Brownsville woman buys dance center
For Christina Lanzi of Brownsville, taking over as the new owner of the Katy Lyon Dance Center at 164 S. Beeson Ave., Uniontown, is a dream come true. Lanzi, who has been dancing since age 2, recently changed the name of the longtime local dance facility to Lanzi Dance Academy. However, Lanzi said she will “continue the tradition of excellence started by Katy Lyon,” who opened the studio in 1949.
“I cannot begin to express how thankful I am to be given this opportunity,” Lanzi said.
With nearly a lifetime in dance, Lanzi has traveled the world, taken classes from prestigious teachers and won numerous awards, including high scores, titles and scholarships from regional and national competitions. She has been nominated in Headliners dance competition numerous times to compete in the world dance championships in Reisa, Germany.
Lanzi, a 2005 graduate of Brownsville Area Senior High School, is the daughter of Paul and Cheryl Lanzi of Brownsville.
Lanzi also is a 2009 graduate of California University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in dance. She began her training as a toddler at Houck Dance Studio in Uniontown and then Katy Lyon Dance Center, where she studied under Mia Faris, Lyon’s daughter. Lanzi also taught dance at the school for the past five years under the most recent owner, Tara Spaw Fronczek. Lanzi taught at the Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy at California University of Pennsylvania for four years.
In addition, Lanzi auditioned for and was placed on the casting list for Radio City Rockettes. She was among 20 placed on the list after more than 200 auditioned.
Lanzi was hired at Stiletto Entertainment Cruise Lines (a job she declined in order to take ownership of the dance studio) and has danced on national television with TV personality Downtown Julie Brown. She participated in the International Summer Dance Program at Point Park University in Pittsburgh and was later accepted by the university on a dance and academic scholarship.
Lanzi performed in California University’s production of “The Nutcracker,” where she danced a lead role as Snow Queen. She also was assistant choreographer and dance captain for Cal U’s “A Christmas Carol.” In addition, Lanzi has choreographed the shows “Alice in Wonderland” and “Honk, Jr.” for Cal U’s summer experience program.
“I want to open the eyes of children to the art of dance, instill confidence and self-esteem in them, and inspire them to be the best dancers they can possibly be,” Lanzi said.
Lanzi explained that Lyon first taught in a room at a local hotel before moving her studio above the Perculator Restaurant and then to its present location.
“Katy Lyon Palumbo, a local treasure, gave up her dreams of becoming a professional dancer to open a dancing school and share her knowledge and love of the art of dance with the children of Fayette County,” Lanzi said. “Katy had an effect on every student who walked into her studio. If you ask anyone about Katy Lyon, they all say the same thing: She was an inspiration and was always able to bring out the best in every student.”
Faris became owner of the studio from 1984 to 2005 and, in imitation of her mother, taught her students “that hard work and determination can help you reach all of your dreams,” Lanzi said.
Fronczek, who studied under Lyon and Faris, took over ownership from 2005 to 2010, Lanzi said.
The studio will offer summer dance clinics for students age 10 and up from 4 to 9 p.m. June 21-24, July 5-8 and Aug. 9-12. Students age five to nine will have clinics from 4 to 7 p.m. June 28-July 1 and Aug. 16-19. Beginning classes are available for ages three to four from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays from July 13 to Aug. 17.
The studio will provide intense training in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, acro, gymnastics and hip-hop. Classes in zumba and ballroom dancing are also available. Private lessons are offered all summer long.
Fall registration will be held from 1 to 3 and 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 18 and 19.
More information is available by going online to www.lanziacademyofdance.com, by e-mailing info@-lanziacademyofdance.com or calling 724-438-6911.