Business Details
16 Years
experience
Your Trusted Dance School in Corning, NY
Stage Door Performing Arts Center was founded in 2010 by Heather Haskins, a lifelong dancer and educator with over two decades of experience in the performing arts. Our mission is to provide high-quality dance education that prioritizes student well-being, technical excellence, and artistic expression. We offer comprehensive training in multiple dance styles for students of all ages, taught by instructors with professional performance backgrounds and formal education in dance and theater.Our curriculum emphasizes both skill development and character growth, fostering a supportive environment where students build confidence, creativity, and lifelong connections. With a commitment to community engagement, we participate in local productions and competitions while maintaining strong relationships with regional schools and arts organizations.
Services
Ballet/Pointe
Pom Pom
Contemporary
Jazz
Lyrical
Creative Movement
Tap
Musical Theater
Hip Hop
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer 13+ years of experience in dance education and performance training
- Our instructors hold degrees in musical theater and dance education
- We provide specialized training in 8 dance styles with individualized attention
- Our alumni have received choreography awards at accredited competitions
- We maintain small class sizes for personalized student development
Services
Ballet/Pointe
Our ballet program develops technical precision and grace through traditional training methods. Students learn proper body alignment, turnout, and pointe work under expert supervision. Classes emphasize artistic expression while maintaining strict safety standards for developing dancers.
Contemporary
Contemporary dance classes blend modern, jazz, and ballet techniques to foster creative movement. We focus on emotional storytelling through fluid choreography while developing strength, flexibility, and improvisational skills in a supportive environment.
Hip Hop
Our hip hop program teaches breaking, popping, and locking techniques rooted in authentic street dance culture. Classes emphasize rhythm, musicality, and personal style while maintaining connections to hip hop music and cultural traditions.
Musical Theater
Musical theater dance classes combine jazz, ballet, and tap techniques to develop performance skills. Students learn choreography that emphasizes character development and storytelling while building versatility for stage productions.
Creative Movement
Designed for young children, our creative movement classes use imaginative play and music to develop motor skills and body awareness. The program introduces basic dance concepts while fostering creativity and social interaction in a fun environment.
People
Heather Haskins
Artistic Director
Founder Heather Haskins holds a B.A. in Musical Theatre from Elmira College. With 20+ years teaching experience, she has trained under industry professionals in NYC and continues performing locally while leading SDPAC's artistic vision.
Danielle Butler
Instructor
Danielle Butler teaches multiple styles after graduating from SUNY Brockport with psychology honors. As former student and competition award winner, she brings contemporary teaching methods and choreography expertise to all age groups.
Colleen Donovan
Dance Educator
Colleen Donovan holds a degree in Early Childhood Education with dance minor from Niagara University. Specializing in musical theater, she combines pedagogical training with 20+ years dance experience to create engaging learning environments for young students.
Paige Kennedy
Assistant Teacher
Paige Kennedy, a senior at Corning Painted Post High School, shares her expertise from CLI Conservatory training. As longtime SDPAC student, she brings current industry techniques while mentoring the next generation of dancers.
Lexi O'Connor
Junior Instructor
Lexi O'Connor, a junior at Corning Painted Post High School, specializes in ballet and lyrical dance. With years of teaching assistant experience, she creates welcoming classes that combine technical training with joyful expression for young students.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We offer ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, musical theater, pom pom, and creative movement classes for all skill levels.
What age groups do you teach?
We provide instruction for children as young as 3 through adult classes, with age-appropriate curriculum and specialized programs for competitive dancers.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! Students participate in annual recitals, local competitions, and community theater productions throughout the year to showcase their progress.
Do you offer summer programs?
We provide summer intensives and workshops featuring guest choreographers, with specialized training in specific dance styles and performance techniques.
How do I register for classes?
Online pre-registration is available through our website, with flexible enrollment options for single classes or full-season commitments.
Reviews (3)
Julie Matusick
Dec 20, 2019
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The staff are amazing teachers- they really have nurtured a love for dance in my daughter. Unlike the studios that I attended as a child, the teachers make dance fun and cultivate a culture of friendship! So thankful that we found Stage Door. Highly recommend.
Jen Kennedy
Oct 08, 2019
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This studio is our second family! It offers a wonderful atmosphere and a great staff! Highly recommend!
Maria Strinni Gill
Jul 13, 2014
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Fantastic! Last year was our first year with Miss Heather at Stage Door, and she did an excellent job reminding my nine-year-old why she loves dance. She makes it FUN, which is what we are after at this stage. Heather, herself, excels at modern and musical theatre, which are the classes my child took from her. We'll go back this fall for ballet plus something else. And, my six-year-old son, after seeing how much fun dancing with Heather is, wants to take hip hop as well.
