Nardi Dance Studios Get Set for Fall

Thanks to the prevalence of TV shows like “Dancing With The Stars,” more people than ever are exposed to the art and competitive nature of dance. But for s in Palmer Township, that’s been the status quo since 1934.

Nardi Dance Studios, found on S. Greenwood Avenue, take on students ages 3 to 18 in a variety of styles, like ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and others, as well as some gymnastics.

Each season, the studios' 12 instructors teach around 500 students in more than 100 different classes per week. Classes are staggered in such a way that students of any age can learn, even if they’ve never taken dance before.

“The major thing is to make sure the kids love the arts,” said Tammy Liiro, co-owner and artistic director of Nardi Dance Studios.

Liiro, who has been dancing since age 9, is a Palmer resident and attended . Many of her students go on to earn substantial scholarships to dance, theater and fine arts programs.

“I’m not a competition school,” she said. “I believe it’s about the education, and the experience.”

Not many dance studios can say that they’ve taught four generations of Lehigh Valley families, and even fewer can boast such a rich history as Nardi Dance Studios. In fact, Liiro says, Nardi is the longest-running dance studio in the Lehigh Valley.

In 1934, renowned theater director and choreographer Louis Nardi began his studio in the State Theatre in downtown Easton. In 1965, after Nardi’s death, the studio was taken over by his protégé, Robert Liiro. He met his wife Tammy in a ballroom dance class. In 1982, Tammy Liiro became the artistic director.

“We didn’t change the name because it was such a well-known studio,” she said.

She explained how, for a while, theirs was the only business in the State Theatre, before its revitalization in the early '80s.

In 1986, the Liiros purchased a Palmer Township orchard and began construction of their new building, which would eventually include five studios, offices and an upstairs living space for their family.

“What makes us unique is our observation windows,” said Tammy Liiro. “Parents can watch classes from the lobby.”

Nardi even takes it a step further--all of the studios have cameras that feed to a monitor in the lobby, where family members can watch the class as it progresses. The idea is to get the students used to being watched, and not let it distract them. It's good practice for their recitals, which are held at the Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University.

The fall schedule for Nardi Dance Studios, at 380 S. Greenwood Ave., begins on Saturday, Sept. 10. To register for classes, call the studio or visit during one of its Open House dates, which can be found on the website.