Cathy Acerba

Cathy has owned and directed Dancexpress since 1992. She has danced and competed nationally in Las Vegas and New York. In 1990, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from West Chester University where she also minored in psychology and spanish. She has brought many dancers over the years to regional competitions, workshops, and showcases. Cathy also is in charge of the group "Showstoppers" who dance locally at nursing homes and community events. She continues to train and take class from the leading dancers and choreographers in the industry today.

Marla Kaine

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Marla began her ballet training at 3 years of age. At age 10 she began studying the Vaganova syllabus under John White and Margarita de Saa at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, and furthered her training through summer programs at the Joffrey Ballet in NYC where she received full scholarships. As a professional dancer Marla has worked with the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Opus 1 Contemporary, Atlanta Ballet, and from 1995 - 2000 as a guest artist with Pennsylvania Ballet. She had the honor of performing with the Pa. Ballet at a national Balanchine Celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Marla has been teaching at Dancexpress since 1996.

Melissa Lebano

Melissa has been dancing since the age of 4. She was trained at Debbie Apalucci's Touch of Class where she also taught for 6 years. She was involved in their production of The Nutcracker and their traveling group Dancertainers. Melissa has competed in national competitions which were held in Orlando, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City. She has also performed at Disney's Magic Kingdom and Epcot while in Florida for competition. She has attended many workshops taught by Joe Lanteri and Frank Hatchett. She has performed during halftime at a 76ers game and at a Phillies game. Melissa was on the Philadelphia Kixx dance team for three years and was captain for two.

Cathy Trainor

Cathy has been with the Dancexpressstaff since 2000. Working as the studio manager, she ensures that every aspect of the studio is run in an efficient and organized manner. She is a dedicated individual who loves her job. Her goal is to promote the growth of Dancexpress.

Grace Bernicker

Grace Bernicker is a singer/actor/dancer who began her dance career at the age of 17. She has been dancing for the past 4 yrs both in Philadelphia and New York. She began studying ballet at Symmetry Dance Wellness in Philadelphia with Kip Martin, who she continues to study with today. After high school she moved to NYC to attend the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute completing their one year professional actor training program. While in NYC she continued to study ballet and jazz at Broadway Dance Center and The New Dance Group. She had the privilege of making her NY debut in the Off-Off Broadway World Premier of The Judas Tree as a member of the Chorus Corpus Flora. She has performed in various cabarets/singer showcases both in NY and PA and currently hosts and produces Musical Theatre Open Mic Night at Milkboy Coffee (Ardmore,PA). Grace currently goes to Temple University where she's majoring in communications. She hopes to continue working as a performer in Philly and is very excited to be teaching at Dancexpress!!

Kim Fynes

Kim Fynes began dancing at the age of 3. Her training includes Jazz, Tap, and Ballet. Kim joined Dancexpress in 2004 after returning from College. She attended Loyola College in Maryland where she was a member of the Dance Team that performed at halftime for basketball games as well as many other events. The Team also competed in Disney World. Becoming a member of the Loyola College Dance Company her Freshman year, she taught jazz in addition to taking several classes and performing in the annual spring show.

Madison Eichert

< p>Madison Eichert has been dancing at Dancexpress since she was 3 years old. After 10 years at Dancexpress she took more classes to work on her technique. These past few years, Madison has participated in many competitions, showcases, and conventions with her fellow dancers. This upcoming year will be her 4th year teaching with Dancexpress. She takes ballet, tap, and jazz. Madison enjoys the "family feel" of the studio and loves to be there. In her 13 years of being there, it has all been a learning experience she'll never forget.

Maggie Arko

Maggie Arko has been dancing since she was three years old at Dancexpress and she hasn't left yet. With fourteen years of dancing, Maggie has continued to take many classes at Dancexpress, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and hip hop. She attends many workshops, including NYCDA and The Pulse annually. Maggie has performed in multiple competitions and showcases, including Dynamite and The Pulse Showcase. She is also a member of the Lower Merion Dance Team. Maggie is a junior at Lower Merion High School, and is in her fourth year of teaching at Dancexpress. Trained by Cathy Acerba and Marla Maes, she has taught ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. She loves Dancexpress and is so excited to be a part of it's wonderful community!

Sarah Zimmerman

Sarah has been dancing at Dancexpress since the tender age of three. She has taken tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, and modern. A junior at Lower Merion High School, Sarah is a part of their dance team. Her favorite recital dance to date has been Ease On Down The Road, circa 2002. Sarah spent six months in Ghana, taking jazz and hip-hop at Pippa's Gym and taking part in the Mandy Fouracre Dance Academy awards, in accordance with the Royal Academy of Dance examinations. She loves teaching, and is so happy to be part of the Dancexpress family!

Shelly Carstensen

Shelly Carstensen graduated from Neumann College magma cum laude with a B.A. in Elementary and Early childhood Education. She has been teaching at Dancexpress since 2002. She teaches 3, 4, and 5 year olds, 2nd year jazz and special needs jazz. She earned her certification in special education in June of 2007 from Immaculata University. She is currently an in a graduate program through Wilkes University.

Tammy Turberville

Tammy Turberville's love of dance began at the age of three when she began her training at Touch of Class dance studio where she was a student for over 15 years. She began competing at the local and national levels in Jazz and Tap, and as a teenager was selected to dance for Maurice Hines' "Celebration of Tap Dance" in Philadelphia. Tammy went on to teach for TOC as well as for Plymouth and Haverford's Recreation Departments. Tammy lives in Media with her husband and two children and continues to take classes locally and at Broadway Dance Center in New York City.