The Studio One Legacy

Sally Riggs Insalaco began Studio One after a successful dance career that included Broadway musicals and the London Stage. In 1974 she returned to her native North Little Rock and decided to open the only dance school in North Little Rock. She called it “Studio One for the Performing Arts”. Studio One was opened from 1974-1997 and during these 23 years, literally thousands of students passed through its doors.

Sally & Elizabeth (age 3)

Many of the local dance schools throughout Arkansas are owned by former students and teachers of Studio One. Considered one of the best dance studio’s, Sally finally retired in 1997. She would pass away 9 years later at the young age of 58 after a courageous battle with a rare form of Kidney Cancer. In 1978, Elizabeth Insalaco was born, and being Sally’s daughter, she was raised in the dance world. Elizabeth graduated from NLR High School in 1996 having already danced for 15 years at the age of 18. Elizabeth went on to study dance at San Francisco State University where she received her degrees in Dance Education and Cinematography. Elizabeth would spend the next 10 years teaching and choregraphing in some of California’s finest Dance Schools. In 2008, Elizabeth returned to her native North Little Rock wanting to continue her mother’s legacy in teaching and serving our community. Elizabeth is proud to reopen Studio One Dance, her own school with her own vision.