Instructor/Choreographer– Lissa is a dedicated & diverse performer, choreographer and dance instructor. She has been dancing since the age of 4, with the variety of dance styles including Ballet (Cecchetti training), Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, and Contemporary. Most of her training was done by Broadway stars Ken and Jean Phifer and Darcy Fields at Ken & Jean’s Dance Studio in Pittsburgh, PA. Lissa’s studies include training from styles by Cav. Enrico Cecchetti, Bob Fosse, Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, Lestor Horton, & William Forsythe technique. Along with training at the studio she has competed in the Dance Masters of Pennsylvania Competitions’ and dance intensive training classes. Many dances in the Dance Masters were rewarded first place & top choreography awards. Lissa is a recipient of a dance scholarship from THE PULSE International Tour in January 2012 where she was awarded by her performance in the dance intensive to extend her abilities for more dance education. Among her performance ability, as a choreographer many of her pieces have been awarded 1st place, Platinum awards, and most recently “Best Choreography” award in 2014 for competitions around the Lehigh Valley, Lancaster, and NJ areas.
Lissa continues to strengthen her performance, technique, and teaching ability by continuing her growth in the dance world by taking classes or workshops any chance she gets. Such places as Broadway Dance Center, Peridance Center in NYC, The Pulse Dance Tour in AC & NYC, Lehigh University, and other studios surrounding the Lehigh Valley. In 2008 through 2011, Lissa was a member of the Serendipity Dance Ensemble located in Bethlehem, where she performed at Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA, The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA, and other surrounding areas in Eastern Pennsylvania. Lissa is a 2004 graduate of McKeesport Area High School, located near Pittsburgh, where she had also participated in four years of cheerleading and was captain her senior year. In May of 2009, Lissa graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Sports Management: Fitness and Wellness. While attending CAL U, Lissa has taken many dance curriculum classes, performed showcases, and also was a part of the 06-07’ Vulcanettes Dance Team. Along with receiving her B.A., Lissa is also a Certified Personal Trainer through AAAI. Lissa feels blessed to share her love for dance with such amazing children. She feels very lucky to be a part of such a wonderful and talented staff that feels more like a family!