Cynthia's School of Dance & Music

Cynthia's School of Dance & Music has been teaching in Pittsburgh since 1988, founded by Dr. Cynthia Zurchin with a mission to give every student confidence, discipline, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning through dance. Dr. Cindy, who began dancing at age two and teaching in 1981, brings a unique background: a doctorate in Educational Leadership, over 30 years as a public-school teacher, principal, and superintendent, and current work as Assistant Professor at Point Park University where she developed and instructs the Teaching Dance Methods PreK–12 course for training future dance educators. The studio has taught thousands of students aged 2–92.

Dance classes run on a 10-month program starting after Labor Day and ending the last week of June, with a 6-week summer program beginning after July 4th. Tiny Tot classes (ages 2.5–3) are 30 minutes and introduce toddlers to tap, ballet, and creative movement through play and props. Pre-school classes (ages 3–4) are 60 minutes with tap, ballet, and tumbling. Level 1 (ages 4–5) focuses on structured tap and ballet with basic positions and barre work. Level 2 (ages 5–8) strengthens technique and introduces shuffles, flaps, and cramp rolls in tap. Level 3 (ages 8–11, average) is 90 minutes covering ballet, tap, and jazz. Level 4 (ages 10+, by placement) is 2 hours for serious students focusing on turns, jumps, and performance quality. Level 5 (advanced, by placement) is a comprehensive 3-hour program including ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary. A Pre-Professional Program serves high school students seeking serious training. Hip-hop classes (levels 1–4, ages 5 and up) teach street dance moves. Acro Dance classes combine gymnastics with dance, teaching cartwheels, handstands, back bends, walkovers, and partner tricks. Private solo lessons are available for dancers of all ages preparing for competition, audition, or recital performance.

The faculty includes Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Zurchin as Studio Director; Lacey LeMere, a 2021 Point Park University BFA Dance graduate (jazz concentration) who trained under Garfield Lemonius and performed works by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre member Yoshiaki Nakano; Samantha Skobel, who joined in 2018 and leads the adaptive dance program, earning the Shore Whitehill Award in 2024 and Educator of the Year 2nd place at the DEEP 2024 Educator Awards; Saffron White, who joined in 2020 and is a 2024 graduate of Seton Hill University with a degree in Dance and concentration in Dance Pedagogy, having performed at the Benedum Center in the 2019 Gene Kelly Awards; Kelsey Keller, Acro Instructor and co-owner of Iron City Circus Arts School who trained at Cirque du Soleil and was a Top Ten Finalist in the U.S. Aerial Championships in 2015; and Jenny Simon, an integral part since 2001 who specializes in tap, jazz, and ballet. Dr. Cindy mentors every instructor to ensure classes are fun, positive, and rooted in strong technique. Her students have performed with Disney, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Sesame Street Live, Busch Gardens, and theaters worldwide. In 2019, she was recognized as one of just four studio owners nationwide for exemplary practices and invited to share expertise on a national panel.

The studio offers piano and voice lessons for beginner to advanced musicians, with personalized instruction through private lessons and group classes. Music lessons build self-confidence, discipline, and creativity. The team of Teaching Artists personalizes lessons to each student's needs. The studio also offers an annual in-studio awards ceremony held on the last class day of the season and a year-end dance recital on the last Sunday in June. Dr. Cynthia has authored children's books Ballerina on Wheels and Amazing Ava's First Dance Recital, celebrating inclusivity, determination, and the joy of dance. She is also a certified chair yoga instructor and motivational speaker. The studio has observation windows so parents can watch their child during lessons.

Classes are structured, age-appropriate, and focused on building strong technique in a fun, supportive, and encouraging environment. Children as young as 2.5 can join Tiny Tot classes where it's okay to attend in diapers during this pre-verbal time. You'll find an observation window to watch during lessons, and the studio creates a non-competitive environment where dancers learn stage presence, teamwork, and resilience.

The team is led by Dr. Cynthia Zurchin, a nationally recognised educator with a doctorate in Educational Leadership and 30+ years of teaching experience, plus current work as Assistant Professor at Point Park University training future dance educators. Instructors include Lacey LeMere (Point Park University BFA Dance graduate), Samantha Skobel (Allegheny College dance minor, Master of Education from Clarion University, 2024 Shore Whitehill Award recipient), Saffron White (Seton Hill University Dance graduate), Kelsey Keller (Acro specialist and Cirque du Soleil-trained professional), and Jenny Simon (teaching since 2001).

Classes are designed for all levels starting at age 2.5, with age-appropriate instruction and a supportive, non-competitive environment.