session

September, 14 - December, 19, 2020

Due to the restrictions and guidelines that we currently need to follow, DAC will be offering a Fall Dance Session that will run September - December. This will allow us to make changes to the schedule for January through June, if allowed. Class sizes will be limited due to social distancing and all State and CDC guidelines will be followed. This session will not have a formal performance, so students will not need to purchase any additional costumes.

All dance classes will simultaneously be streamed online through Zoom. Dancers who are not comfortable returning to in-person classes, but who would still like to begin in the Fall should register for the classes that state (Virtual Only) in the description. This will also allow any dancer who needs to quarantine for any reason to continue lessons with their class.

Tuition

This is a session tuition fee (September through December) divided into 4 equal payments. There are no adjustments for months with holidays or in months with 5 weeks. Tuition cannot be pro-rated due to absence, students are expected to make up any missed class.

Class Hours Per Week = Monthly Payment

30 minutes = $48

40-50 minutes = $56

1 hour = $64

1 hour 10 minutes = $68

1.25 hours = $79

1.5-1.75 hours = $81

2 - 2.25 hours = $97

2.5 - 2.75 hours = $129

3 - 3.75 hours = $144

4 - 4.75 hours = $163

5 - 5.75 hours = $171

6 - 7.5 hours = $189

8 - 9 hours = $197

9.25+ hours = $204

Calendar

Dance Artistry Center Closure Dates Fall 2020:

October 31st - Halloween

November 4-8th - Fall Break

November 25 - 28th - Thanksgiving Break

December 20- January 3rd- Winter Break

A Team of Educators

Come dance with us at Dance Artistry Center! Our team of instructors is dedicated to offering quality dance education. Whether you’re here for recreation or for professional training, we can help you reach your goals.

Sara Bittle

Artistic Director/Ballet, Pointe & Preschool Dance Instructor

Sara Pinkerton Bittle has had extensive ballet training. She has been dancing since an early age at local studios, where she had the opportunity to perform at Disney World's Magic Music Days and on Royal Caribbean's Stars at Sea. Sara's intensive ballet training began at Mid-Atlantic Ballet, in Newark, DE, under the direction of Sara Taylor Neal. At MAB, Sara was a member of the pre-professional performing Company where she danced the roles of Cossack Doll and Puppeteer in the ballet, "The Fantastic Toyshop." Sara also performed in the Delaware Dance Festival. Sara continued her dance training at Old Dominion University as a Dance Education major, taking classes in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Anatomy & Kinesiology for Dancers, and Improvisation. Sara finished her degree at Rowan University, with classes in Ballet, Creative Dance for Children, and World Dance Forms. The summer of 2005, Sara studied at the Boston Conservatory, where she trained with Denise Pons, former Boston Ballet dancer, and Seán Curran, Artistic Director of the Seán Curran Company. Sara has also attended the Dance Teacher's Workshop in New York City with renowned master ballet teachers, Finis Jhung, Judy Rice, and Mignon Furman. In 2008, Sara was certified as a Pilates Mat instructor at Pilates Core Center in Marlton, NJ. Sara has been teaching ballet for the past 14 years and continues to take ballet classes at Koresh School of Dance in Philadelphia, PA.

Katharine Sayre

Hip-Hop Instructor

Katharine Flaherty Sayre has had several years of professional experience as a Hip-Hop/Jazz dancer. She danced for 3 seasons with the Philadelphia Kixx Dance Team and 1 season with the Philadelphia Barrage Dance Team, both under the direction of Adrienne Della. Katharine was then selected as one of the Philadelphia Soulmates, under the direction of Marla Viturello. While dancing as a Soulmate, Katharine became a Captain and was selected to attend the 3, a professional dance convention in Atlanta, GA. She was also chosen to represent the Soulmates at the Arena Bowl in New Orleans, LA as one of the AFL's Dream Team Dancers. During her years of training, Katharine studied with the master teachers, Chris Judd, Mikey, Darren Henson, and Geo Hubela. Katharine was a Guest Choreographer/Coach for the Philadelphia Soulmates for the 2013 season. Katharine has been teaching Hip-Hop for the past 10 years.

Courtney Colón

Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Jazz Instructor

Christine Sampson

Hip-Hop Instructor

Ms. Christine began her dance training in all dance styles at a local Swedesboro school at the age of 3. She then went on to study at the Southern New Jersey Academy of Performing Arts. In 2005, Christine graduated from Rutgers University with a BFA in Dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts. She performed in MGSA's dance co; DanceWorks and had the privilege to dance in guest artist Doug Varone's work, "Bench Quartet." After college, Christine danced for the NY Nets Dance Team in 2006-2007. She has been featured in "Ugly Betty," "The Other Woman," on Spike TV, "Extra with Mario Lopez," Epix TV, BET, and "The Today Show." She has also done various national and international tours with The Gap Inc. Holdiay Cross Country tour, NBA All-Star Games, NBA Europe Live, NBA China Games, WNBA London Live, and NBA London Live. Christine has performed with artists such as: Flo Rida, Pitbull, Kevin Rudolph, Shakira, Rhianna, Ryan Leslie, Tiffany Evans, Ludacris, B.O.B., Juicy J., and Bruno Mars. Currently, she has her own company, Rock Roulette Productions, and continues to grow as an artist.

Ms. Courtney is an artist actively working as a creator, educator, mover, and writer. She holds an MFA in Dance from Hollins University, where she studied in Virginia, New York, and Germany. Ms. Colón completed her BFA in Dance from Stockton University, graduating with distinction in her program. Courtney’s senior work, “I Am My Own,” was selected to represent Stockton at the American College Dance Festival in 2015. Ms. Courtney has taught and performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Her choreography and lectures have been presented in numerous locations, including NY, NJ, PA, DE, NC, MN, VA, and abroad. Courtney is also a freelance professional writer whose work has appeared in the Philadelphia Dance Journal, DIY Dancer Magazine, and The Journal of Dance Education, amongst others. In 2010, Ms. Colón founded pillardance company, a dance collective based in Philadelphia. In 2011, a photo of pillar was featured on the cover of Spark magazine, opening the Fringe Festival in Wilmington.

Courtney loves to teach and watch her students grow while cheering them on! Drop by her website and say hello! Courtneycolon.com

Jessica Dixon

Contemporary and Jazz Instructor

Amber Pettit

Acro Instructor

Amber Pettit has had extensive gymnastics, cheerleading and dance training starting at the young age of 2. Amber trained as a gymnast under Karen Smith (owner of Atlantic Coast Gymnastics) for over 10 years. She has trained in many genres of dance including Ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, , musical theater, African dance & Pointe. Not only was she a recreational dancer but also was a competitive dancer. She competed at regional and national competitions with the Delaware Valley Jazz Company under the direction of Barbara Adams. She trained and performed with Shaun Thompson, also known as Shaun T, from hip-hop abs & the insanity workout for over 5 years. She has trained with many other professionals in the industry such as Mia Michaels, Michael Minery, Barbara Duffy, Step Stewart & more. Amber was a recreational and competitive cheerleader for 8 years. She was also on her High School’s Varsity cheerleading team for 4 years and was captain for 3 years. In being a cheerleader and a coach, she has earned a 2-time NCA Nominee award and many multiple grand champ titles and paid bids. Amber has been coaching gymnastics for over 9 years including 4 years of being the Program Director of the Little Gym of Swedesboro. Amber is certified by USAG, NYCC, AACCA, CDC, AAAI, , as well as CPR/AED/First Aid certified.

Miss Jess has her Master's degree in Dance Education from Temple University. She has 8 years experience teaching jazz and contemporary in studios across South Jersey and is a full time dance teacher at Salem High School. She has participated in numerous professional dance workshops including the Dance Teacher Summit and received a full scholarship to participate in the American Dance Festival's Dance Professionals Workshop. She has danced professionally all over the Philadelphia region, most recently for the dance company Danse4Nia. She loves everything about teaching at DAC and is excited to come back in the fall!