Elisa-Marie Alaio is the studio owner, instructor and company director of Firewall Dance Company in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood. Born and raised in New York, she has been dancing since age 3 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Point Park University. Elisa-Marie then continued her training in Los Angeles and eventually made her way back to the East Coast, calling Pittsburgh her home.

Elisa-Marie told website CanvasRebel, a space for artists to learn from their peers, the following:

"FireWALL stemmed from a young woman with a ton of passion for the arts. I’m a hard worker, I never feel above things and I am very humble and appreciative that my mind and body have taken me this far. I wanted to take my talents and work ethic and put it solely towards something I believed in with my entire heart and soul. I navigated my way to a place where I felt ready to grow on my own terms. The pandemic was certainly the final push I needed to step outside my comfort zone and just do it!"

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Kara grew up training at Ultimate Dance Complex. During high school, she attended Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School where she was educated in many styles of dance including ballet, jazz, modern, and tap. Eager to extend her training to the next level, she attended Point Park University. Kara earned a dance degree with a concentration in modern and graduated Summa Cum Laude in April 2023.

During her time at Point Park, she was able to work closely with Lloyd Culbreath, Maud Arnold, Kiesha Llama, Jesse Factor, and Kiki Lucas. She also worked with Cassidy Noblett, Adam Cates, and Sissa Strain during her training at Commercial Dance Intensive. Kara also had the opportunity to represent the Pittsburgh CLO at the Rock Steelers Style Fashion Show. Since graduation, she has been educating dancers in the Pittsburgh area and traveling with VIP Dance Competition.

In the performing arts world, Alex Isenberg emerges as a multifaceted artist, displaying his versatility as a dancer, actor, choreographer, and creative director! He’s danced with artists such as Madonna, Channing Tatum, Liza Minelli, and Jax, and has appeared on stage or silver screen alongside names like Heather Graham, James Corden, Laverne Cox, and Cheryl Burke. While scrolling the channels or catching up on a show, you may have seen him on Dance Moms or as the spokesperson for the most recent SmileTrain campaign. As a teacher and educator, Alex was taken under the wing of Brian “BT” Thomas (Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, P!nk, Missy Elliot) early in his career, and garnered priceless lessons and mentorship, propelling him into crafting his style of teaching.

Lately, Alex and his wife, Hannah, direct and facilitate a mentorship program that educates, trains, and prepares aspiring young professionals for a career in the arts.

Belle is a versatile performing artist, choreographer and teacher currently based in Chicago. With 20 years of experience in the dance industry. her career has dabbled in both the concert and commercial worlds.

Credits: Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, Banks, Moby, The Voice, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Visceral Dance Chicago, Arrogant Elbow, Chicago Dance Crash, Point Park University

As an educator and mentor, Belle considers herself a true nurturer for the next generation of dancers. Her style blends her technical training with experimental movement and diverse musicality.

Stephanie Jingle is a native of Bellaire, OH. She received her BFA in ballet from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Stephanie also studied at Nashville Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance in Chicago. “Jingle” has danced with Pillow Project Dance Co., worked as a featured dancer on the set of the 2006 film "Step Up," and toured with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines performing with such artist as Marty Thomas and Jennifer Hudson. You can see her in music videos for Telling on Trixie, The Woodpeckers, Hugo, and Tori Green. Living in New York City, Miss Stephanie performed and choreographed for the contemporary dance theater company, The MoveShop. (moveshop.org) She now travels working the dance scene as a full time educator and choreographer. She works both nationally and internationally, most recently at the South African Dance Academy and the International Contemporary Dance Lab in Chelyabinsk, Russia. She has now returned to reside in Pittsburgh permanently and loving getting to know this new dance community.

Kendall Lilley is a Pittsburgh native who has been dancing dancing competitively since 4th grade, training in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and acro. She is currently the head captain of the Ohio University Dance Team. Since becoming a part of the dance team, she has learned a lot about pom and wants to share with others what she wishes she knew before heading into college dance team auditions my senior year of high school to prepare the next generation of collegiate dancers.

Isabella Mangretta is a graduate of Point Park University and alumna of Studio G Dance Center. She has been seen on the lady ships of Virgin Voyages cruise line dancing internationally in countries including Spain, Italy, France and the Caribbean. She currently resides in New York City training in circus, including hand balancing and partner acro. She is thrilled to be visiting her family and teaching in the very place that made her into the dancer and person she is today!

Sammie McGowan began dancing at Larry Cervi’s School of Performing Arts in Pittsburgh at the age of 2. Throughout the years, she has trained in many styles including ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and hip hop. In high school, she was accepted to study at Point Park University and Joffrey Ballet School for the summers, leading her to Point Park’s Pre-professional program her senior year. In 2022, Sammie graduated from James Madison University with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance.

Since then, Sammie has actively been teaching and choreographing dance locally in Pittsburgh. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer that specializes in dancers and Certified in Applied Stretching Theory and Practice. Her mission as a teacher is to provide proper education to dancers with injury prevention at the forefront while maintaining a safe space for individual artistry and exploration.

Matt Saffron is a native of Morgantown, WV and has been dancing since the age of six. He has had extensive training in tap, jazz, and ballet. He won world honors performing in Germany as a member of the 2000 USA Tap Dance Team.

Matt has been a featured dancer and dance captain in productions of Guys and Dolls, Will Rogers Follies, Oklahoma, 42nd Street, Mame, Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie and A Chorus Line. In Montreal, he performed as an original member of Tap’d Out in their premier show. Matt joined the cast of Tap Dogs for their 10th anniversary tour and has since traveled the United States, Mexico and most recently South Africa as part of the cast for the past eight years.

During his off time, Matt teaches and choreographs in the Morgantown, WV, Pittsburgh, PA and upstate NY areas.

Originally from Clearfield, Pa, Trevor received a BA degree in Dance from Mercyhurst University. National Tour Credits: CATS, Beauty and the Beast. TV/Film Credits: ZIPS Dry Cleaners, The Knot, CATS National Tour commercial, “Step Up 3D”, Good Morning America, “Do You Dance, Ms. Parker?” Trevor has worked extensively with Royal Caribbean as a Dancer/Dance Captain (Hairspray, MAMMA MIA), Associate Choreographer (GREASE, Name That Tune), and Director (Bada Bing Bada Boom). He then worked with RWS Entertainment Group in NYC as a Dancer/Dance Captain, Casting Assistant, Associate Choreographer, and Director/Choreographer. Most recently he toured Germany, Switzerland, and Dubai with SweetBird Productions "Rock The Ballet X" and "Romeo and Juliet" as a Dancer/Dance Captain.

Currently, Trevor is a Regional Director/Faculty at REVEL Dance Convention! During the Summer season, he travels to dance studios all across North America as a Guest Choreographer and Teacher. Follow his journey at @trevorsones