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 including jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, and ballet. 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. She is also an active member of the Dance Masters of Pennsylvania Chapter 10. 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.
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!
Kourtney Groves
Jr. Instructor
Kourtney has grown up dancing with Mandi's for 10+ years. Now she is a teacher with us. She has successfully completed her first year of teacher training. She is a graduate from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School as a theatre major. Kourtney enjoys performing on stage. She has appeared in many shows with Summer Dramatics (2013-2019) and Musical Theatre Guild's Beauty and the Beast and Mamma Mia! Kourtney was assistant choreographer and on the prop crew for their most recent productions. Kourtney is attending BC3 this fall with a major in Criminology.
Tina Zajacs
Instructor
Tina started dancing at 3 years old in Waynesburg, PA. She moved to Butler and continued her dancing career at Lee's School of Dance. Tina took tap, ballet, jazz, and acro. She left dance to complete her Gold Award for Girl Scouts, Years later when her kids started gymnastics she became a gymnastics coach both recreational and competitive. She worked with children as young as 8 months old to 18 years old. Tina became a dance teacher for Mandi's the year she opened in 2013. Tina passed her Dance Masters exams in tap, ballet, jazz, and acro. She also attended 1 year of teacher training school in Buffalo, NY. Tina is a veterinary technician as her day job. Tina left Mandi's briefly in 2019 and is now back to teach her passion which is contortion. Tina is super excited to be back with us at Mandi's!
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My name is Alexa Young
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Meghan Parisi
Jr. Instructor
Mandi's Dance Studio is excited to have Meghan this year with us. Meghan has trained at dance studios from age 4-18 in multiple styles including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and musical theatre. She is currently attending Slippery Rock University with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. She has helped in production crews since 2022 and performed since 2021. Meghan also has experience with playing piano, trumpet, and electric bass.
Linda Hartman
Office Manager
