Eden Mishler Ihrig started her classical ballet training in Johnstown, Pennsylvania as a member of the Johnstown Concert Ballet for 11 years. To further her training, she attended Intensive Summer Programs at Allegheny Ballet Company and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) where she was also influenced by modern, jazz, character, pilates, and contemporary. She then attended Mercyhurst University’s prestigious Dance Department where she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Dance with a Choreography Concentration. While at Mercyhurst she performed roles in Giselle, Cinderella, Firebird, Les Patineurs, and many others. Her most recent role was “Snow Queen” in Lake Erie Ballet’s The Nutcracker in 2017. Eden Mishler Ihrig has aspired to share her knowledge of dance with others since the young age of 13. She has taught at studios and conventions across Pennsylvania including Johnstown Concert Ballet, Lake Erie Ballet, Erie Dance Theater, Dance Masters of Pennsylvania Teacher’s Training School and Conventions. She was also Department Chair and Dance Instructor at Villa Maria Academy and Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, PA where she taught ballet, modern, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, musical theater and dance conditioning. She choreographed and set many original works in her time at Prep-Villa and grew the program from the ground up. She was also the sole choreographer for the Cathedral Preparatory School and Villa Maria Academy Musical Theater Department under the direction of Father Mike DeMartinis where she choreographed over a dozen theatrical productions. She has big plans for the Johnstown Concert Ballet and is honored to be continuing Carla Pruncal’s legacy as Executive Artistic Director.

Madalyn Barnes was a member of Johnstown Concert Ballet for 14 years. She has experience in classical Checcetti method ballet, as well as contemporary, modern, and jazz. Under the direction of Carla Prucnal, she performed in many different productions such as The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and the Little Mermaid. During this time, she also studied with Point Park University and worked on a production of Appalachian Spring with the Martha Graham Dance Company under the direction of Anne O’Donnell. She has also studied at Raleigh Ballet, Cary Ballet Conservatory, and Altoona Ballet Company. In 2018, she won the Anne McCabe award for leadership. Upon graduation from JCB, Madalyn went on to study at Seton Hill University and provides private ballet lessons to local students.

Abby Hoffman began her study of ballet as an awkward 11 year old that could not stand up straight to save her life. She immediately realized that she needed ballet, it not only improved her posture but changed her confidence and improved her self-esteem in unimaginable ways. Through middle school and high school she tried every form of dance her studio offered, tap, jazz, and acrobatics. While she did not excel at tap or jazz, she was in love with acrobatic dance. After studying ballet and acrobatic dance for the next 7 years and assisting in teaching classes, she could not possibly give up ballet. She went on to minor in dance at IUP where her love of dance only grew. She taught ballet and acrobatics for 10 years, before stepping away to raise her children. She is a mother of 4, her oldest started college this year, Lena and Chase are both dancers with JCB, and her youngest is now in K-4 and still loves to watch ballet, even telling her that he wanted Baryshnikov to be his teacher this year. Beyond dancing, she earned a degree in Psychology and worked for 10+years in the mental health field, before returning to school to earn a masters degree in education. She currently teaches 6th grade math and ELA. When she has a minute of free time she enjoys spending it with her kids getting outside, camping, boating, and sometimes she can even convince them to go on a short hike with her.

Anita Lorek is the owner of Le Dance Academie’ in Salix where she has taught and managed the studio for 40 yrs. She started dance at the age of 4 with Rita Rafas of Ebensburg and went on to continue her training at Point Park College where she obtained her BA degree in dance, was a member of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Junior Company and performed with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. While there she also studied Theatre Arts at the Pittsburgh Playhouse where she performed in various musicals. Throughout the many years of teaching she has also choreographed an innumerable number of musicals for several local high schools. Along with dance is her love for singing which she does as members of the Johnstown Symphony Chorus, The Greater Johnstown Community Chorus and Cantor at St. Michael Catholic Church.

Sarah began her dance training at age 3 studying ballet, tap, and jazz. By age eight she transferred to Johnstown Concert Ballet to study classical ballet and pointe full time under the instruction of the late Carla Prucnal. During her time at JCB Sarah attended various master classes and workshops and also studied and completed The Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet Exams levels 1-3. She performed various solo roles in productions such as The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Les Sylphides, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Graduation Ball. She continued her education at California Univerisity of Pennsylvania (now PennWest California) where she also studied theatre. Sarah earned a BA in Theatre and a minor in Dance in 2012. During her time at Cal Sarah worked on or performed in over 17 school productions and showcases including but not limited to several Student Directed One Acts, A Christmas Carol The Musical, Cabaret, and Noises Off!. She has had the opportunity to study several genres of dance while at Cal including ballet, modern, tap, and jazz and also choreographed and performed in the dance concerts. She has taken various acting, dance, voice, directing, and tech classes learning the ins and outs of not only performing on stage but what it takes to put on a production from behind the scenes. During the summer at Cal, Sarah worked with the Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy (MVPAA) and assisted with their summer program. She is also a member of Alpha Psi Omega (APO) National Theatre Honor Society. Sarah is thrilled to be a member of the JCB faculty for the upcoming season and is excited to get to know the students and share her knowledge.

Samantha Stevanus is a kindergarten teacher at the Johnstown Elementary School. She started dancing ballet at the Johnstown Concert Ballet when she was 6 years old under Miss Carla. She has continued to participate and be involved with the ballet since then which will be about 28 years now. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and 3 children, Elizabella, Aubriella, and Weston. She looks forward to teaching your child a love for dance and how to succeed by setting goals.