Two high school friends have taken their love of dance to start a new and unique dance studio -- the Premier Dance Center -- in Connellsville.
Rachael Addis and Kayley Kosisko have a lot in common. They're both graduates of Connellsville Area High School's Class of 2005. They both attended the same dance studio. They both shared the same drive and ambition for dance, often finding themselves practicing after everyone else went home.
"We thought that we can do this on our own," Addis said.
The two decided to turn a classroom on the third flood of the Connellsville Community Center on Fairview Avenue into a dance studio.
Renovations started in February. Four layers of carpet were ripped out. Layer after layer of pink paint was applied to the walls. A professional Harlequin dance floor was installed. Large mirrors were set up along the walls.
"We want something bright and happy for the kids," Kosisko said.
But the business isn't just looks. It has moves, too.
Along with the basics of dance and contortion, gymnastics and pointe and improv dance, they also offer contemporary dance, which is a raw and unconventional dance style, and jazz funk, which Addis and Kosisko said is hard to explain, but fun to do.
The two also regularly keep up on the latest dance styles and techniques.
While a grand opening is scheduled for the fall season with a professional choreographer as a guest, Premier Dance Center will kick off its business with a summer workshop from July 6 to July 10.
The workshop will teach students leaps, turns and improv and also the contemporary and jazz funk dance at different hours throughout the week.
Costs are: one class a week for $25; two classes a week for $40; and three classes a week for $50 for any class -- the classes can be mixed and matched.
For more information and registration for the workshop, contact Addis at 724-880-7517 or Kosisko at 724-322-1440.
