Artistic Director and owner Danielle Lykens began her formal dance training at the age of three. This is Danielle's 12th year of teaching dance and her seventh year as a studio owner.  She studied dance locally as well as the Central Pennsylvania Ballet, Cecchetti Society and Steps on Broadway in New York City.She has performed in ballets such as the Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia. She has also performed pieces from Swan Lake and LaBayadere. Danielle has also performed on the set of Indiana Jones at MGM Studios in Walt Disney World Florida as a stunt woman.  Along with studying dance with the Penn State professional modern dance company she also has a B.S. degree in Social Work/Counseling from Saint Francis University.  Danielle has attended numerous workshops and master level classes on all areas of dance and gymnastics.

     Danielle and her students have received numerous awards at interstate dance competitions in all styles of dance. She has achieved perfect choereography scores multiple times and has been awarded "Best Choreography" and "Most Entertaining". Her students and groups have won many dance titles on the regional and national levels.  

  Danielle's advanced students have been accepted to dance with the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Broadway Dance Center , Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Pittsburg Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet and variuos colleges for dance.  

  Danielle is certified through USAG (United States Gymnastics).Danielle was a competitive gymnist and cheerleader for Altoona High and St. Francis College.
  Star Performance is the 1st dance academy in the area to introduce liturgical (worship) dance to the community. The students in this group meet weekly to worship and dance for the Lord.

STAFF

Kaitlyn Baker -  Kaitlyn has enjoyed teaching at Star Performance since 2006. She has been dancing since the age of six, studying under many famous choreographers from all over the world and at many intensives. She is well versed in the genres of ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, modern, character, and musical theater. Kaitlyn has received many honors, including PA Governor's School candidate, the Altoona Area High School Dance Scholarship, Dance Educators of America--Senior Miss PA, Headliners "Beautiful Feet" award to name a few, also, she has received numerous awards for her choreography on the local, state, and national level. Along with her dance background, Kaitlyn has seven years of cheerleading experience. Three of the seven years, she competed in a Quad-A squad placing within the top ten at nationals. Kaitlyn prides herself in staying active in our community, by volunteering at church, assisting with community theaters (lighting, costumes, make-up, sets, choreography), and by helping to judge a local talent show yearly.