About Us
WHO WE ARE
Center Stage is fully devoted to providing dancers of all ages an encouraging environment where they are given the opportunity to grow and excel in their dance education. We strive to deliver the highest quality of dance training, while nurturing each student’s unique gift of talent and creativity. We wish to encourage our students to achieve their fullest potential – to support them as they grow artistically and academically, and develop into well-rounded individuals – nourished in body, mind and spirit.
WHY US?
The studio has been open since 2000, and has been educating individuals of all ages since. The studio offers ballet, lyrical, contemporary, modern jazz, hip hop, tap, acro, yoga, zumba, adult classes, solo lessons, and competition for all skill levels. The studio has traveled across the country (Las Vegas, Knoxville, Connecticut, Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, and many other locations) to compete and perform. Center Stage has had dancers further their dance education at Ball State University, Purdue University, and Anderson University. Dancers can start as young as three years of age and adults are also welcome.
Our philosophy at Center Stage Dance Studio is to inspire dancers to be the best they can be. We are devoted to providing our knowledge, passion, and love for dance to students, whether they are dancing at a recreational level or a competitive level.
We believe in bettering the abilities of each individual student as they explore movement and music, and we know a teacher's influence on a student extends far beyond what goes on in the classroom. Our teaching Philosophy is centered on instilling a passion for dance, while also building self-esteem and confidence. The students well-being is our number one priority; their capability is secondary.
OWNER & DIRECTOR
SANDRA SHIPLEY
Sandra Shipley started her dance career at La Danze that was located in Marion, IN. at the age of nine. She was awarded the 1st dance scholarship from her dance studio, which was a full ride to all of the studio’s classes. This jumpstarted Sandra’s career because it led her into competition and helped her parents whom had five other children. Because Sandra is of many children, her main goal is to give the gift of dance to others at an affordable price in a safe and encouraging environment. Sandra started competition classes at the age of twelve and was immediately put into the senior competition classes. During her first year of studying tap they went to nationals. Sandy nervously danced around the clock because she didn’t want her age to hold her team back, which taught her to be patient and instilled/improved her work ethic. Sandra’s passion became performing, and then the studio asked her to start teaching, at the age of 14, where she found her life calling. In 2000 Sandra decided to open the studio doors to Center Stage Dance Studio and since then has been putting on recitals, dance camps, and competing all over the US. Sandra claims that the studio wouldn’t be where it is today without the help of her family. Her husband Cheyenne, and daughters Dominique & Santana, who were predominant teachers at the studio, remain to be her collaborators and support system. Sandra is a member of Dance Educators of America, where she was trained and teacher tested in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has put on countless recitals and ballets with Sleeping Beauty, The Wizard Of Oz, Frozen, Fairyland, Harry Potter, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Star Wars, The Nightmare before Christmas, Maleficent, Beastly, and Peter Pan, to name a few of them. Sandra’s passion grows with the studio and dancers daily.