Cindy Babel

Founder, Owner and Chief Instructor

Miss Cindy has owned and operated the dance studio for over 35 years. With over 50 years dance experience, Cindy combines her passion for dance and her love of children to offer the community an affordable dance program with a family atmosphere.

Cindy's dance career began locally when she was 3 years old. She also studied in New York City, Toronto and Buffalo. Cindy was tested and has been certified by the Dance Educators of America. Besides the studio in Watertown, Cindy has had several satellite studios in the area. These include, Alex Bay, Brownville, Chaumont, Evans Mills, Felts Mills, Fort Drum, Gouverneur, Hammond, Rodman, Theresa, Philadelphia, Star Lake and Three Mile Bay.

For 5 years Cindy was the director of the Lord of the Dance Camp at Camp Aldersgate in the Adirondacks. Cindy continues to do guest teaching at local schools, day camps, Lyric Theater and other special events.

Sarah Thomas

Instructor

Sarah started dancing at Dance World in January of 1988 at the age of 2. She was a part of the original "Showstoppers" Troupe that formed in 1996, and participated in many performances and dance conventions with the troupe.She graduated from Watertown High School in 2004 with her regents diploma, and completed her Associates Degree with Honors from Jefferson Community College in 2006. She is currently finishing her Bachelors Degree through Empire State College.She works at the dance school as a secretary and recital design coordinator as well. Her two daughters also take dance lessons at Dance World, marking the 2nd generation for their family.

Jillian Norris

Instructor

Jillian grew up at Dance World. She began dancing at at age of 3. She started being Miss Cindy's assistant at age 12. She competed in many dance competitions and performed at many local performances. Jillian is a graduate of Immaculate Heart Central and has a teaching degree. She works at IHC as an English Teacher for high school students. Jillian has worked many years for the YMCA SACC program. She also did Irish step dancing for many years. We are happy to have Jillian teach dance again this year.

Heather Miner

Director of the Showstoppers Team, Instructor, Choreographer

Heather has been at Dance World since age 10. She quickly worked her way up to teacher's assistant and then dance instructor. She has taken Tap, Choreography, Jazz, African, Clogging, Lyrical, Improvisation, Modern/Contemporary, Ballet, Musical Theater, Pointe and Hip-Hop classes. She has danced in the North Carolina production of The Nutcracker, in workshops with choreographers Wade Robson, Brian Freedman, Jeff Hill and Kim Cooper, and participated in the Syracuse productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

She has won many awards and was chosen to perform with the Footloose National Extreme Team in 2006 and spent a week in Disney World, Florida taking classes and performing at the Magic Kingdom. As part of her college education, she choreographed and performed in large productions and choreographed two high school productions as an Arts in Education Intern. She also participated in the American College Dance Festival while in college, and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Dance in 2008. She completed her Master's in Education Degree in 2009.

Hannah Cottrell

Instructor

Bio coming soon...

Jessica Shaw

Gymnastics - Tumbling

Jess has been with Dance World for the past few years. She can spot for all floor work; beginner through advanced levels and also beam. Her daughters dance and do gymnastics at Dance World. She will offer group classes, private lessons and family lessons.

Alina Ramos

Instructor

Alina Ramos graduated from General Brown in 2021. She’s been dancing at Dance World since 2013, but she’s been dancing pretty much her whole life. She lived in Germany for most of her childhood, and moved here in 2012. When she first moved here she was very upset, and felt out of place. Her mom called the closest dance studio to get her into a class; the studio owner let Alina come in to try out a class and see if she liked it or not. She loved it, and she’s been dancing here ever since. Thank you, Cindy! Dance World has become her second home, and the people here are practically family to her. She is attending JCC, as well as teaching and dancing here at the studio. She plans on becoming a Speech Pathologist as well as continuing to dance.

Debbie Roy

Instructor

Debbie started dancing at Dance World as a young child. She participated in many competitions and workshops held in New York City, Buffalo, and Syracuse. She operated her own dance studio in Nova Scotia, Canada for many years. She will be team teaching with Miss Cindy as well as offer private lessons.