Applegate Dance Studio was founded by director Lisa Applegate in 1992. The studio has had three moves and settled into its current location in 1997. The Studio has staged more than 20 full-length performances, attended by more than 18,000 theater-goers. The Studio has participated in more than 30 dance competitions. Our dancers received more than 175 individual and team awards. The honors also include a “Choreography Award” that took us to compete at the national level in Boston. Recently we were also nominated at The American Dance Awards to represent the American Team in Europe. We have danced in various locations such as Southern California, Nevada, Hawaii, Florida and New York. We currently train approximately 100 students at our school. Over 600 dancers have trained with our Studio. Several alumni dancers have gone on to pursue professional dance careers. Many of our alumni still maintain an active contact with our studio and guest-teach or help put on our productions. Applegate Dance Studio is home of the Applegate dance company, with 18 junior and senior high school aged dancers and 4 to 8 adult dancers. Auditions for the company are held annually in September.

7-3-10
Lisa, A big thank you for bringing us such a wonderful show! My family and friends had such a good time enjoying Saturday night's performance. Among our guests from Bay Area, there was one girl who danced with Amy for six years till we moved. She was very impressed by ADC's performance as well as how much progress Amy had made. I want to thank you again for having Amy in the company and being such a wonderful dance teacher and mentor to her. And I am really looking forward to the coming season!

– Ning Sun

1-30-09
Lisa, What a grand, high-energy performance last weekend! I can never get over how professional your shows are! You contribute to the lives of so many young people as well as to the community as a whole.

– Lynne Nittler

1-28-09
Lisa, I hear that the collage was absolutely amazing. I was really sad not to be there. It was honestly one of a very few times I've felt home sick since coming to college, which I think is a testament to what a wonderful thing you've created through Applegate. So, I just wanted to thank you for that, since I don't think I appreciated it enough while I was dancing with you. The family atmosphere you help create is truly one of a kind and the amount of love you show to every single dancer is inspiring.

1-27-09
Dear Lisa, What a fabulous weekend! Abby was so thrilled to be part of the show, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the entire performance. We feel incredibly lucky to have your creative talent and gift for teaching and inspiring dancers in our community!

– Nancy McIntyre

1-25-09
Lisa What an amazing show - we are continually impressed with the way you work with all the girls in such a positive, nurturing, and supporting way. We feel so lucky that Akiva and Ariel are a part of the wonderful community you have created.

Sincerely, – Jackie Hausman

1-25-09
Lisa, Thank you for being such a wonderful director to work with! And, as always I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to express my imagination in such a great venue, and with such a classy company.! Congratulations on your new piece. I think Amadeus is a great addition that really balances out your whole repertoire. As always, I hope we have more opportunities to work together- and we have to get you back into dancing with us!

– Sonja Brodt- Director and Choreographer Ecokinesis Dance Company

Dear Lisa,
I would like to take this opportunity to express to you how much Angelica, my family, and I enjoyed being a part of the performative experience of Sleeping Beauty. I have long since admired you as a ballet instructor. Your grace, dedication, and expertise has been a truly invaluable addition to Angelica's young life. I noticed periferally during the course of the season that you extend your dedication to your company dancers beyond the studio, and are committed to engaging them in the ballet world outside of Davis by taking them to New York, Southern California, and by offering your support in a wide range of outside workshops and conservatory programs. I was also impressed specifically with the choreography workshop in terms of all the extra little touches (certificates, flowers, etc.) you provided to make the experience extra special for the participants. The mentorship and friendship you offer to all your dancers translated marvelously into The Sleeping Beauty.

These young ladies and gentlemen were gracious and wonderful role models for the flower girls, consistently engaging with them back stage both enthusiastically and whole-heartedly, yet doing so with professionalism and integrity. There was a real family feeling, full of respect and support for one another. Of course, all this translated beautifully on- stage. We feel very fortunate to be a part of such a remarkable ensemble, led and guided by you.

Thank you for your selfless leadership and dedication, and for the beauty and grace with which you conduct your studio and your performances. It is crucial in a young dancer's life to have positive and memorable experiences, and I know that Angelica will always treasure her experiences this past week as she looks enthusiastically to the future. Sincerely,

– Christina Schiesari-Van Den Abbeele - Parent and Professor of Drama UCD June 27th, 2005

I guess this is a good opportunity to take the time to truly thank you. Because of you I am a ballet dancer in your company. I never thought I would be so passionate about something, but dancing is more than just my life now, it is a part of me! And I have you and only you to truly thank for it. You take ordinary people and not only transform them into exhilarating dancers, but extraordinary people. It’s truly a gift that I am lucky to have been blessed with. Even though this is my last year in company I know I will be touched by your work for the rest of my life. And the most comforting thought, is that you will continue this magnificent process for years to come and each person will leave Applegate Dance Studio a better, transformed person. Thanks to you

Sincerely – Erin Carpenter - High School Company Dancer 09/06

Lisa,
I still remember the first time I met you. You began talking with my mother and remember standing there in awe of you. Even at that young age I could see a spark that made me know that there was something very special about you. I can still see that same spark in you today. As we go along in life, sometimes we are lucky enough to  meet the type of person who is truly unique-the type of person who inspires you, who helps you to grow as a person and who teaches you lessons about life and the world that you never even thought you would need to know. Lisa, you are one of these types of people. You are my teacher, and yet you are my friend. You teach me when I need to be taught, you push me to do my best when I need to be pushed, you comfort me when I need to be comforted, you laugh with me when I need to laugh, you correct me when I need to be corrected and most importantly, you inspire me to become the best version of myself. Through the years I have tried to learn as much from you as I can, and I must say, I have learned quite a lot. Lisa I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kindness, love and support you have shown me ever the many years that I have known you. A person like you comes along only once and I feel so lucky to have you be a part of my life.

– Kara Schmutte - Student and 5th Season Applegate Dance Company Dancer

Dear Lisa,
I have wanted to share something with you. At the Spring Performance Jenny’s big brother was the creative technician for the Veterans Memorial Theater. He has worked on many shows and with many directors. He came home and expressed to us that you were the bestdirector he had ever had the pleasure to work with. He was amazed by how gently you directed the students and how hard they in turn tried to please you. Lisa, I feel so lucky to have you to work with Jenny and Rachel! Keep up the Good Work!  Much Appreciation!

– Gay Bourginon- a parent

Dear Lisa,
Kudos to you and your beautiful dancers! We enjoyed your show immensely. I was able to see the Saturday show at 2:00pm and I brought my husband and daughter on Sunday. We sat in the front row with my 23 month old on her daddy’s lap and she was mesmerized for two and a half hours. I want to thank you for the beautiful production you provide for the community. We couldn’t have seen anything better in Sacramento or San Francisco. It was a fantastic opportunity to expose my daughter to live dancing. As a mother I was very moved and excited to she see was so happy watching it. I am in awe that you can train your dancers to be such professional dancers from the youngest to the oldest. And Wow to your Firebird I think she is on her way to ABT or Julliard. We will be looking forward to your next show.

– Barbara Francis, Director of Barbara’s Dancing Tonight