About
Our Story
Arena Dance started on Arena Drive when Kathy Homyak purchased the business in 1988 and moved it to Route 33 in Hamilton. Ms. Homyak made connections with many dancers through the years and grew the business into a household name.
In 2023, Erin Ryan - long time customer and employee- took over the business and moved it to our current location! Ms. Ryan got her first pair of ballet slippers and pointe shoes at Arena and now aims to supply many ‘first pairs’ to dancers of every age and style! We thrive off local support and couldn't be more grateful for the dancers in our community!
Our Mission
Arena Dance aims to find the perfect fit for every performer! We carry an array of styles, sizes, and colors to make sure you feel comfortable. Arena’s goal is to carry an inclusive selection of dance and workout attire for every level and age.
Professional pointe shoe fitters are always on staff. These fitters have years of expertise to correctly fit and advise pointe shoe needs.
Katrina, also known as Katie, has been training in classical ballet since two years old and in tap, contemporary, modern, and jazz for many years. She also has been en pointe for over 12 years. She trained for three years in Italy at the feeder school to Teatro alla Scala in Milan. While in Europe she performed in The Nutcracker with the Croatian National Ballet and attended an invitation-only summer intensive in Novi Sad, Serbia. Katie has placed 3rd and top 24 in YAGP Pre-Competitive Division and Junior Division respectively. She trained under numerous distinguished instructors including Stefan Grebeldinger, Cynthia Martin, Franca Desinia, Katarina Wester, Keeley Pratt, Valerie Amiss, Kathleen Moore, Ana Novoa, and Rebecca Maso, to name a few. Most recently, She was a Trainee with American Repertory Ballet for three years under the direction of Ethan Stiefel and Aydmara Cabrera. Katie is excited to bring her knowledge of dance to help you find everything you need here at Arena!

Katie Jans - Assistant Manager
Erin Ryan - Owner
Erin Ryan took over Arena Dance in 2023, but has been working for the company since 2016! Ms Ryan has been fitting pointe shoes for 8 years, dancing on pointe for twice as long. Erin has a minor in Ballet from Kennesaw State University and has published an academic article on Dance. Some favorite roles they've performed include Giselle, Sugar Plum Fairy, Cinderella and Swanilda. Ms. Ryan has been teaching ballet for 5 years and served as an artistic director for 1 year before choosing to take over Arena. Erin still dances as a guest artist with local contemporary companies. Their main passion is aiding anyone to find their love for dance - whether it be 20 hours of ballet a week or line dancing once a month!
Jay Hartmann - Marketing Consultant
Jay Hartmann (they/them) is an independent marketing freelancer. They received their Bachelor in Marketing from Saint Francis University with minors in Psychology and Management Information Systems. Additionally, they received their Masters in Business Administration from Chatham University. Always a creative soul, Jay has worked for a wide range of companies spanning small independent-owned businesses to large non-profit organizations. Their passions lie in graphic design and data analysis, utilizing tools to drive engagement and create compelling materials. In their free time, Jay enjoys drawing digital art, and writing.
