Upcoming Events
Happy Holidays, everyone!
See our full calendar of EVENTS
About Star Dance Studio
“Our dancers learn the joy of movement, teamwork, achievement and discipline in a supportive, loving environment.” – Micky Powell, Director
Ruth Jevarian, a professional ballet and Armenian folk dancer, opened Star Dance Studio in 1950. The studio was located briefly in the Haight Ashbury district before it was moved to the Inner Sunset.
Ruth’s students loved her — she was talented, creative and taught all forms of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics plus Armenian and other types of folk dancing. Her students performed around the city at special events, hospitals and senior centers, sharing the joy of dance with their audiences. She retired in 1974 and turned the studio over to her daughter, Micky Powell, the current school director.
Micky has managed the studio for the past 40+ years, and the school has flourished under her direction. Her daughter, Julie, taught at the studio for many decades and remains involved, helping the school thrive.
For 70+ years, Star Dance Studio has brought joy to thousands of children and adults. The lovely studio at 300 Moraga Street is dedicated to the memory of Ruth Jevarian.

Ruth Jevarian
Meet our awesome Instructors
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Micky Powell
Micky is the studio director and has dedicated her life to providing quality dance education to 1,000s of students. She has taught all levels of tap, jazz and ballet and developed the specialized dance programs for children currently in use at Star Dance. She is also an active member of Dance Masters of America.
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Tami C-oNe Tang
Tami graduated from the San Francisco School of the Arts, holds a B.A. in Theater Arts & Dance and specializes in ballet, contemporary, jazz, musical theater and hip-hop. Tami has performed with many hip hop and contemporary dance companies, including the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company.
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Monique Pflager
Monique has danced and performed at Star Dance since the age of 5, and she began teaching in 2001. A certified member teacher of Dance Masters of America, she teaches children’s and adult classes, including ballet, jazz and tap and mentors teens who show interest in teaching.
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Clare Canellos
Clare began dancing with Star Dance at the age of 4. She graduated from SDSU with a minor in dance and is a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. She has taught ages 4-22 and is passionate about all forms of dance, esp. tap, jazz, and hip hop!
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Sophia Hagen
Sophia began dance at age 4, grew up at Star Dance and discovered her passion for dancing and teaching. She has a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Her students love her energy, warmth, creativity and her fun teaching style.
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Laura LehmanLaura has been dancing for over 30 years. A graduate of AMDA (NYC), she has choreographed musicals, lead musical theatre intensive programs, and taught classes for toddlers, seniors, and every age in between. Laura specializes in tap and musical theatre dance and has also taught jazz, hip hop, and ballet.
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Matt Moy
Matt was a competetive b-boy as well as an acrobatic performer specializing in basic acrobatic skills as well as ground foot work as well as many acrobatic tricks. He has competed all across the west coast and has performed all around San Francisco.
Testimonials
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"Star Dance is AMAZING! I graduated from here in 2015, after 14 or so years of dancing! I am so happy with the dancer I've become, and we truly are one big family."
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"Star Dance is a warm, welcoming, neighborhood dance school that I am happy my daughter is a part of."
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"My daughter has attended Star Dance Studio since she was a little girl. She has learned so much … the grace of dance, discipline, responsibility, and I know this sounds corny, but sisterhood."
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"Star Dance Studio is what helped my dreams come true. I spent 16 years there, and every time I went to class, I was welcomed with open arms and love."