DANCER:
Academy of Dance Teacher; Dana Lossing
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY: Barry Goyette
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. 93401
About our Founder
Since 1970
The Academy of Dance San Luis Obispo was founded by Lori Silvaggio in 1970. Lori’s mission, and passionate purpose, was to provide dance education of the highest standard to the community, and extend broad aesthetic knowledge to students and professionals in a vital, changing dance world.
Little did Lori know in 1970 how vast the support would be from the San Luis Obispo community, and how vital and colorful the school’s path. Within seven years Lori founded The Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo, and with the capable board of directors at the helm, dance traditions were founded that still exist and are treasured forty years later, including the annual Nutcracker, Spring Gala performances, Gala Fundraising Events, and newsworthy guest artists and workshops.
Lori was recognized by California Gov. Pete Wilson as California’s Representative of Dance Excellence, and has since led select groups of dancers on tours of Paris, China, Russia, and Cuba; the latter including the first performances by American entertainers in Cuba since 1957. The dancers performing in China were the subject of a KSBY, NBC TV, weeklong documentary series titled In Step With China. The series was nominated for an Emmy under the direction of, and featuring the talent of, Tony Capolla.
Lori also hosted From Ballet to Broadway, a weekly radio show on KCBX Public Radio from 1986 to 2012 featuring music and stories that accompany the lively arts.
In 2004 Lori was delighted to turn over the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo’s artistic directorship to her son, Drew Silvaggio. Soon after, Drew also took the helm as owner/director of the Academy of Dance. Lori reports that “there is no greater satisfaction than to see my life’s work shift into the hands of someone fresh, more capable, and gifted with creativity, especially when the hands are my son’s.”
Drew Silvaggio’s education started in the very school that he now directs, and has spanned world-wide as a student and featured performer all over the globe, culminating in his Fine Arts Degree earned from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Drew was honored as a Promising Artist Award Scholar at the University. Today Drew leads the Academy, and the Civic Ballet, with new energy, an ever-expanding view of choreography, a deep understanding of theatre, and a vast sensitivity about the artistic process. He knows how to train and treat dancers with the kindness, encouragement, and respect they deserve; always encouraging them to grow as artists and as people.
So, after over forty years, considering the talent and energy that keeps surging and expanding at the Academy, we’re actually just getting started. Thanks for all your support in the past, and for joining us now. You are truly welcome to share the excitement at the Academy of Dance.
OUR FOUNDER: Lorilee Silvaggio
The Schedule of The Academy of Dance
The Teachers of The Academy of Dance
The Academy of Dance Programs
Audition only. If you would like to join our performing groups, please call the office!
The Performing
Groups
The Civic Ballet 2
Civic Ballet II is a youth based training Company focused on building a strong foundation in technique and artistry. This program nurteres and facilitates confidence, discipline, and commitment while providing the opportunity to perform classical and contemporary works. Civic Ballet II Dancers will participate in the enrichment of our community through outreach and education programs.
The Calendar: When The Studio is CLOSED
The Calendar:
All Performances
Registration & Price List
At 4:00PM on registration day (August 31), you will follow this link: schedule to our schedule page.
There, you will find our schedule with individual buttons over the top of our listed classes (The buttons will be translucent so you can see the class behind them).
After you pick which classes you want, simply click the button on the class and an email will open up with the class name already in the subject line. Press send on the email and it will be sent to The Academy. (Please include the dancers name and payment information if you don't have one on file with us)
We will go first come, first serve down our email list and book you into those classes charging the credit card on file.
If you are using your phone, simply send an email using the "email the studio" button at the bottom and write what classes you would like to register for.
You will receive an email receipt which will act as a confirmation that you have been booked into your class(es). Based on numbers, if you are only able to register for a portion of your classes, you will receive an email that you have been placed on a waiting list for that class.
IN PERSON CLASSES:
IN PERSON PRICE LIST:
1 In Person Class a Week
2 In Person Classes a Week
3 In Person Classes a Week
All Contracts will enroll you in automatic bill pay. To stop for any reason, email the Academy.
ZOOM CLASSES:
Contact Us
