Award-winning choreographer, Joseph Malone,  professional dancer and Nanci Hammond established The Performing Arts Center in 1992.  Their goal was to provide a program that expertly trained young dancers to become serious performing artists.  With the help of their benefactors, Howard and Barbara Hammond, they achieved their goal.

One of the great strengths of this or of any school is its teachers.  Unlike many other programs, The Performing Arts Center delights in the fact that their teaching staff consists entirely of working professionals.  Each teacher is either currently working professionally in their particular discipline or in the case of company work, were actually successful in their chosen fields before deciding to teach.  This gives any dancer studying at this school a direct connection to an actual working reality. 

In addition to its regular schedule, The Performing Arts Center has extensive summer programs specifically designed for dancers visiting from around the country and the world.  These include the Choreographer's Series, a one of a kind workshop designed to allow dancers to work with and experience the creative process of many of the most talented choreographer in Hollywood.