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Welcome
to Our Site
The Pennsylvania Academy of Dance has been a cherished and irreplaceable part of the Sewickley Village community for over 15 years. Known for its dedication to excellence in training and its nurturing environment, the studio has inspired countless dancers to discover their passion for the art of dance. As a longstanding cornerstone in Sewickley, it continues to provide high-quality instruction while fostering creativity, discipline, and confidence in every student who walks through its doors.
Our Family
Samantha Melo
Founder/Owner/Director
Born and raised in New York, Samantha began her training at the age of five with Roya Curie, former prima ballerina of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. After Curie’s passing, Samantha continued her studies with Peter and Lisa Newman of New York City Ballet and Valerie Feit of Alvin Ailey. Throughout her childhood Samantha was accepted to and attended many schools such as the Joffrey Ballet School, Alvin Ailey and the American Academy of Ballet. In 2002, Samantha attended the University of Hartford’s Hartt Conservatory on scholarship. In 2004, she was awarded a scholarship to attend Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Performance and Dance Pedagogy in 2006. Upon Graduation, Samantha became a faculty member for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pittsburgh Youth Ballet and began her professional dancing career. After moving to Los Angeles, she danced principal roles with companies such as California Contemporary Ballet, Creations Dance Theatre, Media City Ballet, and Louise Reichlan’s Los Angeles Choreographers and Dancers. She was represented by both Trio and Bloch talent agencies where she booked many jobs in the entertainment business. As for teaching, Samantha taught for many different prestigious studios throughout Los Angeles as well as for the LA Unified School District. In 2011, Samantha returned to Pittsburgh where she opened The Pennsylvania Academy of Dance and accumulated over 200 students just within the first year. Samantha has held the prestigious title of the Dean of the Early Bird program at Debbie Allen Dance Academy and is the founder and owner of The Dance Conservatory of Los Angeles. In 2024, she launched “Dance with Miss Samantha”, a free online dance education platform that reaches people of all ages and levels; all over the world. She most recently has partnered with The Ronald Mcdonald House of Los Angeles to help families in need. Samantha has been an educator and leader for 100’s of schools and organizations all over the country and continues to spread a strong dance education and love for the arts, all over the world.
Bethany Dreste
Instructor
Bethany completed her training at Cornerstone Academy for the Performing Arts, and subsequently danced as a company trainee with Central Illinois Ballet under the direction of Rebekah von Rathonyi. During her time at Central Illinois Ballet, she performed in many productions including The Nutcracker, Dracula, Little Red Riding Hood, and Anne Frank. Bethany discovered her passion for teaching at ART Inc, where she developed and taught a beginning ballet curriculum for K-12 after-school students. She has taught children and adults of all ages and levels in both Pennsylvania and Illinois, and is particularly inspired by watching her beginning students fall in love with dance for the first time. Currently, Bethany dances with Confluence Ballet Co. She loves her students at PA academy of dance and is enjoying connecting with the broader dance community in the city!
Baylee Sullivan
Instructor
Baylee Sullivan, originally from Racine, Wisconsin, began her training at a local studio under Marc Darling and Linda Bennett. After graduating high school, she trained with the Ruth Page Center for the Arts Civic Ballet in Chicago for the next year. She then went on to dance with Richmond Ballet as a trainee. Following two years in the trainee program, Baylee was accepted into Richmond Ballet’s second company where she had the pleasure of performing in various contemporary works and ballets such as Romeo & Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, A Midsummer Nights Dream, La Bayadère and The Nutcracker. In September of 2019, Baylee moved to New York City to dance with New York Theatre Ballet for one season before being accepted into Confluence Ballet for their inaugural season in Pittsburgh, PA. Baylee had the opportunity and pleasure to move to Orlando, Florida for a couple months during the 2022 Christmas season to dance in Universal Orlando’s Holiday Parade. After her time in Florida, Baylee joined Texture Contemporary Ballet and is excited to continue her career in Pittsburgh, PA.
Matthew Hydzik
Instructor
Matthew is an accomplished stage performer who has starred on Broadway, in national tours, and on international stages. His five Broadway credits include Tony in West Side Story, Gregg Allman in The Cher Show, Buddy in Side Show, Greg in It Shoulda Been You, and Kenickie in Grease. He also portrayed John in the Off-Broadway production and U.S. premiere of Tomorrow Morning. On tour, Matthew has starred in five national productions, including Josh in If/Then, Mark/Roger in Rent, Nick in Fame, Kenickie in Grease, and Nick Hurley in the world premiere tour of Flashdance: The Musical. A proud Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University, Matthew has performed as a featured soloist with prestigious organizations and at renowned venues, including the LA Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Broadway Songbook Series, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Muny, Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, Stages St. Louis, the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs, and ACT of Connecticut. Regionally, he has brought to life a wide range of roles, with favorites including Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Cable in South Pacific, Shakespeare in Something Rotten!, Freddy in Chess, Enoch Snow in Carousel, Father Flynn in Doubt, Kristoff in Frozen, and Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein. He recently portrayed Young Monet in A Mirrored Monet, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Matthew is also an active collaborator with Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, most recently playing Kristoff in Disney’s Frozen The Musical and Eddie/Dr. Scott in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Megan Arnoldy
Instructor
Megan has had the great opportunity to find success on both sides of the table during her career in theatre. As an actress, she’s performed in hit shows such as “Jersey Boys” (Las Vegas) and “The Drowsy Chaperone” (1st National Tour) in addition to extensive regional theatre credits including “Mamma Mia”, “Cinderella”, and ‘White Christmas’ at the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA. She’s had the honor to work with and learn from some of the industry’s brightest directors and choreographers. As a casting director in NYC with RWS Entertainment Group, she launched an international casting tour for Virgin Voyages and identified talent for multiple theme parks and corporate events. She also recruited at many college showcases and had the pleasure of working with several of today’s theatre program leaders and educators. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Penn State University, where she met Matthew. She currently is the Director & Choreographer of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Mini Stars.
Kenny Smith
Instructor
Kenny started his training at the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School (C.A.P.A) under the direction of teachers such as Leslie Braswell-Anderson, Renee M. Polanco, Kevin Mallony, Amy Ferren and Greer Reed-Jones. During his time at C.A.P.A. he was trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap. His hard work earned him a full scholarship from Pittsburgh's Civic Light Opera; the prestigious Lynn Swann Scholarship to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and a full scholarship to Point Park Universities International Summer Intensive where studied under the watchful care of Susan Stowe, Pete Merz, Kiesha Lalama, Pearl-Anne Porter, David Story and Kiki Lucas. After graduating high school Kenny joined the Pittsburgh Black Theatre Dance Ensemble, currently known as the August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble. Since moving to New York has studied at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem Step NYC PeriDance and the Broadway Dance Center in New York. Kenny's style of dance is a fusion of hip hop, jazz and is also influenced by contemporary movement. Having trained and worked with a vast array of Choreographers and Artists like; Jonte Moaning, Dana Foglia, Danielle Polanco, Rhapsody, Brian Friedman, Rhapsody, Tone and Rich, Outcast, Missy Elliot, Christina Aguilera, J-Lo and Britney Spears to name a few. He continues to grow and adapt to many different styles hoping to share with his creativity along with his diversity. With showing his passion, he strives to push and inspire others young dancers.
Hannah Taylor
Instructor
Hannah Taylor is a choreographer and professional musical theatre performer based in the Pittsburgh area. A graduate of Seton Hill University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, Hannah has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, and musical theatre. Hannah has instructed and choreographed at numerous studios, schools, and theatre programs throughout Western Pennsylvania. She currently is the Co-Choreographer for Quaker Valley High School, Choreographer of the Middle School, and the Choreographer and Assitant Director of Act One Theatre School’s High School Program. She has previously choreographed and taught for CLO, Wexford Acting Studio, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, Wexford Dance Academy, and other educational theatre programs. She has also performed professionally with RWS Entertainment. Hannah is passionate about creating a positive, encouraging environment where students can develop confidence, discipline, and artistry. She believes every performer deserves to feel supported while discovering their unique strengths, and she strives to inspire a lifelong love of dance and musical theatre in every student she teaches.