Mission Statement
The Pittsburgh Dance Workshop (PDW) is dedicated to uniting and uplifting Pittsburgh’s diverse dance community by providing accessible, high-quality dance experiences for all. Through inclusive classes, professional development opportunities, and performance platforms, PDW connects artists, students, and audiences in a shared celebration of movement, creativity, and community.
Rooted in Community. Driven by Dance.
We believe dance builds bridges. PDW exists to bring together artists, students, and audiences from across Pittsburgh to share in the joy of movement and mutual support.
Everyone deserves access to dance. PDW welcomes individuals of all identities, backgrounds, and experience levels, providing opportunities that are open, affirming, and empowering.
We champion Pittsburgh-based dance artists and educators by providing spaces for high-caliber instruction, exploration, and performance.
PDW is built on the idea that we are stronger together. We foster a supportive atmosphere where dancers and companies collaborate, exchange ideas, and celebrate each other’s work.
Through diverse classes and workshops, PDW nurtures curiosity, challenges dancers to grow, and encourages lifelong engagement with the art of dance.
Our performances and programming spotlight the incredible talent within Pittsburgh’s dance community, raising awareness and appreciation for the artists who call this city home.
Core Values
Meet The Team
Anthony Alterio
Anthony Alterio is on faculty at Ohio University. He works in the School of Dance and the School of Theatre as Assistant Professor of Instruction, Musical Theatre and Dance. Anthony is a native of Pittsburgh, and he began his professional dance training at The University of Colorado-Boulder, where he received a BA double-majoring in Dance and Psychology and went on to attain an MFA in Dance from the University of Michigan. Upon graduation, he has won multiple choreography awards including the Maggie Allesee Choreography award and since has been showing work across the US. Alterio is a member of the Boulder Jazz Dance Company, (formerly Interweave Dance Theatre), the resident company of the Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop.
Aja Pandey
Aja Pandey is a dancer, choreographer, and arts administrator currently based in Chicago, IL. She received her BFA in Dance and minor in Theater Arts in 2021. Her performance credits include performing guest works by choreographers such as Donald C. Shorter Jr, Dale Merrill, Bliss Kohlmyer, and Doug Varone. Aja has also had the opportunity to perform in Anthony Alterio’s work at multiple festivals and critically acclaimed theaters across the east coast in venues like Dixon Place in NYC and Greer Cabaret in Pittsburgh. She has also attended Bates Dance Festival as an Arts Administration intern for the Summer 2022 season, as well as recently working with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in Chicago, IL as their Marketing Manager for the 2022-2023 season. She recently was a part of Betsy Miller's american / woman project creating a solo set to premier later in 2025.
Kaitlin Flynn Goodwin
Originally from Pittsburgh, Kaitlin received a BFA in Dance from Ohio University. Upon graduation, she worked with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago as a teaching artist while performing with Project Bound Dance, Core Project Chicago, and Christine Hands. Zigging and zagging between Chicago and Pittsburgh over the last ten years, Kaitlin has led dance programming for many organizations including Attack Theatre, Chicago Public Schools, Design Dance, JCC Pittsburgh, Morton Grove Park District, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Point Park University, on faculty at Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter High School, and through her own project, Courdance. Kaitlin’s work has been presented at Ailey Citigroup Theater, Ohio University, Dogtown Dance Theater, Triskelion Arts, and the Carnegie Museum of Art. She was awarded the Keshet Dance + Center for the Arts MakersSpace Experience Residency in Albuquerque and Urbanity Dance's Choreographic Fellowship in Boston. During her time in Pittsburgh, Kaitlin was named one of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s ‘13 Luminaries to Meet in 2020' and was the regional director of NACHMO Pittsburgh for three years. In 2021, she completed an Artists in Health Certificate Training for Teaching Artists through Penn State University’s Milton S Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine. Kaitlin currently collaborates with GRIT dance. Outside of the dance world, she leads fundraising efforts for forest kindergartens and spends time with her 5-year-old.
Abby Bowman
Abby Bowman graduated from Ohio University with a Master of Arts Administration (MAA) degree, focusing on Community Dance, in August 2024. She previously earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance Performance and Choreography, along with a certificate in Social Media, in Spring 2023. During her time at Ohio University, Abby performed in works by Anthony Alterio, Dr. Christi Camper Moore, Amy Miller (of Gibney Dance in New York), the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and several student choreographers. In 2023, she performed Dr. Camper Moore’s piece at the American College Dance Association’s East Regional Conference. Upon graduating in 2024, Abby completed a professional internship in the arts with the Lancaster Festival. She also has extensive experience in production work across venues such as the Shirley Wimmer Dance Theater, Templeton Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium, and the Lancaster Festival.
