about us

About Donna’s School of Dance

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Our

MISSION

Donna’s School of Dance is committed to providing quality instruction to your child with an emphasis on personal attention. Our dedicated and professional staff is committed to inspiring the lives of our dancers each and every day. We look forward to dancing with you soon!

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Our

MISSION

Donna’s School of Dance is committed to providing quality instruction to your child with an emphasis on personal attention. Our dedicated and professional staff is committed to inspiring the lives of our dancers each and every day. We look forward to dancing with you soon!

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Our

VALUES

Proud recipients of the “Studio of Excellence Award” which recognizes dancers who exude great sportsmanship and character, Donna’s School of Dance provides a friendly, professional environment that children and young adults thrive in. Our studios are conveniently located in Murrysville and Plum Boro, and just minutes from Apollo, Monroeville, Penn Township and Trafford. We offer a structured environment in which to nourish a solid dance education for your child. Our goal is to promote a professional, positive, stress free environment where all children gain self esteem in a cooperative atmosphere.

Our Instructors

MEET OUR TEAM

Donna Zerjav

Miss Donna began her passion for dance at the age of 4 under the tutelage of Maryen Lorrain Miller. As a teen, she participated on the studio’s competitive dance team and had the opportunity to travel to various states taking classes from an amazing array of professional dancers and choreographers.

During her college years at the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned her degree in Education and Health, she continued to train and teach at Mrs Miller’s studio. After graduating from Pitt, Miss Donna secured a full time job in the insurance industry but always spent her evenings and weekends doing what she loves to do, teach dance.

In September of 1998, Miss Donna, along with her mom Miss Gloria, opened the doors to Donna’s School of Dance. Over the years, she has taught thousands of students, and now has the opportunity to teach a second generation of DSD dancers. Miss Donna believes through dance, her and her staff can teach all of their students important life lessons like being appreciative, respectful and above all, kind to one another.

Donna Zerjav

Owner & Creative Director

Melissa Avery

Melissa Avery is a proud native of North Carolina. While she loves all dance styles, hip-hop is her passion! Melissa has over 15 years under her belt as a dancer and choreographer and has been an instructor at very reputable studios such as Millennium Dance Complex PGH and Abby Lee Dance Company in Pittsburgh, PA. She has danced and choreographed for Grammy nominated artist, Travis Greene, and has worked with very well known and respected choreographers in conventions around the country. She has done countless flash mobs, stage performances, and music videos. Melissa focuses on Texture, Timing, Energy, Exchange and Execution in her classes.

Melissa Avery

Instructor

Kelly Borman

Kelly Borman has been teaching tumbling/gymnastics since age 16. She taught competitive cheerleading for 8 years as well as classes and private lessons. Miss Kelly started tumbling at a young age as a dancer and quickly found her passion and moved onto competitive gymnastics, and competitive cheer. She loves spending time with her family on weekends. She is a hockey and dance mom but when she has time for herself, you can find her at Target!

Kelly Borman

Instructor

Heather Broderick

Dance has been a huge part of Miss Heather's life for the past 34 years and counting. She is so thankful to have been Blessed with this gift of dance and the amazing opportunities it has brought. While she has studied many different styles of dance throughout the years, Jazz has always held as a favorite. She was a founding member of her local studio's competitive dance team and credits her teachers for instilling the love of dance in her. She is thankful to them for believing in her and challenging her. She went on to win countless awards and titles and was chosen as an elite member to travel to Florida to train and perform. After graduating from High School she continued to train and teach at her local dance studio as well as choreograph for her alma mater's show choir and musicals. She attended Carlow University to study Nursing and earn her BSN. While there she was also able to take dance classes at Point Park. She was also given the opportunity to perform with "The Madhouse" at local venues around Pittsburgh. Miss Heather continues to work as a Full Time Registered Nurse and Full time Mommy to Noah and Wife to Tim. She was welcomed to the DSD family in 2013 and is so thankful to be a part of such an amazing team/family. Dance has always been her true love and passion and has gotten her through a lot in her life. She is proud of what DSD stands for, the values that Miss Donna instills in her staff and students, and the true never-ending love and support. Miss. Heather looks forward to continuing to share her passion with her students as they continue to inspire her. Watching her students grow as dancers and as humans is truly priceless.

Heather Broderick

Instructor

Ashley Harmon

Ashley Harmon is a Pittsburgh based performer and choreographer, and has worked for local theater companies such as Front Porch Theatricals, Stage 62, Split Stage Productions, and Little Lake Theatre. She specializes in the styles of Musical Theatre, Jazz, and Tap. Ashley works as a special education teacher for Franklin Regional School District, where she also coordinates the 6th-12th grade cheerleading program.

Ashley Harmon

Instructor

Nicole Jones

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Nicole Jones has a diverse dance background in ballet, jazz, modern, and Broadway styles. She first experienced dance with the Sacred Heart Junior Tamburitzans and transitioned into formal ballet training with companies including Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and American Ballet Theater. Nicole holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Dance and in History from Point Park University. Nicole instructs all ages in ballet, modern, jazz, and Broadway styles. She has taught for numerous dance schools and programs, including the Kelly Strayhorn Theater (PGH), Peridance Capezio Center (NYC), Mile Square Theatre (NYC) and American Dance Training Camps (US). Professional dance credits include working with Vertigo Dance Company’s international program (Israel), August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble (PGH), DanceAction (NYC), Shana Simmons Dance (PGH) and performing the works of Noa Wertheim, Ohad Naharin, Martha Graham, Christopher Huggins, Gerald Arpino, Douglas Bentz, and Patrick Franz. Nicole has also worked with artists Stefan Ferry, Vova Zak, Nadar Rosano, Asher Lev, Cheryl Mann, and Reggie Wilson among others. Professional theater credits include SWING! (Norwegian Cruise Line – West Coast Feature), Legally Blonde the Musical (2019 Nat’l Tour – Chutney/Dance Captain), An American in Paris (2020, 2022 Nat’l Tours – Female Swing/Lise u/s/Dance Captain), Mamma Mia! (Apple Hill/Theatre Factory - Dance Ensemble), South Pacific (2022 Nat’l Tour – Ensign Janet/ on-stage swing/Dance Captain), Rock of Ages (Split Stage Productions – Ensemble).
Upcoming projects include associate choreographing the 2022-2023 national tour of Legally Blonde.

Nicole Jones

Instructor

Anna Meighan

Anna Meighan grew up in Pittsburgh, PA dancing with the Rosalene Kenneth Professional Dance Studio. She competed in styles of tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop. She graduated from Washington and Jefferson College with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Chatham University with a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of PA working with children and adolescents. She currently teaches recreational and competitive tap dancing at Donna's School of Dance. She enjoys spending time with her family (and dogs), coffee, and true crime podcasts.

Anna Meighan

Instructor

Joe Nickel

Joe Nickel has been professionally working in the entertainment industry since 2005 as a dancer, educator, and choreographer. Working with Norwegian Cruise Lines and CD Entertainment, he traveled around the world performing in shows in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. In 2019, Joe created and launched Thrive Dance Experience, an educational dance convention that partners with industry professionals to teach a variety of styles to dancers of all ages. Thrive has recently expanded to holding events in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and California. Joe is an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hill University. In addition to teaching in their dance department, He has choreographed their 2022 Spring Musical, “Head over Heels” along with creating his original piece’s, “Simply Falling in Love” and “History Repeating” for their dance concerts. In 2022, Joe partnered with Former Radio City Rockette, Michelle Tolson, as cohost of their podcast: “Joe and Michelle’s Dance Podcast!”. As an advocate of the arts, Joe uses his training and experience to continue to work with local talent and produce entertaining shows for all types of audiences. He currently collaborates with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “Emerging Patrons” Board and is a Board Member of PaDEO (PA Dance Education Organization). Joe enjoys mentoring young dancers to use dance performance as a vehicle of expression and purpose. When not traveling, Joe resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania continuing to enhance the ever-growing arts and entertainment community.

Joe Nickel

Instructor

Talyn Persichetti

Talyn Persichetti began her dance career as a student at Donnas learning under both Mr. Joe and Miss. Krystle at the age of 11. She began assisting with classes at age 15 and found that she loved teaching and after graduation became a staff member at Donnas and is currently going into her eleventh year teaching. Tay graduated from Point Park with her Degree in Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management and is the Director of Weddings and Events at the Sunset Room. Miss Tay recently got married to her high school sweetheart after 13 years of dating and they had their daughter Eliana Mae last year.

Talyn Persichetti

Instructor

Krystle Ptaszkiewicz

Krystle graduated from Point Park University in 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management. While attending Point Park she took numerous dance classes from their astounding faculty while also teaching at Donna’s and working as the New Faces Director at Docherty Model & Talent Agency. Once she started her family, she left Docherty but still kept her love of teaching at DSD. She’s been dancing since the age of three, but teaching at Donna’s for over 15 years and loves watching the dancers grow up inside the studio. In 2009, Krystle started the DSD Competition team with just 6 girls that were looking for more opportunities to perform.  Over the years, she has grown the team to include dancers from age 5 through 18 as well as initiating a Prep Team for students who want the experience of competing but at a lower commitment level.  “The studio has always been my second home and I love being able to create the same safe, positive, and encouraging atmosphere for my students here.”

Krystle Ptaszkiewicz

Instructor

Maria Taylor

Maria Taylor started dancing at the age of 5 and hasn’t stopped since. Over the years, she has trained in many styles of dance but focused mostly on tap, jazz, and ballet. She attended Carlow University where she had the opportunity to dance and choreograph for the dance team. She graduated from Carlow with degrees in elementary education and early childhood development and currently teaches kindergarten. Maria has been teaching at Donna’s since 2013 and loves being able to share her passion for dance with the students she teaches.

Maria Taylor

Instructor

Lori Ummer

Lori Ummer has been teaching dance for 17 years. After graduating from Slippery Rock University with a degree in dance, she went on to teach and perform in Florida. She moved back home to Pittsburgh in 2008 and went on to teach at local studios before calling Donna's School of Dance home . To continue her education, Lori was able to complete the pre-primary- level 3 course of the American Ballet Theatre's Teacher Training Program in NYC. Lori teaches combo, ages 5-7 year olds and 10-12 year old dancers. In addition to teaching dance, Lori is a licensed real estate agent on the Jen Mascaro Team with Coldwell Banker Realty. She is a mom to 3 boys and wife to her husband, Mike. She is very grateful to call DSD home and her students and fellow faculty members family.

Lori Ummer

Instructor

Danielle Walker

Danielle Walker is entering into her eighteen season of coaching gymnastics. She has a competitive gymnastics background with a specific concentration in tumbling and acro. She focuses on technique, confidence building and skill progression. Danielle’s favorite part of teaching is being able to help the kids achieve their goals and see the joy in their faces when they do. In her spare time, she loves camping, being outdoors, going to concerts and spending time with friends and family.

Danielle Walker

Instructor

Kalyn Weyant

Kalyn has been dancing for the past 13 years at Donna's School of Dance and was a part of the DSD competition team for 7 years.  Her favorite style of dance is Lyrical but enjoys all the various genres she has had the opportunity to participate in over the years.  Kalyn is a recent graduate of Penn Township high school and is currently studying to become an occupational therapist.  This year marks Kalyn's 5th year of being an assistant teacher at DSD. 

Kalyn Weyant

Instructor

Haley Wilt

Haley Wilt is a Pittsburgh, PA based choreographer, teacher, and performer. She is a Maryland native and began her dance training at a young age. Haley recently graduated from Seton Hill University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a concentration in choreography. She specializes in partnering and contact choreography, while teaching a wide range of styles that include modern, contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and street jazz/jazz funk. Her choreography has been shown at the American College Dance Association, the Westmoreland Museum of Art, and the Ryan Theatre. She is a current teaching artist for Attack Theatre in Pittsburgh, PA, and offers Dance Movement Therapy in and around the area. Most recently, she developed and directed Meraki Dance Company for Seton Hill University and debuted their first main stage piece in 2021. Haley currently teaches at Tribella's Dance Academy and Donna's School of Dance. She has also taught for Seton Hill University Dance Academy, Steppin' Out School of Dance, and the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy. She has worked with artists that include TaMara Swank, Stefan Zubal, Nichole Waugaman--Slavin, Mary Robare, Katie Rotz, Aubrey Worek, and Lindsay McGivern.

Haley Wilt

Instructor

Olivia Sanders

Olivia Sanders started dancing when she was 4 years old and has loved it ever since. She danced at Donna's School of Dance for four years throughout her high school career and was a part of the DSD prep team. Since graduating from Plum High School in 2022, she has been studying to become an interior designer. Last year was her first year of assistant teaching at Donna's, and she loved being able to work with the kids and share her passion for dance. 

Olivia Sanders

Instructor

Emma Dobrinick

Emma Dobrinick has been dancing for the past 15 years, her last 7 have been at Donna’s where she was a member of the Competition team. Her favorite styles of dance are Tap and Jazz.  Emma also works part time as a licensed cosmetologist and will continue her education at Point Park University where she will study Business Administration. Her hope is to open up her own salon one day.  Emma has loved assisting in dance classes for the past few years and is really excited to have her own classes. She can’t wait to continue her passion for dance and hopes to pass that love on to her students.

Emma Dobrinick

Instructor

Elaina Ciecierski

Elaina Ciecierski started dancing at the age of two and is a proud graduate of Donna’s School of Dance. Currently she is a senior Dance Pedagogy and Pre-Med major at Seton Hill University. She is certified both as an Acrobatic Arts M1 and a USA Cheer & Dance Coach.  Over the years, Elaina has been cast as a featured dancer in various musicals and dance pieces, including Stage 62 production of Something Rotten, Seton Hill’s performance of Pippin, Fall Dance Concert, Spring Spectrum, and two ACDA conferences. She has also performed as a dancer in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, Disney World, Universal Studios, Hershey Park, and has traveled for several years as a master class assistant with Thrive Dance Experience.  While at college, Elaina spent two years as the Seton Hill University Dance Team choreographer.  She is excited to share the joy of dance with the students at DSD. 

Elaina Ciecierski

Instructor

Gabby Schafer

Gabby Schafer has been dancing for 14 years and assisting classes for 8. She was on the competition team for 10+ years and is currently attending Seton Hill University studying both Dance and Exercise Science.  Gabby has also traveled for the past few years as a master class assistant with Thrive Dance Experience.

Gabby Schafer

Instructor

Megan Reddy

Megan Reddy grew up in Pittsburgh PA as a competitive dancer for 10+ years. Megan competed in all styles of dance and went on to become a member of the University of Pittsburgh dance team. Upon graduating from Pitt with a degree in Marketing, she now works in e-commerce at American Eagle Outfitters. Megan enjoys continuing to spread the love of dance as a teacher at DSD!

Megan Reddy

Instructor

Kit Incardona

In 2022, Miss Kit joined the DSD team as front desk manager! A retired paraprofessional from Hempfield High School, Miss Kit spends time with her 5 grandsons when she isn’t at the studio. Miss Kit loves working at Donna’s and seeing all of the wonderful students every day.

Kit Incardona

Instructor

Jessica Brett

Jessica Brett is from Murrysville and grew up dancing at Donnas, beginning at the age of 5 years old. She was a demonstrator starting at the age of 7, began assisting in dance classes at the age of 15, and began competing at the age of 11. Not only does Miss Jess love to dance, but she also has a passion for baton twirling. She began twirling at the age of 3 and started to competitively twirl at the age of 5. After highschool, she continued her dance career by receiving a dance minor at the University of Pittsburgh while also twirling for the University of Pittsburgh as a Golden Girl. She has a passion for twirling, acrobatics, and all styles of dance. Ms. Jess also received her Masters and Bachelors degree for Civil Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, as well as continued on with her education in surveying and working on a MBA. Ms. Jess also works with the Franklin Regional Marching band as a choreographer for the majorettes, pantherettes, and silk teams. She is very excited for her new role at Donna's School of Dance.

Jessica Brett

Instructor

Ashley Brett

Ashley Brett is from Murrysville, PA and started competitively twirling at the age of 6, acquiring many local, state, and national titles. She is also a proud alumni of Donna’s school of dance,beginning her dance education at the age of 9. During college, Ashley had the privilege of being a member of the dance and competitive cheer team for Gannon University. After graduating from Gannon with a bachelor’s degree in sports and exercise science, she went on to the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a career in nursing. During this time, Ashley had the opportunity to twirl on the majorette line as one of the Pitt Golden Girls. Currently, Ashley works as a registered nurse at a local hospital, is an EMT at Murrysville Medic One, and is the Bandfront Coordinator at Franklin Regional. She looks forward to being back at Donna’s in a new role as an instructor!

Ashley Brett

Instructor

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Our

STUDIOS

Our studios in Murrysville and Plum Boro provide spacious viewing areas which allows parents the opportunity to watch their children expand their dance education and gives the younger students that bit of reassurance. 

Both studios include dance floors that have shock absorbent subfloor systems to decrease stress on bones and joints which inherently eliminates injury and reduces fatigue on your dancer. All staff are formally educated and hold degrees from prominent universities so we understand how important your child’s academics are. Our faculty continue their own dance education by frequently attending various workshops throughout the area and strive to engage and inspire our dancers.

Each year our students have the opportunity to showcase the skills they mastered throughout the season in our annual recital. Dancers ages 3-7 perform in their own production beginning at Noon, while all dancers ages 8 and up get the chance to shine in our 4:00 performance. Both recitals are held at the auditorium at Franklin Regional High School.

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