Business Details
18 Years
experience
Your Premier Dance Academy in Sisters, Oregon
Founded in 2008, Sisters Dance Academy has become a cornerstone of the Central Oregon community, dedicated to fostering a love for dance in students of all ages and skill levels. Our studio blends technical excellence with creative expression, offering classes in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, and more. Under the leadership of owner Lonnie Liddell, our team of highly trained instructors brings decades of professional experience and a passion for nurturing confidence, artistry, and physical fitness.We prioritize inclusivity, ensuring every student feels valued while developing discipline, teamwork, and performance skills. From recreational classes to competitive ensembles, our programs are designed to inspire lifelong appreciation for dance while creating lasting memories through recitals and community events.
Services
Ballet
Lyrical
Contemporary
Hip Hop
Tap
Jazz
Pointe
Parent/Tots
Acro
Competitive Teams
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We offer 17+ years of community-focused dance education with professional instructors
- Our curriculum includes 8+ dance styles from beginner to competitive levels
- Instructors have performed nationally and internationally with renowned companies
- We provide free dancewear exchange and local store partnerships for convenience
- Competitive teams have won regional and national awards since 2019
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program builds foundational technique through structured training in posture, balance, and coordination. Students progress from basic barre work to complex pointe techniques while developing discipline and artistic expression. Classes prepare dancers for advanced styles like lyrical and contemporary while maintaining traditional methods.
Hip Hop
Dynamic hip hop classes teach street-style techniques from old school to modern trends. Students develop rhythm, musicality, and improvisation skills through choreography and dance battles. Age-specific programs ensure proper technical development while maintaining the style's energetic, creative essence.
Competitive Teams
Award-winning competitive ensembles train in multiple genres including jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. Teams perform at regional and national competitions, with choreography by industry professionals. Participants develop advanced skills in teamwork, stage presence, and technical precision through intensive rehearsals.
Parent/Tot Classes
Interactive dance classes for young children and caregivers introduce basic movement concepts through play-based learning. These sessions develop motor skills, social interaction, and musical awareness while creating bonding opportunities between children and their adult partners.
Acro
Acro dance combines technical dance elements with gymnastic skills. Students learn controlled flexibility, strength, and balance through progressions that integrate safely with dance technique. Classes focus on proper alignment and injury prevention while developing dynamic performance capabilities.
People
Lonnie Liddell
Owner, Creative Director
Classically trained dancer with 20+ years teaching experience. Former performer with Morca Dance Academy and Visions Dance Company. Graduated from Eastern Washington University and Brigham Young University dance programs. Established SDA in 2009 to create community-focused dance education.
Kayla Williams
Contemporary, Jazz Instructor
B.S. in Dance from University of Idaho and M.A. in Teaching from Oregon State. Specializes in injury prevention and fitness. Has taught across three countries and performed with Bill T. Jones and other renowned artists. Joined SDA in 2013.
Shannon Abero Guerrero
Hip Hop Instructor
Professional dancer with experience on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Nike campaigns. Trained with industry leaders including Tabitha and Napoleon. Teaches hip hop technique and choreography at SDA since 2013.
Ava Wiley
Contemporary, Jazz Instructor
Graduated from Oregon State University with dance focus. Brings innovative teaching methods from training at The Vibe in Bend. Specializes in cross-genre technique and performance. Joined SDA faculty in 2024.
Jenica Cogdill
Office Manager
Former digital experience manager for tech companies. Started managing SDA operations in 2022. Founded Central Oregon's only dance store, Move It Dancewear, to support local dancers with specialized retail services.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We offer ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, tap, acro, and pointe classes for ages 18 months through adults.
Are there competitive dance opportunities?
Yes! Our award-winning competitive teams train in multiple genres and perform at regional and national competitions.
What should students wear to class?
Dress codes vary by style. Leotards and tights for ballet, stretchy clothing for contemporary, and specific shoes for each discipline. See our website for details.
How do I register for classes?
Register through our Jackrabbit portal. New students create an account and select classes. Waitlists activate when classes fill.
Do you have parent observation opportunities?
We host recitals in December and June with professional photography. Parents also receive regular class updates through our communication channels.
Is dancewear available locally?
Yes! Our office manager owns Move It Dancewear in Bend, offering convenient access to required attire and shoes.
Reviews (3)
Sandy Johnson
Mar 24, 2020
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Our experience with Sisters Dance Academy has been wonderful, I would recommend this studio to anyone with a dancer!
Tara Shafer
Nov 10, 2019
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My 7 year old LOVES attending the ballet/tap classes at the studio and today Lonnie hosted Autumn's 7th birthday party! Best party yet! So much fun. Lonnie did an amazing job organizing everything and having non-stop fun with the kids!
Joanna Gange
Jul 17, 2016
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Lonnie is amazing with these kiddos. Stephanie who runs the office amazing. My daughter loves dancing at Sisters Dance Academy!
