Welcome!
Mary Pilalis has been a Chicago dance professional for decades. She began her training with Yvonne Palmer and then went on to study at Lisa Boehm School of Dance, Lou Conte Dance Studio, Joel Hall Dance Center and currently takes classes with Tap Master Jay Fagan.
In 2001, Mary founded Center Stage Dance Studio and created Aspire Dance Company, one of the most elite competitive companies in the Chicagoland suburbs. Aspire is known for their wide range of dance styles and has been recognized with top awards such as Studio of the Year.
Mary is known for her creative, stand out teaching and choreography in tap and musical theater that consistently wins most entertaining and first overall. She takes pride in her students that have gone on to be professional dancers on Broadway in Cats, Wicked & Hamilton, in feature films such as West Side Story, on television shows like “America’s Got Talent”, and are dance teachers and coaches all over the Chicagoland area.
Our Story.
Center Stage Dance Studio is a family owned business founded by Mary Pilalis, a dance professional for decades in the Chicagoland area. Center Stage is home to the Aspire Dance Company, Center Stage Performing Troupe, and recreational classes in Dance Movement, Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Tumbling, Lyrical, Contemporary and Hip Hop. From beginners to pre-professional dancers, there are opportunities for every student to learn, grow, perform and compete.
Our professionally trained faculty are passionate about dance and about creating environments where kids build confidence, character and friendships that last well beyond their time at the studio. Many of them have been at Center Stage for over 10 years, building the culture of excellence in dance in an environment that feels like family. For over 20 years we have been serving families in the western suburbs of Chicago by providing high quality dance education in a wide variety of styles.