Debbie Apalucci is the founder/director of Touch of Class Dance Studio, Inc. First opened in 1978 as a small, one-room facility in Upper Darby, the business now encompasses three locations, eight teaching rooms, and thousands of students. Debbie’s teaching, managerial, and business skills have come together to make Touch of Class a nationally recognized studio in the dance world.
Debbie was hired by Pat Croce in 1996 to coach the Sixers Dancers. She developed the team from a cheerleading squad to a dance team that has proven the benchmark for the NBA. While coaching the team, she appeared on ESPN TV’s “ProDance Special”, and also directed her team in live videos with many notable performers including Will Smith and Beyonce (at the NBA All Star performance). Although she retired from actively coaching the team in 2009, she still mentors the present coach and continues to monitor the dancers’ rehearsals which are held at Touch of Class in Broomall.
Debbie also instituted another NBA first – a Junior Dance Team. Her love of young dancers prompted her to organize the team in 1999, and the junior dancers immediately became a fan favorite. The team became such a integral part of the Sixers in-game entertainment that Debbie was urged to expand the team. Presently, the three age divisions and close to a hundred members of the Mini, Junior, and Pre-Pro dance teams continue to wow the crowds at games, performances, and charity events. For the past ten years, Debbie has spent part of her summers directing the Sixers Dance Camps – day and overnight workshops that teach dancers the drive, enthusiasm, performance values and techniques needed to successfully perform on the court, or on any stage.
In 2009 Debbie was hired by Kenilworth Films to choreograph three production pieces for “Standing Ovation”, a major motion picture musical. Debbie then directed the live tour during the summer of 2010, a promotional series of performances with the cast of the film. The tour included 15 cities and culminated in red carpet appearances and shows at the premieres in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Memorable moments of the “Standing Ovation LIVE” tour include the charity performance in Nassau, Bahamas where Debbie produced a show with the cast along with local talent for the benefit of the Ranfurly Home.
Along with winning numerous national competitions, Debbie’s students have traveled and performed in major cities throughout the country and due to her quality training, have become professional dancers. Debbie continues to teach, manage the studio, coach her teams and camps, but is happiest when spending time with her husband and family – especially her three wonderful grandchildren!