Creative Dance Classroom

Creative Dance on Stage

“I’ve been to a few dance studio shows in the past, but have to honestly say that I haven’t seen one with such professional and enjoyable performances as you put on this past Friday! It didn’t feel like a dance school, it felt like a real show and we enjoyed every minute of it!” 
Elvi (London and Lola’s mom)
Continue reading →

The Big Night!

Dreams come true on stage!

Every year in June, the students of The Dance Studio of Park Slope participate in the Annual Recital Performance. From ages four through adults our students grace the Whitman Theatre stage at Brooklyn College. Continue reading →

Jennifer Kliegel – teacher, owner/director
I wonder each year if I will have the same connection to the new students coming in?  Then they walk through the door and I fall in love all over again. What defines my life is teaching and I do love it. 2026 marks the 50th Anniversary of The Dance Studio of Park Slope and my 45th year calling it home. I’m grateful to be here and proud of the job that we all, collaboratively do, at The Dance Studio to make it one of a kind and simply the best!
Jenn is from Jefferson City, Missouri. I didn’t start dancing as a child; it was later, in high school, where I was blessed to have some of the most influential people of my life as dance & theatre teachers. With academic and dance scholarships I headed off to Stephens College, MO. This is where my true training as a dancer began . . . It’s Never Too Late! Though my training includes all dance disciplines, I consider myself a jazz, tap, musical theatre baby, performing in and choreographing numerous musical productions – across the U.S. and abroad. I have choreographed for elementary, middle schools, high schools, colleges, community theatres, dance studios, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade & Tap Extravaganza, National Touring Companies and Ireland’s Montfort Singers. I am very proud to have been choreographer for Brooklyn’s MS 51′s Vocal Department’s performance chorus and Show Choir, for 14 years! I have danced my way onto soap operas, commercials, “Saturday Night Live” and 1st company with “Dance Theatre Dayton”. All of my experiences have helped me when wearing the many hats of teacher, owner and director of this Studio. I walked through the doors of The Dance Studio in 1981, as a student. I immediately started teaching and became partner in 1989 – sole owner since 1998.

Lauren Peart – teacher, studio manager
Lauren is a true Brooklyn girl and Dance Studio of Park Slope alum. She started dancing at age two and didn’t leave the Dance Studio until she graduated from high school. While attending the studio, she studied ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and gymnastics. She has trained under the watchful eye of both Jennifer and Shevaun. Lauren returned to us in the fall of 2011 after studying Criminal Justice at The Pennsylvania State University. She is excited and always ready to share with your children all she has learned. Her greatest hopes for the new school year are that your children fall in love with the Dance Studio just like she did.

Setsuko Maruhashi – teacher
Setsuko was born and raised in Japan and started her ballet training at the age of eight. After moving to NY she added jazz, tap and modern to her dance training. In 1985, she became the first Asian Rockette at Radio City and performed in numerous productions, including: The Christmas Spectaculars, The Easter Shows, Super Bowl half-time show, Late Night with David Letterman and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She also performed in musicals and industrial shows. She holds a BA in dance from Empire State College, SUNY and is a certified personal trainer and an accredited Pilates instructor. Setsuko has been a faculty member & mentor in both the Children’s &  Adult Programs since 2000.

Shevaun Smythe Hiler – teacher
Shevaun is a native of NYC and a Dance Studio of Park Slope alum. She continued her training at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and went on to receive a BA in Dance/ Performance at Roger Williams University. There she was awarded a performance scholarship and was selected to present her choreography at the Kennedy Center’s National Gala. Shevaun has danced with Rocha Dance Theater Performed at Galapagos Art Space and Mo Pikins’ House of Satisfaction as cast member of Rocha’s “Painted Ladies”.  Shevaun has also danced in off off Broadway extravaganzas “Shirley at the Tropicana” and “Fishbowl” under the direction of Chris Henry. As well as a dancer, She is an ACE certified personal trainer with a specialty in pre and post-natal fitness. She is proud to be part of the same studio that instilled in her passion to dance and perform and treasures all the little movers in the making. She believes in the special tradition of this unique institution.