Renee Staines
|
Renee Staines |
||
|
|
Renée
(Brantlinger) Staines
The Owner/Artistic Director
of the
Altoona Dance Theatre
Renee from the age of 8 had the dream of owning a
dance studio. She took her allowance, saved it up, and bought wall paper boarder
that year as well and then placed it in her hope chest. Renee danced 5-6 days a
week 4+ hours a day. She was also in every other activity you can name as well;
piano, violin, clarinet, baton, gymnastics, softball, and church groups,
pageants, and acting/musical theater; eating and dressing in the car was a
normal activity. Throughout High School Renée got out of school early to attend
Ballet Theatre of Central Pennsylvania’s Ballet Company. She also while growing
up studied dance at Allegheny Ballet Academy/Company(under the Artistic
Direction of Deborah Anthony) and for a short time at Sigel’s School of Dance,
attended Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Point
Park College intensive programs on scholarships. She was very involved with the
Special Olympics program growing up; where she worked with individuals with
special needs on a daily basis. Renee was involved with ACT(Altoona Community
Theater) being cast in many plays, musicals, and summer camps as well. She also
was an officer for her High School Drama and French Clubs. Her Senior Year of
High School she also competed for Miss Pennsylvania COED, where she won 2nd
place in the Talent portion of the pageant. Following graduating from
Hollidaysburg Area High School with Honors. Renee auditioned and was accepted
into Point Park College’s Dance Majors program(now Point Park University). They
carefully select students into their dance major program. Once accepted Renee
applied for their Presidential Scholarship. These students are selected through
applications, then a lengthy formal interview in the year of 2000, 25 students
where chosen out of the Freshman class. Renee was then notified she was 1 of the
25 and was invited to a prestigious awards dinner. The Presidential Scholarship
is Point Park Colleges (now PPU) largest scholarship of $30,000.00. This was a
huge opportunity that also let to Renee to be inducted into their Honors
Program. Renee loves dancing therefore College was no different than her life
growing up, with many dance classes daily. Therefore, Renee decided to double
major and took 23-25 credit’s a semester. While at Point Park she was asked to
be apart of La Roche College’s annual Nutcracker Performance of 2000, this was a
great honor to be asked because of the numbers of other dancers that could have
been chosen. However, being a small town girl, Renee decided to come home to
dance and also being immediately of pursuing her dreams. She graduated from Penn
State University, with a BA in Integrative Arts where she combined Dance with
Psychology/HDFS, and also received a Dance Studies Minor. She also has
Certification in Sport Yoga through NESTA. Renée’s Senior Project in college was
in Dance Therapy. She worked with individuals at the Adult Day Program inspiring
and encouraging them through movement on various levels.
Renee was the 2nd youngest entrepreneur in Blair
County. Your Jewelry Box being the 1st. Graduating from college in just 3 years,
at the age of 20, in May of 2003, Renee then opened the Altoona Dance Theatre in
August of 2003 still at the young age of 20. Altoona Dance Theatre was the first
studio in the area to offer, Ballerina Birthday Parties, Hip-Hop Classes, Mommy
and Me classes and classes for those individuals with special needs. classes for
those individuals with special needs. This is because of her love and
experiences growing up with Special Olympics. Renee in 2004 choreographed and
coached a young lady to the Special Olympics National championship in CA. Also
growing up Renee did work with Llamas and many people do not know that they are
used to help to rehabilitate people. This all lead to her role in Lovable Llamas
where she was cast as the actor in a puppet show teaching children about this
special interaction that can truly help those in need. She was invited to the
Veterans Hospital where she performed this show and received a special award
from the State of Pennsylvania. Because of these experiences she often takes her
students now to perform for many nursing homes and hospitals. Renee has special
skills and abilities are unlimited, being a role model to all, and teaching
dance in a fun manor but the proper and correct technique that each student
could make a professional career out of in Major dance companies around the
world. She has a special way of making each dancer and child feel special,
building their self esteem, and wanting to do their best because they will see
improvements. They all learn dedication, and determination. The Motto, is
dedicated to the exceptional teaching of classical ballet, and other forms of
dance in a disciplined; yet, fun learning environment, “The Best of Both
Worlds“. This is the motto and a takes a special person to achieve that
successfully. In 2007 Through the Blair County Chamber of Commerce, she was
awarded Young Emerging Business of 2007. This was a huge accomplishment as there
are many other nominees and a panel of judges to choose which business has shown
a huge impact on the community in a short period of time, also in May 2007 the
nominee and her students performed at the State Capitol building in Harrisburg
for our State Representatives. In 2009 Renee won WISE WOMEN of Blair County for
the Arts and Letters Award. Renee was inducted into Strathmores Who’s Who World
Wide Edition 2008-2009 for Professionalism and Excellence in the Dance world,
and into the PDTA (Professional Dance Teachers Association).She has been seen on
the stage countless times on many stages around the Region. Renee has studied
dance throughout her life with many very world renowned teachers a few of these
include: Deborah Anthony, Chérie Noble, Kelsey Kirkland, Robert Steele, Marcia
Dale Weary, Nicolas Petrov, Kennet Oberly, Jean Gideon, Susan Stowe, Kristen
Brandt, Patricia Sorrell, Melinda Howe, Richard Cook, As well as having many
Master Classes with other Professional Dancers.
Nicki (smith) wilkes
Nicki (Smith) Wilkes is a graduate
of Penn State University with a BA in Integrative Arts, focusing in dance and
music, and also recieved her Dance Studies Minor.
She has also completed her certification in Zumba, a latin-based cardio
workout dance class. She has been dancing since the age of 5, and also completed
various summer programs and workshops, as well as competitions throughout her
high school career.
