Director Emeritus

Rhonda Rabbers has studied all forms of classical dance, & had her formal teachers training under the direction of Mrs. Karen Rodda, former owner.

From her beginnings with the founder of this studio, Billie Jacobson, she continually spends time training herself. She studied at The Harkness House of Ballet, The American Ballet Center (home of the Center City Joffrey Ballet) and Luiji, in New York City. In Chicago, with such greats as Gus Giordano, Nan Giordano Frank Hatchett, Joe Tremaine, Fernando Bujones, Lane Alexander, & Al Gilbert. She has attended DMI to study with Janice Barringer(author of The Pointe Book), & Daryl Retter, Mia Michaels & more from “So You Think You Can Dance”. Locally, at LMC College, with Audre Deckmann Mendel, international, Jelko Yuresha, Richard Ellis & Christine DuBoulay, Eileen Cropley, as well as The Russian Seminar with Jurgen Schneider, & greats of the Bolshoi from 1993 to 1996 & instructors from the American Ballet Theatre (Gelsey Kirkland), and the Alvin Ailey Co. She did the teachers training at the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters in ‘98, the David Howard Intensive at WMU in ‘99 , the Summer Dance Institute at WMU in 2000, & Jazz World Congress in 1994, 2002, & 2005. She has studied at Broadway Dance Center & Steps in NYC.

”Miss” Rhonda has been a performing member of dance companies in both Michigan City & South Bend, and still loves to perform! Since performance is the highlight of learning dance, she founded & is the artistic director of The Studio Dance Theatre since 1975. She started into the competition world in 1996 & values the dedication of the Dance Arts Performing CORE. And also will continue the worship group, Imagine. All 3 groups perform publicly & privately. The SDT will present The Nutcracker, the DAPC dancers will present a full-length show in January & compete regionally in the spring, and Imagine will perform at local nursing homes & churches to give the glory to God. Miss Rhonda has also choreographed several area musicals and community events, and has overseen the Dance Arts Scholarship Committee.

She is a dedicated and devoted teacher for 53 years at this studio & was honored in the WCA’s “Tribute to Women”. Miss Rhonda is so humbled to pass the torch on to Miss Sarah, the new owner, and continue to teach. Miss Rhonda & her husband, Thom, welcome you to the Dance Arts Family.