The Conservatory of Dance Inc. established in 1990 has successfully trained the Manistee area youth for the past 17 years. Under the direction of the former owner Debora Knight, the school broadened the curriculum to accommodate the recreational dancer as well as the serious student. Classes are offered in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, kinderdance, acrobatics (gymnastics) lyrical, celtic and more. The Conservatory has held the philosophy that dance should be for every one and that exposure to the arts gives young and old alike the best outlet of expression.The current owners Jacob and Amanda Knight have continued that philosophy.

Our staff provides positive self discipline and a warm and caring atmosphere. In this environment our students are able to learn, and focus on improving their dance abilities.

The Conservatory has provided outreach classes to underprivileged dancers in the out lying communities. Many of our own students dance on scholarship based on financial need. We have also established a 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.

The Conservatory of Dance Inc. 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”.

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.