Pamela Peterson Dimeler has been teaching dance and piano for 53 years. Pam began dance lessons at age three with Elsie McDonald, sister of Jeanette McDonald, famous singer and movie actress of the 1930s and 40s. She continued lessons with Miss Gloria Christie of Springfield and graduated from her Dance Teacher’s Course. Pam began piano lessons at age 8 with Dr. Tibor Bachman of Brookhaven, who hailed from Hungary. She later studied with Mrs. Elizabeth Stine of Media, Pa. Pam graduated in 1976 from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA., with a B.S. in music education, majoring in piano and voice. She has studied with Mr. John White of Narberth, PA., at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet. She incorporates the Vaganova method of ballet in her teaching.
 

Pam started teaching a small number of dance and piano students in 1970 while she was a student at Penncrest High School. While still in college, she would come home on weekends and continue to teach her students. She directed “Miss Pamela’s School of the Dance” in Middletown, PA, until she and her husband, Scott Dimeler, bought the former Parkside Firehouse in 1986. It had been built around 1918. After the Parkside Fire Company moved to its new location across the street in the 1950s, it became a catering establishment and later a Community Church. Pam and Scott had builders Rumford & Rumford remodel the building to add Studio B in 1992.

 

The 1970s June dance recitals were held at the former Media Women’s Club, then they were held at various local high schools and middle schools. In recent years, the Saturday full-length ballet and specialty dances of students in 6th grade to adults have been held at the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, West Chester University. On Sunday, two themed dance recitals are also held for students ages 3-10.