Lauren (Guarnaccia) Adair began her dance journey at the age of 5 at Betty Jeans Dance Studio in Wappingers Falls, NY under the direction of Betty Jean Laffin. At 10 years old, she started her competitive dance career and continued through high school graduation. Lauren had considerable instruction under renowned dance instructors including Mary Ribble, soloist with the Eglevsky Ballet Company, as well as Lucinda Ransom of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company. In addition to her competitive dance training, she also attended the Westchester Ballet Center in Yorktown Heights, NY. She also had the pleasure of studying from Rose Marie Menes, former principal dancer of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Lauren also attended the prestigious Briansky Saratoga Ballet Center, a summer school in Saratoga Springs, NY led by Oleg Briansky and Mireille Briane.
At the age of 13, Lauren was asked to become an instructor at her dance school. She completed a year of training and assisting and then began teaching her own classes as well as choreography for the competition team. While in high school, she added theatre to her repertoire. Lauren was cast as Anne in “La Cage Aux Folles” (1996) with the County Players in Wappingers Falls, NY. She was also a performer in “A Chorus Line” (1997) cast as Laurie (the choreographer) again with the County Players.
Lauren has taught at several dance studios in New York over the last 25 years. She has received numerous choreography awards and has created award-winning dances both regionally and nationally. In 2017, her childhood dream of owning a dance studio came to life with the opening of Spa City Dance and the Arts (SCDA). Her studio has received numerous ADCC Studio of Excellence awards as well as Sportsmanship Awards.
In addition to directing, teaching, and choreographing at her studio, Lauren also provides before school dance classes to local elementary schools. There is nothing better than sharing her love and passion for dance to students of all ages and abilities.