Miss Alexis has been teaching all styles of dance for over 15 years and has owned her own studio, for the last 11 years. Over the past several years, she has won numerous awards for her choreography, including overall high scores, special judge’s awards, technique, and entertainment awards. Her competitive team dancers have won regional and national titles as well as scholarships to conventions and competitions.

Alexis started dancing at the young age of 2 at Christine’s School of Dance. By the age of 10, she was competing attending numerous workshops and conventions to better her training. She trained in Cecchetti Ballet and passed her exams in grades 1-4. She graduated from Point Park University with a Bachelor of Arts in dance in June of 2013.

In July of 2013, Alexis was blessed to make her dream a reality by opening up her studio DeStella Dance Centre.

Currently, Alexis is a member of the Dance Educators of America. She has been the guest judge for East End Kids, Premier Teen Song and Dance Ensemble Try-Outs, Pittsburgh, PA for the past couple of years.

In 2022 and 2023, her competitive dance team were Star Dance Alliance World Dance Champions. Alexis was nominated for Choreography of the Year through Star Dance Alliance 2023. She is also up again this for her choreography collaboration of “True Colors,” alongside Miss Brittany and Miss Haley.

“Although I have many achievements, my proudest accomplishment is watching the growth and development of my dancers year after year.”

Miss Brittany grew up dancing and was DeStella Dance Centre’s first graduating senior in 2014. In high school, Miss Brittany started a dance team at Greensburg Salem High School where she was voted captain.

After graduating high school, Miss Brittany headed to Marywood University where she majored in art therapy and minored in dance. While at college Miss Brittany auditioned and was invited to be part of a pre-professional dance company, Dance Élan. Miss Brittany then returned home to Seton Hill where she obtained a master’s degree in Art therapy with a specialization in counseling and started teaching at DeStella Dance Centre.

Since teaching at DeStella, Miss Brittany has helped choreograph many winning dances that have won entertainment awards and choreography awards. Miss Brittany helped choreograph Mr. 305 and Disco Fever, the two dances that won first place at the World Dance Championship. She is up this year for Choreography of the Year through the Star Dance Alliance for her choreography collaboration of “True Colors.”

Miss Brittany has enjoyed teaching at DeStella Dance Centre and she loves working with all the students and helping them learn and try new things.

Ms. Caroline started dancing at Jean Cooke Dance Studio at the age of four. She is primarily trained in tap, jazz, pom poms, and modern. Caroline became a student helper in sixth grade and continued for nine years to help students ranging from preschool to middle school. She then became a teacher at DeStella Dance Centre and continues to enjoy spreading her passion of dance with her students.

This year, Caroline had the opportunity to choreograph for DeStella’s competitive team. Her proudest accomplishment is winning both a choreography and entertainment award for her tap choreography. Caroline & her partner also won the People’s Choice Award for the 2024 Dancing with the Stars: Export Edition. This is Caroline’s tenth year at DeStella Dance Centre.

Caroline graduated from Seton Hill University with her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education (PK-6) and Special Education (PK-8) in 2016. In 2021, she 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 secondary, special education students.

Miss Haley started dancing at the age of 4. She competitively danced at Abby Lee Dance Company until 11. After that she danced at Dance Expressions By Erica until she was 18. Miss Haley was trained in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, and acro/gymnastics. Her favorite genre of dance is contemporary, she loves telling a story with her movements and facial expressions.

While in high school, Haley joined the Plum Dance team for two years before undergoing a surgery on her right hip labrum her sophomore year. She graduated from Plum Senior High School in 2018. She now works at Artisan Plastic Surgery in Greensburg, Delmont, Fox Chapel and Southside. In addition to helping Dr. Francis Johns on consult days, she is the insurance coordinator for the practice.

2023 marks Haley’s first year teaching at DeStella Dance Centre. She is up for Choreography of the Year through the Star Dance Alliance for her choreography collaboration of “True Colors.”

Miss Kyla is a 2023 graduate of the Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPA 6-12) located in downtown Pittsburgh. She was accepted into CAPA’s Dance department in 2015 after auditioning with a number choreographed by Miss Alexis DeSabatine.

In the next 7 years, Kyla was fortunate to study under the best dance teachers and choreographers, Mr. James Washington Manning, Ms. Greer Reed, Ms. Leslie Anderson-Braswell, Miss Kaylin Horgan, and the well-known Christopher Huggins.

In Kyla’s 9th grade year, she was elected to the National Honor Society of Dance and eventually went on to become the President. During her 11th grade year, Kyla was blessed with the opportunity to be in two prestigious dance pieces under the choreography and leadership of Mr. Christopher Huggins, “Mothers of War,” and “Again I Rise,” under Mr. James Washington Manning. In her senior year, these dances were accepted into the National High School Dance Festival. Kyla was thrilled to be part of NHDSF and was honored to perform and train under well-known artists while meeting other high school dancers from around the United States.

It does not stop there for Miss Kyla; she has been dancing since she was 4 years old. Her love for dance started at “Sherry’s School of Dance,” with her first ever dance teacher being the late Ms. Lori. She started on the competition team at the age of 6 and eventually found her forever home at DeStella Dance Centre, where she competed for 8 years, graduated, and is now teaching dance.

Kyla just completed her first year at Carlow University, where she is working toward her BSN in nursing. When she is not studying and learning, you will find her by Miss Alexis’s side, stoning costumes, running dances, and preparing for competitions. Kyla feels fortunate to be teaching at a place that she has grown up in, learned life lessons, and had support of people who genuinely cared about her. She is thankful and grateful for all her fellow teachers, especially Miss Alexis DeSabatine.

Miss Shannon began dancing at the age of 5 at Janet’s Dance Studio in Irwin. She danced competitively for many years and it led to her teaching dance to younger students and pursuing a dance degree from Slippery Rock University.

She has been teaching dance for over 20 years locally, winning numerous top teacher awards at both the regional and national level. She has also performed in various shows around the greater Pittsburgh Area.

When she is not dancing, Shannon is a teacher for the Kiski Area School District with a Master’s in Education. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, and being in nature.

Mrs. Britne is a proud Pittsburgh native who began her dance career at the age of nine.  Britne danced with a local Pittsburgh studio where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop.  While at the studio she was a member of the award-winning competition dance team along with Miss Alexis.  

Mrs. Britne then taught dance at the studio as well as choreography for Woodland Hills High School Images Marching Band and Winter Guard Team.

Mrs. Britne holds a Bachelor degree from Carlow University in Management in Health Services with a minor in Human Resource Management and Technology and is currently a Sr. Practice Manager with UPMC.  

When Mrs. Britne is not dancing or wearing various managerial hats, you can find her at home with her wonderful husband Rob and very energetic, beautiful son Colton.  

Mrs. Britne is excited to be joining the team at DeStella Dance Centre and is thrilled to share her love and knowledge of dance with the entire DDC family.

Ms. Meghan started dancing at the age of 9 and started competing at the age of 13. She competed for Albright Dance Stars for 2 years in Monroeville and focused her dance studies in the genres of tap, jazz, and lyrical. Meghan transitioned to performing as a member of her high school’s dance team for three years where she served as captain her senior year.

Ms. Meghan has been taking adult dance classes at DeStella for the last three years quickly falling back into the steps she was once familiar with growing up. She has performed in the last two DeStella recitals and has had the opportunity to substitute teach for the studio last year.

Ms. Meghan went to school at Slippery Rock University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has been working as a behavioral health school educator for Allegheny Health Network for the last two and a half years working with high school students.

Kendall, a Pittsburgh native, has been dancing since the age of 3. She participated in many competitions and conventions throughout her time dancing.

Kendall recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University. In her time there, Kendall taught dance classes for children throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Kendall is currently pursuing a Masters Degree at the University of Pittsburgh. She is so excited to join the team this season!