Our Story
Top Hat Dance Studio offers premier ballroom, performance, competition, and social dance lessons in Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The social dance styles taught are Salsa, Hustle and West Coast Swing while the performance dance styles are Ballet, Jazz, and Hip-Hop. Top Hat Dance Studio offers private lessons, group dance classes, social dance parties, wedding packages, and makes its venue available for rental. Please browse the "Studio Services" page for a complete list of services. Subscribe to Top Hat Dance Studio's newsletter or registerfor a member account to gain access to Top Hat's user forum. Whichever you choose, it's fast, easy, and free!
History
At the young age of 19, Daniel McGee was inspired to open his own dance studio. He believed that a dance studio should be a place that offered top quality instruction; remarkable social gatherings for dancers; and an overall fun experience. He searched Northeast Philadelphia for the perfect location for his new endeavor. In June of 1995, Top Hat Dance Studio opened its doors on Willits Road.
Daniel’s new studio quickly became a place where people not only learned great dancing but also formed a community. Early on, student’s enjoyed special parties and weekend trips as the sense of family grew. Daniel founded Top Hat Dance Studio on the belief that Ballroom dancing should be accessible to people of all ages and walks of life. That belief was lived out as the studio grew and true friendships were made. In fact, many of those first students are still active members of the Top Hat family!In 2000, Top Hat Dance Studio expanded to Lancaster,Pennsylvania. The studio quickly flourished and became one of the premier Ballroom Studios in that area. A close knit group of students was also formed; and just like the Philadelphia Studio, many of the original students are still on Top Hat’s dance floors today
Another milestone happened in the year 2000; Jameson Kilburn joined the Top Hat ownership team and teaching staff. With Daniel and Jameson both at the helm, Top Hat Dance Studio became a dance school like none other.
In January of 2007, the Philadelphia Studio moved to a larger location and its current home on Bustleton Ave. The new space offers students the most state-of-the-art ‘floating’ ballroom floor and a sophisticated & elegant atmosphere in which to dance.
July of 2011, found the Lancaster Studio moving to its new home in Leola, Pennsylvania. This new Studio is also completely Top Hat; stylish & classy all wrapped into a family environment.
Throughout the years, Top Hat Dance Studio has earned the recognition of ‘Top Studio’ at several competitions and events. Students and staff have also received numerous awards for their dancing at both Ballroom and Hustle Competitions.
Students at both locations are taught by a passionate and accredited staff. All of the Top Hat instructors are dedicated to giving our students the best possible dance education. Top Hat teaches beyond steps and amalgamations: students are taught the intricacies of dance and what makes each dance work.
Although it may sound cliché, Top Hat Dance Studio truly is a family. Students not only go to competitions, but yell & cheer for one another and support their fellow dancers. Numerous trips and vacations have been enjoyed by the students of Top Hat, again creating a community. This sense of family and magnificent instruction has kept Top Hat Dance Studio thriving for over 19 years!
The Owners
Daniel McGee
Daniel is founder and co-owner of Top Hat Dance Studio with locations in Philadelphia and Lancaster, PA. Since its grand opening in 1995, the strength of Top Hat Dance Studio has been attributed to his abilities, both as a dancer and an instructor. For over 15 years, Daniel has continued to teach, perform and compete in the Ballroom, Latin, and Hustle dance forms. He is currently one of the top ranked hustle competitors in the country and undefeated in the Pro/Am Theatre Arts Hustle division. Daniel served as Treasurer on the board of the International Hustle Dance Association (IHDA) for 5 years. Daniel now serves as President of the IHDA for the 2010-2012 term. In 2010, Daniel has partnered with Jameson Kilburn and Billy Fajardo as owners of the Puerto Rico Latin Hustle Dance Competition held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Daniel and his partner Ginny Carey are two time World Hustle Champions. They first won this title at the International Hustle and Salsa Competition in Orlando, Florida in April 2011 and then again in April 2012
With a score of "Highly Commended," Daniel received his Associate certification in International Standard by the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance) in 2007. With as score of "Honors", Daniel received his ISTD Licentiate Theatre Arts certification in 2008. With a score of "High Honors" Daniel received his Bronze Associate certification in Hustle from IHDA/DVIDA in 2009. Daniel is also a member of the National Dance Council of America (NDCA).
Choreographic credits include: International Hustle and Salsa Competition 2006; Stephanie Sands presents...2000, 2001 and 2002; Hempfield High School Dance Theatre Program 2001, 2002 & 2008; "La Boutique Fantasque" at the Fulton Opera House; "Oklahoma", "The King and I"," Fiddler on the Roof", "Little Shop of Horrors", "Annie" and "Hello Dolly!" at Garden Spot High School; excerpts of Top Hat Dance Studio's "Spirit of Dance" 2003, 2004, and 2005; "Evita" and "Gypsy" at the Ephrata Performing Arts Center; excerpts of "Voices of Christmas" at Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA.
Jameson Kilburn
Jameson is co-owner of Top Hat Dance Studio of Philadelphia and Lancaster where he can be found teaching group classes and private lessons in Ballroom, Latin, Swing, & Hustle. For the past 15 years Jameson has continued to study, teach, compete, and perform in the arena of professional partner dancing.
As a competitor, Jameson is the 2014 World Hustle Champion awarded at the Internation Hustle and Salsa Championships in Miami, Florida. He has also gone on to win 1st Place in every major Hustle Division at all of the IHDA sanctioned events of 2014.
As a teacher, Jameson was awarded the IHDA Top Professional Instructor of 2013. He also, most recently, was awarded Top Teacher at Disco America in Philadelphia, Pa and Swing Fling in Tyson's Corner, VA. Jameson received a score of "Highly Commended" on his certification examinations in the International Standard dancing in 2007 and also received a score of "with Honours" on his certification examinions in Theater Arts in 2008 with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Jameson is also proud to have been an active board member of the International Hustle Dance Association (IHDA) for the past 6 years. He can be seen at many different dance events throughout the country teaching, judging, performing, and competiting and is best known for the way in which he "de-mystifies" the technical side of partner dancing to make it obtainable by everyone.
Jameson's dance career started in the theater where he was featured as a dancer in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman', 'Anything Goes', 'La Cage aux Folles', and most recently 'Evita'. Jameson has since enjoyed choreographing for competitive routines, shows throughout Pennsylvania, and most recently for 2008's installment of 'Dance Theater' in Hempfield, Pa. Jameson has placed in the Top 3 both in the Professional and Pro/Am divisions in numerous competitions; including the International Hustle & Salsa Competition, Mid-Atlantic Dance Jam, Big Easy Dance Classic, Dance Seattle, Philadelphia Festival Championships, North American Dance Championships, and the World Hustle Competition.
Jameson has always said, "Dance should be fun! And most importantly, it should be what you make of it". That statment can be seen in his approach to teaching, performing, and dancing in general. His greatest reward is helping a student achieve a goal; he views it as the best way of returning the favor to all of the wonderful coaches and teachers who have, and continue to help him, on this journey we call dance.
