OUR INSTRUCTORS
Lori M. Javornick
Founder and Director of the Academy of Dance by Lori, has been dancing since the age of 4. She was a member of the American Dance Ensemble at Point Park College for 4 years and performed in “The Nutcracker”, ” Rite of Spring,” ” A Chorus Line, ” and ” Cats.” She has studied with Douglas Bents, Ron Tassone, Kenith Johnson, Nicolas and Mary Petrov. Lori is the founder of the Academy of Dance by Lori in 1985 and the Academy Dance Company. She has received numerous awards for her choreography and costume design as well as for her student’s technique and performance. The Academy has won regional and national recognition over the past 30 years. Lori’s students have been accepted to the Pennsylvania Governors School, awarded with dance scholarships, college scholarships, and National Dance Titles. She is a national adjudicator for dance competitions and is a master teacher at dance conventions and dance competitions. Lori is also a national choreographer and master teacher whose work is commissioned frequently in California and other states throughout the US. Her studio has been named the critics choice dance studio in the South Hills of Pittsburgh by the Tribune Review in both 2006 and 2007.
Michelle Dawson,MS,
Co-Director of The Academy of Dance by Lori, has performed nationally and internationally with Chicago’s Mad Shak Dance Comapnay, the Pittsburgh Dance Alloy and The Neofuturists Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois. Her choreography has been performed at Dance Chicago, the Pittsburgh Choreographers Continuum, The American College Dance Festival at Penn State and Mercyhurst College, the Carnegie Museum and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland with the Unseam’d Shakespeare Company. Her choreography has received national acclaim at dance competitions and festivals. Furthermore, her students have gone on to receive numerous national dance titles and special awards. Michelle also holds a Masters Degree in Developmental Movement/Movement Science from the University of Pittsburgh. She holds an ardent interest in movement education and has worked with Dr Julius PA Deward, PT, PhD and other colleagues at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago on movement recovery research following hemiparetic stroke. This work has been published and presented at major conferences both nationally and internationally. She is currently a part-time faculty member at the University of Pitttsburgh, an adjunct instructor at Point Park University, is the founder of the ACOYA DANCE PROJECT and has served as the Local Dance Coordinator for the Moscow Ballet’s production of the great Russian Nutcracker in the fall of 2006 and 2008.
Mary Pietropaolo
New York native whose passion for dance began at an early age as a competitive dancer. What started as a hobby quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit. Mary has trained at several prestigious institutions, including the Joffrey Ballet School, American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Staten Island Ballet, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Dance Educators of America, as well as participating in numerous conventions across New York City.
After graduating from a Performing Arts high school, Mary continued her training at Point Park University, where she majored in ballet. During her time there, she performed works by renowned choreographers such as Francesca Harper, Peter Merz, Doug Bentz, Ron Tassone, and Jay Kirk, and ultimately earned her BA in Dance. She also trained in the Joffrey Ballet’s Trainee Program, performing both classical and contemporary repertoire.
Upon graduation, Mary was offered apprenticeships with several ballet companies, but her true calling led her to teaching. For over a decade, she has been an integral part of the Academy of Dance by Lori, where she has received numerous accolades for both her choreography and teaching. Her work has earned several choreography awards as well as recognition for outstanding technique and performance.
Mary remains deeply committed to her growth as a dance educator and artist. She regularly attends dance conventions and performances to stay inspired and continue evolving her craft.