Sue Sampson Dalena
Owner/Artistic Director
Sue Sampson-Dalena has enjoyed a lifetime of passion for dance. Celebrating 43 years as Owner and Artistic Director of The Dance Studio of Fresno, she has attracted thousands of dancers from throughout the State of California and especially from the Central Valley.
As a business leader in the dance world, Sue served as Ambassador for the New York City Dance Teacher Summit for several years, delivering insight on developing high student enrollment and new studio construction. In 2012, she was also a special guest speaker at the Dance Studio Owners Association in Las Vegas, Nevada. And for several years, Sue was the KMPH Fox-26 Local Expert Commentator for the hit TV series, “So You Think You Can Dance”.
As a choreographer, Sue has set routines for the San Francisco 49ers and the Sacramento Kings Cheerleaders, as well as various other professional sporting events, including half-time shows for the Western Athletic Conference. She was the Director and Choreographer for the Miss California Pageant (Miss America Scholarship Program) for nine years.
She has worked in the commercial industry with Pepsi and various other regional projects; and has also produced and choreographed shows for Big Brothers Big Sisters, All About Care (an AIDS Benefit), Live Light Productions, and shows for numerous theme parks.
Since 2009, Sue has served as an adjudicator for dance conventions including JUMP, 24/Seven, Hall of Fame, The Knock-Out Dance Challenge, West Coast Dance Explosion and more.
National awards include:
– 2023 Honored Studio of the Year at the National Dance Honors.
– 2017 Top Private Studio/Conservatory Award from Dance Teacher Magazine. – 2015 Studio of the Year at the Dance Awards.
– YAGP Outstanding School Award numerous times & Top Ensemble Awards.
Sue has a long history with Francisco Gella Dance Works, serving as a member of their advisory board and as a faculty member for Ballet Plus in Costa Rica and the New Century Dance Project. She also served on the Board of Directors for chuthis. and in 2020, Sue launched www.icoachdance.com, connecting high level educators to dancers around the world.