Finding the right dance studio means matching your goals—whether that's nailing a pirouette, mastering a wedding waltz, or building confidence on a hip-hop stage. Around Lake Wynonah, three longtime studios serve distinctly different dancers. Here's what sets them apart, and how to choose the one that fits you.
Wynonah Dance Academy: Classical Training with Professional Roots
Best for: Aspiring ballerinas, young dancers seeking structure, and families ready to commit to pre-professional training.
Founded in 2008, Wynonah Dance Academy has built its reputation on classical ballet and disciplined technique. Owner and artistic director Maria Chen, a former Pennsylvania Ballet dancer, leads a faculty of six with combined credits that include regional companies and university dance programs.
The academy offers a clear progression: creative movement for ages 3+, foundational ballet and tap for elementary students, and pointe, partnering, and contemporary for teens. Students perform in an annual recital at the Schuylkill Haven High School auditorium, and advanced dancers can audition for the studio's competitive ensemble.
"We treat every class like a rehearsal for something bigger," Chen says. "Even our youngest students learn to respect the barre and the process."
The details: Trial classes run $20. Monthly tuition starts at $85 and scales with class load. New students are accepted in September and January; summer intensives are available in July.
- Address: 123 Main Street, Lake Wynonah
- Phone: (570) 555-0142
- Website: wynonahdance.com
- Pricing: $$
Rhythm & Rhyme Studio: Broadway Energy for Kids and Teens
Best for: Young performers who want to sing, act, and dance—often in the same class.
If your child treats the living room like a stage, Rhythm & Rhyme Studio is likely their speed. Opened in 2015 by musical theater veteran Derek Alvarez, the studio specializes in jazz, hip-hop, and tap with a theatrical bent. Many classes incorporate vocal work and acting exercises, and the annual spring showcase features full production numbers with costumes and lighting.
Alvarez designed the schedule with busy families in mind: most students take one or two classes per week rather than the intensive load required at pre-professional schools. All skill levels are welcome, and the studio has become known for its inclusive atmosphere—dancers with no prior training and competition veterans share the same floors.
"My daughter came in shy and left singing 'Defying Gravity' in the car every week," says parent Lisa Kowalski, whose two children have attended since 2019.
The details: Drop-in trial classes are $15. Monthly memberships start at $75 for one class per week; unlimited packages run $140. Summer camps focus on Disney and pop-music themes.
- Address: 47 Railroad Street, Auburn
- Phone: (570) 555-0298
- Website: rhythmrhymedance.com
- Pricing: $
Step by Step Dance Center: Social Dance for Adults and Couples
Best for: Adults learning to dance for weddings, date nights, or community events.
Step by Step Dance Center occupies a converted warehouse just south of Lake Wynonah, where co-owners Tom and Rosa Finnegan teach partner dancing to students who often walk in with two left feet. Their core offerings—swing, salsa, ballroom, and wedding choreography—draw adults from their twenties through their seventies.
Classes are intentionally small, capped at eight couples, so instructors can correct posture and timing in real time. The Finnegans also host monthly social dances on Saturday evenings, giving students a low-pressure place to practice with others outside their regular class.
Wedding couples make up roughly a third of the studio's business. The Finnegans recommend starting choreography lessons three to six months before the big day and offer flexible scheduling for out-of-town couples visiting family in the area.
"Tom told us our first dance didn't need to be perfect—it needed to feel like us," says recent student Jenna Morales. "We laughed through every lesson."
The details: Group classes run $18 drop-in or $60 for a four-week series. Private wedding lessons start at $85 per hour. No partner or experience required for most classes.
- Address: 208 Mill Road, Auburn
- Phone: (570) 555-0311
- Website: stepbystepdancepa.com
- Pricing: $$
How to Choose
| If you want... | Head to... |
|---|---|
| Structured ballet |















