Class Act Dance announces leadership change
Public can expect new productions and company opportunities this fall
– Class Act Dance will transition ownership on Sept. 1 as founder Cheryle Armstrong passes leadership of the Paso Robles-based studio to faculty member Rachel Connerton.
Armstrong, who founded Class Act Dance in 1989, launched the studio to address the lack of structured classical ballet education in northern San Luis Obispo County. “There was no dedicated space for structured dance education in North County,” Armstrong said. “So Gloria Glaser and I took a leap of faith and opened CAD as a place where dancers of all ages and abilities could receive quality training in a supportive and inspiring environment.”
The studio has since become a fixture in the community, partnering with local organizations and staging productions including The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland and Sleeping Beauty, while mentoring generations of dancers.
Armstrong will step back from ownership but will continue teaching and supporting the North County Dance & Performing Arts Foundation. “After 35 wonderful years, I’m ready to spend more time with my family, especially my new grandson,” she said. “But I will continue teaching and supporting the North County Dance & Performing Arts Foundation. And I know Rachel Connerton will carry forward CAD’s legacy with grace and heart.”
Connerton, who joined the faculty in 2023, brings more than 10 years of experience directing dance programs across the country, as well as a professional performance background. “My goal is to provide professional training in a family-oriented environment,” Connerton said. “We will continue to honor ballet as our foundation while offering well-rounded experiences in performance, competition, and studio life.”
Armstrong and Connerton spent the last year working together to prepare for the ownership transition. “Preserving a legacy can be a delicate matter,” Connerton said. “Having Cheryle’s continued guidance and support as a consultant will help us keep the heart of CAD alive while we look to the future.”
Class Act Dance will begin its 2025-2026 season in September under Connerton’s leadership, with new classical productions, pre-professional company opportunities, and expanded community programming.
“To the families, alumni, faculty, and community members who have believed in this mission for over 35 years—thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Armstrong said. “Watching dancers grow, return, and even bring their children back to the studio is the greatest honor of my life.”
