Studio 45 in Petoskey was established in 2007 has successfully trained the Petoskey area youth for the past 8 years. Under the direction of Debora Knight, the school has broadened the curriculum to accommodate the recreational dancer as well as the serious student. Studio 45 has held the philosophy that dance should be for everyone and that exposure to the arts gives young and old alike the best outlet of expression.

The staff provides safe positive self-discipline, a warm and caring atmosphere where many of our adolescents feel comfortable sharing problems and issues that could sometimes stop them from continuing. This is done through a listening ear but more importantly through their focus on dance progress and positive learning.

Studio 45 in Petoskey has provided outreach classes to underprivileged dancers in the outlying communities. Many of our own students dance on scholarship based on financial need. We’ve also established a nonprofit scholarship fund for students to attend outside dance training programs such as Interlochen, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Many of our students continue dance as part of their college program or have gone directly to professional dance careers.

Studio 45 in Petoskey has established a fine reputation in the dance community for offering excellent dance training and offering the community many opportunities to experience the outstanding performances of either the whole studio in the form of our annual student concert, or the many formal productions presented by our higher level dancers such as our original adaptation of “Aurora the sleeping Beauty, A not so Fairy Tale” and "The Dollmaker".

Our goal is to continue into the future with solid dance training, continuing education programs for our teachers and to make dance available to all who wish to enjoy it.