{"id":12,"date":"2026-05-28T17:25:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T17:25:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/academyoftheperformingart.com\/?page_id=12"},"modified":"2026-05-28T17:35:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T17:35:17","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/academyoftheperformingart.com\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"12\" class=\"elementor elementor-12\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb415ae e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bb415ae\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa65645 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"fa65645\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n<style>\r\n\r\n.apa-story-section{\r\npadding:100px 20px;\r\nbackground:#ffffff;\r\nfont-family:Arial,sans-serif;\r\noverflow:hidden;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-container{\r\nmax-width:1200px;\r\nmargin:auto;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-story-grid{\r\ndisplay:grid;\r\ngrid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(320px,1fr));\r\ngap:60px;\r\nalign-items:center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-story-image img{\r\nwidth:100%;\r\nborder-radius:30px;\r\nbox-shadow:0 10px 30px rgba(0,0,0,.08);\r\nobject-fit:cover;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-story-content h2{\r\nfont-size:52px;\r\nmargin-bottom:25px;\r\ncolor:#111;\r\nline-height:1.2;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-story-content p{\r\nfont-size:17px;\r\nline-height:2;\r\ncolor:#555;\r\nmargin-bottom:22px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-highlight{\r\ndisplay:inline-block;\r\npadding:10px 22px;\r\nbackground:#f5efe2;\r\ncolor:#b8890f;\r\nborder-radius:40px;\r\nfont-size:14px;\r\nfont-weight:bold;\r\nletter-spacing:1px;\r\nmargin-bottom:25px;\r\ntext-transform:uppercase;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-values{\r\nmargin-top:90px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-title{\r\ntext-align:center;\r\nmargin-bottom:60px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-title h2{\r\nfont-size:48px;\r\nmargin-bottom:18px;\r\ncolor:#111;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-title p{\r\nfont-size:18px;\r\ncolor:#666;\r\nmax-width:700px;\r\nmargin:auto;\r\nline-height:1.8;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-values-grid{\r\ndisplay:grid;\r\ngrid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(280px,1fr));\r\ngap:30px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-value-box{\r\nbackground:#fafafa;\r\npadding:40px 35px;\r\nborder-radius:24px;\r\nbox-shadow:0 8px 25px rgba(0,0,0,.06);\r\ntransition:.3s;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-value-box:hover{\r\ntransform:translateY(-6px);\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-value-box h3{\r\nfont-size:28px;\r\nmargin-bottom:18px;\r\ncolor:#111;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-value-box p{\r\nfont-size:16px;\r\nline-height:1.9;\r\ncolor:#666;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-cta{\r\nmargin-top:100px;\r\npadding:80px 50px;\r\nbackground:#111;\r\nborder-radius:35px;\r\ntext-align:center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-cta h2{\r\nfont-size:50px;\r\ncolor:#fff;\r\nmargin-bottom:20px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-cta p{\r\nfont-size:19px;\r\nline-height:1.9;\r\ncolor:#ddd;\r\nmax-width:800px;\r\nmargin:auto;\r\nmargin-bottom:40px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-btn{\r\ndisplay:inline-block;\r\npadding:16px 34px;\r\nbackground:#d4a017;\r\ncolor:#fff !important;\r\ntext-decoration:none !important;\r\nborder-radius:50px;\r\nfont-weight:bold;\r\nmargin:10px;\r\ntransition:.3s;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-btn:hover{\r\nbackground:#b8890f;\r\ntransform:translateY(-3px);\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-contact{\r\nmargin-top:35px;\r\nfont-size:18px;\r\nline-height:2;\r\ncolor:#eee;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-contact a{\r\ncolor:#fff !important;\r\ntext-decoration:none !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-quote{\r\nmargin-top:35px;\r\nfont-size:22px;\r\nfont-style:italic;\r\ncolor:#d4a017;\r\nfont-weight:bold;\r\n}\r\n\r\n@media(max-width:768px){\r\n\r\n.apa-story-content h2,\r\n.apa-title h2,\r\n.apa-cta h2{\r\nfont-size:34px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-story-content p,\r\n.apa-title p,\r\n.apa-cta p{\r\nfont-size:16px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-cta{\r\npadding:60px 25px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.apa-value-box h3{\r\nfont-size:24px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n}\r\n\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<section class=\"apa-story-section\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-container\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-story-grid\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-story-image\">\r\n\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1515169067868-5387ec356754?q=80&w=1200&auto=format&fit=crop\">\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-story-content\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-highlight\">\r\n30+ Years of Excellence\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>\r\nOur Story\r\n<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nWhat began in 1996 as a small dance studio has grown into one of the most respected performing arts programs in the Flathead Valley.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nOriginally founded as Center Stage School of Dance under the direction of Shoni Jaeger, the studio quickly became known for offering diverse, high-quality training in tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, and early childhood dance education.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nAs the program expanded, so did the vision. In 1999, the Academy moved into a purpose-built facility designed to support serious training and long-term artistic growth. This marked the beginning of the Academy of the Performing Arts \u2014 a home for both dance and music education under one roof.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nFor more than three decades, our mission has remained the same: to provide structured, technique-based education within a supportive and disciplined environment where students can thrive with confidence and purpose.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<!-- PHILOSOPHY -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-values\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-title\">\r\n\r\n<h2>\r\nOur Philosophy\r\n<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nWe believe in building confident performers through intentional training, strong technical foundations, and meaningful artistic experiences.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-values-grid\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-value-box\">\r\n\r\n<h3>\r\nTechnique First\r\n<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nWe prioritize proper technique, alignment, and foundational training to support long-term development, confidence, and injury prevention.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-value-box\">\r\n\r\n<h3>\r\nTraining With Purpose\r\n<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nEvery class is intentionally structured to provide clear progression, discipline, and consistent growth at every level.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-value-box\">\r\n\r\n<h3>\r\nBeyond The Stage\r\n<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nOur focus extends beyond performance by helping students build leadership, teamwork, confidence, discipline, and lifelong life skills.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<!-- CTA -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-cta\">\r\n\r\n<h2>\r\nJoin A Studio Built On Excellence\r\n<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nFor over 30 years, we have helped students grow through discipline, creativity, confidence, and high-quality performing arts education in a supportive community environment.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#\" class=\"apa-btn\">\r\nRegister Today\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"#\" class=\"apa-btn\">\r\nContact Us\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-contact\">\r\n\r\n\ud83d\udcde \r\n<a href=\"tel:14067550139\">\r\n(406) 755-0139\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\ud83d\udce7 \r\n<a href=\"mailto:info@academyoftheperformingart.com\">\r\ninfo@academyoftheperformingart.com\r\n<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"apa-quote\">\r\n\u201cOften imitated but never duplicated.\u201d\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/section>\r\n```\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>30+ Years of Excellence Our Story What began in 1996 as a small dance studio has grown into one of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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