Hear What Some Of Our Families Have To Say...

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"My 9 year old son absolutely loves PAI. He has been dancing for 3 years and each year cannot wait for dance to start back up again. No matter what teachers he works with, he always loves them. I love the community feeling of PAI and that fact that every dancer can go at their own pace without pressure. It's so special that older students help the younger students out. Every child feels special, loved and cared for. The staff, especially the Halpin family, is remarkable, caring, compassionate, supportive and involved. I love PAI's commitment to community involvement at events like PorchFest and the PumpkinFest. Our place in the world is better and richer because of PAI.  PAI is an outstanding community that I'd highly recommend to anyone wanting to give dance a try or give it their all!"

"Nina is 15, and has been dancing for 13 years. She joined PAI at the age of 5 at the recommendation of many fellow PAI families. We love the theatre dance training along with the classic technique classes.  Nina loves musical theater and her training here at PAI has helped her hone that skill to possibly pursue it as a career. She auditioned for and joined the TheaterDanz Company a few years later and hasn’t looked back since. As a parent I love that PAI is like a Family. The Halpin’s put their heart and soul into each and every child, and continue to offer classes and camps near year round with the SMTI (Nina’s favorite) camp in the summer. PAI is the perfect place to grow and learn not only dance but responsibility and kindness. We adore PAI." 

"Our 16-year-old dancer has been with PAI since she was 4, this will be our 12th year.  We learned of PAI through friends, she had been dancing with another school and we were looking for a warmer atmosphere.  The thing that I like best about PAI is kids are encouraged to love dancing, they may decide to "get serious" about it as they get older, but kids who just love to dance have a home there for as long as they want.  Ballet has connected her with her body and helped my kiddo to get out of her head and enjoy movement.   My favorite PAI memory was when Miss Cindy stopped a performance to allow our youngest dancer to go to the back and be with her Dad who was running the lights - when she had stage fright.  Cindy, Kevin, and their staff make sure that they meet kids' needs where they are at; whether that is on stage or an emotional need.  I cannot say enough good things about PAI. "

"I have two dancers, Josie, 9, and Greyson, 7. Both started at 2 year old twinkle tots with Miss Cindy, Running into Miss Maddie’s arms, jumping over the mud puddle. We have taken everything from Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Acro to hip hop. My favorite thing about PAI, is the love for theatrical dancing. When my kids dance they are putting on a show. Not trying to score high marks at a competition. They are trying to make the audience engaged and involved in the beauty of the performance. The support from the staff, parents and fellow dancers is why PAI is our home. There is nowhere else I would want to spend my time drinking Bru with friends while waiting for my kids to finish their class. My favorite memory at PAI, is when Josie recently got out of the hospital after having an asthma attack. It was the rehearsal for the recital for her acro class. She was supposed to do a headstand. She was unable to do it in all of the rehearsals and recitals, except for the last show. She ran out and nailed her headstand. The entire crowd clapped for her. If I had to share one story as to why I love PAI this is it. The crowd was as proud of my daughter as I was. Not everyone there knew she could hardly breathe the week before.That she tried and tried to do the headstand and failed all week. All they knew is that a 6 year old nailed a headstand and it meant so much to Josie and all of us, the support they gave her that day. PAI has taught both of my kids to persevere, try your best and of course have FUN! Dancing at PAI is the best decision we made for our children and I highly recommend it to anyone!"

“Cortland PAI is home for my daughters, Annabel (age 12) and Adeline (age11). They have been dancing with the fabulous and professional PAI instructors since they were 2 years old! Annabel fell in love with Cortland PAI when the students and teachers visited her childcare center for an interactive performance and she then started in the Twinkle Tots program. Her little sister joined in on the fun as soon as she was allowed. From there, they just kept adding classes and could just not get enough dance. Classes in ballet, tap, hip hop, acro, jazz, modern, leaps & turns, and pointe keep them healthy and happy. Their

passion for dance led to them joining the TheatreDanz Company that allows students to take advantage of extra opportunities to perform and audition in shows, competitions, and at conventions. PAI teaches the girls balance- mentally and physically. While they acquire new technical dance skills, the girls also develop time-management, communication, and leadership skills. As a parent, I cannot praise the studio enough as the atmosphere is so very supportive and warm. The girls will say their friends and teachers are their fave part of PAI and I completely agree that those relationships are what is most valued. Celebrating a successful Nutcracker performance, seeing the girls laugh with their dance family, and witnessing the poise developed through commitment to dance keep us coming back for more each year with smiles on our faces.”