About Us
The Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop (CPDW) is located at 101 South Fraser Street in downtown State College, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1969 by LaRue Allen, the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop has provided the highest caliber dance training to our students in a broad range of classes for 50 years.
CPDW is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. We strive to extend dance in our community, serving all ages, performing at local events and festivals, and providing scholarship support to underserved children. Read our mission statement here.
We are committed to open doors, creating an inclusive environment for individuals of all races, genders, ages, and religions. We strive to keep costs low, requiring no costume purchases or fees beyond basic enrollment and tuition.
We celebrate dance as a community building exercise and artistic expression, believing that we are best when we work in concert, not competition.
The Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop operates on a semester system, offering a 14-week fall semester beginning after Labor Day, and a 14-week spring semester, which begins in January. Each semester culminates in a school performance, held at the State Theatre in downtown State College.
During May and early June, we hold a 5-week Intersession, which allows students to explore new dance styles as well as old favorites.
Our 6-week summer session, running from early June through July, includes a performance class specifically to develop new work for presentation at the Central PA Festival of the Arts.
​At CPDW, our goal is to provide our students with a well-rounded dance education. Students take classes, perform in a variety of venues, and may choose to develop new skills in dance instruction and choreography.
