Mandi graduated from Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with concentrations in Jazz and Modern. While at Point Park, she performed in faculty performances and the Student Choreography Project. She was also in Doug Bentz’s contemporary version of Cinderella, and the debut performance of The Snow Queen. After graduation, Mandi danced with rEvolve Dance Theatre, a contemporary dance company and also with Miller DANCE, a modern dance company. Her other performance experience includes Attack Theatre’s annual Dirty Ball, and also commercial work performing under the direction of Anne Reinking, an industrial for Howard Hanna, a Crestar promotion at the 84-Lumber Classic, a Herradura Tequila Promotion, and in commercials for The Medicine Mine, Inc. and EDMC (Educational Management Corporation). Mandi has taught regularly for many renowned dance studios throughout the area including: Katy Lyon Dance Center (Uniontown, PA), Kat & Co. Dance Studio (Morgantown, WV), Roger’s School of Dance (Murrysville, PA), and the Civic Light Opera Academy (Pittsburgh, PA). She was also the Dance Program Director at the Sarah Heinz House, a boys’ and girls’ club on the north shore of Pittsburgh for three years.
Mandi’s competition accomplishments include being named “Young Choreographer of the Year” three times (American Dance Awards, Pittburgh, PA), being nominated for the National Choreography Award (Headliners Performing Arts Competition, Providence, RI), receiving the Diamond Choreography Award (American Dance Awards, Pittsburgh, PA), and receiving Choreography AwardS (StarQuestInternational Talent Competition, Pittsburgh, PA & Extreme Talent Showcase, Pittsburgh, PA). Mandi was also “National Miss. Headliner” (Headliners Performing Arts Competition, Providence, RI)."
Mandi has owned and directed EADS since its opening in 2010. She is a certified Zumbini instructor and a Beachbody Coach, and a mom! Mandi is a Degreed member of Dance Masters of PA and is certified by test to teach dance! She has been the coach of the W&J College Dance Team since 2010.
Dana Palmisano began dancing at age 12 at Center Stage Dance Academy, their premier year, and was one of the first members of CSDA competitive company. Through high school, she won top awards for her dancing at regional competitions around the tri-state area and performed in many parades and festivals, including the first inaugural parade for President Obama. After high school, she went on to study modern and ballet at CSULB, then transferred to get her degree in 3 years from Point Park’s Conservatory of Dance with a concentration in jazz.
After graduation, Dana moved to Los Angeles where she studied at Edge Performing Arts Center in their Pre-Professional summer program, with a concentration on hip hop technique and choreography. She was invited to perform in multiple commercial and videography for New Wave Media while studying under noted house, popping, and krump professionals such as Havic, Nolan Padilla, and Marcus Shields.
In 2017, she moved back to Pittsburgh to begin teaching locally. She’s worked for multiple studios in the greater Pittsburgh area as well as having been the backstage manager for the GuiDance Experience Competition's inaugural year. Dana is certified in the Youth Protection Advocates for Dance program, and she uses her education on mental health and personal growth as a part of her dance teaching curriculum. She cannot wait to be a part of the EADS team and is looking forward to meeting everyone in class!
Kobe Ritter is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana. He began dancing ballroom at 14 and began pursuing ballet at age 16, under Jakob Pringle at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. In 2019, Kobe made the move to En Pointe Indiana Ballet where he finished his formal training under former Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Soloist Robert Moore and former Boston Ballet Principal Pollyanna Ribeiro.
In 2018, Kobe traveled to San Antonio, Texas and trained with Joffrey Texas under the artistic direction of Mauro Villanueva and Kenny Borchard. While here, Kobe performed original works from Mr. Mauro, Joshua Peugh, and Gerald Arpino. Kobe was privileged to perform an original piece by Robert Joffrey, titled “Gamelan,” which hadn’t been performed since the 1960’s.
In 2019, Kobe came to Pittsburgh to spend a summer with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, on full scholarship. While here, he fell in love with the city and the atmosphere and hoped to return.
Like most artists, Kobe was out most of 2020 due to the pandemic and took the time to recover from injury. Kobe returned to the stage in December of 2020 with a performance with En Pointe as a guest artist.
Kobe guested around the Indiana and Ohio area until December of 2021 and officially moved to Pittsburgh on New Years!
Kobe has performed numerous lead roles in “The Nutcracker,” “Don Quixote,” “Snow White,” “Firebird,” as well as many Neoclassical and contemporary works.
Kobe is very excited to bring his knowledge and experience and spread it to the next generation of dancers. Kobe currently freelances and performs any chance he is given. He is very excited for the future and looks forward to working with our students.
Evolving Artists is located in Washington, PA. Features include state-of-the-art dance studios, two waiting areas for parents, and viewing windows into each studio for parents to watch their students' progress and behavior.
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