The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts - Staff


















Our Facilities


	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 has 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. Her philosophy that she is not just running a business, but helping to “grow dancers,” stems from years of dedication to her students. In 2009, Linda was awarded the Small Business Administration’s “Family Owned Business of the Year” award.


	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 and she is a 20-time consecutive Best Choreography Award winner. She has also been the choreographer for the Upper St. Clair dance team for the past two years. In September of 2006, she was inducted in Upper St. Clair’s prestigious Hall of Fame in recognition of her excellent accomplishments in the arts within the community. In 2009, she attended a week long Dance Teacher Conference in NYC dedicated to further expanding her knowledge as a dance educator. Jessica’s former students can be found performing professionally, studying dance on scholarship at various universities, and participating in many acclaimed summer programs.


	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 ninth year on faculty.


	Lindsay graduated from Point Park University with a BA in Dance in 2007. During her time there she studied with such notables as Doug Bentz, Kiesha Lalama-White, and Judith Leifer-Bentz. 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 eighth 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, who is currently studying and performing as a professional dancer in Chicago, and Danielle, a senior 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 is a native of Minneapolis, MN and holds a BA in Dance from Point Park University where she was a Presidential Scholar and a member of the Playhouse Dance Company. While at Point Park, she had the pleasure of working with world-renowned choreographers such as Doug Verone, Ron de Jesus, Kiesha LaLama White, and Doug Bentz and was in numerous productions at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and the prestigious Byham Theatre. For two years, Angela was a member of Attack Theatre, touring nationally in the acclaimed show “Games of Steel.” She has since decided to re-focus her time and energy on teaching and choreographing, and now works as a freelance dancer/choreographer, performing with Pittsburgh based companies Attack Theatre and The Pillow Project. In 2009, she attended the Dance Teacher Conference in NYC, utilizing the opportunity to broaden her knowledge as a dance educator. Angela has been a guest faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University and is involved with community outreach programs educating students on the importance of dance as a tool to build self-confidence and develop discipline to reach their goals.


	Allison will graduate in December from Point Park University as a scholarship student with a B.A. in Dance. While attending Point Park she has continuously performed as a member of the Playhouse Dance Company. Her recent performance credits include the 2006-2008 Student Choreography Projects, featured roles in the 2008 and 2009 Faculty Showcase, a leading role in the world premiere of The Snow Queen, an original ballet choreographed by Doug Bentz, as well as a spring performance at the prestigious Byham Theatre. In July of 2009, she attended the Movement Invention Project in NYC. This two week long program provided her with the opportunity to study with such notables as Jill Johnson, Andrea Miller, Alexandra Wells, Sidra Bell, and Jaclynn Villamil. This September marks Allison’s fourth year on faculty at the studio.


	Kellie Hodges grew up in San Antonio, TX where she trained at The Turning Point Dance Center under Ronda McClure. As a Visions Dance Troupe member she performed and competed throughout Texas, being awarded scholarships that gave her the opportunity to train with master teachers from all across the nation. She attended Point Park University to further her dance training and graduated with a BA in dance in 2007. While there she had the opportunity to perform works by Ron de Jesus, Doug Varone, Doug Bentz, Ron Tassone, and Kiesha Lalama-White. In 2007 she performed Kiesha's work "Going Going Gone" at the Jazz World Congress where it was a Leo's Award Winner. After graduation Kellie moved to Chicago, IL to join Thodos Dance Chicago as a performing trainee. In her time as a dancer there, she performed works by Ann Reinking, Lar Lubovich, Zac Whittenburg, and Christine Marie Rohde. Her choreography, "Hopelandic" has been a part of the Thodos Dance Chicago repertoire since August of 2008 and just recently made its' international debut in S. Korea at the Busan International Dance Festival 2009. Kellie returned to Pittsburgh, PA where in early 2009 she began teaching jazz at Point Park University as an adjunct faculty member. She is currently on faculty at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Academy of Musical Theatre as well. Kellie is very excited to be joining the Thomas Studio family.

Stephanie Frey Anderson

Bio coming soon...

Elisabeth Martin

Bio coming soon...

Taylor McLaughlin

Bio coming soon...

Kerra Alexander

Bio coming soon...

Kristina Jackson

Bio coming soon...

Sarah Lesnett

Bio coming soon...

Theo Lesnett

Bio coming soon...


	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.

top of page

this site is best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0
©2003 The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts