Studio History

Bernice's Dance Studio was
founded by Bernice Miller
Burlingame in 1929. Bernice
contracted Typhoid Fever when
she was seven years old and was
told by doctors she would never
walk properly again. One slightly
more optimistic doctor told
Bernice and her parents that she
needed to take dance lessons to
help strengthen her muscles.
Bernice was a natural dancer
who excelled in the field. It
wasn't long before Bernice
formed her own dance studio in
the two story garage behind her
parent's home.

Bernice began teaching ballet to
children around Pensacola. When
World War II broke out, many
soldiers were dispatched to the
Air Force and Navy bases located
around Pensacola, bringing
Bernice more students. She
quickly noticed a need to include
ballroom dance and tap lessons.
Her parents reached out their
home to the Pensacola military
families, often inviting them
over for dinner and family
festivities. This was a very
prosperous time for Bernice's
Dance Studio.

Bernice soon employed other
teachers to maintain the growing
needs of the studio. She and her
teachers traveled to Chicago
every year for formal dance
training given by the world's
most prestigious teachers and
dancers. The excellent training
and family atmosphere of
Bernice's Dance studio resulted
in an increasing growth.
Bernice eventually lost her
battle with cancer in 1989 after a
full and bountiful life. Bernice's
daughter Starr, following in her
mother's footsteps, eagerly
continued the legacy her mother
started.

"With a warm family environment it's more than just teaching dance
classes. We develop life long relationships with our students and are
fortunate enough to take part in molding their lives. We have former
students that bring their children and their children's children. That
kind of loyalty and dedication makes it all worth while and that's why I
do what I do."
- Starr Burlingame

Starr Burlingame literally grew
up dancing in the studio. She
later continued her dance
training at Florida State
University where she earned a
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in
Dance. Starr is a member of
Chicago National Association of
Dance Masters and holds a
Masters Certificate in Dance
Education from CNADM. She is
also on the National Dance
Circuit teaching master classes
and workshops throughout the
country. She was formally on the
dance faculty at Pensacola Junior
College (1981-2002) and was
Artistic Director of the PJC Dance
Theatre (1995-2002).
Starr, along with her staff, has
continued high expectations for
the future.