Our Dedicated Team

 

Lori Gales Allen

Lori Gales Allen 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 studied and danced with Broadway Choreographers Rob Marshall and Rob Davis and has 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 and continues her dance education by attending conventions and seminars.

At the Dance Center we provide more than just a recreational program; we also boast a skilled dance company and a competition team has achieved regional success. We offer opportunities for dancers of all abilities to excel and develop their talents. 

Lori is thrilled to share her love for dance with all her students and welcomes all dancers of all ages to the Lori Allen Dance Center, which is proud to celebrate its 28th season! Come and be a part of our dance family!

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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 earning her teaching certification, she attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she completed her Reading Specialist certification and Master’s degree in Reading Education.

Cara is a second-grade teacher at South Fayette Elementary School and is actively involved in the performing arts throughout the district. She serves as the choreographer for both the high school and middle school musicals, Co-Director of the high school musical, and Majorette Coach for the Little Green Machine Marching Band.​ With an extensive background in dance and musical theatre, Cara works with recreational, company, and competition dancers at the Lori Allen Dance Center, helping students grow in both skill and confidence. Her passion for performing began at a young age, and Miss Lori was her very first dance teacher when she was just three years old, making it especially meaningful to now be teaching alongside her.​ Cara is thrilled to continue sharing her love of dance with her students. Watching dancers not only develop their skills, but also bring choreography to life on stage, is one of her greatest joys. The Dance Center is proud to welcome Miss Cara back for her 14th season!

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Nicole Jamison

Nicole Jamison is a graduate of Point Park University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with dual concentrations in Jazz and Ballet. 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 their personal growth and joy in dance. The Dance Center welcomes Miss Nicole back for her 14th season!

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Jennifer Stephens

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 also 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 7th season!

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Kyleigh Seusser

Kyleigh Seusser started studying 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 in the Northeast for several years, attending master classes with renowned faculty, including Jennifer Miller, Terrence Greene, and Jon Lehrer. During this festival, she has had the opportunity to perform 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 a part of the company as a professional dancer and teaching artist. She is looking forward to starting a great year, and the Dance Center welcomes her back for her 6th season!

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Isabella Rolin

Izzy Rolin, originally from Cecil, attended Duquesne University and Purdue University. During her time in college, she performed with the Duquesne Dance Theatre at the advanced level and was a member of the Purdue 2XS Hip Hop Team, performing at various venues including the Metro in Chicago. Izzy has been dancing at the studio since she was 4 years old and has spent many years assisting and teaching classes. In 2025, she returned to school to pursue her passion for skincare and became a licensed medical aesthetician. She currently works at The Face Loft, where she specializes in skincare treatments, laser services, brows, and lashes.  The Dance Center is excited to welcome Miss Izzy back for her 8th season! 

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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 5th season! 

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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 pursuing her doctorate in Occupational Therapy 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!

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Julia Berner

Julia Berner began her dance training at Huntingdon Dance Academy in Huntingdon, PA where

she trained for 13 years and competed on the studio’s competitive dance team for 5 years.  During her time at HDA, she trained under the direction of Kristin Shoaf Roberts and Jamie Rhett Roberts. She also had the opportunity to study with guest instructors including Rebecca Dorman,  Dina Castillo, Jamale Graves, Thom Clower, Christopher Fellows, and the Penn State

Lionettes.   Julia is a 2022 graduate of La Roche University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts-Dance. While at La Roche, she trained under Maria Caruso, the director of Bodiography Contemporary Ballet, studying ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, contemporary,pedagogy, dance history, dance kinesiology, pilates and fitness and strength training. She also

worked with numerous guest choreographers and instructors such as Christina DiMarco, Kelly Basil, Lauren Skrabalak, Antonello Apicella, BDBlaq Dance, Gia T Cacalano and more.  Following graduation, Julia returned to her hometown studio as dance instructor and resident choreographer for the competitive dance team. In addition to teaching dance, she worked as a

paraprofessional supporting students in life skills, autistic support and learning support classrooms at an elementary level. Julia is excited to begin her first season at Lori Allen’s Dance Center and looks forward to sharing her passion for dance with all the students!