Meet Our Studio V Dance Family

Valerie's dance story began at age two at Cynthia's School of Dance, eventually leading her to train with Miss Tammy herself at Tammy's School of Dance. As a member of our performance group and Act One theater program, she learned what it means to be part of our studio family. Her years as captain of North Allegheny's varsity dance team, combined with competitive training, gave her leadership skills and technical training in everything from tap to hip hop. Her platinum awards and performances at Broadway Dance Center demonstrate her commitment to excellence. With degrees in finance and economics from Wake Forest, a master's in accounting from Pitt, and an MBA in data analytics from DePaul University, Valerie brings analytical thinking to artistic expression. Now working full-time for Victoria's Secret & Company, she's thrilled to return to her dance roots. Fair warning to her students: as a devoted Swiftie, expect to hear plenty of Taylor Swift in her classes – because what better way to inspire confidence and joy than dancing to music that celebrates being authentically yourself? As valedictorian of her high school class, Madisyn chose The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she earned multiple scholarships and performed works by renowned choreographers including José Limón, Trisha Brown, and Shen Wei. Her training in techniques like Cunningham, Limón, and Release Technique brings a professional level of expertise to our students. Currently dancing with Shana Simmons Dance in Pittsburgh, Madisyn represents the bridge between professional artistry and nurturing education. In her second year with Studio V Dance, she brings both technical excellence and genuine enthusiasm for helping dancers reach their potential. Her performance credits include work with dArt Movement, Squonk Opera, and various other professional companies. But what truly sets Amanda apart is her commitment to continuous learning. She's a graduate of Dance Masters of America's Teacher Training School, certified to teach ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance. Amanda's unique background includes being part of a Guinness World Record for "Longest Dance Party" through her work in the swing dance community. She regularly attends tap festivals, teacher conferences, and conventions, always seeking new ways to inspire and educate her students. Her philosophy of being a lifelong student means our dancers benefit from the latest techniques and teaching methods, delivered with decades of experience and genuine care. Her competitive dance experience, combined with intensive training at workshops and conventions, gave her a well-rounded foundation that she later refined with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Slippery Rock University. There, she served as Vice President of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and performed with their Dance Express team. What makes Paige special is how she brings movement and joy into everything she does – even her work as a teacher outside the studio. She understands that dance isn't just about steps; it's about confidence, creativity, and pure happiness. Her leadership skills blossomed during her four years on Pine-Richland's dance team, where she served as captain her senior year. She also shined as Dance Captain for Pine-Richland's musicals during her junior and senior years, and has recently returned as their musical choreographer. After dancing with Ohio University's Dance Team and transferring to Duquesne University for Early Education, Grace is set to graduate in December 2024. Her combination of performance experience, teaching passion, and educational background makes her an incredible mentor for our young dancers. Grace represents everything beautiful about our studio family – she started as a student and blossomed into a confident leader who's now inspiring the next generation. For 27+ years, Kristin has worked as a Pediatric Physical Therapist, bringing movement and healing to children of all abilities. But her connection to our studio runs even deeper – she's been the ultimate dance mom, watching her daughters Grace and Ella grow up at Tammy's School of Dance. Now, Kristin gets to experience the magic from the other side, sharing her love of movement and understanding of child development with our students. Living in Pine-Richland with her husband, two daughters, one son, and adorable puppy, she brings warmth, expertise, and genuine care to every class.