2026 Dancing with the Reading Stars

Join us on Friday, May 1st at 5:00 PM for this year’s event at the Redner’s Event Center in Reading, PA.

Note: Ticket Purchase Deadline is Friday, April 17th!

Purchase Tickets!

Our vision is to inspire, ignite curiosity, and empower growth.

Vote for your FAVORITE TEAM by clicking their box below!

Team Que Rico

Team Bio Coming Soon!

Team Hart

Shaun and Jessica Hart are the husband-and-wife duo behind “Team Hart”!

High school sweethearts, they have been collaborating since 1998, when they became best friends at Wilson High School. Before marrying in 2005, Shaun attended Penn State University, majoring in Computer Science, while Jessica was a dual Spanish and Theatre major at Muhlenberg College. Jessica studied abroad in Spain at the Center for Cross-Cultural Studies in Seville, and Shaun later earned his MBA from Villanova University.

Today, Jessica appears on national television as an on-air spokesperson for QVC, while Shaun serves as Vice President at AmeriGas, where he leads the sales and marketing team, and as a board member of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance.

Over the years, they have cultivated a shared love of the arts and entertainment. Shaun, with his passion for games and trivia, helped the couple land a spot as contestants on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and a feature on "The Game Show Hall of Fame" on the Game Show Network. Jessica, a mezzo-soprano soloist, has performed with various groups across Pennsylvania since the mid-1990s. More recently, Yocum gave her the opportunity to return to the musical stage with a role in "Ella Enchanted."

Both Shaun and Jessica are enthusiastic supporters of theatre, movies, and music, and they have shared their passion for the arts with their three beautiful daughters—Zara, Siena, and Ella—who have also found their way to the stage through the exceptional programs offered by Yocum Institute.

While Shaun and Jessica have been “dancing through life” together for nearly 30 years, they are excited to receive some official dance training as they prepare for Dancing with the Reading Stars: The Last Dance. They look forward to making a lasting impact by fundraising to support Yocum’s creative arts programs that are so near and dear to their hearts.

Team empowHER

The Junior League of Reading is ready to keep on rollin’ at Dancing with the Reading Stars: The Last Dance!

For more than a century, JLR has been dedicated to developing the potential of women through volunteer service, leadership training, and meaningful community impact. Here in Berks County, our members build the skills, confidence, and connections to lead across nonprofits, civic initiatives, and organizations throughout our community. Today, our work focuses on youth empowerment — expanding opportunities that help young people grow into confident leaders of the future.We are bringing our teamwork, community spirit, and a touch of disco sparkle to the floor in support of the arts in Berks County.

Team Charlie's Angels

The Angels are always ready 🦸‍♀️ Strong. Empowered. United. Fearless in the face of chaos, loyal through every mission, and always one step ahead 💥 Saving the world with their killer skills, sass, and serious style 👠

But beyond the fun and fierce energy, this mission means something deeper to us. We truly believe in the power of community and in supporting women by showing kindness, understanding, and genuine care for one another. This experience is about stepping up and out of our comfort zones, and coming together to raise funds for an amazing cause that makes a real difference.

We are proud to support the incredible work of the Yocum Institute for the Arts, an organization that enriches lives by making the arts accessible, inspiring creativity, and strengthening our community through education and expression. Because real heroines don’t just save the day, they lift others up along the way 💛

VOTE

Thank you to our 2025 Dancers!
We raised $78,687.25 to support student scholarships, theater for young audiences, and off-site arts education programs - many of which are offered to the community at little or no cost.

Congratulations to our 2025 Schumo Award Winner, Jill Henry

A Special Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors!

Disco Fever Presenting Sponsor - $10,000+

Disco Inferno Sponsor - $5,000+

The Bell Bottom Sponsor - $2,500+

Boogie Wonderland Sponsor - $1,000+

Let's Groove Sponsor - $500+

Peace, Love & Arts Friend - $250+

In-Kind Support

About Yocum Institute for Arts Education

Although many do not realize it, Yocum Institute is much more than the bricks and mortar of the building located at 3000 Penn Avenue. For nearly 90 years, Yocum Institute has been a leader in community arts education in Berks County.

Through onsite classes, a preschool program, and extensive outreach initiatives, Yocum Institute impacts more than 30,000 people each year. Approximately 80% of those served are under the age of 18, and 50% are considered part of an at-risk population. Notably, half of Yocum’s outreach programs are provided at little or no cost to the community.

Yocum’s programs reach far beyond its campus through partnerships with organizations such as:

Reading School District
PAL/Olivet Boys & Girls Club
Berks County Public Libraries
Wilson Area School District
John Paul II Center for Special Learning

On a national level, Yocum Institute partnered with the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis in 2008 as one of only 13 host sites for their critical literacy initiative, Neighborhood Bridges. This program has since been implemented in more than 175 classrooms within the Reading School District.

About the Event

Dancing with the Reading Stars (DWTRS) is one of Yocum Institute’s signature fundraising events, bringing together businesses and community members for an evening of entertainment and philanthropy.

Each participating team, sponsored by a local business, creates and performs a 90-second dance routine during the live event. In the months leading up to the performance, teams raise funds through sponsorships and public voting. Community members can support their favorite team by casting votes of $10 or more, either online, by mail, or by contacting Yocum Institute directly. Online voting is open now and closes during the live performances on the night of the event.

Dancers select their own music and either choreograph their routine themselves or work with a professional choreographer to bring their performance to life. Dancing with the Reading Stars is not just about dancing...it’s about community, fun, and raising vital funds for arts education.

Event Impact

Since its debut in 2011, Dancing with the Reading Stars has raised over $1.7 million in support of Yocum Institute programs.

2026 Event Details

Dancing with the Reading Stars: The Last Dance
WHEN - Friday, May 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM
WHERE - Redner’s Event Center – Reading, PA

WHAT TO WEAR: Cocktail attire is recommended. Guests who are feeling festive are welcome to add a hint of 70s flair to celebrate this final dance!

TICKET PRICING:

$125.00 per individual ticket
$1,000 for a table of 10 - contact Jamie Lambert, jlambert@yocuminstitute.org.
$1,200 for a Premium Dance Floor Table for 10 (very limited availability) - contact Jamie Lambert, jlambert@yocuminstitute.org.

**If you are unable to attend the event, you can still support Yocum Institute’s mission by voting for your favorite team. Each vote is a donation that helps fund student scholarships, theatre for young audiences, and community arts education programs.

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback regarding Dancing with the Reading Stars: The Last Dance, please contact Yocum Institute's Development Director, Jamie Lambert, at jlambert@yocuminstitute.org.