Filippetti's Dance Academy provides high quality dance education in a supportive, nurturing, and fun environment while instilling the love of dance in each student. We believe there is no greater area for children to learn and grow than through the arts, and we provide a strong dance foundation for dancers of any age.

With 30 years of experience, our well established school is conveniently located in Historic Hanover Square in Horseheads. Filippetti's is proud to offer a family friendly and fun atmosphere while teaching age-appropriate and proper dance technique.

Our well-rounded staff is made up of teachers who have degrees and backgrounds in dance, theatre, and early childhood education.

Filippetti's offers a complete range of dancing instruction for all ages from pre-school to adult. We are proud to have many alumni dancers go on to professional careers in the performing arts including performing in professional theatre companies, Broadway touring companies, television, movies, cruise ships, and teaching dance.

For a positive and welcoming experience, join us at Filippetti's Dance Academy ...where you enjoy each step along the way!

Mia Filippetti Wise

Mia is the owner of Filippetti's Dance Academy. She began dancing at her mom's dance studio in Watkins Glen and then with the help of her parents, Tom and Marilyn Filippetti, opened up what we now know as Filippetti's Dance Academy in Horseheads.

At the age of 16, she toured as a Caravan Kid in Danny Hoctor's Dance Caravan, touring twelve cities in a six week period demonstrating for professional dancers and choreographers and performing in nightly shows. She later studied at 74th Street Steps and Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Mia has performed in several musicals in the area, as well as, singing in the local group, "The Boogie Woogie Girls and Company E" for over 30 years.

Mia is an Elmira College graduate and is the instructor of the dance program there which she has been for the past 31 years. She was also the advisor for Orchesis, the popular dance club on campus.

Mia has choreographed shows throughout the Southern Tier for Two-Bit Players, Elmira Little Theatre, Lake Country Players, Elmira College, Southside Festival Players, as well as, Southside and Corning High Schools. She judged local talent shows for many years. She has created dance and movement in shows ranging from Anything Goes to West Side Story.

Mia teaches tumbling, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and coaches the competition team. Mia prides herself on coaching and choreographing award winning competition numbers that she's won throughout the years, as well as, influencing several students who have gone on to professional careers in dance, the performing arts, tv, and movies.

Jennifer Karski

Jen grew up dancing and competing at Filippetti's, winning several overall and grand champion awards. She received her BA in Dance, Theatre, and Communications from Alfred University, where she performed in many shows while there and was nominated for the Alfie Award for best female performer.

Jen has taught at Filippetti's for 14 years and is currently the studio director where she teaches ballet, pointe, lyrical, tap, jazz, musical theatre and coaches the competition team. Her choreography has won many awards at competitions throughout the years including several Best Choreography Awards for Seuss, Poppins, True Colors, Hot Honey Jazz, as well as, Overalls, Most Entertaining, and Industry Dance Award Nominations for Trip a Little Light Fantastic and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

She taught at Hobart and William Smith's Arts Experience Festival and choreographed for Elmira College and Thomas A. Edison High School.

Jen is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, has trained in MuvMethod, Lisa Howell's Dance Physiotherapy Teacher Training and Early Childhood Education.

She has performed in The Table of Silence Project through Buglisi Dance Theater, participated in the Global Fosse Festival, assisted Jason Wise in classes at Broadway Dance Center and is a member of the Danscend Council.

Jen has had the opportunity to study from many notable dance professionals including Twyla Tharp, Luigi, Mia Michaels, Cris Judd, Frank Hatchett and Susan Stroman.

Jen continues to train and study by taking classes at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, The Ailey School in New York, as well as attending The Dance Teacher Summit and The DanceLife Teacher Conference.

Jen believes in her students finding the joy and passion for the art of dance while encouraging them to reach their fullest potential.

Ballet:

Ballet is the basis of all dance training. In ballet the student will learn grace, elegance, technique, discipline, flexibility, stamina, and endurance. Dancers will leave the class with a strong ballet knowledge consisting of steps and terminology. All ballet classes consist of barre work, adagios, grand allegros, petit allegros, and more. We strongly believe that ballet is the most important dance form that a child or adult can study.

Tap:

These classes explore the dance style of creating sound and music with your feet. Students will learn age appropriate steps and rhythms while enhancing their own sense of musicality. Dancers will work on various combinations, steps, musicality, and rhythms in these tap classes.

Jazz:

Jazz classes are fun and energetic and perfect for any dancer. In these classes students will work on stretching and flexibility and jazz elements such as kicks, isolations, leaps and turns. Across the floor progressions in addition to center combinations are taught to upbeat and fast paced music. Our jazz classes are some of our most popular and exhilarating classes year after year.

Tumbling:

We are proud to offer a complete tumbling program for any age! Our tumbling classes incorporate a combination of floor gymnastics, acro, and dance providing each student with individual attention throughout the class. Taught by experienced teachers, students will learn proper and safe techniques of tumbling and will be able to progress at all levels. Young dancers will start this program in their combination classes learning the basics of tumbling and gymnastics. As the dancer progresses, they will have the opportunity to take a 45 minute tumbling class consisting of power tumbling, as well as acro work. Level placement is determined by the instructors.

Creative Movement:

Creative movement is designed to get young dancers moving, singing, and learning basic dance techniques, while improving listening, social, and gross motor skills. Basic ballet, basic tumbling, as well as song and dance are incorporated into this energetic and exciting class.

Ballet/Tap/Tumbling Combination:

Our Combination Classes are designedto teach the basic techniques of various disciplines, while exposing your child to more than one style of dance throughout the class. This class consists of beginner ballet, tumbling, and tap elements. Song and dance, as well as age appropriate technique is also incorporated into this exciting introductory class. Young dancers will leave this class knowing the basic steps and terminology in ballet, tap, and tumbling.

Ballet/Tap Combination:

Ballet/Tap combination classes teach more advanced steps and combinations, while still offering the basics and foundations of ballet and tap. Each class will focus on two disciplines allowing the dancer to have a more in-depth learning experience.

Jazz/Tumbling Combination:

The jazz and tumbling combination class is an energetic class taught to popular age appropriate music. The class will begin with a jazz warmup and continue with learning jazz steps across the floor and in center combinations, followed by learning beginner tumbling passes.

Boys:

The class is a positive environment for boys to explore and pursue a basic interest in dance. Intended for our male students only, this class covers the techniques of hip hop, jazz, tumbling, and tap. All boys are welcome to join any of our dance classes, as well as the “boys only” class.

Musical Theatre:

Perfect for the Triple Threat performer, our musical theatre consists of songs and dances to both the latest Broadway hits and classic shows. Students will work on dance techniques in the musical theatre, jazz, and tap styles, and will participate in acting exercises including pantomimes, improvisations, and short skits. Students will also study basic stage directions and theatre history. One of our most popular classes, we will have you dancing, acting, laughing, and never wanting to leave.

Hip Hop:

Taught to upbeat, popular music this non-stop class follows current music and dance trends seen in movies, music videos, and television. Dancers will begin with a basic warm-up followed by across the floor and center combinations while learning the elements of Hip Hop including break dancing, popping and locking, and tutting. This popular class will have dancers learning and moving in a fun-filled and positive atmosphere making them leave wanting more.

Modern/Lyrical/Contemporary:

During the class students will focus on each style of dance, as well as combine all three styles showing the way these dance forms connect and relate to one another. Students will learn modern dance through teaching the body to move as an expressive tool while studying the styles of Graham, Horton, Cunningham, Ailey and more. Lyrical dance combines ballet and jazz techniques while creating a story in the dance and expressing oneself through the movement and music. Contemporary is the latest dance trend combing ballet, modern, and jazz, and has become popular through current dance television shows. Dance history, live music, and class discussions are also incorporated into these classes throughout the year. This class is perfect for any student from beginner to advanced who loves to move and explore new ways of moving and dancing!

Pointe:

Pointe is part of classical ballet technique in which the ballet dancer supports all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet. Through proper ballet technique, exercises, and combinations, dancers will learn how to gracefully move across the floor in the shoes every dancer dreams of wearing. Students must be currently enrolled in a ballet class and have permission from the teacher to take this class.

Adult Classes:

In a fun, positive, and supportive atmosphere these classes are designed for any adult who wants to continue dancing or for anyone who wants to start. We offer classes in jazz, ballet and three levels of tap with each class including warm-ups and stretching, across the floor progressions, and center combinations. Our adult classes offer an exciting way to work out and stay in shape while learning proper dance technique. All levels and experience from beginner to advanced are welcome to join the class.