DONNA GREENFIELD

Ms. Donna is in her 15th year as in instructor at The Dance Depot. Donna received her dance education through the University of the Arts and Temple University. In 1982, she joined Waves Dance Company under the direction of Shimon Braun. In 1985, Donna opened her own dance studio where met and employed world renowned Rennie Harris of Pure Movement. Its was then her love for funk and Hip Hop began, as they taught and performed together. Donna has also choreographed for local television spots such as Dance Party USA, Teen Video, Lip Sync (MTV) and Be My Witness. Donna has taught in many dance studios in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but is now proud to call The Dance Depot her true dance home. In addition to her many musical theatre, jazz and hip hop classes, Donna is now the director of our Dream Catchers Performance Team, which she solely developed to share the love of dance in community events and for several charities, including The Make a Wish Foundation. Ms. Donna is a studio favorite as her love for dance, teaching and her students is exceptional and genuine.

ERIKA SPEER

After graduating from Brentwood High School on Long Island, New York, Erika moved to Philadelphia where she received her BFA in Dance Education from the University of the Arts. Erika continues her dance education yearly by attending Teacher conventions and workshop. Her dynamic and well-rounded experience and teaching style allows her to teach students of all ages, preschool to adult, in almost every dance genre. Erika's students have excelled both on the recreational level and in the competition circuit as her dancers have won Platinum and High Gold awards in many competition platforms. Erika currently teaches at Pennsylvania Leadership performing arts charter school in West Chester PA. Her love and passion for dance is evident in her day-to-day life as she continually seeks ways to further her own dance education and that of her students. Erika plans to continue this profession for many years to come.

ROCHELLE HAYNES

ROCHELLE MARIE HAYNES is a native of Dallas, Texas, where she began her dance training at the age of three. She attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Miss Haynes continued her dance training in Philadelphia while attending college at the University of the Arts, where she received her BFA in modern dance. 

Rochelle joined Tap Team Two and Company as a principal dancer in 1997 where she traveled throughout the United States teaching the history of tap and promoting tap dance as an American art form. In 2012 she was asked to become the Dance Captain of the company. She has been teaching tap throughout the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area for over 24 years. Rochelle has also taught master classes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Maryland, Louisiana, New York and Prague, Czech Republic. In October of 2018 she taught in Brazil at their 19th Brazilian Tap Festival. She was on faculty for Temple University for three semesters and is in her fifteenth year as the Guest Artist in Residence for Tap Ties at Cedar Crest College. Miss Haynes has been on faculty at the University of the Arts since 2005. She taught the tap classes at the Summer World of Dance for two years, Pre-College Program and at the High School Dance Festival which were all held at the University of the Arts. Rochelle was the Tap choreographer for five years for the Garden State Dance Festival. Her choreography has received high accolades, special awards and Title winnings in the competition industry. 

Miss Haynes has studied with and taken classes from the Masters of tap for over 20 years. Her studies have taken her within the United States, Brazil and Prague, Czech Republic. She has been fortunate to perform in the Philadelphia area for over 20 years and has taken the stage with tap greats Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Nicole Hockenberry, Germaine Ingram and Dorothy Wasserman of the movie TAP. She performed the choreography of Germaine Ingram in “Danceboom 2005”, Philadelphia Folklore Project’s “Dance Happens Here” 2006 and 2008, the “Tap Extravaganza” in New York City, and at the University of the Arts in 2005 and 2008 which were special tribute performances to the late great LaVaughn Robinson. In 2011 she had the wonderful opportunity to perform original choreography of Bill BoJangles Robinson and Charles “Honi” Coles of the Copasetics in New York at the Symphony Space Theater. In the summer of 2018 Rochelle performed the choreography of Lynn Schwabb in ATDF’s Tap It Out! One of her favorite performances was “Prague-DC-Philly” in Prague, Czech Republic.

KATIE HALDEMAN

Katie is a Philadelphia native who holds a B.A. in Dance and English from Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. While studying at Ursinus, she had the opportunity to perform works by choreographers such as Nicole Wolcott, Cathy Young, Melissa Chisena, Peter DiMuro, Duane Lee Holland, and Meredith Lyons. She has also performed at Bates Dance Festival, which she has been attending for the past few years, as well as the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC. Katie has always had a strong relationship with tap. She has most recently attended the Pulse Teacher Workshop, the Jersey Tap Festival, Philly Tap Challenge, and D.C. Tap Fest. 
Since beginning her teaching career, Katie has had the privilege to choreograph for, and take students to, regional and national competitions as well as Youth America Grand Prix. When she gets the chance, Katie still loves to be a student herself, traveling around the region (including NYC) to take master classes and attend workshops as both a dancer and teacher. She teaches all genres of dance - from the little ones all the way up to our competition team.

SHANNON BICKEL

Shannon Bickel has been dancing at The Dance Depot for more than ten years. She has experience in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip-hop. Shannon began student teaching for The Dance Depot at the age of thirteen. She has gone through The Dance Depot's student teacher program, graduating to teaching her own engaging classes. This is her tenth year as a Pre-School/General and Tap teacher, and she is truly endeared by her students. In addition to her exciting work in the classroom, Shannon has been a member of The Dance Depot office staff for more than ten years. She loves seeing how all of the hard work both behind the scenes and on stage come together into a wonderful recital for parents and students! She also has experience as an assistant and lead teacher in a daycare setting. Shannon graduated from West Chester University with a major in Business Management with an additional minor in Elementary Education. When she's not dancing, Shannon enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, Cliffy.

ASHLEY JOHNSON

Atlanta native, Ashley Nichole Johnson began her formal dance training at the age of two. It was at Norma's Academy where she discovered her love of dance. Her training and company experience comes from Norma's Academy of Dance, Ballethnic Academy of Dance, Total Dance, and North Carolina School of the Arts. While attending Tri-Cities High School, Ms. Johnson was a dance major, but was also seen in several musical theater performances, and was accepted into the Governor's Honors Program. After high school, Ashley continued her education at The University of the Arts. Ms. Johnson had the privilege of training and working with dance masters Carmen DeLavallade, Milton Myers, Cleo Parker Robinson, Ron K. Brown, Christopher Huggins and many more. During her college career, she had the pleasure of becoming a member of Philadanco's Second Company D-2. In 2007, Ms. Johnson returned to Atlanta and while there she became a member of The NBA's Atlanta Hawks A-Town Dancers. In 2008-09 Ms. Johnson was a member of the up and coming Dance Theater X and also auditioned in Memphis, TN for Season 9 of Fox's Hit TV Show "So You Think You Can Dance". Ms. Ashley made it through to Las Vegas being picked to move on over thousands of dancers. After four years as a member of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers Dream Team, Ms.Johnson decided to fully commit herself to the development of youth through the art of dance.

BOB TYLER

Bob Tyler grew up in Batavia, NY and began dancing at the age of 10. He studied under the instruction of Robin Cotler, director of Images in Dance, and competed at the national level until he graduated from high school in 2008. Later that year he began studying at The University of the Arts and graduated in May 2012 with a BFA in Dance Performance majoring in ballet. While at school, he studied and performed works by choreographers such as Brian Sanders, Ronen Koresh, Scott Jovovich, and Paul Sewlyn Norton as well as excerpts of works by William Forsythe under the direction of Douglas Becker and was selected to perform at the Joyce Theater in NYC to represent The University of the Arts. In the summer of 2010 and 2011, he worked with Evolution Dance Company, and performed at the International Dance Festival in Ladek Zdroj, Poland. Other than his performance career, he also sets choreography and instructs students from all over the country. Currently he is a member of the Koresh Dance Company where he performs regularly and is active in teaching and sharing dance in communities locally in Philadelphia as well as internationally.

KRISTA MONTRONE

Krista began her training at the age of three in Hudson, NH at Melissa Hoffman Dance Center. After moving to Connecticut in 2000, she continued her training at D’valda and Sirico Dance and Music Centre where guest faculty included Franco De Vita, Raymond Lukens, Charles Kelley, and Alicia Cruzado. In 2004 Krista was offered a contract with Boston Ballet II. After high school, Krista moved to NYC where she was represented by MSA and involved in many projects including the opening of the tap/rock show Revolution at the Joyce Theatre and subsequent tours, and various commercial projects ranging from Aflac to Juicy Couture. She has performed with the contemporary company Evolution from 2009-15 under the direction of Robin Cotler, performing and teaching in the US and Poland at the Ladek Zdroj International Dance Festival in both 2009 and 2011. From 2011-18 Krista was a member of the world-renowned Koresh Dance Company under the direction of Roni Koresh. She has had the privilege of touring extensively both nationally and internationally, performing, and being deeply involved in the communities they visited through the extensive outreach/education programs provided by the company. Krista is currently based in Philadelphia and teaches/choreographs locally and throughout the country.

BILAL SIMPSON

Bilal Simpson Charlotte, North Carolina Native began dancing at the age of 10 at Fletcher School of Dance, BB Dance Productions, and Miss Donna's School of Dance. At the age of 16, Bilal began to dance professionally with the NBA Hornets and the WNBA Sting, shortly after he Graduated from Northwest High School of the Arts and began to teach at BB Dance Productions, Miss Donnas School of Dance and Academy of Dance and Fine Arts. In 2005 Bilal moved to Philadelphia, PA to attend University of the Arts for Dance Education and began to teach at DshayAcademy of Dance Arts and shortly after Carols Center for Dance. In 2009 Bilal joined Grace Dance Theater, and also became a resident choreographer for Grace Dance 2 and Training Company of Grace and the Children's Dance Ensemble. In 2014 Bilal joined the company of Contempora Dance Theater and also began to teach at Contempora Dance School. In 2016 Bilal began to teach at The Dance Depot of Collegeville, PA. Bilal's work has won several 1st Overall and Choreography Awards. Bilal has had the opportunity to receive instruction from prestigious choreographers and artists such as Mia Michaels, Dale Lamb, Dee Caspary, Travis Wall, Anthony Burrell, Sadie Roberts, and Veronica Bradley Badgett.

HEATHER HOLAJTER

Heather Holajter started dancing at the age of 4. She continued studying ballet at Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet (PAB) and was accepted into the “Society” with Margarita de Saa and John White. Heather also received a scholarship to study with David Howard in New York City. Her professional career began at age 19 with Colorado Ballet, dancing various roles in many classical works, including Serenade and Swan Lake. She also had the opportunity to perform with the International Tour of Stars of the Russian Ballet, dancing in Giselle and Cupid from Don Quixote. In 2001, she returned to the area and completed the teaching certification for the Vaganova Syllabus. Heather continues as a guest artist in various roles, which includes Sugar Plum Fairy for PAB and other local studios, as well as performances throughout the region, country, and the world. While Heather continues to perform, she also teaches throughout the region, instilling her love and passion of classical ballet in a younger generation of dancers. Heather is beginning her 3rd year at the Dance Depot.

POMPEIA POHLAND

Pompeia started dancing with us here at The Dance Depot when she was 3 years old. She continued to train with us and went on to graduate and continue her dance education at the University of the Arts. She was professionally trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. AFter a dedicated year she moved to Los Angeles, California to train with professional dancers and choreographers in mainly Hip Hop and Jazz. She trained and performed out west for two years, and then decided to move home and began teaching at The Dance Depot. She now teaches mainly Hip Hop with a sprinkle of other styles as well.

KJERSTI SØBERG

Kjersti Søberg, a vibrant Norwegian American performer, is no stranger to the stage or screen in any part of the world.  While attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Kjersti worked with the NFL as a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader for 3 seasons.  As an ambassador for the organization, she was chosen to travel to Iraq and Kuwait on a military goodwill tour.  She graduated with honors with a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance and was the sole recipient in her graduating class to receive the prestigious award of “Excellence in all Styles.”

Immediately after graduating, Kjersti danced with Holland America Cruise Line where she completed several world tours. She also broke into the South African entertainment industry dancing under renowned choreographer, Debbie Rakusin.  While living in South Africa she could be seen dancing in commercials, corporate performances, and on TV (including on South African Idols).  Kjersti toured internationally in Dirty Dancing the Musical as an on-stage swing where she understudied/played the lead role of “Penny Johnson.”

Kjersti was an equity performer and Dance Captain at Walt Disney World.  She performed in Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, and the aerialist/adage act in The Festival of the Lion King.  She was also in Celebrate the Season as well as a featured performer in several of ABC/Disney’s televised Christmas parade with Neil Patrick Harris under critically acclaimed and Tony Award winning choreographers including Christopher Gattelli (Newsies/Spongebob Square Pants) and Emmy award winning NappyTabs (So You Think You Can Dance/America’s Best Dance Crew).

Kjersti not only has a passion for the stage, but for the sky.  She has been flying helicopters since 2014 and has her rotary private pilot’s license.  Most recently, she graduated with a second bachelor’s degree in Intelligence and Security Studies and is actively pursuing her masters.

JEANIE CHROME

Jeanie Chrome started her dance training at the age of 5 at Kay's Act II Dance Studio in Trevose, PA. Her passion for the sacred ritual of dance and the movement possibilities of the human body led her to continue her dance education after high school. In 2008, she received her B.F.A. in Dance from the rigorous training program at University of the Arts where she majored in Jazz Dance Performance. Miss. Jeanie has performed with some of the most respected choreographers in the tri-state area including Ronen Koresh, Christine Cox, Scott Jovovich, Molly Misgalla, Wayne St David, Kim Bears-Bailey, Donald Lunsford, and Ginger Cox. She danced as a soloist with Alchemy Dance Company for 5 years, as well as RHYP dance company, did industrial work with Mega Productions, Synergic Sounds Entertainment and 2Life Talent, musical theater with Mainstage Theater Company, worked the t.v. pilot for the D-Train Comedy and Variety Show, was the face of Prissy Ballerinas tutu line, performs as a magicians assistant, and judges dance competitions. In July of 2014, she completed the Vaganova syllabus teachers training program under the direction of Mr. John White at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, and is now certified to teach levels 1-6. Vaganova’s syllabus is a world renowned standard of excellence in the training of ballet students. This amazing experience has completely changed how she instructs class. Miss Jeanie was the owner and artistic director of Releve Dance Academy in Phoenixville, PA for five years where she taught 6 days a week as well as ran and choreographed for the award winning competition team. Her dancers have won titles, some have gone to college for dance and are even dancing and teaching professionally now. In April of 2021 she most recently became certified in Progressing Ballet Technique for junior, senior and advanced levels. Miss. Jeanie is eager to have the opportunity to train new students and to continue to nurture, challenge and motivate dancers to be the very best dancers they can be.