Ballet Contemporary

10:00am-11:20am, Daily

Instructor
Mon/Wed: JoAnna Schmidt
Tues/Thurs: TBD

Jazz

12:00pm-1:20pm, Daily

Instructor
Mon/Wed: TBD
Tues/Thurs: Anthony Alterio

Contemporary/ Modern

2:00pm-3:15pm, Daily

Instructor
Mon/Wed: Ebony Cunningham
Tues/Thurs: TBD

Hip Hop

4:00pm-5:20pm, Daily

Instructor
Mon/Wed: Gretchen Hurd
Tues/Thurs: Chistian Brown (aka Jita)

Exercise + Dance

5:30pm-6:50pm, Mon & Wed

Instructor
Sally Sherman

Musical Theater Dance

5:30pm-6:50pm, Tues & Thurs

Instructor
Nicole Rae Jones

Modern Repertory

5:30pm-7:00pm, Daily

Instructor
Shana Simmons

Includes a performance on Friday

Instructor Biographies

Anthony Alterio

Anthony Alterio is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Musical Theatre and Dance at Ohio University, where he works in both the School of Dance and the School of Theatre. His research delves into how representations of LGBTQIA+ identities in pop culture intersect with academic settings, contributing to broader discussions about self-presentation in dance.

A native of Pittsburgh, Alterio began his professional dance training at the University of Colorado-Boulder, earning a BA double-majoring in Dance and Psychology, and later attained an MFA in Dance from the University of Michigan. Since graduation, Alterio has been recognized with numerous choreography awards, including the Maggie Allesee Choreography Award, and has presented work across the U.S.

He is a proud member of the Boulder Jazz Dance Company (formerly Interweave Dance Theatre), the resident company of the Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop. Alterio serves as Director of the Pittsburgh Dance Workshop, which launched in summer 2025, further connecting and enriching the Pittsburgh dance community.

Ebony Cunningham

Ebony Cunningham is a dance educator and performing artist based in Pittsburgh, PA. With over 17 years of teaching experience, their classes are known for their fluid, grounded, and athletic nature. They have trained in ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance styles. Ebony holds a B.A. in Dance and an MBA in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management from Point Park University. They have taught for various dance programs in the Pittsburgh area, including Point Park University, Millennium Dance Complex Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

As a performer, Ebony danced with Exhalations Dance Theatre and contributed to various independent choreographic projects. Their choreography has been featured in Point Park University's International Summer Dance Program and multiple productions by Exhalations Dance Theatre.

Gretchen Hurd

A native of Brookville, Pennsylvania, Gretchen Hurd received her BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University. As a professional dancer and company member with Laboratory Company Dance (LABCO), August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble, and Dance Alloy Theatre, she performed the work of notable choreographers such as Kyle Abraham, Robert Battle, Nora Chipaumire, Crystal Frazier, Miguel Gutiarez, Christopher Huggins, Kevin Wynn, and Pavel Zustiak. Hurd has also performed as guest artist with STAYCEE PEARL dance project, Gia T. presents, TanzTheatre André Koslowski, and West Virginia Dance Company.

Her choreography has been performed by West Virginia Dance Company, August Wilson Dance Ensemble, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and West Virginia University. Hurd has taught choreography and performance techniques, Hip Hop, Improvisation, Modern, Jazz, social dance, and creative movement to all ages in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

In the past, she was an instructor and adjunct faculty member at Slippery Rock University, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Chatham University. Currently, she is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University, and an instructor at Altered Productions Institute, PK’s School of Dance, and Studio 412. Hurd is also an established photographer specializing in studio dance, performance, and pet photography with Dapper Dewey Photography.

Nicole Rae Jones

Nicole Rae Jones is a choreographer, performer, and dance educator whose work bridges the worlds of concert dance and musical theatre. A graduate of Point Park University, she has worked professionally throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Her performance experience strongly influences her creative approach, blending technical precision with narrative-driven movements to create dynamic storytelling, strong musicality, and stylistic versatility.

Her choreography credits include serving as associate choreographer for the 2022–2023 national tour of Legally Blonde, Midnight Theatricals’ 2024 West End production, the Western Pennsylvania premiere of Alice By Heart, Saint Vincent Summer Theatre's summer stock, and many local theatre productions in the Pittsburgh area. As a performer, Nicole has toured nationally with An American in Paris, Legally Blonde, South Pacific, and Swing! (Norwegian Cruise Lines), often serving as dance captain.

In addition to her creative work, Nicole brings over 13 years of teaching experience and has taught at institutions including Peridance Center in New York City, Mile Square Theatre in New Jersey, American Dance Training Camp, and currently serves on the dance faculty at Seton Hill University.

JoAnna Schmidt

JoAnna Schmidt was born in Eustis, Florida, and received most of her dance training from Vasile Petrutiu, Vladimir Bykov, and Heather Fryxell at Central Florida Ballet, as well as summer intensives with Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Jacob’s Pillow, and Miami City Ballet. She also attended the graduate program of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and was hired into the company in 2012.

Since then, JoAnna has had the pleasure of performing in various roles with the company, including the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, and Cupid in Don Quixote, and many others. She has also performed in works by Jiri Kylian, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Gemma Bond, Jennifer Archibald, Jorma Elo, William Forsythe, and others.

In 2018, JoAnna was commissioned to choreograph her first ballet, for the mainstage of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, called Lightworks. Since then, she has continued to enjoy creating new works for PBT, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Texture Ballet, Confluence Ballet, and others.

Shana Simmons

Shana Simmons, BA in Dance, Point Park University(2003), MA in Choreography, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance(2009).

Simmons has performed in her own works in New York City, Belgium, London, Chicago, Boston, and Pittsburgh. Performance credits include: Noemie Lafrance “Agora” (NYC), Alexandra Beller(NYC), Artmongers(London), Flat Feet Dance Company (London), Rêverie Dance Festival (Belgium), The Pittsburgh and Atlanta Operas, and Staycee Pearl Dance Project(Pittsburgh).

Simmons taught at Point Park University for 12 years and is currently part-time faculty at Seton Hill University as well as Founder & Director of Shana Simmons Dance.

More information coming soon.

PDW 2026Class Schedule