Meet the FAculty
Alexis Rae DeSabatine: Owner, Director, & Teacher
Owner and Director, Miss Alexis a 2013 Point Park University Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. She began her passion of dancing at age 2 1/2, under the direction of Christine Haynick. By the age of 10, Alexis began dancing competitively in the Pittsburgh and Ohio area. As a young dancer, Alexis was trained in Cecchetti Ballet. She passed her exams in grades one, two, three, and four. Throughout her teen years, she attended numerous conventions and workshops with inspiring choreographers - Mia Micheals, Travis Wall, Tabitha and Napoleon, Mandy Moore, Sonya, Dee Caspary, and more.
By the time Alexis reached high school, dancing was more than just a hobby. She began training intensively 6 days a week pre-professionally at Point Park University, competitively at Studio G Dance Centre, and taking private ballet and pointe classes off of the greatest mentor ever, Mr. Tom O’Steen.
After graduating from Franklin Regional in 2009, Alexis attended Point Park University majoring in dance with a minor degree in business. While in college, Miss Alexis began teaching at several local dance studios as well as performing with Madhouse Productions, Latshaw Productions, and more. Once graduating in 2013, Alexis became more passionate about teaching and choreographing rather than performing. In the summer of 2013 she opened her dream “DeStella Dance Centre.”
Currently, Miss Alexis is in her seventh year of business and is the head director of the DDC Competitive Company. She has been teaching dance for over 10 years. Miss Alexis is also a proud member of Dance Educators of America. Miss Alexis teaches and choreographs every style of dance to all ages in both competitive and recreational classes.
Over the past 9 years, the DDC competitive company has traveled to local and national competitions winning Miss Alexis’s choreography numerous awards - overall high scores, special awards, choreography, technique, costumes, and entertainment. Several of the DDC company dancers have won regional and national title awards, they have been recognized by talent scouts, and have won several scholarships at conventions and competitions.
Miss Alexis’s most memorable and proud memories as a teacher, choreographer, and studio owner is attending the “ SDA World Dance Championship,” in Meadowlands, New Jersey in August of 2016, 2019 and 2021, along with winning the prestigious “Primetime Presidential Cup.” This year her favorite memory is attending “The Power of Dance,” and donating all entry fees and awards to “Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,” for one of her own company kids - Kyla Cerminiara who is a type 1 diabetic.
You can find Miss Alexis teaching all company and several recreation classes this season!
By the time Alexis reached high school, dancing was more than just a hobby. She began training intensively 6 days a week pre-professionally at Point Park University, competitively at Studio G Dance Centre, and taking private ballet and pointe classes off of the greatest mentor ever, Mr. Tom O’Steen.
After graduating from Franklin Regional in 2009, Alexis attended Point Park University majoring in dance with a minor degree in business. While in college, Miss Alexis began teaching at several local dance studios as well as performing with Madhouse Productions, Latshaw Productions, and more. Once graduating in 2013, Alexis became more passionate about teaching and choreographing rather than performing. In the summer of 2013 she opened her dream “DeStella Dance Centre.”
Currently, Miss Alexis is in her seventh year of business and is the head director of the DDC Competitive Company. She has been teaching dance for over 10 years. Miss Alexis is also a proud member of Dance Educators of America. Miss Alexis teaches and choreographs every style of dance to all ages in both competitive and recreational classes.
Over the past 9 years, the DDC competitive company has traveled to local and national competitions winning Miss Alexis’s choreography numerous awards - overall high scores, special awards, choreography, technique, costumes, and entertainment. Several of the DDC company dancers have won regional and national title awards, they have been recognized by talent scouts, and have won several scholarships at conventions and competitions.
Miss Alexis’s most memorable and proud memories as a teacher, choreographer, and studio owner is attending the “ SDA World Dance Championship,” in Meadowlands, New Jersey in August of 2016, 2019 and 2021, along with winning the prestigious “Primetime Presidential Cup.” This year her favorite memory is attending “The Power of Dance,” and donating all entry fees and awards to “Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,” for one of her own company kids - Kyla Cerminiara who is a type 1 diabetic.
You can find Miss Alexis teaching all company and several recreation classes this season!
Katie Kelly: Teacher
A 2009 graduate of Slippery Rock University with a BA in Dance, Katie was an active member of the Dance Express Dance Team and Rock Dance Company. She was also chosen to represent SRU at the American College Dance Festival and perform repertory work with River North Chicago Dance Co. and Doug Varone.
After college, Katie toured the US with The Latshaw Pops Orchestra for 6 years as a featured dancer and later as their choreographer. Katie is currently Assistant Director/ choreographer of Larry Cervi's East End Kids and has been the choreographer for Gateway High School’s Musical for the past 4 years. She has also choreographed locally for Penn-Trafford High School and The University of Pittsburgh. Katie is also an independent costume designer/seamstress for her company, Katie Kat Designs, and has made award- winning costumes for various local competitive dance studios, Slippery Rock University, Point Park University, Latshaw Productions, East End Kids, Gateway High School Marching Band/ Winter guard and Baldwin High School Marching Band |
Caroline Kerestes: Teacher
Caroline Kerestes has been dancing since the age of four. She is primarily trained in tap, jazz, modern, and pom poms. In sixth grade, she became a student helper at her dance studio. She continued for nine years to help students ranging from preschool to middle school, until she became a teacher at DeStella Dance Centre. Caroline has been teaching at DeStella Dance Centre for the last eight years and enjoys spreading her passion of dance with her students. She teaches both recreation and company classes!
Caroline graduated from Seton Hill University with a degree in Elementary and Special Education in 2016. She recently graduated from Point Park University with her Master's degree in Secondary Special Education, Grades 7-12. Besides teaching dance, Caroline currently works as a cyber school teacher for middle school, special education students. |
Laura Kerestes: Teacher
Laura Kerestes has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She trained in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical, and modern. When Laura was 14 years old, she became a student assistant for a variety of classes at her studio. It was then she discovered she loved teaching and decided to earn a minor in dance.
During her dance career, Laura has danced in the halftime show for The Harlem Globetrotters, was a featured dancer in both Norwin Theatre Company's production of 42nd Street and Anything Goes, and was a member of Seton Hill University's Dance Spectrum. Laura's choreography can be seen in Patrick Harris's short film, "Murder in the Rink." Laura danced at DeStella Dance Centre during her senior year of high school. This is Laura's third year teaching at DeStella Dance Centre where she teaches a variety of ages and classes. Laura graduated from Seton Hill University with a degree in Elementary and Special Education with a minor in dance. She also holds a Master of Art degree from SHU in Elementary and Middle Level Education. Outside of dance, Laura is an Elementary Learning Support Teacher at Penn-Trafford School District and can be found working the summers at Kennywood Park. |
Brittany Klofta: Teacher
Miss Brittany has been dancing competitively since she was 12 years old and was a graduate from DeStella Dance Center in 2014. Miss Brittany is a 2018 graduate from Marywood university where she graduated with a bachelors degree in art therapy and a minor in dance. During her time at Marywood, Miss Brittany was a member of a pre-professional dance company and did countless performances for the community. Miss Brittany recently graduated from Seton Hill University where she obtained her masters degree in art therapy with a specialization in counseling. Miss Brittany is currently working as a mental health counselor but she still has a passion for dance and is excited for the 2021-2022 dance season!
|
Michele Duckworth: Teacher
Michele is the tumbling teacher here at DeStella Dance Centre. Michele is USAG Certified and has been teaching gymnastics for over 20 years. She has worked at a variety of local gyms over the years and is known for her training and coaching. This is Michele's second year at DeStella Dance Centre.
Ross Ferguson: Business & Accounting Manager
Ross Ferguson (Miss Alexis's uncle) is DeStella Dance Centre's business and accounting manager. He works on advertising, graphics, submitting articles, pictures, and advertisements to the Penn-Franklin. He has a background in business and project management. You can find Uncle Ross helping around the dance studio and supporting DeStella Dance Centre.
Debbie DeSabatine: Staff
Miss Debbie is Miss Alexis's mom, a beloved and retired dance mom. Miss Debbie can be seen helping around the dance studio and at events. You can always find Miss Debbie at every competition cheering loud and proud for her favorite team around, "The DDC Competition Company"