The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts - Staff


	Since 1967, “Miss” Linda has been teaching, managing and growing dancers at The Thomas Studio. By following in the footsteps of her mother, Ruth Stevens Thomas, Linda kept the family tradition of performing arts education alive. Over the years Linda has instilled a love for the art of dance, as well as self-confidence, in thousands of young students. As a result, the satisfaction and joy of seeing many of her dancers go on to have successful dance careers justifies her philosophy that she is not just running a business with the Studio, she is helping to "grow dancers."


	Jessica graduated from Point Park University with a B.F.A. in Arts Management, double majoring in Dance and Business. After 15 years as a dancer at the Studio and with the Dance Company, Jessica is now Artistic Director, Primary Instructor and Choreographer for the Thomas Dance Company. Performance credits include dancing as an original member of Jeff Shade's "Heaven" at the Three Rivers Arts Festival and at the Byham Theatre. Jessica's award winning choreography has been honored with thousands of High Score awards and National Titles. She is a 20-time consecutive Best Choreography Award winner. Jessica's former students can be found performing professionally, studying dance on scholarship atvarious universities, and participating in many acclaimed summer programs.


	Patti was an apprentice with the Boston Ballet and New York City Ballet, and a principal for Mid-Atlantic Ballet. Her credits include performances with the Metropolitan Opera, New York State Summer School of the Arts, School of American Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet with such notables as Mikhail Baryshnikov. Patti also studied under Melissa Hayden and David Howard, and she earned a B.F.A. at North Carolina School of the Arts. She is currently Director of Ballet at the studio and is an award winning choreographer. In addition, she further extends her talents in the community teaching dance during physical education classes each semester at Upper St. Clair High School. Her daughter, Emily, a Thomas Dance Company member, is following in her footsteps by training on scholarship at the School of American Ballet during the summer.


	Deanna graduated from Otterbein College in 2000 with a B.A. in Dance and a minor in business. During her five years in Columbus, Deanna taught for two different studios resulting in many choreography experiences and competitive awards to her credit. Several of her students are now teaching dance themselves and are helping to pass on her love for dance. In addition to her studio teaching, Deanna has also taught at the collegiate level as one of Otterbein College's main tap instructors. This September marks Deanna's seventh year on faculty.


	Lindsay graduated from Point Park University with a BA in Dance in 2007. During Lindsay's 13 years studying at The Thomas Studio, she was awarded with over 25 individual High Score awards as well as scholarships to STEPS on Broadway and to Point Park's Pre-Professional Program. Performance credits include Cinderella and the Student Choreography Project with the Playhouse Dance Company at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, numerous faculty showcases, as well as a performance at the Byham Theatre. This marks Lindsay's sixth year as a faculty member at The Thomas Studio.


	Rene has been a part of the Thomas Studio family for fifteen years. Her daughters Lauren, currently a member of the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, and Danielle, a sophomore at Ohio State University, grew up as members of the Thomas Dance Company. Continuing her family's strong connection to the studio, Rene now works at the Thomas Studio as Office Manager.


	Angela holds a BA in Dance from Point Park University where she performed in numerous productions with the Playhouse Dance Company, at both the Pittsburgh Playhouse and prestigious Byham Theatre. Now a member of Pittsburgh based company, Attack Theatre, Angela tours nationally in the acclaimed show "Games of Steel." Angela has also worked with The Pillow Project Dance Company. She has traveled nationally as a highly respected teacher and choreographer with Pre-Teen America Scholarship and Recognition Program, having worked with hundreds of daners each year since 1997. Angela is a guest faulty member at Carnegie Mellon University and is involved with commnity outreach programs ed cating students on the importance of dance as a tool to build self-confidence and develop discipline to reach their goals.


	Allison is currently attending Point Park University on scholarship in pursuit of her B.A. in Dance. During her 12 years as a Thomas Dance Company Member, Allison was awarded upwards of 25 individual High Score Awards, as well as scholarships from Dance Caravan, Dance USA, and VIP Dance. She was also one of twenty five people to be selected to join the 2006 American Dance Team that performed in Barcelona, Spain where they won the International Gold Cup. Her performance credits include the StudentChoreography Project with the Playhouse Dance Company of the Pittsburgh Playhouse, the 2007 Faculty Showcase, as well as Point Park University's spring performance at the Byham Theatre.


	Molly is currently attending Duquesne University on scholarship where she is pursuing her B.A. in Early Childhood Education. During Molly's 14 years studying at The Thomas Studio and competing with the Dance Company, she was awarded scholarships from Dance USA, Access Broadway, as well as VIP Dance. In addition to her training here at the studio, Molly studied under such notables as Susan Stowe, Peter Merz, and Kiesha LaLama White when she participated, on scholarship, in Point Park University's International Summer Dance Program as well as their Pre-Professional Program.


	Lisa has been dancing her entire life. She grew up in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Her childhood was filled with serious training and national competitions in the areas of ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, and gymnastics. In 2001, she graduated from Ohio State University with a BFA in modern dance performance. While in college, she was a member of the University Dance Company which allowed her to apear in original works by renowned choreographers such as Bebe Miller, Terry O'Conner, John Griffin, and Susan Hadley. Since returning to Pittsburgh, she has performed with various small dance companies while enjoying teaching for several studios all over the Pittsburgh area. This will be the fourth year that she has been the main teacher for the North Hills School District after school dance program. Lisa feels lucky to have found The Thomas Studio and is looking forward to another great year in this positive, professional environment.


	Currently a member of the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Lauren graduated from Point Park University with a B.F.A. in Dance. She studied at the Pennsylvania Governor’s School, STEPS on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and at the Limon Institute in New York City. Performance credits include the Steeler Fashion Show, Hot Pink Pittsburgh, and with the Conservatory Dance Company of the Pittsburgh Playhouse, including Tomorrow’s Choreographers, and the Jazz Nutcracker. Lauren apprenticed with local Pittsburgh Dance Company Junction Dance Theatre. A Thomas Dance Company member for six years and faculty member for five years, look for Lauren as a guest teacher when she is on hiatus from the Houston Met.

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