About Our Studio
Valerie Stover Anderson opened Movement Arts Studio in 2002 in downtown State College after noticing a lack of space for certain kinds of movement classes in the area. She wanted to bring together different physical art forms in one welcoming space. The foundation of the studio's schedule is her creative modern dance classes in which children are encouraged to move in new and interesting ways. Over the years, her children's dance program has grown to include beginning ballet lessons and week-long summer camps, and she has created a dedicated following of families in the area.
But the studio isn't just for children. Valerie is also a certified Pilates teacher, and she brings in area teachers to add to the overall offerings of the studio. Though many classes aim to increase strength and flexibility in adults, Movement Arts Studio is not a gym, and the classes are not designed to be traditional workouts (though you may work up a sweat before you know it!). The focus at the studio is on energy, not exhaustion, on strength, not muscle, and on overall well-being.
But the studio isn't just for children. Valerie is also a certified Pilates teacher, and she brings in area teachers to add to the overall offerings of the studio. Though many classes aim to increase strength and flexibility in adults, Movement Arts Studio is not a gym, and the classes are not designed to be traditional workouts (though you may work up a sweat before you know it!). The focus at the studio is on energy, not exhaustion, on strength, not muscle, and on overall well-being.
Meet Our Teachers
Valerie Stover Anderson, Director
Valerie is the director of Movement Arts Studio. She also teaches the Discovery and Exploration creative modern dance classes, Beginning Children’s Ballet and Pilates for adults. She holds a BPh in Dance from Penn State University and performed with Orchesis and The Contemporary Dance Company. She taught dance formerly at the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop under the direction of LaRue Allen and more recently at Strawberry Hill Center for Creative Arts under the direction of Betty Jane Dittmar. She worked as an assistant teacher at St. Andrew’s Preschool for 20 years and now works as a lead teacher for three year olds at Stay and Play. She has used her experience with preschool-aged children to develop the program of developmentally age-appropriate dance at Movement Arts Studio. She is certified in Pilates matwork and Reformer through PHI Pilates.
Jessica Wilson, Children's Dance
Jessica works with Valerie in Movement Arts Studio's Children's Dance program, both assisting in classes and teaching her own. She holds a BFA in Dance and has taught children's dance since 2012. She has been trained in many types of dance, including modern, ballet, jazz, pointe, and tap. She also works with local dance groups, choreographing original material.
Shannon Bishop, Belly Dance
Shannon is the owner and director of Black Cat Belly Dance, State College’s only dance school devoted to the dances of Egypt and the Arab World. She has been teaching Egyptian raqs sharqi (belly dance), as well as the folkloric dances of Egypt, since 2006 and performs regularly here in State College and at festivals and special events across the East Coast. She has studied and performed in Egypt, and regularly takes groups there to connect with the musicians and dancers of the culture.
Visit her website for more information: blackcat-bellydance.com
Valerie is the director of Movement Arts Studio. She also teaches the Discovery and Exploration creative modern dance classes, Beginning Children’s Ballet and Pilates for adults. She holds a BPh in Dance from Penn State University and performed with Orchesis and The Contemporary Dance Company. She taught dance formerly at the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop under the direction of LaRue Allen and more recently at Strawberry Hill Center for Creative Arts under the direction of Betty Jane Dittmar. She worked as an assistant teacher at St. Andrew’s Preschool for 20 years and now works as a lead teacher for three year olds at Stay and Play. She has used her experience with preschool-aged children to develop the program of developmentally age-appropriate dance at Movement Arts Studio. She is certified in Pilates matwork and Reformer through PHI Pilates.
Jessica Wilson, Children's Dance
Jessica works with Valerie in Movement Arts Studio's Children's Dance program, both assisting in classes and teaching her own. She holds a BFA in Dance and has taught children's dance since 2012. She has been trained in many types of dance, including modern, ballet, jazz, pointe, and tap. She also works with local dance groups, choreographing original material.
Shannon Bishop, Belly Dance
Shannon is the owner and director of Black Cat Belly Dance, State College’s only dance school devoted to the dances of Egypt and the Arab World. She has been teaching Egyptian raqs sharqi (belly dance), as well as the folkloric dances of Egypt, since 2006 and performs regularly here in State College and at festivals and special events across the East Coast. She has studied and performed in Egypt, and regularly takes groups there to connect with the musicians and dancers of the culture.
Visit her website for more information: blackcat-bellydance.com