About Us

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The Sawyer Dance Academy has been in existence for over 40 years, first opening its doors in 1982 as the Pat Bryant School of Dance in Harbert, MI.  With the Academy's clientele growing from 50 students to 100 in its first year Pat Bryant hired Deb Knuth, a recent graduate of Western Michigan University with a BFA in dance.  In 1988 Pat Bryant moved with her husband to Florida and Deb Knuth continued teaching at the studio, taking over as director.  In 1991 the studio relocated to Sawyer, MI and the name changed to the Sawyer Dance Academy.  The Academy continues to thrive offering classes in ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical to ages 3 years thru adult.  There are various levels of technique offered from beginner to advanced.  The Academy is home to the competition dance team the "Sawyer Dance Troupe" which boasts multiple high awards from various competitions across the nation.  The Sawyer Dance Academy is directed by Deb Knuth, who also is director of the Sawyer Dance Troupe, along with assistant Brittany Knuth and Isabella Schmidt.