About Us...
Company History
Melissa Nemetz Costa has a B.A. in Dance from Point Park College, one of the foremost programs in the country. She has been Artistic Director of the studio for 15 years overseeing all aspects of the curriculum including all original pieces/dances custom choreographed to fit the skill level of the class/solo. Melissa Nemetz has taught in many settings and many levels. She was hired by Pittsburgh Public School system to conceive an elementary school dance curriculum that is still used today. She taught at West View Elementary School after school program for five years and is current instructor of Bradfordwoods Elementary after School program. Melissa pioneered the “Dance for Daycare Outreach Program,” the concept of integrating dance classes in daycare settings teaching at many local facilities throughout Pittsburgh. She has choreographed high school musicals including ‘Grease’ and ‘Sweet Charity’ and directed majorette and used drill teams at the high school level. Melissa attends continuing education conventions in Florida and New York and performs in front of hundreds at Walt Disney World, Florida.
One goal we set long ago was to expose every student to the art, no matter what the talent, each received his or her fair share of praise and glory. As we did this we have been pleased by the outcome. What talent surfaces if given the chance!!! In this industry it is a difficult balance we have to maintain. The nature of the business is external beauty, because it is “visual art”, but we are dealing with children. We have to preserve the art while bringing out the inner beauty and expression. We do have a show to put on at the end of the year, but we take the conservative approach, a celebration of their talent and achievements.
Dancing will help educate the whole child and stimulate sleeping talents; it will work both physical and mental skills. It will do nothing but enhance their lives and make them fuller, richer. We have stuck to our convictions the past fifteen years, and have turned out some remarkable dancers. We have also turned out some well-rounded, high achieving, self respecting “thinkers” too. We have become a good place in the community. In the next fifteen years, we intend to reach out even more. We will continue to do good things, and use the dance as a tool to do just that.
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