MANDI'S DANCE STUDIO
Mandi Gilliland Owner/Director
Mandi Barron
Owner
Mandi has been dancing since the age of 5. She danced for 14 years as a top competitor and taught dance, gymnastics and tumbling for 15+ years in the North Pittsburgh, PA area. Among winning numerous awards for group dances and solos, Mandi was part of the group nominated for the World Showcase dance team.
She has successfully passed grade 4-7 in ballet, studying under the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum. As an active member of Dance Masters of America's FL Chapter, she is certified to teach by test in tap, ballet, jazz and acrobatics. She currently holds the position of Vice President of the Dance Masters of Florida Chapter.
Along with attending numerous continuing education workshops such as Cicci Convention and The Movement Workshop, a workshop with dancers from previous seasons of “So You Think You Can Dance”, Mandi has also attended USAG Congress where she received her safety certification and 3 years of Dance Masters of America's Teacher Training School. Mandi is a YPAD certified instructor, enforcing protection and safety for all dancers.
Her students have competed in numerous regional and national dance and pageant competitions such as; Extreme Talent, Starpower, Turn it Up and Dance Masters of America. Mandi has owned and directed Mandi's Dance Studio, located in Butler, PA, since 2012.
Mandi graduated from Butler County Community College with an Associate’s degree in Architecture in 2009 and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from La Roche University. Along with teaching dance, Mandi also works as an Interior Architect for Gensler in Tampa, as well as helping others with their fitness goals as a Beachbody's coach.
She resides in the Tampa area with her husband, Trent, and their cats, Taffy and Luna.
Erin Boggs
Instructor/Education Director
Erin has over 10+ years teaching multiple subjects of dance. She has extensive dance training in all subjects of dance from a local studio in Gibsonia. Upon completing years 1-4 of Dance Masters of America’s Teacher Training School, Erin is a certified instructor by test in Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Modern.
Erin resides in the Gibsonia area with her husband Shane and puppy Bandit.
Sarah Dietsch
Instructor/Competition Director
Sarah Dietsch was born and raised in Warren, PA and began her dance career at Linda Dies’ Dance Unlimited (now Molly Dies Dance Unlimited) where she danced for 15 years, 9 of which she competed with Molly Dies Dance Express Company. She completed her BFA in Dance with a dual concentration in Performance and Choreography and Business Administration at Slippery Rock University in May 2021. Sarah has trained in many techniques of dance including, ballet, contemporary ballet, modern, jazz, pointe, tap, afro-colombian, Bharatanatyam, acro, and contemporary. She has been in repertories set by SRU faculty including Jennifer Keller, Jesse Factor, and Lindsay Viatori. She has also worked with guest artists including Manasvini Ramachandran and Francine Ott. During her time at SRU Sarah participated in many aspects of the Slippery Rock University Dance Theatre productions through performing, choreographing, and stage-managing. Sarah completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in the Summer of 2020 through Yoga Alliance. After graduating May 2021 Sarah is attending the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy to receive her massage therapy certification. She began her teaching career as a teacher’s assistant at the age of 12 and has since taught students from ages 3-19. Sarah resides in the Butler area with her two kitties Charlie and Lily.
Jade Bowers
Instructor
Jade danced for 12 years, 4 of which as a competitive dancer. She’s performed in local plays and musicals, but has helped previously backstage and recently has choreographed for them. Along with dance, Jade has extensive experience in cheerleading. She cheered for midgets for 4 years, 6 years on Butler High School squads, and participated for 4 years on the Butler Competitive Cheerleading squad. During her time on the competitive squad, she had the opportunity to compete at the state level where her team won first place, as well as attending Nationals in Orlando all 4 years. Jade has coached midget cheerleading, taught recreational and competitive gymnastics and tumbling, and has been a part of Mandi’s Dance Studio since 2014. She took a brief break from teaching to finish her Bachelor's Degree at Slippery Rock University in Marketing. She is excited to return this year to teach Acrobatics!
Kendra Slupe
Jr. Instructor
We are so excited to welcome back our alumni, Miss Kendra! Kendra started dancing at the age of 3. As a student, she has trained in tap, ballet, modern, contemporary, lyrical, Cecchetti, and acro. She has successfully passed grades 1-5 in Cecchetti ballet. Kendra has been a competitive dancer for many years, receiving many special judges awards and placing in the top 10. Miss Kendra is currently a Psychology major at Slippery Rock University. A fun fact about her is she has some mad pogo sticking skills!
Dominque Crawford
Jr. Instructor
We would like to welcome another alumni to the MDS teaching staff this season, Miss Nique! We love seeing our dancers taking their dance education to the next level by becoming a teacher. Miss Nique started at MDS with a Hip-Hop class, but quickly fell in love with dance so much that she signed up for every single class she could take the next year! She worked hard and progressed quickly to join our Superstars competition team. Nique has won numerous regional, national, and world awards for her solos and group dances. She cannot wait to join the teaching team and pass down the MDS legacy!
Lindsay Roman
Jr. Instructor/ Graphics Manager
Lindsay Roman is a dancer from Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. She danced from the age of 3 for her home company, named A Step Above Dance Academy where she trained in Jazz, Musical Theater, Tap, Contemporary, Lyrical, Ballet, Hip-hop, and Tumbling. In 2016 she won the award “Dancer of the Year” for Hip Hop. She appeared in plays and Musicals in High school, (The Heart of Robin Hood), (Macbeth), (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), and also did Hair and Makeup for, (Fantastic Mr. Fox),(Little Women), (The Funny Thing that Happened on the way to the Forum). After High School, She pursued her love of dance at Slippery Rock University where she is receiving a B.A. in Dance and a B.S. in Strategic Communication with a Concentration in PR. At Slippery Rock, She also participated in Extra Curricular Activities such as the Dance Theater, where she performed in a piece called “In my/your/our head” choreographed by Kali Booker. She also worked as an Usher, Stage Crew, and Lighting Board Operator, for various shows at Slippery Rock. She also does a radio show weekly for WSRUFM.
Kourtney Groves
Jr. Instructor/Media Content Creator
Kourtney is a senior on the competition team. she has danced with Mandi’s Dance Studio for 10+ years. Kourtney is a 12th grade Theatre major at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. Kourtney enjoys dancing, acting and performing on stage. She has appeared in many shows through out her career for Summer Dramatics (2013- 2019). She was also in the ensemble of MTG’s productions of Beauty and the Beast and Mamma Mia. Currently Kourtney is assistant choreographer and on prop crew for their most recent productions. After high school she will be attending BC3 for a major in Criminology.
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Katelyn Evans
Jr. Instructor
Katelyn is from Butler, PA. She is a current BA Dance major and a BA Psychology major at Slippery Rock University who has been in numerous works that have been presented in Slippery Rock University’s Dance Theatre’s “Fresh Moves Showcase” as well as adjudication concerts. Katelyn has choreographed multiple solos that have been presented in showcases at SRU as well as the annual 60x60x60 Concert. She is involved in the Honors College, National Honors Society of Dance Arts, Slippery Rock University Dance Theatre, as well as The Multidisciplinary Arts Collective. Katelyn has taught in the styles of ballet, jazz, acro, contemporary, lyrical, and tap to children ages 2-17 as well as adults.
Tina Zajacs
Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!
Meghan Parisi
Jr. Instructor
Bio Coming soon!
Linda Madlier
Office Manager
