SHARON PLESSL SCHOOL OF DANCE

ACHIEVEMENTS OF FACULTY

Miss Sharon Plessl Pongracz - Owner/Artistic Director

Instructor in all dance genres/ Belly Dance/ Ballroom/ Flamenco/ Irish Step Dancing /Wedding Dance Instruction

Sharon started her dancing career at the age of four. As a child, she performed at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City with such celebrities as the Supremes, Glayds Knight and the Pips, Tiny Tim, Steve Lawrence, and more! She appeared on "The Chief Halftown Show" and was a winner on "The Ted Mack Amateur Hour". Sharon also performed in the Poconos, at the Miss Lehigh Valley Pagent, and Fort Dix, New Jersey. She is a lifetime member of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists, Inc. Sharon is the former president of NADAA in New York City and is now the National Vice-President. Miss Sharon is a judge for the Governor School of the Arts. She has taught master classes in New York City; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Morristown, New Jersey and Baltimore, Maryland.  She received her teaching diploma and Extra Curricular Diplomas form the Jay Dash Dance Convention. 

Miss Trisha Pongracz Zehner - Assistant Director

Instructor in all dance genres/ Director & Choreographer of Touring Company and Competitive Teams/ Wedding Dance Instruction

Trisha is a graduate from DeSales University, formally Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance. She is also a graduate of John Casablanca’s Modeling School and Weiss Baron Acting School. Trisha represented her school at the American College Dance Festival Association with her dance “Tangled Mind” which was also performed at the Allentown College Young Choreographer’s Series, as well as the Allentown College Dance Ensemble. She received a Certificate of Merit for outstanding artistic achievement for her choreography of “Tangled Mind.” Trisha received the Jeanne Meixell Award for Dance from Allentown College. Trisha has choreographed for the musicals “Pied Piper,” “Wizard of Oz,” 1999, 2004, “Peter Pan” and “The Velveteen Rabbit.” Trisha has taught at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania Youth Theater, Broughal Middle School, Raub Middle School, South Mountain Middle School, Sheridan Elementary School, City Space Learning Facility, Jefferson and Central Family Centers and has served as the Dance Team Coach for the Muhlenberg College Perkulators. Trisha is a judge for the Governor School of the Arts and the choreographer of the EXCEL Dance Company which has won numerous awards and has performed at Disney World, Great Adventure, Universal Studios, on The Big Red Boat, in the Bahamas, at Hershey Park, Carnegie Hall, 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and other local schools and shows. She has received a Best Choreography Award at the L.V. Dance Challenge and is currently performing as a dancer for the upcoming artist "Jayson".

Miss Courtney Shapley – Instructor Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Ballroom, Choreography, Lyrical, Theater Jazz/ Wedding Dance Instruction/Choreographer of Touring Company and Competitive Teams

Courtney Shapley has been studying modern dance, tap, jazz and ballet since the tender age of 3. In 1994, she was one of a handful of students selected to attend the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts. After Governor’s school, Courtney attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she was able to train with amazing instructors such as LaVaughn Robinson, Faye Snow, Pat Thomas, Ronen Koresh, and Wayne Saint David as well as being a company member of Tap Team II, an innovative Tap company rooted in the traditional hoofing style and directed by Robert F. Burden Jr. She also trained at DeSales University where she had numerous performance opportunities, most notably as the lead dancer in Trisha Pongracz Zehner’s piece “Tangled Mind.” Courtney has choreographed numerous plays and musicals for local theatres in Pennsylvania including The Who's Tommy, A Christmas Carole, Psycho Beach Party, and Everybody's A Somebody, which she also co-directed. No stranger to the stage, Courtney has acted in such productions as The Crucible, Proposals, and Zion, as well as appearing in 3 independent films. She was also the movement instructor at the Civic Theatre School, where she taught musical theatre dance to aspiring actors and dancers age 6 - 18.
Courtney has been teaching professionally since 1997 in the Lehigh Valley, central New Jersey and in the Pacific Northwest. Her choreography has won numerous awards at competitions across the East and West Coasts.

Miss Pam Trone – Instructor Ballet, Pointe, Preschool

Pam has been dancing for over 40 years. She owned and operated Pam's Dance Academy in Emmaus for almost 20 years. During that time, her students performed on Broadway in "Tommy," "Les Miserables," "Beauty & The Beast,” "Annie" and many other Off-Broadway productions. They have also performed on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon as well as, numerous appearances in Disney World, Universal Studios and aboard Carnival and Disney Cruise ships, as well as, Wildwood, NJ, Hershey Park, and Great Adventure. Locally, she has had many students performing with area Nutcracker performances, theater groups and events. Pam has also been a gymnastics and cheerleading coach at every level. Choreography credits include NY Youth Theater, Off-Broadway productions of "Annie Get Your Gun,” "Bye Bye Birdie" and numerous bridal shows in the Lehigh Valley and NJ. She is so happy to have her daughter, Heather and granddaughter, Mackenzie with her at Sharon's where she absolutely loves teaching!

Mr. Gregory Marchetti - Instructor Contemporary,Tap, Irish Step Dancing, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz

Greg began dancing at the age of 5 at the Doris Singers Dance Studio in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. By the age of 15, Greg completed the advanced 5th level of Checce Hi dancing. He then went on to perform for several charities’ such as, “Light the Night” and “Make a Wish.” Greg graduated from the University of Arts. He performed while attending school with renowned modern choreographer Maria Sotto, and with the Martha Graham Dance Company performing “Panorama” at their 100th Anniversary. Greg continues to pursue his love of dance with auditions for several famous dance companies in New York and Philadelphia while continuing to educate children and young adults in the art of dance. Greg is currently traveling around the world and performing on a cruise ship.

Miss Lauren Sadler – Instructor Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical

Lauren is currently attending Cedar Crest College as a dance major. She has been dancing since the age of three. She has studied with various teachers throughout the years. She was the captain of her high school dance team. She was chosen as an all star dancer by the Universal Dance Association, and traveled to Paris to perform. She has done various dance competitions and performed for schools, nursing homes, and the Boscov’s Thanksgiving Parade. She also performed in many plays as a principle dancer.

Miss Daniella DelPizzo – Instructor Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary

Daniella has been dancing since the age of three. She has taken tap, jazz, modern, creative, and ballet classes. She has focused specifically on the classics (modern and ballet). Daniella went to Radomile Academy of Dance for over 15 years. She has danced in the Media Ballet Nutcracker and enjoyed performing in theatrical groups throughout grade school and high school. Daniella recently graduated from DeSales University with a BA in Dance and a minor in Psychology. She has taken many master classes in her years at DeSales, but has most fondly help to restage a Twyla Tharp piece her junior year. Daniella enjoys the family oriented teaching environment at Sharon Plessl and looks forward to more years working with the talented youth and ingenious owners and co-teachers.

Miss Lauren Christman – Instructor Hip Hop,Lyrical, Gymnastics, Jazz,Ballet

Lauren is a graduate of Southern Lehigh High School. She also attended Kutztown University in a partnership program for a year and a half. While in the Southern Lehigh School District, she was a cheerleader for 6 years and was a member of the competition squad as well as captain of the high school’s varsity squad. She also was a gymnast at Parkettes Gym for several years where she acquired her certification. Lauren has been dancing at the Sharon Plessl School of Dance for the past 16 years and has been a member of the Excel Dance Company for 10 years. During this time, she has performed with Excel at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World. She has also performed at Great Adventure, Hershey Park, Mayfair, Musikfest, and The Great Allentown Fair.

Mike has been dancing for many years. His dance styles include hustle, salsa, ballroom, and Latin. His specialty is dancing the hustle. He has won many hustle titles in his dancing career, and is a 2 time World Hustle Dance champion. He will be teaching both private and group hustle classes in the summer and fall.

Miss Heather Cleaver – Instructor Preschool, Gymnastics

Heather has been dancing for over 24 years and teaching for almost 15. She started dancing at her mom, Pam's studio as soon as she could walk. Heather is also a former cheerleader and actress. She appeared as "Annie" in the NY Youth Theatre Off-Broadway production as well as several other appearances with such celebrities as Carol Channing and NSYNC. Heather performed several times in Disney World, Universal Studios, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Wildwood, Great Adventure, Bucks County Playhouse, Cedar Crest College and Broadway Kids Care in NYC. She has also appeared in several National ads where she was a print model. Heather also studied voice and acting in New York City and studied dance at Broadway Dance Center.She is so happy to be teaching and dancing at Sharon's!

Miss Bethanee Fick – Instructor Preschool, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Jazz

Bethanee graduated from William Allen High School in 2009. She has been dancing for 17 years. She trained at Pam’s Dance Academy and at William Allen Dance Academy. She has performed at Disney World, Hershey, and Great Adventure. She is currently studying Dance Education in college.

 Miss Bianca Lee – Instructor Hip Hop, Tap, Irish Step Dancing

Bianca is a graduate of Parkland High School. She has been with the Sharon Plessl School of Dance for 14 years and the Excel Dance Company for 12 years. She has performed at the Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Disney World, Universal Studios, and many other venues.

Miss Keila Lopez – Guest Instructor Contemporary

Keila studied at the Sharon Plessl School of Dance and graduated from the Leigh Valley Charter High School for Performing Arts as a dance major. She has performed at Monsters of Hip Hop where she received a scholarship. Keila has performed with the EXCEL Dance Company, at Great Adventure, Sea World, Hershey Park and Orlando. She was a performer for the Lehigh Valley Lady Outlawz, Dorney Park & Fancy Pants Production Co. She is currently performing with the upcoming artist Jayson & is contracted under Black Purl Entertainment.

Mr. Jayson Pena -Guest Instructor Hip Hop

Every superstar possesses a talent, but beyond their gift some have a story. Emerging R&B POP sensation Jayson Pena has had a compelling ride on his journey to the top. Pena was born in1990 in Harlem, New York. Raised in the Bronx, he developed a love for music and dance through his parents. As far back as you can remember, Jayson has been dancing. Once he found this vocal gift he combined it with dance and began to develop them by performing in talent shows. In his early trials he received a lot of negative attention because people did not believe in his ability to sing. Defying his doubters Pena continued his journey and eventually gained some unparalleled media exposure. His career consisted mostly of backup vocals and dance for groups like “Marcy Place.” The launch to success in Pena’s career came when he became the 5th member of a music group titled “US5’” He was added to the band by winning a German TV show hosted by the pop group. “US5” rose to stardom in Europe with hit singles such as “Maria”, and “Here We Go.” With the band Pena performed in large venues holding crowds of approximately 60,000 fans. Reaching celebrity status in Europe allowed Pena and the group to branch out and gain a following in Canada and Japan. As time moved forward the band grew apart and eventually separated. Now he is preparing for a new life as a solo artist. In his budding solo career, Pena is staying true to his R&B and pop roots. His music and dance are influenced by idols like Michael Jackson, Usher, and Justin Timberlake. He does his own choreography, engineers his music and does much of the writing. Around the age of 18 he started to spend time in music studios around New York. In his short time as a solo artist he has performed at Mayfair, Musikfest, and Croc Rock Café. He has opened for Day 26 and recently performed alongside Bruno Mars in Atlantic City, New Jersey at Paradise Weekend hosted by College Mansion. He will also be performing this August in the Bahamas. For more on Jayson Pena follow him on Twitter under Jaysonmusic or visit his site at www.myspace.com/JaysonmusicLives.

Mr. Scott Crowley -Instructor Street Dance, Boys Only

Bio & Picture Coming Soon