Katie is so excited to embark on this new journey!  She grew up in Texas where she began dancing at the age of 5 at Patty Harper Dance Studio in Abilene, TX.  There she was introduced to the many styles of dance and her passion for dance sparked!  At the age of 16 she began teaching at Patty Harper Dance Studio.

After high school, she attended Texas A&M University where she received her B.S in Health all while still taking dance courses through the university as well as at a local dance studio.  After graduation from Texas A&M University in 2001 she moved to Houston, where she began teaching at Robin's Dance Studio in Missouri City, TX.  There, she choreographed and attended conventions and competitions with the dance company.
 
In 2010, her family moved to Bucks County, PA and beginning in 2012, she began teaching for Toni Schwartz Studio of Dance where she has taught for 5 years and has received many accolades for her choreography.  Some other awards included judges awards and top scoring awards for age groups.  In the summer of 2019, she attended the Dance Life Teacher Conference in Atlantic City and is excited to be attending again in the summer of 2021.  Since dance is always evolving, Katie believes ongoing dance education is important for her as well as her staff.  
 
She can't wait to continue to share with her students the love and passion she has for the art.  Katie lives in Yardley with her husband, Jared and 2 kids, Addison (who dances) and Marshall (who likes baseball and golf).
 

Michelle’s love of dance began when she was just a toddler.  Taking classes in ballet, tap, and jazz, she quickly felt her passion for performing on stage!  Michelle further developed her dedication to the arts as a member of the Drama Club and Cheerleading Squad throughout high school and college.  After graduating from Lock Haven University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, Michelle explored the world of dance as a performer with the Trenton Shooting Stars Dance Team and a party motivator for Cutting Edge Entertainment.  While obtaining her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Michelle returned to study dance under Toni Schwartz, where she soon became an Instructor.  Her love and devotion for helping children excel and strive to be their best have led Michelle to becoming an award-winning Dance Competition Team Choreographer.  Michelle’s knowledge, creativity, and passion for dance are evident in every class she teaches, and she looks forward to the opportunity to share her excitement with her students! 
 
Michelle resides in Bristol Borough with her fur baby, Stella, and she is entering her 26th year as a math teacher at her alma mater, Bristol High School.

Teena started dancing at the age of 3 where she fell in love with ballet.  She continued training through many styles of dance with Knecht Dance Academy.  She performed in many shows growing up such as the Nutcracker and Swan Lake.  Teena also began competing at the age of 5 until graduating high school.  She taught competitive and recreational gymnastics for 9 years at Bensalem School of Gymnastics.  She was a major contributor to Toni Schwartz Studio of Dance where she taught many styles of dance as well as a competitive team.  

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Teena is excited about continuing her love of dance with more students at Katie's Dance Academy.  She lives in Philadelphia with her husband Chuck, and 2 girls Kendra and Raegan.

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Kali is a New Jersey native who fell in love with dance at the age of three. Growing up, she continued exploring dance at local dance studios and intensives along the jersey shore. She eventually decided to pursue her passion for dance and movement in Philadelphia at the University of the Arts, under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield.

At UArts, Kali had the honor of performing works by various guest artists and faculty members including; Katie Swords Thurman, Jesse Zaritt, Sidra Bell, Thomas White, Teddy Tedholm and Bobbi Jene Smith. During the summer of 2018, she had the opportunity to perform as a dance extra in the film entitled, AVIVA, directed by Boaz Yakin and choreographed by Bobbi Jene Smith.

Following her graduation from UArts in 2019, Kali had the opportunity to study in Israel with numerous artists and learn repertoire from the widely renowned Batsheva Dance Company.

Now, Kali continues discovering new avenues of moving and emerging herself in a wide variety of dance styles through improvisational practices and other movement techniques. She hopes to keep regenerating her knowledge and admiration for the art of dance and movement research in teaching and performance opportunities for years to come.  

Britney started her dance training at the Blue Bell School of Dance at age 3 where she immediately fell in love with classical ballet. She has studied at the Pennsylvania Performing Arts Academy, the Pennsylvania Classical Ballet, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and she also attended the Lehigh Valley Charter high school for the Performing Arts. She was a guest artist with the Hartford Ballet Company and has performed in Swan Lake, Don Quixote, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Nutcracker, Pas de Quatre and Beauty and The Beast. 

Britney has a bachelors degree in Communications from Temple University. She lives in Bristol Borough with her husband Joe and her daughters Ella and Lucy. She loves to pass down her knowledge of dance to younger generations and make them the strongest dancer and person they can be.

Regina Lucano began her career in the entertainment business as a child. She has been an Actor’s Equity member for well over half her life.  Regina has a B.A. in Musical Theatre from West Chester University. For the last 10 years, Regina has been the choreographer for Holy Family Regional Catholic School’s annual spring musicals, as well as Director for the last 2. She has worked with over 200 children each year from grades 1-8 in voice, acting, and dance. She is thrilled to share her love of theatre with her students. 

Regina is married and resides in Fairless Hills with her 3 children Bella, Olivia, and Alexander.

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Allison’s love of dance started at age 3 taking classes at Eileen’s Dance Academy. She took classes in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Pointe. She continued to learn new dance skills and baton with Expectations Baton and Dance group until Collegiate level. She was the feature twirler for Conwell-Egan Catholic high school. Allison received private instruction in modeling and has won several regional and national twirling and modeling awards. She graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a minor in Early Childhood Education. She is currently completing an Associates in Psychology at BCCC. Allison is a district substitute teacher for Bristol Township School District.  She has taught beginner classes at Toni Schwartz since 2018. Her passion of dance and love of children shines through in her classes. She is dedicated, meticulous, and driven to help her students achieve their full potential. 

Allison resides in Levittown with her loving husband, Brian and three beautiful children Allyssa, Madison, and Timothy. 

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Becca has been dancing for over 10 years and has been teaching for 6 years. She started dancing at Toni Schwartz Studio Of Dance when she was a little girl. She has trained in all styles of dance. She has experience with taking classes at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. I was on the dance team and traveled to perform. Teaching has become a big part of her dance career and and is excited to continue sharing her experiences and knowledge with her students.

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Trudy graduated with a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education from Trenton State College (now T.C.N.J.).

She taught Health and Physical Education at St. Anthony's High School (now Trenton Catholic Academy) as well as coached JV girls softball and began a gymnastics club.  She has taught 3 & 4 yr olds at Magic Cottage Nursery, The Nursery center and then at Bensalem Christian Day School for 10 years.  She then accepted a Gymnastics Instructor position at Bensalem School of Gymnastics where she worked for 19 years with 18 mo - 7 year old gymnasts. 

She currently lives in Bensalem with her husband, Ken.  She enjoys spending time with her 3 grown children, their spouses and her 6 grandkids!

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Kyla Young is a recent graduate of Neshaminy High School Class of 2021. She began dancing at the young age of 2 and has been dancing competitively with her teams for the last eight years. Kyla is an award winning soloist and duettist who has participated in numerous conventions and competitions where she has won special judges awards and overall awards for her electrifying performances. Kyla has been trained in all styles of dance including hip hop, jazz, tap, contemporary, tumbling and ballet. She has participated in classes at Broadway Dance Center in NYC and  had the honor of tapping on stage for 2 years with Philadelphia’s finest tappers in UCTT performances. Dancing is a huge part of Kyla’s life and she is so excited to share her joy for dance and inspire young dancers!

Toni has spent her life dancing at the Pennsylvania Ballet in Philadelphia, Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City, along with countless conventions around the country.  She taught for many dance studios throughout Bucks County, at the convention level, and was the Owner/Operator/Director of Toni Schwartz Studio of Dance for 31 years.  Formerly Miss Dance of Pennsylvania, Toni was 1st runner-up to Miss Bucks County, winning the “Most Talented” contestant along with having done some runway modeling.  She is employed with the Pennsbury School District and is the “Gigi” to five grandchildren.  Toni will return to teaching at Katie’s Dance Academy this upcoming September, 2022.

Maddie McDevitt has been dancing since she was 3 years old.  She is on our competitive dance team where she has received overall placements as well as judges awards.  She currently trains in all styles of dance, but her favorites are ballet and contemporary.  When Maddie is not teaching, taking dance classes or enjoying her Senior year at Pennsbury High School, she enjoys spending time with her 8 pets at her home!  Maddie cannot wait for this opportunity to share her love of Ballet with her students!