DeNoyer Dance Studio was founded by Lillian DeNoyer in the mid-1950’s. Mrs. “D,” as her students fondly called her, began dancing as a child, with her first teachers having been in Vaudeville circuit as the “Sandell Sisters.” Her dancing career took off when she became a favorite at the Forest Park Highlands, a once famous amusement park in St. Louis. She later went on to become a shoe model because of her fabulous legs. Lillian retired from performing and modeling to become the mother of a son, Don, and a daughter, Sharon. At that time, Mrs. “D” was asked to teach dance for the local school district and the rest is history.
Mr. DeNoyer converted a corner market into a dance studio, complete with lovely wooden floors. Lillian’s sister, Myrtle, began working with her and in 1972, Sharon, then an elementary school teacher, joined them and began teaching dance. Lillian DeNoyer passed away in 1998 during a battle with cancer. Thousands of students experienced her extensive knowledge of dance along with her firm yet loving demeanor. Sharon continued as sole owner of DeNoyer Dance and continued the same tradition as Mrs. “D”.
Sharon retired in 2013 and passed the torch down to Doug Hartzell and Angela Nottelmann who has been with DeNoyer for over 20 years. Their main goal is to give students a place to learn to dance and continue the great traditions that the DeNoyer Dance Studio has offered since 1956.