The Island School of Performing Arts Story

Island School of Performing Arts (ISPA) opened its doors in June 2009 with a simple dream, a passion for dance, and a desire to create something special for families along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Founded by Paul and Toni Robinson alongside their daughter, Casey Robinson Hild, ISPA was born from Casey's lifelong dream of becoming a dance teacher and studio owner. Since the age of two, Casey envisioned a place where children could experience the joy of dance in a positive, encouraging, and family-centered environment.

Dance has been a part of the Robinson family's life since 1987, and their decades of experience inspired the creation of a studio that would focus on more than just dance steps. Their vision was to build a place where children could develop confidence, character, discipline, and lifelong friendships while receiving quality performing arts instruction.

Today, ISPA proudly serves dancers beginning at age two through high school and beyond. Our studio has become known for its warm hospitality, age-appropriate instruction, professional faculty, and commitment to excellence. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience the performing arts, whether they are taking their very first dance class or pursuing advanced training.

As a family-owned Christian performing arts studio, our mission extends beyond the classroom. We strive to help little girls become young ladies and little boys become young gentlemen through the values of respect, responsibility, kindness, and perseverance.

Nestled on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast, ISPA combines the charm of island hospitality with the standards of a premier performing arts academy. We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment where students are encouraged to dream big, work hard, and celebrate their individual gifts.

More than a dance studio, ISPA is a family. Our Hawaiian-inspired spirit of Ohana reminds us that family means nobody dances alone. Every student, parent, instructor, and staff member becomes part of our Island Family.

For over a decade, we have been honored to watch generations of Gulf Coast families grow with us, and we look forward to continuing that tradition for years to come.

ISPA Mission

At Island School of Performing Arts, our mission is to elevate and protect the reputation of dance education by maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical business practices.

We are committed to providing every student, regardless of age, experience, or ability with a high-quality performing arts education in a nurturing and inspiring environment. Through a carefully designed curriculum, students are encouraged to grow not only as dancers, but as confident, disciplined, and compassionate individuals.

ISPA believes that the performing arts should complement and enhance a child's overall development. We foster the growth of the whole student by encouraging academic achievement alongside artistic excellence. Through dance education, students develop confidence, self-discipline, critical and creative thinking skills, leadership qualities, and a strong sense of personal character.

Our faculty is dedicated, experienced and degreed/certified to providing age-appropriate, technically sound instruction while cultivating a love and appreciation for the arts. Students pursuing professional opportunities in dance are challenged through a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for future success in collegiate, conservatory, and professional performing arts settings.

The educational structure of ISPA is intentionally modeled after that of a private performing arts academy, where excellence, character, and individual growth are valued as highly as performance achievement.

Above all, we strive to create a welcoming community where every dancer feels encouraged, supported, and inspired to become the very best version of themselves—both on and off the stage.

 

NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR DANCE EDUCATION:

ISPA follows the International Dance Entrepreneurs Association(I.D.E.A.) Code of Ethics for Dance, which serves as a guideline and living conscience

for all members. The dance world has evolved to become a big business over the past thirty years. Yet, dance is morethan a business, it is an art form; a passion found in the hearts and minds of students, families and teachers. Maintaining respect for them and other studio owners is crucial.