Teachers

  • Dr. Cynthia Zurchin

    Studio Director

    Cynthia received her Doctorate degree in Education from Duquesne University and is celebrating her 29th year of teaching dance. She expands and hones her skills by attending workshops taught by experts from New York City and California. Cynthia is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced teachers in the Pittsburgh area specializing in teaching dance technique. She continues to train new dance teachers, instructing them to help all students reach their fullest potential. She is very proud that several of her dancers have gone on to perform professionally all over the world with organizations such as Disney, Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships, Sesame Street, and Busch Gardens. Cynthia is also an elementary principal for the Pittsburgh Public Schools where she helps students develop academically. Her sons John and Nick love to dance.

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  • Eileen Scholtz

    Baton and Dance Instructor

    Eileen is in her 20th year of teaching dance at Cynthia's School of Dance. Eileen is trained as a ballet, tap and jazz teacher. In addition, she is an outstanding baton instructor. Eileen's personality and her patience with children are the perfect combination for a great teacher. Eileen is the mother of Kim and Susan and is the grandmother of Dylan and Olivia.

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  • Frank Klingensmith

    Vocal Coach and Piano Instructor

    Frank has been a professional actor and singer for more than 25 years, and is in his 14th year at Cynthia's. Frank received his B.A. in Theater from the University of Pittsburgh, and since then he has performed for nearly every local revue producer, including the late Don Brockett, Bob McCully, Winnie Flynn, and John Holt. Frank has performed in shows at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, the CLO, and the West Virginia Public Theater. He also has appeared in the movie The Silence of the Lambs and in many local and national commercials for companies such as West Penn Power and Eat'n Park. Besides teaching at Cynthia's, Frank has taught voice for Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Drama Program.

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  • Jenny Gross

    Dance Instructor

    Jenny, in her 11th year at Cynthia's, has been actively involved in dance all her life. As a student of dance in Erie, PA, she developed strong technique in tap, ballet, and jazz. Jenny continued taking lessons and taught dance at Westminster College where she was a member of the dance company and majored in Public Relations. Jenny is thrilled to continue sharing her love of dance with her students. When Jenny is not dancing, she is the Marketing Director for Steelcoast Creative. Jenny has a beautiful daughter Meredith.

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  • Nicole Glasbergen

    Dance Instructor and Modeling Coach

    Nicole recently returned to Cynthia's after working as a professional model and dancer in New York City and Philadelphia. This is her 6th year of teaching dance at Cynthia's. Nicole has modeled professionally in Japan, graced the cover of several magazines, and has been a spokesmodel for many Fortune 500 companies. Nicole is an accomplished dancer and a former Pitt Golden Girl.

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  • Nicole Zangaro

    Dance and Gymnastics Instructor

    Nicole joined Cynthia's in December 2007. She is a graduate of Duquesne University and was captain of the Dukettes Dance Team. Nicole performed professionally in Pittsburgh with Kaufmann's Department Stores at the Waterfront Grand Opening celebration and in the Celebrate the Season Parade. She has choreographed dances for groups performing at the Byham Theater and in the Celebrate the Season Parade. Nicole is excited to pass on her talents to the next generation of dancers.

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  • Kayla Connelly

    Dance Instructor

    Kayla has been a student at Cynthia's for 16 years and an assistant teacher for the past five years. She went to Fox Chapel High School and was the captain of the cheerleading squad. She now attends LaRoche college. Kayla loves teaching young children and plans to become an elementary school teacher. She can be seen on Channel 11 in a commercial with John Fedko. Kayla has won many awards at dance competitions and has performed at the Hard Rock Café, Kennywood Park, Idlewild Park, and many other areas in Pittsburgh.

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  • Sarah Fadok

    Dance Instructor

    Sarah started dancing at Cynthia's when she was 2. Her skills she gained from the studio helped get her accepted to Pittsburgh's High School of The Creative & Performing Arts (CAPA). In her four years at CAPA she was lucky enough to learn from dancers from the entire world. She now is attending CCAC for a two year program for computer information technology. She is extremely grateful to pass on her knowledge and passion to a new generation of dancers.

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  • Renee Smith

    Dance Instructor

    Renee Smith is a native of Columbus, Ohio where she began her dance training at the Columbus DanceArts Academy. Upon her High School graduation she continued her dance education at the Conservatory of the Performing Arts of Point Park University where she received her BFA in Dance with a concentration in jazz. While at Point Park, Renee worked with many choreographers and faculty members including Jason McDole, Kiesha Lalame-White, Doug Bentz, Judith Leifer, Heidi Latsky, Brenda Buffalino, and several others. Since graduation, Renee has danced as the lead dancer in several shows by Latshaw Productions and was a featured dancer in Frank Ferraro's contemporary opera (gravity & grace). She is currently a company member of the Staycee Pearl Dance Project and is choreographing for several upcoming dance festivals. Renee has been with Cynthias School of Dance since January of 2009. She believes in the power of art and knowledge and the happiness dance can spread in the hearts of children.

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  • Alex

    Dance Instructor

    Joined Cynthia's in Sept. 2009. He is a High School Senior at North Allegheny. He is teaching the breakdancing class.

     

     

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  • Mary Furey

    Dance Instructor

    Mary Furey graduated with a BA in dance from Point Park University in May of 2009. Prior to that she danced with several notable dance instructors in the New York City area. She has performed with the Joffrey Ballet School, Point Park's Playhouse Dance Company and has done performances at various dance competitions throughout the country. She also spends her time judging various competitions throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

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  • Katie Rose McLaughlin O'Neil

    Dance Instructor

    Katie Rose McLaughlin O'Neil was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She trained at Ballet Arts Minnesota under the direction of Bonnie Mathis. There she had the opportunity to perform with the James Sewell Ballet. Upon graduation from high school she moved to New York City to train at the Joffrey Ballet School. After two years she returned to Minneapolis and began her modern dance training at the University of Minnesota, and to teach ballet at several dance schools around the city. She has been a professional dancer and actor for five years now, performing with such notables as Anna Marie Shogren, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Redmoon Theater, and is a founding member of both Lamb Lays with Lion and kite&mountain theatre companies.

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  • Jeff Shade

    Guest Choreographer

    Jeff periodically comes to Cynthia's to lead workshops and teach our students. Jeff was mentored by Bob Fosse and has danced on Broadway in Fosse's Sweet Charity, Teddy & Alice, and Chicago (where he was the dance captain for the Broadway and national tours). He is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, and director. Jeff and Cindy have been friends for many years and plan to author articles addressing dance education. As Jeff says, "Cindy is the Doctor of Dance."

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