"I would like to start by saying how blessed I am to have been a part of Performing Arts Academy since I was two years old. I have built so many life long relationships and have gained so much knowledge through my long journey at PAA. Dance has taught me to be strong, confident, unique, and most importantly myself.

Not only have I learned how to dance throughout the years, but I have also learned how to build trust in relationships, create a strong work ethic, and be confident in my own skin. I would not be the person I am today without PAA, my teachers, and my dance friends. I have been dancing with some of the seniors this year since the very beginning, Pre-K 1, and I am so grateful to have them by my side through this entire wild journey. I cannot even fathom the idea of not having them in my life every day next year.

I am proud and excited to say that I will be beginning my professional dance career this September with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s cast of “Ovation of the Seas.” I will be traveling to China, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand from November 2017 to July 2018. Without PAA and the love and guidance from all my teachers, I would not be in this position today!

My world is a better place with all of my teachers and friends in it and I love you all more than words can even express. We are truly a family, and I will cherish the memories I have from my time at the studio for a lifetime.”

I have been dancing at PAA since I was 3 years old and have been competing since the first grade.

Being at the studio for this long has taught me many things and I have each of the teachers to thank for those lessons that will be instilled in me for the rest of life.

PAA has become my home away from home and I wouldn't want it any other way.

The friendships I have made over the past 15 years are ones that will last a lifetime and the memories I have made I will cherish forever. Next year I will be attending Quinnipiac University as a nursing major and hope to be a part of the dance team at the school.

I am so grateful to have been apart of Performing Arts Academy for so long and will miss it so much next year!

Allison started dancing at Performing Arts Academy when she was 6 years old. At the age of 9, she joined the company dancers and has been competing with them ever since.

She has a strong passion for ballet, but also loves lyrical, contemporary, and tap. Along with many of her colleagues at PAA, she has danced with the United States Tournament of Dance Team since 2011 and has had the opportunity to dance at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Disney World, and Universal Studios.

Throughout her time at PAA, Allison has been able to balance her love and commitment to dance along with a strenuous academic workload. She is graduating Wayne Hills High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 2017.

She plans to attend Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia where she will major in biology and continue her love of dance by incorporating a minor in dance into her curriculum as well as be part of Emory's Dance Company. She eventually would like to attend medical school and focus on cardiology or immunology. 

I have only been dancing at Performing Arts Academy for 3 years now, but the studio has made my last couple years of dance amazing. 

I started dancing at the age of 2 and loved it from the start.  Because of dance I have learned the values of time management, respecting my elders, learning that there is always room for improvement that nobody is perfect, it is okay not to win or to fail that you will get another chance. I learned large amounts of discipline and hard work, and that family isn’t just the people you share blood with. 

I want to thank all the teachers for everything you have taught me.

To all of the other graduating seniors, along with the younger dancers, thank you for giving me a family I will never forget.  In the fall I will be going to La Salle University where I will be majoring in early education and special education!