When Dance Fusion founder, owner, and artistic director Lindsay Pullara was young she had absolutely no intention of opening a dance studio.

Pullara had just earned her college degree in psychology, she was waitressing at a local restaurant and contemplating her next career move when her life-long passion for dance evolved into a career.

Pullara began teaching dance at the Tyrone YMCA, where she had the opportunity to instruct classes for three years before deciding to go all-in and open her own studio.

When she first opened her studio doors in downtown Tyrone, she had just fifty-five students, three instructors, and a dream.

And this fall Pullara, her instructors, and dancers will celebrate Dance Fusion’s 20th anniversary.

Needless to say, Pullara is excited and ready to take on another season.

“I’m blessed that my lifelong love of dance has turned into a dream career,” said Pullara. “I look back, and I can’t believe it. I’m filled with awe and excitement.”

Over the years, Dance Fusion has flourished and continued to expand. When Pullara outgrew her first studio downtown, she looked into expanding her business while staying a part of the Tyrone community.

Pullara opened a new studio on Hoover’s Lane in 2011, where it remains today. The location features two large studios, a spacious lobby, and a private parking lot.

The studio now has over 150 students and thirteen instructors from Blair, Huntington, and Centre County.

Many of Dance Fusion’s instructors have degrees in the performing arts as dance majors or minors, and all have received training from noteworthy studios.  The staff also has several former members of collegiate dance teams and ensembles.

Dance Fusion has now turned into a successful and award-winning company, and Pullara promises that this year will be full of surprises for both current dancers and alumni.

“I’m looking forward to our end of the year recital,” said Pullara. “Recreating some of our favorite dances from over the years, bringing back alumni to perform, and celebrating the success of Dance Fusion.”

Many of Dance Fusion’s current dancers and alumni are, or were, students at Tyrone Area School District, including Tyrone senior Marley Grazier.

Grazier isn’t quite ready to leave her dance family,  but she is ready for another successful season and is proud to be a part of the studio’s 20th season.

“I’m looking forward to team bonding, which is the most incredible thing we do as a team,” said Grazier, “There are going to be a lot of tears shed, but it will be an absolutely incredible season.”

The season began in September and are currently in rehearsals for their annual Christmas recital that will occur in early December, which will be held at Bellwood High School auditorium due to the ongoing renovations at the Tyrone Area High School auditorium.