MEET OUR FACULTY
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Kim Meyers Merge, Co-Owner Co-owner of Premier Performing Arts, Kim is a summa cum laude graduate of Point Park University and has been teaching dance for over 30 years. She danced on Broadway in "The Tap Dance Kid" and with many touring companies, dinner theaters and summer stock shows across the United States. Rob Marshall, Christian Slater, Ben Vereen, Alfonso Ribeiro and Lynn Swann are some of the celebrities with whom she has performed. Locally, Kim has danced with the Pittsburgh CLO, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Pittsburgh Opera. Her energies are now directed toward teaching and choreographing. In addition to teaching with Jenn Probola, Kim was partner in the Larry Cervi School of Performing Arts in Monroeville for 27 years, taught at the CLO Academy for 10 years, the Ellis School and Centerstage in New Jersey. She choreographed musicals at Gateway High School, West Allegheny High School, Riverview High School and Franklin Regional High School and Middle School. Her choreography for Gateway's "The Boyfriend" won a Gene Kelly Award which honors excellence in high school musical theatre. |
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Jenn Probola, Co-Owner Co-Owner of Premier Performing Arts, Jenn began her education under the direction of Judy Brondon and Pamela Schickler . After graduating with a BA in dance from Point Park University, she became the assistant director of the dance department at Nazareth Academy in Rochester, New York. She trained dancers at the Larry Cervi School of Performing Arts for fifteen years and co-owned the school for eight years. Jenn choreographed musicals for Valley High School, Central Catholic High School, and East End Productions. Her choreography for Godspell at Nazareth Academy earned her Rochester's "Stars of Tomorrow" award. Her other teaching credits include The Dance Company, Wilkins School of Dance, Gateway High School 's marching band and color guard, and the East End Kids . She worked with Kiski Area High School’s show choirs for ten years and has been choreographer of Franklin Regional High School’s dance team for twelve years. Her choreography has been featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and twice in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Jenn is excited to bring her passion and experience to this new chapter. |
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Adrianna Amodei Adrianna Amodei, a Bethlehem, PA native, is a recent Magna Cum Laude graduate from Point Park University, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance with a concentration in modern. Before attending Point Park, Adrianna attended the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts. During her time there, Adrianna had works she choreographed gain recognition to be chosen to be performed at both the National and the Regional High School Dance Festivals. As a dancer at Point Park, Adrianna had the opportunity to perform in Martha Graham's "Steps in the Street" as well as Doug Bentz's "Transmigration of Souls." She also spent time choreographing and performing in numerous student works during her college dance career. Following college, Adrianna taught contemporary for various workshops throughout the Lehigh Valley as well as taught jazz and tap for Lehigh University's Dancin' Club this past year. Currently, Adrianna has been performing with fireWALL Dance Theater in their most recent production, "Stroking Its Ego." Adrianna is eager to share what she has learned throughout her expansion dance experiences with new young dancers. |
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Kristen Bailey Kristen Bailey is currently pursuing her Masters of Education in Health and Physical Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. While obtaining her degree in Indiana, she is also involved in the community as a dance teacher at a local dance studio and a choreographer for the Indiana Area High School marching band. Kristen completed her undergraduate degree at Slippery Rock University with a major in dance and minor in business administration. During her undergraduate studies, she received the Student Research and Scholarly and Creative Achievement Grant, Slippery Rock University Merit Scholarship, Lucy Isacco Sack Winter Scholarship, Delmar Scholarship, and several other academic scholarships. Kristen also served as the Philanthropy chair of the Sigma Rho Delta dance honorary, student assistant of the Slippery Rock University Dance Theater, mentor for the Department of Dance incoming freshmen, and member of the SRU First Year Leaders Scholars Program. After graduation, Kristen taught at a number of dance studios around the Pittsburgh area and in Raleigh, NC, before returning back to Pittsburgh to complete her Master’s degree. Upon graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kristen plans to obtain a career as a health, physical, and dance educator at a public school district in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kristen is excited to be back at her home studio, Premier Performing Arts, to share her love of dance with her favorite community! |
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Elizabeth Calvert Elizabeth Calvert, originally from Northern New Jersey, began ballet at the age of 8 under Nancy Volpe. She spent her summers studying at the Rock School, Nutmeg Conservatory, Orlando Ballet, and Boston Ballet. She went on to attend Point Park University, graduating with a degree in dance performance with a ballet concentration. While at Point Park, Elizabeth studied with great teachers such as Nicolas Petrov, Peter Merz, Dana Arey, Tamar Rochelle, and Ron Tassone. She also had the opportunity to perform in many works such as Nicolas Petrov’s Romeo and Juliet and Ron Tassone’s A Fosse Retrospective and be featured in George Balanchine’s Serenade. After graduating, Elizabeth danced with Ballet Theatre of Maryland for three seasons becoming a demi-soloist for the 2018/19 season. She was featured in many ballets such as The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Romeo and Juliet. While there, she taught ballet and jazz for Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s school. She had the opportunity to teach many levels of ballet, but was able to focus on beginning and intermediate levels. She also became certified in beginner and intermediate pilates mat through Power Pilates. Elizabeth is happy to be back in Pittsburgh and pursue her love of teaching ballet and pilates. |
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Britne Conklin Britne Conklin is a proud Pittsburgh native who began her dance career at the age of nine. Britne danced with a local Pittsburgh studio where she studied ballet, tap, jazz and hip-hop. While at the studio she was a member of the award-winning competition dance team until the age of nineteen. While studying for her Bachelors in Health Care Management at Carlow University, Britne taught dance at the studio as well as choreography for Woodland Hills High School Images Marching Band and Winter Guard Team. Britne is excited to be joining the team at Premier Performing Arts and is thrilled to share her love and knowledge of dance with the entire PPA family. |
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Amy McDaniel Amy is a private vocal instructor for Premier Performing Arts. She is also a vocal instructor and Artist in Residence at the Community College of Allegheny County, Boyce Campus, and she serves as the music director for Larry Cervi's East End Kids and various music ministries. A mezzo-soprano, Amy received most of her training at Duquesne University, where she studied vocal training with the late, world-renowned opera singer, Mija Novich, former head of the Vocal Department and Opera Workshop at Duquesne University |
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Jon Zellhart Jon is a graduate of Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University in trumpet and vocal performance. Having studied with top teachers in both disciplines, Jon brings a unique approach to his performances and teaching. Currently the Music Director at St. John Fisher Parish in Churchill, Jon is an in demand performer of vocal and orchestral repertoire. Past performances include recitals at California University of PA, Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne Universities, tours of Europe, and performances with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. |
