Faculty Bios

Erin Stover
Erin Stover has over 21 year of dance training, experience, and expertise to offer. Her background includes classical ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, cheerleading, and partnering.

She began her training at age 4 at the Darla Kash School of dance in Charleroi, PA. At age 10 she joined the Mon Valley Dance Academy under the direction of Dr. Richard Helldobler. In 1996 Erin was selected to perform in Orlando, Florida during the half time show at the Citrus Bowl. During this time Erin danced numerous roles in The Nutcracker at California University along side Andrew Drost - Miami City Ballet Company Member.

Erin attended La Roche College where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in performing arts with an emphasis in classical ballet and a minor in business management. While attending La Roche Erin trained under Ken Nickel, Gerard W. Holt, and Elizabeth Mackin - all former Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Company Members. At La Roche Erin performed with the Buffalo City Ballet Company and the Dance Conservatory. Erin was showcased annually in The Nutcracker; roles include Spanish, Snow, Lead Merlitons, Chinese, and Waltz of the Flowers. Erin has also performed in Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake, and Coppelia. While at La Roche Erin also gained experience in musical theatre, kinesiology, nutrition, and anatomy. In 2001, Erin danced in a benefit for the firefighters of 9-11 under the direction of Ken Nickel, an accomplished artistic director and former Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Company Member.

After pursing her degree Erin began teaching full-time in Pittsburgh. With Students ranging from 3 to 18 years of age, her versatility as a dance teacher can be seen in her choreography that ranges from classical ballet and lyrical to jazz and hip hop in both solo and group performances. Her work is held in high esteem because of her expert eye for technique and meticulous attention to detail. Erin is currently the Artistic Director for the Perrysville after school program. Here she directs and choreographs annual performances. In 2005, Erin choreographed a number of dances that were performed in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Here her students also partook in Disney’s own Magic Music Days Work Shops. Erin has also been a member of the NDEO (Nation Dance Education Organization) for the past 3 years.

Currently, Erin also works with Art Stone Company as a coordinator for its nationally acclaimed “International Dance Challenge,” which travels to many cities a year.
Erin plans to continue to use her abilities to provide artistic educational opportunities for today’s youth.

 

Jennifer Vrabel
Jennifer began training in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she formed a foundation in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and modern dance. Jennifer then pursued her classical ballet training at Point Park University. To further her education, she joined the Performing Arts Department at La Roche College. Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in performing arts with an emphasis in classical ballet and a minor in business management. While attending at La Roche, Jennifer had the opportunity to perform with the Buffalo City Ballet , where she was featured in ballets such as Cinderella, Giselle, and The Nutcracker and is also accredited internationally for her performance in Les Grande Ballet De Haiti. Some other favorites have been her roles in Coppelia and Raymonda. Jennifer also gained a background in kinesiology, dance pedagogy, musical theater and nutrition. Jennifer taught for the La Roche College Children's Conservatory and the Challenge Program, an after school elementary dance program. Jennifer is a challenging teacher that demands correct technique in all of her classes. She has choreographed numerous production pieces and new works, rehearsed and encouraged her students while advising young dancers on individual career paths. Jennifer is a member of the NDEO (National Dance Educators Organization). Jennifer is committed to maintaining her emphasis on building strong technical dancers who are prepared to meet the challenges of the ever-changing dance world. 

 

 

Sean Burke
Sean, began his training 16 years ago at the Marie Lynn Dance Center under the direction of Marie Lynn Varchulik and Mark Marino. Here Sean studied classical ballet, jazz, lyrical, and acro. Sean went on to win many prestigious titles including Teen Mr. Dance Pennsylvania and Mr. Dance U.S.A. Sean's professional career started when he was just 18. Since then he has danced around the world on several major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Crystal Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruise Line. He has also been a featured dancer in New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Sean has taught Master Classes at the Broadway Dance Center, Steps, The Edge, and Backstage. Sean and his choreography has been featured in many major productions including; Barry Manilow's Copacabana, The Carolina Opry, and the longest running show in Vegas to date, Les Folies Bergere. Sean's work is held to the highest regard, and he has won numerous awards on a national an regional level. Sean has an extensive resume’ and has danced all over the world. He is highly skilled and trained in acro, power tumbling, adagio, jazz, and lyrical. With everything Mr. Sean Burke has to offer, he is truly an asset to the North Pittsburgh Dance Academy.