Las Vegas / Nevada / United States
SINCE 1973 BACKSTAGE DANCE STUDIO has been the most highly respected studio for adult professional training in the southwest. Our staff is unique in that we are adult working dancers and/or local, national, and international choreographers. This brings a wealth of solid training varying from nationally recognized ballet and modern companies, theatre and television, to Las Vegas style variety shows. Guest teachers have included Emmy winners, a Tony nominee, a dancer from Academy Award winning movies "West Side Story" & "My Fair Lady", Star Search Grand Champions, & choreographers to Liza Minelli, Debbie Reynolds, Joel Grey, Juliet Prowse, Paula Abdul, Cher, Gladys Knight, & Michael Jackson. Elise Vallee, manager, teacher, friend, 1925-2007, will be remembered as the heart and soul of Backstage JOAN PALETHORPE was initially trained at The Royal Ballet School in London. She performed in the West End of London and also on television and film. She came to the United States to become a Ron Lewis dancer. In 1979 Joan began choreographing shows at major resorts in Las Vegas, Reno, Tahoe, New York, Miami Beach and Carnival Cruise Lines. In 1992 she had the privilege of choreographing several numbers for the incomparable Liza Minelli. Joan was the first female in 50 years to choreograph the "Lido" in Paris. STEVE BECKER his first audition brought him from his training in L.A. to Las Vegas to perform in the renowned "Casino de Paris". In 1979, Steve became assistant choreographer to Joan Palethorpe, learning many aspects of cabaret theatre. He worked as company manager for two Las Vegas style revues and became a co-owner and director of "Backstage" in 1984. All instructors are present or past professional, adult performers. Their varied training includes The Royal Ballet School, Italia Conti Stage School, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and The Dance Theatre of Harlem. Their credits have include dancing backup for Celine Dion, Destinys Child, Juliet Prowse, Ann Margaret, James Brown, Frank Sinatra, New Kids on the Block, Donna Summer, Kenny G, Spyro Gyro, Toni Braxton. Theres also line captains for Siegfried and Roy and a top 16 placer on the first season of "So You Think You Can Dance", as well as choreographers for Cirque du Soleil, Disney, and IBM, Nike, and Las Vegas annual M.A.G.I.C. Conventions.
