The Lori Allen Dance Center
About Us
Lori Gales Allen
Lori is a graduate of Point Park University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. Prior to opening the Dance Center, she has studied and danced with Broadway Choreographers Rob Marshall and Rob Davis and been a professional teacher in the South Hills area for 35 years. Lori has performed with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Don Brockett Productions and other local and regional theaters. Lori was also a dance instructor for RMU Island Sports Complex. Lori continues her dance education by attending conventions and seminars. The center offers recreational dance as well as a competitive group. The LADC competitive group are regional and national platinum winners. Lori is thrilled to share her love for dance with all her students and welcomes all dancers of all ages to the Dance Center! The Dance Center is excited and proud to celebrate its 25thseason!!
Cara Fornella
Cara Fornella, from South Fayette, graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in May 2010 with a B.A. in Childhood Development and Education and a minor in Theater. After receiving her teaching certification, she attended the University of Pittsburgh for her Reading Specialist certification and a masters in Reading Education. Cara is a second-grade teacher at South Fayette Elementary School, as well as the Choreographer for both the high school and middle school musicals at South Fayette, a Co-Director for the high school musical, and the Majorette Coach for the Little Green Machine Marching Band. She has an extensive background in dance and musical theatre. Miss Lori was Cara’s first dance teacher at the age of three, and she is thrilled to be back in the studio with her. Cara is eager to share her love of dance with the dancers at the Lori Allen Dance Center! Watching the students not only develop as dancers, but bring her choreography to life on stage is one of her greatest joys. The Dance Center welcomes Miss Cara back for her 11th season!
Angela Bell
Angela, from Canonsburg, graduated from Duquesne University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education in May 2019. In August 2023, she graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from Point Park University. She is a fifth-grade language arts teacher at Jefferson Hills Intermediate School in West Jefferson Hills School District. Angela has also been a nanny for several families and works as a tutor at Red Apple Learning Center. Throughout her dance career, she was involved with the Duquesne University Dance Theatre at the advanced level and was a member of the Canonettes for all four years of high school. She also served as captain her senior year and was the sponsor for the 2020-2021 school year. Additionally, Angela danced for Miss Lori for 15 years and was an assistant teacher during that time. She is so excited to be back at the studio as a teacher to share her love of dance with her dancers. The Dance Center welcomes Miss Angela back for her 7th season!
Taylor Riedel
Taylor Riedel is a recent graduate of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. Taylor is currently an associate attorney at Tucker Arensberg, P.C. Prior to law school, Taylor attended the University of Pittsburgh where she received her B.A. in English writing and her B.A. in History. She was a four year member of the Pitt Dance Team and served as captain during her senior year. She competed with the dance team at the NDA college nationals in Daytona, Florida during her time on the team. Growing up, Taylor danced for Miss Lori for 11 years and is excited to be back at the studio where she can share her passion for dance with the students! The Dance Center welcomes Miss Taylor back for her 4th season!
Nicole Flasch
Nicole Jamison is a graduate of Point Park University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a dual Jazz and Ballet concentration. Previously Nicole danced for seven seasons as a Principal Artist with Pittsburgh-based Bodiography Contemporary Ballet. Nicole is an American Ballet Theater ® certified Teacher after successfully completing the ABT ® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level Three of the ABT ® National Training Curriculum. She is also a Level 1 & 2 Building Blocks of Dance certified teacher. Nicole enjoys sharing her passion for dance with her students in the Pittsburgh-Area and loves witnessing her students' personal growth and joy for dance. The Dance Center welcomes Miss Nicole back for her 11th season!
Jennifer Romano
Jennifer Stephens is a graduate of Point Park University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance with a concentration in modern. Jennifer is Power Pilates certified and completed an education internship at the Civic Light Opera. She recently obtained a Master’s in Education from Point Park University. In addition to dance, Jennifer teaches 5th grade at Carnegie Elementary School. Jennifer is excited to share her passion for dance with the students at the Lori Allen Dance Center. The Dance Center welcomes Miss Jennifer back for her 6th season!
Kyleigh Seusser
Kyleigh started studying in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap at a young age in Erie, Pa at Erie Dance Conservatory under the direction of Sarah Purvis. She participated in Regional Dance America for the Northeast region for several years where she attended master classes with many renowned faculty such as Jennifer Miller, Terrence Greene, and Jon Lehrer to name a few. During this festival she has had the opportunity to have performed at various theaters in various cities such as Pittsburgh, Pa, Harrisburg, Pa, and Montreal, Canada. She has attended many summer intensives such as Point Park International Summer Intensive, Joffrey Ballet’s Jazz and Contemporary Intensive, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Bachelor of Arts in Jazz dance in 2017. She joined Bodiography Contemporary Ballet in August of 2017 as an apprentice and continues to be apart of the company as a professional dancer and teaching artist. She is looking forward to start a great year and the Dance Center welcomes her back for her 5rd season!
Julie Hilzendeger
Julie, originally from Bethel Park, graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Bachelor of Arts in both Catechetics and Theology with a concentration in Youth Ministry. She is a stay-at-home mom to Michael, Karen, Madelyn, and Kilian. Julie is also a mompreneur running her business from home where she helps overwhelmed moms find peace and joy through prayer, simplicity, laughter and real-life shenanigans. Julie was a student of Miss Lori’s for 9 years. She loves being back home at the studio, sharing her love and passion for dance with the students! The Dance Center welcomes Miss Julie back for her 10th season!
Isabella Rolin
Isabella, originally from Cecil, attended Duquesne University and Purdue University. While in school, she was a part of the Duquesne Dance Theatre at the advanced level. She was also on the Purdue 2XS Hip Hop team, performing at places like the Metro in Chicago. Isabella has danced for Miss Lori since she was 4 years old and helped with classes over the years. The Dance Center Welcomes Miss Isabella back for her 5th season!
Rachel Romano
Rachel Romano recently graduated in December of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently studying to receive her doctorate in Occupational Therapy, continuing her education at Pitt. Rachel enjoys working with children, spending much of her time nannying, babysitting, volunteering for those with special needs, and tutoring. She danced for Miss Lori for 15 years growing up, including 6 years as a part of the competition team. Rachel has also been an assistant teacher at the studio for many of those years, including on and off throughout college. She is so excited to return to the studio, which has become her second home, to share her passion for dance with all of the students!