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About Us: Our Staff
Emily Mansur, Owner / Instructor
Miss Emily moved back to her hometown in 2014 after completing school in Michigan and earning her degree in Environmental Studies. By day, she is a consultant for a research company. Miss Emily has been dancing since age 4 and has really never stopped dancing with taking her first teaching gig right out of high school. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, Horton technique, and musical theater and has been teaching and choreographing for over 15 years, ages 2-adult. She has had the pleasure to train with industry professionals, complete a mentorship in NYC, and continue her education through attending conventions for teachers/studio directors as well as with her students that are hosted and taught by celebrity choreographers. She has taught throughout Pittsburgh and Michigan in her years and choreographed for many competitive teams producing many award-winning numbers in numerous states, both at the regional and national level. She formed a competitive dance team at her last studio where she grew up dancing and was grateful to bring the competitive dancing life to so many. Emily also has a passion for theater and has been the head choreographer for different high schools in Michigan and youth performing arts summer camps. In 2019, Emily even had the privilege of teaching a group of pre-professional contemporary dancers in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Miss Emily moved back to her hometown in 2014 after completing school in Michigan and earning her degree in Environmental Studies. By day, she is a consultant for a research company. Miss Emily has been dancing since age 4 and has really never stopped dancing with taking her first teaching gig right out of high school. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, Horton technique, and musical theater and has been teaching and choreographing for over 15 years, ages 2-adult. She has had the pleasure to train with industry professionals, complete a mentorship in NYC, and continue her education through attending conventions for teachers/studio directors as well as with her students that are hosted and taught by celebrity choreographers. She has taught throughout Pittsburgh and Michigan in her years and choreographed for many competitive teams producing many award-winning numbers in numerous states, both at the regional and national level. She formed a competitive dance team at her last studio where she grew up dancing and was grateful to bring the competitive dancing life to so many. Emily also has a passion for theater and has been the head choreographer for different high schools in Michigan and youth performing arts summer camps. In 2019, Emily even had the privilege of teaching a group of pre-professional contemporary dancers in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Kevin Mansur, Co-Owner / Office Manager
“Mr. Kevin” is proud to be a transplant in Johnstown, PA. He never realized that by helping the “prop dads” at one of Miss Emily’s former studios in Michigan (where he is originally from) would bring him to this point. He is ecstatic to be part of this new journey and has been the driving force in creating the space that all now call Forté Dance Center. By day, he is the Director of Technology at Our Mother of Sorrows Church and is a tech-y by trade. He will also be the “face of Forté” as the office manager and is looking forward to serving everyone that comes in to Johnstown’s new Premiere dance center. He looks forward to witnessing both the growth of the studio and all the dancers for many years to come.
“Mr. Kevin” is proud to be a transplant in Johnstown, PA. He never realized that by helping the “prop dads” at one of Miss Emily’s former studios in Michigan (where he is originally from) would bring him to this point. He is ecstatic to be part of this new journey and has been the driving force in creating the space that all now call Forté Dance Center. By day, he is the Director of Technology at Our Mother of Sorrows Church and is a tech-y by trade. He will also be the “face of Forté” as the office manager and is looking forward to serving everyone that comes in to Johnstown’s new Premiere dance center. He looks forward to witnessing both the growth of the studio and all the dancers for many years to come.
Janice Yursky, Instructor
Miss Janice is a resident of Richland Twp. She earned her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown and is a former teacher from the Greater Johnstown School District. Jan was trained in Tap, Ballet, and Jazz from an early age (James Wagner Dance Studio, Mary Underwood, Nanette Edwards) and became a Dance Instructor at Nanette Edwards Dance Studio in Johnstown, PA. She has choreographed a wealth of high school musicals, most of which were for Richland H.S. and Johnstown H.S., a few at Johnstown Vo-Tech and UPJ. She has also performed in Pennwood Players and Community. For the past ten years, Jan has focused on Latin Dancing, particularly, Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue. She has studied from instructors throughout the Pittsburgh area, including guest instructors from NY, LA, and Mexico, and attends seminars/training whenever time permits. Jan would like to introduce Johnstown residents (adults and teens) to the enjoyment of Latin Club Dancing, not to be confused with Ballroom Dancing. Latin dance classes will let you feel comfortable on the dance floor, as well as having fun and making new friends. You will be ready to take these new skills with you on your next vacation or cruise!
Miss Janice is a resident of Richland Twp. She earned her B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown and is a former teacher from the Greater Johnstown School District. Jan was trained in Tap, Ballet, and Jazz from an early age (James Wagner Dance Studio, Mary Underwood, Nanette Edwards) and became a Dance Instructor at Nanette Edwards Dance Studio in Johnstown, PA. She has choreographed a wealth of high school musicals, most of which were for Richland H.S. and Johnstown H.S., a few at Johnstown Vo-Tech and UPJ. She has also performed in Pennwood Players and Community. For the past ten years, Jan has focused on Latin Dancing, particularly, Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue. She has studied from instructors throughout the Pittsburgh area, including guest instructors from NY, LA, and Mexico, and attends seminars/training whenever time permits. Jan would like to introduce Johnstown residents (adults and teens) to the enjoyment of Latin Club Dancing, not to be confused with Ballroom Dancing. Latin dance classes will let you feel comfortable on the dance floor, as well as having fun and making new friends. You will be ready to take these new skills with you on your next vacation or cruise!
Leigha Hoffman, Instructor
Miss Leigha is originally from Northern Cambria, PA. She earned her B.S. Degree in Recreational Therapy, as well as minored in Psychology and Animal Assisted Interventions. Leigha has been dancing since the age of 6 and is trained in tap, jazz, bollywood, lyrical, and musical theatre. While in high school, she was a part of both the non-competition and competitive teams for a variety of genres; bollywood and tap being her favorite. Additionally, Leigha assisted her dance coach with teaching and choreographing for dancers of all ages. SIn addition to dance, Miss Leigha enjoys gardening, yoga, and reading!
Miss Leigha is originally from Northern Cambria, PA. She earned her B.S. Degree in Recreational Therapy, as well as minored in Psychology and Animal Assisted Interventions. Leigha has been dancing since the age of 6 and is trained in tap, jazz, bollywood, lyrical, and musical theatre. While in high school, she was a part of both the non-competition and competitive teams for a variety of genres; bollywood and tap being her favorite. Additionally, Leigha assisted her dance coach with teaching and choreographing for dancers of all ages. SIn addition to dance, Miss Leigha enjoys gardening, yoga, and reading!
Lacey Grassmyer, Instructor
Miss Lacey moved back to Johnstown after attending Slippery Rock University earning a bachelor's degree in physical activity and fitness management, along with a minor in adapted physical activity and dance. She has been dancing since the age of 5 and is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary. While in high school, Lacey did competitive dance and competed in musical theatre, hip hop, jazz, and contemporary. In her spare time, she likes to work out, spend time with friends and family, or catch up on the latest Netflix shows.
Miss Lacey moved back to Johnstown after attending Slippery Rock University earning a bachelor's degree in physical activity and fitness management, along with a minor in adapted physical activity and dance. She has been dancing since the age of 5 and is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary. While in high school, Lacey did competitive dance and competed in musical theatre, hip hop, jazz, and contemporary. In her spare time, she likes to work out, spend time with friends and family, or catch up on the latest Netflix shows.
Rebecca Williamson, Instructor
Miss Rebecca is a junior Biology/Pre-Veterinary major at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. She started out in gymnastics at age 4 and started dancing at age 8, where she is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, and tap. She is a 2020 graduate of Forest Hills High School, where she was very involved in theater and dance at her childhood studio. She is a member of UPJ's Dance Ensemble and is their current Treasurer, as well as the UPJ Theater Club, where she is President. In her free time, she can be found watching Disney movies and cuddling her cat, Buttercup.
Miss Rebecca is a junior Biology/Pre-Veterinary major at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. She started out in gymnastics at age 4 and started dancing at age 8, where she is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, and tap. She is a 2020 graduate of Forest Hills High School, where she was very involved in theater and dance at her childhood studio. She is a member of UPJ's Dance Ensemble and is their current Treasurer, as well as the UPJ Theater Club, where she is President. In her free time, she can be found watching Disney movies and cuddling her cat, Buttercup.
Sophia Halikiopoulos, Instructor
Miss Sophia Halikiopoulos is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown where she is majoring in Secondary Education and Political Sciences. She hopes to use her degree to become a high school civics or history teacher, and continue teaching dance after graduating. Miss Sophia was born South Jersey, but grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She started dancing when she was just two years old, and is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz/acro, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. Nearly all of her training took place at Delaware Valley Dance Academy (DVDA) under Miss Lisa Wasserman. She is currently the president of UPJ’s Dance Ensemble and choreographs for the club as well. Sophia is very excited to continue to teach and is excited to join the Forte Dance Center family!!
Miss Sophia Halikiopoulos is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown where she is majoring in Secondary Education and Political Sciences. She hopes to use her degree to become a high school civics or history teacher, and continue teaching dance after graduating. Miss Sophia was born South Jersey, but grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She started dancing when she was just two years old, and is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz/acro, contemporary, hip hop, and tap. Nearly all of her training took place at Delaware Valley Dance Academy (DVDA) under Miss Lisa Wasserman. She is currently the president of UPJ’s Dance Ensemble and choreographs for the club as well. Sophia is very excited to continue to teach and is excited to join the Forte Dance Center family!!
Miss Brianna, Office Admin
Full bio Coming Soon
Full bio Coming Soon