Borelli's Dance Gallery Staff
Dana Borelli Pecarchik & Pamela Borelli Barsotti
As owners and artistic directors of Borelli's Dance Gallery, we are pleased to introduce you to our studio and our teaching staff.
We started by dancing in the competitive scene, and formed our own local dance group, with whom we performed at public and private events, including parades, parties, entertainment sites and local community events. In high school, we each were captain of Seton-La-Salle's dance squad, the Rebelettes. We began teaching over thirty years ago, both by our local dance studio and by giving private dance lessons out of our household garage. Our professional credits include a Bachelors of the Arts in Dance from Point Park College, and a B.A. in Business Accounting from Duquesne University. We have danced professionally in Pittsburgh as well as New York City, and even traveled as far as Germany for the arts. From there, we opened our first school in Mount Lebanon in 1991. Due to large success and need for expansion, we re-located to our current facility in Bethel Park. In truth, dance has been both our lives for as long as we can remember. We are so grateful by how far we have come, and we are even more grateful to be sharing our passion for dance with students all over the greater Pittsburgh area that are interested in dance.
Lori Gala
Lori has been part of Borelli's since it's opening in 1991. Lori has 45 years of dance experience and 30 years of teaching all levels of tap, ballet and jazz. Lori performed on "Dance Fever" with Denny Terio. She also danced professionally in and around the tri-state area for over 20 years. Lori Received a B.A. at Duquesne University in 1985 and a J.D. at Duquesne University School Of Law in 1988. We are so fortunate to have such a talented and experienced individual as part of our team here at Borell's Dance Gallery.
Alexis Gleason
Alexis is a professional dancer and dance instructor with a passion for helping students grow both technically and artistically. She graduated from Point Park University with a degree in Dance and furthered her training through the Professional Semester Program at Broadway Dance Center.
Her performance career has taken her across the country with RWS Entertainment Group, performing in various cities throughout the United States, as well as internationally while working aboard cruise ships with Norwegian Cruise Line. In addition to her dance background, Alexis is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Flexologist, bringing a strong focus on safe training, flexibility, strength, and body awareness into every class she teaches. While she specializes in technique and flexibility training, she is experienced in teaching a wide variety of styles including jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, leaps and turns, gymnastics, and contortion. Alexis is dedicated to creating a positive and encouraging environment where dancers can build confidence, artistry, and strong technical foundations.
Kristal Hartman
Kristal started dancing at the age of 2 at Rosalene Kenneth Dance studio, studying under Rosalene Kenneth, Rachelle Rak and her mother, Donna DeMark. She competed in many regional and national competitions. She danced professionally in and around Pittsburgh with Brockett Productions. Kristal was co-captain of the Crusettes, the dance team at Canevin Catholic High School. She graduated from the Univeristy of Pittsburgh with a degree in Psychology. Kristal has three children, the youngest being Claudia who is a member of Borellis competitive company. She has over 15 years of teaching experience and specializes in gymnastics. We are happy to have her on our team!
Rachel Kozlowski
Rachel Kozlowski began dancing at the age of 3. She has been a competitive dancer for over 15 years, winning for regional and national titles. She was a member of the Borelli's Dance Gallery competitive team following her time as a cruise ship entertainment dancer. Rachel now has two beautiful daughters, Paisley and McKinley, who dance at the studio. Rachel can be seen working in the office, and she also teaches both recreational and company classes. We are very lucky to have her.
Erin Loutzenhiser
Erin started dancing at the age of 7 at the Karen Tobias Dance Studio and immediately fell in love. She danced competitively with the Karen Tobias Dance Company for 10 years. Her Dance Company won numerous awards and had the amazing opportunity to tour Greece performing in Athens as well as being the entertainment on a cruise ship through the mediterranean sea. Erin danced throughout high school and graduated the teachers training program at her studio. She has been teaching ever since. Erin loves sharing her passion for dance with her students. She teaches tap, ballet, jazz and blocks and bands. Erin is a mother of 4 and her 3 daughters take classes at BDG. She resides with her husband and family in Baldwin.
Kristen McArdle
Kristen began dancing at age of three years old under the direction of Dana Borelli Pecarchik and Pamela Borelli Barsotti. For 16 years, she competed with BDG on their Competitive Team, winning regional and national titles. She has worked closely with world renowned dancers such as Emily Shock, David Mann, Anthony Morigerato, Billy Larson, Hannah Wintrode and more. In 2017, she was crowned Dancer of the Year. In high school, Kristen was captain of the Chartiers Valley Dance Troupe under the direction of Cathy Jenkins. Kristen was also part of the Charters Valley Drill Team and Majorettes for four years. When she wasn't dancing herself, she assisted evening dance classes at BDG. In 2017, Kristen won 1st Senior Solo for her self choreography. Kristen is now starting her college career at Slippery Rock University where she will be studying Physical Therapy and majoring in Exercise Science. Kristen is excited to come back to BDG during the school year to take classes, compete with the team, and substitute teach for both competitive and non competitive classes.
Kayla Nowakowski
Kayla began her dance training at just 18 months old at Turn It Out Dance Academy under the direction of Mandy Doyle and Lacey Booth in Bellaire, Ohio. Throughout her years of training, she developed a strong technical foundation across a wide range of styles, including jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, musical theatre, lyrical, contemporary, and acrobatics. As a dedicated member of the Senior Elite Competition Team, Kayla earned numerous overall awards and national titles throughout her competitive career. She continued her dance education at University of Pittsburgh, where she was a member of the Varsity Division 1A Dance Team and competed nationally at the collegiate level. In 2018, Kayla began her teaching career and has since worked with dancers ranging from 18 months to 18 years old. Known for her positive mentorship and attention to technical excellence, Kayla is passionate about helping students grow both artistically and personally. Kayla has received multiple choreography awards for her solo, duet, and group routines over the years. She strives to create a supportive and inspiring classroom environment that encourages confidence, discipline, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance.
Paige Seelhorst
Paige trained for 14 years at Ruby Daugherty’s School of Dance, competing with their dance company in various genres. Under the direction
of Sherry Vignoli Parisi, she also competed and won many Grand National Twirling Championships with the Modernettes - most notably Gold at the World Twirling Championships in Marseilles, France. In high school,
Paige utilized her dance foundation as a majorette, thespian, and cheerleader. During her senior year, she was named NCA All-American and Captain of the Varsity Cheerleading Squad. Paige soon developed a love of teaching - empowering little learners to develop their own interests and self-confidence. Outside of the studio, she holds eight teaching certifications, a B.S. in Elementary Education from Penn State
University, and a Masters in Special Education from California University of PA. Prior to starting a family, Paige was a cheerleading coach for Peters Township High School. Because of the important role dance played in her own life, all three of her children are active students at the studio.
Savanna Starr
Savanna began dancing at the age of three and joined Borelli’s Dance Gallery at ten, where she began her competitive dance journey. She later expanded into the convention circuit, earning multiple scholarships for her performance and technique. Savanna went on to sign with NYMMG in New York, where she secured a booking with Amazon Video. She attended PennWest Global, earning a degree in Exercise Science, which complements her passion for movement and body mechanics. Outside of the studio, Savanna works as a Flexologist at StretchLab and as a Pilates coach at HiLi Fitness, where she helps clients improve strength, flexibility, and overall wellness.
Taylor Pecarchik
Taylor began her dance training at age 2 at Borelli's Dance Gallery. Taylor has worked closely with many well known teachers such as Emily Shock, Billy Larson, Braham Logan Crane, Anthony Morigerato, Mitchel Federan and David Mann. She has performed for celebrities such as FRZY, Buddy Valastro, Jay Z, and Wiz Khalifa and taken numerous master classes with artists including Emma Portner, Mikey Alley, Allen Cooper and Hannah Wintrode. In high school, Taylor was a member of the Mt. Lebanon Dance Company. For four years, Taylor danced on Heinz Field and at the Peterson Events Center with the University of Pittsburgh Dance Team. She has also traveled with the Dance Team to New York City and Daytona Beach to compete dance at National Dance Alliance. For three years, Taylor danced in the annual Pittsburgh Steelers's Rock Steelers Style Fashion Show. During the summer of 2019, Taylor made an appearance on Good Morning America and also performed her choreography for 12,000 people at the New Kids On The Block concert at PPG Paints Arena. She is a certified physician assistant, working at St. Clair Medical Group Neurology and as a medical aesthetics provider through the Skin Clique. Taylor teaches our competitive dance students and after class, you can catch her in the BDG Exam room for an in-house tox treatment!
Madison Zaremski
Madison is a former BDG student, who was a member of BDG's Competition Team for over 15 years. She pursued her dance education under the direction of Dana Borelli Pecarchik and Pamela Borelli Barsotti. She has worked with choreographers such as Emily Shock, Sean Burke, David Mann, and Ed Phelan. During her time on the team, she won numerous regional and national awards over the years. Maddie graduated Bethel Park High School, where she was a Bethel Park cheerleader for both game day and competition. Maddie then went on to go to Slippery Rock University, where she continued her cheer education as a member of their team. Maddie is now a student at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There, Maddie is studying Business. In addition, Maddie is member of Duquesne University Cheer Team. Throughout the week, Maddie likes to come back to Borelli's Dance Gallery where she does a little bit of everything! She teaches competitive and non competitive classes at BDG with students a various ages. Maddie is also known to run BDG's summer camps- including Princess Camp, Superhero Camp, and Dance & Cheer Gymnastics camp. Maddie is excited to be on our BDG staff team and is looking forward to teaching our students all of the different things there is to love about dance! And, of course, all the while doing so at BDG- her second home!
Sharon Zaremski
Miss Sharon holds a B.S. in Elementary/Special Education from Slippery Rock University. Sharon has been a part of the Borelli's Dance family for 26 years. She has previous training in jazz, gymnastics and cheerleading. Sharon continued dancing through college and also danced professionally for 10 years with the Steel City Angels and Physical Attraction dance group. Sharon was the Bethel Park High School Varsity Cheerleading coach for 13 years and has judged dozens of cheerleading and dance team tryouts. She is also a certified aerobics instructor. She teaches gymnastics classes at the studio as well as working in the office. Sharon also is the Stage Manager at our annual recitals. She currently is a teacher for the South Park School District. She is also a mother of four, all whom have danced at Borelli's and resides with her husband and family in Bethel Park. She is a wonderful asset to our dance family.
Katie Zeman
Katie began dancing at the age of 3 at Borelli’s Dance Gallery and joined the competition team when she was 5 years old. She remained a dedicated member of the team through her high school graduation in 2021, earning the title of “Dancer of the Year” in 2018 — one of her proudest accomplishments. After graduating, Katie returned to compete with the team for the 2021–2022 season while attending her first year of college. She then spent two seasons traveling throughout the East Coast working for Beyond the Stars and Breakout Dance Competition as a backstage manager and awards coordinator. In 2024, Katie was accepted into the CLI Conservatory, where she spent 10 months in Southampton, Massachusetts training under renowned industry professionals including Teddy Forance, Martha Nichols, Theresa Stone, and Robert Green, while also performing in creative projects directed by Jakevis Thomason and Chris Scott. Katie moved back home to Pittsburgh in July 2025 and is now teaching and choreographing for both the recreational and competitive dancers at BDG.