About DEAC!
- Amy Johnston
- Renee Smith
- Jennifer Quolke
- Michael Smalls
- Laura Timens
- Ellen Heimberger
- Guest Teachers
Amy Johnston
Owner, Artistic Director, Instructor, Choreographer
Amy began dancing at the age of 3 and has been teaching for over a decade. Throughout her dancing career, Amy has performed in Pittsburgh festivals and charity performances, Disney World, Michael McPherson's Physical Magic Show, and Idlewild Theme Park. Her studies have taken place at dance centers such as Broadway Dance Center, Steps, the Edge, and the Performance Arts Center. She has also studied with master teachers including Luigi, Phil Black, Frank Hatchett, Steve Sirico, and Angela D'Valda. Amy began her teaching career under the mentoring of Michelle Moore in 1998 for Pittsburgh DancExplosion. Amy became a member of the Pittsburgh DancExplosion LLC and Artistic Director in 2007, Managing Director in the 2009/1010 dance year, and finally owner and director of DancExplosion Art Canter in June of 2010. Amy's students have received honors and awards on regional and national levels. She is a 2001 graduate from LaRoche College with a B.A. in psychology, CPR Certification, and Act 33/34 clearances.
Renee Smith
Instructor and Choreographer
Renee Smith is a native of Columbus, Ohio where she began her dance training at Columbus DanceArts Academy. She recently received her BFA in dance from Point Park University where she performed works by many established choreographers such as Jason McDole, Doug Bentz, Judith Leifer, Kiesha Lalama-White, Ron Tassone, Brenda Buffalino, Heidi Latsky, and Whitney Moncrief. Renee also was awarded a scholarship to the Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago where she trained for 3 months and has participated in Jazz Dance World Congress, RiverNorth Dance Intensive, Columbus Youth Ballet's summer program, and Malashock Dance Company's summer workshop and showcase. She is currently also involved with various dance projects in the Pittsburgh community. Renee loves sharing her passion and knowledge of dance with all ages and levels of dancers and is very excited to be a part of DancExplosion's community of creativity and talent.
Jennifer Quolke
Instructor/Office and Events Coordinator
Jenn began her love of dance at the age of 3 along side Amy. She continued for 17 years studying all forms of dance eventually under the instruction of former owner Michelle Moore. During that time Jenn student instructed, performed in multiple Pittsburgh festivals and at Disney World. She was a regional and national competitor earning overall soloist awards, special recognition and the title of Senior Miss Superstar. Jenn is currently a full time ultrasound technologist which she has made her career for the past 7 years. She is a proud mother of 3 and is extremely grateful to be back in the studio sharing her love of this art to the next generation of dancers. Jenn is CPR certified and has her Child Abuse Clearances.
Michael Smalls
Hip Hop & Tumbling Instructor
Bio to come.
Laura Timens
Instructor & Choreographer
Laura Timens received her early dance training from Shely Pack Dance Studio, Laurel Arts Dance Center, and Dancers' Haven in Somerset County, PA before continuing her study of dance in college. In 2007, Laura earned a BA in Dance from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA and graduated Magna Cum Laude. As a member of the Shenandoah Dance Ensemble she had the opportunity to work with many guest teachers and choreographers including Andy LeBeau, rehearsal director of the Paul Taylor Company and Alberto del Saz, director of the Nikolais/Louis Foundation for Dance. While working with Mr. del Saz, Laura was cast in a reconstruction of Bach Suite, the classic 1956 work of Murray Louis, who personally attended the performance. Laura also attended American Theater Dance Workshop at Hofstra University where she studied under broadway veterans Bill Hastings, Karin Baker, and Elizabeth Parkinson. Laura's professional performance credits include contracts as a dance captain for American Entertainment Productions, a dancer with Carnival Cruise Lines, and a featured dancer in Latshaw Productions' regional tour, As Time Goes By. In 2010, Laura choreographed the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Laura recently completed her MS in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh and is a certified group exercise (ACE) and Pilates (PHI) instructor. Laura is also a member of the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) and believes in promoting scientifically sound dance training techniques and principles. Laura is excited to share her love of health, fitness, and dance with her students here at DEAC!
Ellen Heimberger
Office Assistant, Asst. Costume Stylist, & Instructor
Ellen was born and raised in Pittsburgh. When, at the age of 9 she lost her father, Ellen needed something to throw her feelings and frustrations into. That's when her journey as a dancer began. Ellen began her training at Broadway West in 1992 under the direction of Susan Swanson. In 1994, the studio was purchased by Michelle Moore and renamed Pittsburgh DancExplosion. Ellen's dance training intensified & she spent several summers taking classes in NYC. She studied at Broadway Dance Center and Steps with teachers and choreographers like Frank Hatchet, Phil Black, Joe Tremaine, Gus Giordano, & Suzi Taylor. She even took a few classes with Brooke Shields.
Later, Ellen was selected by the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to travel to Hollywood, FL to be a dancer for the cruise line. Two weeks after the audition, Ellen was blessed with the news that her daughter, Zoey, was on the way! At that point, she decided to put her dance career on hold and start her family.
Ellen's husband encouraged her to follow her dreams of dancing again. She choreographed and danced in a student production at CMU. And now, through a friendship that first blossomed at Pittsburgh DancExplosion, she is back with Miss Amy, teaching and working in the office of DEAC. The studio's owner and her students' talent, heart, and drive are what brought Ellen back "home" again.
Ellen is happily married & raising her daughter Zoey in Bellevue while running her own beauty salon and working with the the young stars of DEAC.
Alyse Keim
Guest Teacher/Choreographer
Alyse began her dance training when she was two at various institutions throughout Pittsburgh, Pa and is going on to her sixth year teaching. She is currently a sophomore at Elon University in North Carolina pursuing a BFA in dance and a BS in Mathematics. She is formally trained in jazz, Ballet, Pointe, lyrical, modern, contemporary, acrobatics, tumbling, hip-hop, tap, and musical theatre styles from renown teachers across the country. In 2008, she was selected to attend Pennsylvania Governor's school for the Arts where she began to explore concert choreography. Since then, she has choreographed for high school musicals, three competitive studios, and for Elon University's annual Danceworks Concert. Most recently, her choreography was selected for the North Carolina Dance Alliance fall conference. As she pursues dance in college, her love for the art only continues to grow and she is thrilled to share this passion and knowledge with the students of DEAC.
Michael Lee
Guest Teacher
Michael Lee is on his way to becoming something great. This Pittsburgh native is a 22 year old dancer musician and producer. Michael began music at the age of 5 playing drums at his grandfather's church. A few short years later he took up the piano furthering his musical abilities. At the age of 11 he sung in the Afro American Music Institute Boy's Choir in which he performed at various events including Spellman College in Atlanta Georgia, Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for a tribute to Harry Belafonte and many others. Michael has also sung with internationally known choir EAYC. Michael began his dancing at a very young age looking up inspirations such as Michael Jackson, Ginuwine and Usher. He has performed at various events with known names such as Wiz Khalifa, Brutha, Pretty Ricky, Status Quo (ABDC) and Super C3rw (ABDC). Michael has just finished doing a World Tour with National Recording Artist T-Pain. He has traveled the world and shared the stage with Kelly Rowland, Flo Rida, Ne-Yo and The Black Eyed Peas just to name a few. Michael recently shot a video for the single "This Instant" by Sophia Fresh which aired on 106&Park in July of 2010 and is on the upcoming soundtrack for Step Up 3D. Michael continues to work diligently at bettering himself and perfecting his craft. He feel this is only achievable through hard work and endless dedication. The quotes he lives by is "If you don't grow, you die"
Jamie Erin Murphy
Guest Teacher
Jamie Erin Murphy, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, moved to Pittsburgh in 2003 to attend Point Park University. After graduating with a BA in dance, Jamie began to pursue her dance and choreography career in the Pittsburgh area. She has performed with Attack Theatre, Knot Dance, Xpressions Contemporary Dance Company, The Pillow Project, The Zany Umbrella Circus and is currently a company member of the Staycee Pearl Dance Project. Recently Jamie has become much more involved with choreography. She has teamed up with artist Frank Ferraro to create such works as [gravity + grace], String of Pearls and soon they will be debuting the live performance and film for Walking. Her work has also been seen at the Three10Moment, the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater's newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival and Next Stage Dance Residency (with co-creator and best friend Renee Danielle Smith) and she also has set works on the Staycee Pearl Dance Project and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School. When Jamie is not performing and choreographing she is happy to be sharing her dance knowledge with her students at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and Dance Alloy. She is also a teaching artist for Gateway to the Arts and Attack Theatre and has taught at the Propel Charter Schools and The Hope Academy. In the Fall she will be heading the modern program at Ballet Western Reserve in Youngstown, Ohio. Jamie is thrilled to be a Guest Teacher at DancExplosion Arts Center!
Staff and Assistants
