Following owner’s arrest, dance studio shuts down and looks for new home

Last week, news broke that Wasilla neurologist Jeffrey Sponsler was arrested following a federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging him with possessing child pornography. Sponsler, owner of the Alaska Brain Center in Wasilla, where he is a private practice neurologist, also has consulting and admitting privileges at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

He also owns the building which houses Mat Valley Dance, which is now caught in the middle. Both the studio and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Alaska have clarified that Sponsler does not operate or own the dance program that takes place in the building.

Mat Valley Dance has announced that they will be moving from their current location, stating on social media: “We made the decision together to immediately remove ourselves from our current location. We will have to put classes on hold until we secure a new location.”

The studio went on to say that they are thankful for the kind words of support they have received and are working quickly to find a new facility and reopen their program. The studio had just begun their summer session, set to run until August.

The studio has also said that they were unaware of the situation involving Sponsler and were in “complete shock” as the staff processed the news of the indictment and arrest of the building owner.

“Student safety has always been my number one priority, as most know, and have always ensured our studio was full of supervision and family member observers welcome,” wrote Lindsey Redmond, Director, Mat Valley Dance on social media. “I am a mother who has her own children in this studio every day and I will be making sure to make the most informed and safest decision for our program and our children.”

Sponsler's commercial ventures are apparently also for sale, including the dance studio and recording studio,an unfinished theater in Palmer, and the Alaska Brain Center is also listed for sale.

The FBI Anchorage Field Office and Alaska State Troopers are investigating the case. If anyone has information concerning Sponsler’s alleged actions, please contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at (907) 276-4441 or anonymously at www.tips.fbi.gov.