Jeanene Jarvie Murphy

Born and raised in Downingtown, Miss Jeanene began dancing at the Lionville School of dance under the direction of her mother, Debbie Jarvie. She later studied with James Jameson and Victor Wesley at the Academy of Dance in Wilmington, Delaware.

At 15, she auditioned for and received a full scholarship to the Boston Ballet summer intensive where she was invited to join the Boston Ballet II, becoming the youngest dancer in the company. This led to a full contract with Boston Ballet I, where Jeanene performed prestigious roles in Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Cinderella, and the infamous Balanchine Ballets. During her time at the Boston Ballet, she also worked with elite contemporary choreographers including Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris, and Bill T. Jones.

In 1993, Jeanene joined the Washington Ballet, where she spent the rest of her professional dance career. That year, the Washington Post dance critic Alan Kriegsman called Jeanene a “Dancer to Keep an Eye On,” describing her as “…a recent arrival from the Boston Ballet, who possesses outstanding finesse and lyrical ardor….” A career highlight with the Washington Ballet was performing for President Clinton and the First Lady at the Kennedy Center. In September 1995, the Washington Post described Jeanene as a “…performer who would grace with honor any major classical troupe in the land,” while the New York Times described her in a 1998 performance as “one of the program’s discoveries…with a tapering, supple torso and the prim but promising look of one of those movie heroines of old who is just about to take off her glasses.”

Having performed on tours in Europe, Asia, South America and South Africa with the Boston Ballet and the Washington Ballet and teaching ballet at studios throughout the Washington DC region, Jeanene taught for the Washington Ballet and at George Mason University following her retirement from professional dancing. In 2003, she and her family returned to Downingtown. She is now the co-director and owner of the Lionville School of Dance.

Sean Murphy

Originally from Arlington, Virginia, Mr. Sean began his career as a performer acting, dancing, and singing in school plays and musicals, eventually becoming an “extra” at the Kennedy Center for operas and other shows.

Everything changed for Sean when an American Ballet Theatre production of Romeo and Juliet ignited his passion for ballet. Kevin McKenzie, then a principal dancer and later the artistic director at ABT, told Sean that he trained at the Washington School of Ballet. Sean went directly to WSB, where he received a full scholarship for their ballet program. He attended summer intensive programs in the Washington DC area and at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He also studied under the direction of Barbara Weisberger at the Carlisle Project, a program devoted to developing promising choreographers in classical ballet. Sean partnered with another student for the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, and was asked to represent the United States at the opening of a new Opera House in Hong Kong.

Sean, after a year and a half of training, auditioned for the Boston Ballet and received a full company contract. Though he loved Boston and met the love of his life, Miss Jeanene, he needed to follow his dreams to join the American Ballet Theatre in New York City. With ABT, Sean toured throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. He returned to The Washington Ballet, where he spent the remainder of his professional dance career with Miss Jeanene.

Career highlights include performing for President George H. W. Bush and the First Lady at the White House and for President Clinton and the First Lady at the Warner Theatre in Washington. Sean has worked with many contemporary choreographers; some of his favorites are Choo San Goh, Graham Lustig, Nils Christie, Rick McCullough, Alonzo King, and Judith Jamison. His 1994 performance in Choo-San Goh’s Birds of Paradise was described as “ingenious and inspired” by dance critic Alan M. Kriegman in the Washington Post.

Sean’s most influential teachers were Lupe Serrano, Kevin McKenzie, Choo San Goh, Bruce Marks, David Howard, and Maggi Black. Among his favorite ballets performed, Romeo and Juliet remain close to his heart, along with Études, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake.

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Katie Feidler

Katie Feidler began her dance training in Delaware at age 3 and later attended the School of First State Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She graduated magna cum laude from Towson University with a B.S. in Dance Management, which gave her the opportunity to perform extensively while also gaining skills in education, business management, and arts administration. Katie expanded her professional training through New York City’s Broadway Dance Center internship program, Dance Place in Washington, and the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Katie is also a judge and faculty member for the International Teacher of Dance Inc. convention. Dedicated to lifelong learning, she is certified to teach Progressing Ballet Technique and is a certified instructor through Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, a program for students with individual learning differences and other special needs. Her love for movement has stretched into fitness as well, recently finding joy in teaching at Pure Barre Media. Katie has taught and choreographed dance regionally for over 20 years, including responsibility for large competition teams, and handling anything from schedule structuring to backstage communication and coordination. She is proud to be completing her 8th year at Lionville School of Dance and is thrilled to take the helm as Dance Team Director!

Katie is a dynamic and specific teacher who builds strong technical and determined dancers. As a result, her students have found great success competitively with her choreography receiving numerous high scores and judges awards. Her work has been showcased at Walt Disney World and on stages throughout the east coast. Katie is filled with pride to see many of her students now pursuing their own successful dance careers. Outside of the studio, she can be found playing with her two sons Sam and Gabe, who constantly keep her on her toes!

Susan Bender

“Miss” Susan Bender has been involved in the wonderful world of dance since the age of three. Throughout her life, she has danced competitively and performed in various venues. Susan has attended many dance workshops and conventions to further her dance career as well as education. This includes classes at BroadwayDance Center, United Dance Educators of America, Danny Hoctor’s Dance Caravan, The Dance Teacher Summit in NYC, and Revel Dance Convention. Susan also has had dance training from such influencers as Frank Hatchett, Charles (Chuck) Kellyand Luigi. Her ballet training stems from The Royal Academy of Dance and the Vaganova method. Susan Attended Point Park University for Dance. She went on to earn her teaching degree in Special Education from West Chester University. At WCU she was involved in the dance company and still performs with the WCU Alumni Dance Chapter. Her love of teaching children and dance were united and has taught Jazz, lyrical, ballet, tap, acro and hip-hop for over 30 years. “Miss” Susan loves sharing her passion for dance and adores being part of childrens' dance experience and education.

Hayley Bono

Hayley Bono began her dance training at Lionville School of Dance, performing in our recitals, nutcracker  and competed on our competition team.  Hayley went on to graduate from Hofstra University with a B.A. in Dance and Journalism.  She danced background for Fetty Wap in 2016 and she toured with “The Summer Love” in 2018.  She loves to choreograph/teach hip hop and contemporary and describes her style as a focus on musicality, creativity and fun!  A couple fun facts about Miss Hayley,  she enjoys iced vanilla lattes and Beyonce music.

Kristina Dennis

Kristina graduated from Cedar Crest College earning a B.A. in Dance, where she performed all four years with the Cedar Crest College Dance Company. She was President of the CCC chapter of Nu Delta Alpha (National Dance Education Honors Society). She also teaches dance classes at the Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance and the Yocum Institute for Arts Education. She is the Body Movement teacher for Yocum’s Preschool Program and a dance instructor for Yocum’s Summer Multi-Arts Camps. She is a resident Teaching Artist at Yocum, which leads her to bring dance into various schools and libraries around Berks County. Through storytelling, drama, creative writing and critical thinking, Kristina promotes literacy with Neighborhood Bridges in Reading School District. Choreography credits include “The Phantom Tollbooth,” “Click Clack Moo,” “Rapunzel, Rapunzel,” and “Peter Pan” (Yocum Institute), “Mary Poppins” (Berks Ballet Theatre), “Wake Up Little Suzie” (Raab Middle School) and she coaches couples for “Dancing with the Reading Stars”. She was last seen performing with Berks Opera Company presents Charles Gounod’s “Faust” (2015).

Mackenzie Holmes

Mackenzie Holmes had a dance costume brought into the delivery room when she was born, and as she likes to say, 'the rest is history!'.  She began her dance training at Lionville School of Dance with a focus in ballet, training under Miss Jeanene and Mister Sean. She spent summers at both the Orlando Ballet and the Sarasota Ballet. She danced soloist roles in Swan Lake and the Nutcracker. Her favorite role was Dew Drop Fairy.  She also studied jazz, tap, lyrical, rhythmic gymnastics, musical theater and hip hop and competed on the LSOD competition team. 

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Mackenzie earned her B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in dance performance from West Chester University training under Gretchen Studlien-Webb, Maria Urrutia, Elizabeth Staruch and Jerzy Golek. She was heavily involved with WCU's University Dance Company where she not only danced, but served as the organization’s treasurer and as a student choreographer. Mackenzie was selected by the company to travel and perform in Costa Rica as a part of the Knowledge Crossing Borders Conference. In addition, she was awarded the Barbara J. Lappano Dance Scholarship and attended/performed at multiple American College Dance Festivals. 

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Mackenzie has been a professional dancer with Contempra Dance Theater for over a decade. Her favorite pieces of repertoire are the Philly Nut Crack Up and Time Dance. 

During the day, Miss Mackenzie is a Senior Marketing Manager at a local Real Estate Development Company. When Mackenzie is not working, dancing or teaching you are likely to find her exercising.  She is passionate about health and fitness and loves sharing her favorite workouts with her students.  Mackenzie has been teaching dance since 2010 and loves sharing her passion for dance and health with her students.

Christine Kusnierczyk

Attended West Chester University as a Physical Fitness Major, dance minor and also received my Associates degree in Business from DCCC.  I have taught at various studios throughout Chester County and Delaware County respectively.  I  have successfully taught competitive dance routines to all age students, scoring Platinum and High Platinum, and Diamond awards through various competition venues such as Imagine, Access Broadway, Edge, NexStar Dance, Starpower, Starquest, Showstoppers, Dynamite, Headliners and Elevate to name a few.  Most recently, my hip hop team placed 1st and received the National Champions 2023 Title at Imagine Nationals in Hershey, PA.

In my spare time, I attend dance teacher conventions such as Monsters of Hip Hop, Jump, and Radix Conventions.  I also love spending time with my family as well as exercising and playing with our 3 Rescue Dogs-Chester, Oakley and Lulu.  I love to travel as well, and on my bucket list are Greece and Ireland.

Kathy Rocca Mallek

Kathy Rocca Mallek is a tap master and award-winning choreographer who has inspired dancers for 30 years. She is the former owner and Director of the Katherine Rocca Performing Arts Company, a professional dance studio in West Orange, NJ. Kathy was a company dance member at Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ, is a certified tap teacher with New Jersey Associated Dance Teachers as well as the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists.  She is active in continuing education with the Big Apple Tap Company, NYC and Tap Ties Tap Company, Allentown, PA. Kathy is an adjudicator for the Elite Dance Challenge Competition based in Rhode Island, has taught master classes for The Shining Crown Competition in Montana, National Association ofDance in NJ and Connecticut and many studios in the NJ area. Since moving to Pennsylvania in 2006, Kathy has taught tap at Lionville School of Dance for 17 years serving as Dance Team Director for 10 years.

Kathy’s training started at a young age at the New Jersey School of Ballet in West Orange, NJ, and her love of tap was inspired by Radio City Hall Rockette, Bette White Fernandez. Growing up near New York City, Kathy had the opportunity to train and study at the Broadway Dance Center attending their teacher training program and summer intensive programs. She feels very fortunate to have taken classes with dance icons Frank Hatchett, Bob Rizzo, Crystal Chapman, Debbie Dee, Shelia Barker, Aaron Tolson, Germaine Salsberg and April Cook.  Kathy has performed with Liza Minelli, The Pointer Sisters, and the Rockette Alumni.

Kathy’s greatest accomplishment is being a mentor to so many aspiring dancers and having the opportunity to share her love of dance with them. Her dance students have gone on to professional careers working on Broadway, Carnival Cruise Line, Azamara Voyages, Hershey Park, Six Flags Great Adventure, Hands Down Tap Company, The Lady Hoofers Tap Company, New York Knicks City Dancers, and many National Touring companies.

Keeley McDermott

Miss Keeley has been dancing since she was three years old.  She has dance training in a variety of styles including - ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, hip hop and musical theatre.  Keeley has performed in yearly recitals, local dance competitions, nationals, Delawareness, and the Nutcracker. She was also a community outreach member of Beat Addicts United, as well as a student teacher.  In addition to competing on LSOD's Dance Team, she was also on the Downingtown Dance Team.  Keeley loves working with her students and sharing her passion for dance!  She is eager to continue to pass along her knowledge to the next generation of dancers! 

Hope Michelle Thomas

Hope Michelle Thomas has a B.F.A in Dance Performance from Towson University. She spent her youth studying at Arabesque Dance Studio and summer intensives with Washington School of Ballet, DC; American Academy of Ballet, NY, Burklyn Ballet Theatre, VT. Professional Dance credits include: Kinetics Dance Theatre (modern) Smithdance (Ballet) West Chester Dance Works (Modern) 

Professional (non-equity) Theatre Credits include: 

West Side Story, Chicago, Cabaret, Dancin', 42nd Street, A Chorus Line & Will Rodgers Follies 

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Her teaching experience began in 1996. She has had teaching experience Arabesque at Dance studio, Nicole Gate Center of performing Arts, Goucher College Summer intensive, Gary Dieter Studio of Dance, the Friends School (Baltimore) Diane Matthews before joining the Lionville School of Dance in 2017. She loves sharing her passion for dance with students of all ages and encourages everyone to find their creative voice.

Maggie Vaccaro

Maggie Vaccaro has over 25 years of dance experience with 10 years of teaching experience. She has studied a variety of styles of dance with emphasis on contemporary, jazz and lyrical. Maggie graduated from DeSales University with a B.A. in Dance. During her college career she studied under renowned teachers such as Timothy Cowart, Tara Madsen-Robbins, Angela Sigley, Janet Peck and Robin Gerchman. Margaret also danced with Monarch Dance Company under Tabatha Robinson-Scott where she performed at shows such as Musikfest. She was selected to be apart of the Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange's residency with Alyce Finwall, a San Francisco based choreographer, as a dancer in "Enter Demeter". Margaret also choreographed many pieces that were presented at DeSales University, which landed her being selected as one of the three choreographers to present work at the Mark Morris school in New York City.

Since she graduated, Margaret has been teaching and choreographing for studios in the greater Philadelphia area, being recognized for her artistry and contemporary choreography at multiple regional and national competitions. This is Margaret's 7th season as a teacher at Lionville School of Dance.

Mary Weese

Mary Weese grew up dancing in the Philadelphia area where she trained at KICKS Academy of Dance in their pre-professional company program. During that time, she competed and performed regionally, attended dance conventions, and gained experience in student teaching and choreography. In 2017, she graduated summa cum laude from West Chester University, earning a B.S. in Mathematics and a minor in Dance. While at WCU, Mary was heavily involved with their University Dance Company, serving as both Vice President and Secretary. Mary was also a student choreographer many times for the company and was able to showcase her choreography twice at the prestigious American College Dance Association conference. While studying dance in college, Mary won multiple scholarships including the WCU Student Research and Creative Activities Award, the Barbara J. Lappano Dance Scholarship, and the Alumni Dance Chapter Choreography Award.

Mary has now been teaching at studios in the local area for over five years and is the director of the competition team at the studio she grew up at. Her pieces that she has choreographed have won numerous overall high scores, choreography, technique, and entertainment awards at regional and national dance competitions. Mary is also proudly a certified Rhythm Works dance instructor where she is trained to teach students with learning disabilities and special needs. Teaching dance and spreading the joy of the dance arts is Mary’s greatest passion in life!

Kate Zangla

Kate Zangla began her dance journey in Pennsylvania at the age of 3. She danced competitively for 15 years and developed her love for the art of jazz & contemporary. Along the way she had many opportunities for self-choreography & assistant teaching both in the studio and convention setting. She then went on to the University of Delaware where she was a board member, choreographer and dancer for the Delaware Repertory Dance Company.

She graduated in 2021 with a B.A. in communications.

During the day, Kate is a Lead Technical Recruiter for a large Talent Acquisition Company and at night she continues to explore her passion of dance.  Outside of work & dance, she spends a lot of time on the Chesapeake Bay with family and friends.