A STEP ABOVE DANCE ACADEMY
615 Carl Ave. - New Kensington, PA 15068 - 724-339-3833 - asadastaff@gmail.com
Mrs. Michelle Kovitch-Maskas
Owner/Director/Dance Instructor
Meet the Staff
2025 - 2026
Styles: ALL STYLES
You can find her Monday through Thursday.
Michelle grew up in Upper Burrell as a graduate of Burrell High School. She believes in supporting our local communities to help the younger generations thrive! She began her dance journey at the age of 8, where she studied all styles of dance. During her dance training, she attended competitions and workshops, taking classes from some of the biggest names in the industry. Upon high school graduation, Mrs.Maskas continued her education at PennState obtaining a business management degree and graduated with the highest GPA in her class. She also continued her dance training by attending Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America’s Teachers Training Programs. Both organizations are known for requiring teachers to test their dance knowledge before becoming a member. She is a proud member of Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of America, Dance Masters of Pennsylvania & Pennsylvania Dance Education Organization. Her certifications include: Acrobatic Arts, ALICE training, and National Federation of High School Concussion certification. She trains recreational and competitive level dancers to enjoy the art of dance and all it has to offer. When not dancing, Michelle loves to spend time with her husband, Jeremy, three children, Merilee, Jaxon and Miles. She greatly enjoys camping, swimming and relaxing with friends.
Styles: Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Cardio, Competitive
You can find her on Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays
Miss Klase, born and raised in New Kensington, began dancing at the age of 3. She is an ASADA 2009 Graduate & a 2013 Alumni of Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts, where she earned a BA in Acting and a minor in Broadcasting. After graduation, she worked as a performer/choreographer in the Pittsburgh area. In addition to her numerous performances in film and theatre, which include Roxie Hart in Chicago, she has had spots with Nickelodeon and MTV, was a performer in Walt Disney World and is a fitness instructor. Miss Klase's goal for teaching is creating dancers who believe in themselves -- both in and out of the studio. When not at the Studio, Miss Klase enjoys supporting local small businesses , reading and spending time at home with her husband, Craig, 3 year old son, Dean, and her fur babies (Jovie & Sid)!
Mrs. Klase Licata
Studio Administrator/Dance Instructor
Styles: Competitive (All Styles)
You can find her on Tuesdays/Thursdays.
Miss Richelle grew up in Greensburg where she fell in love with dance. She began dancing at age three and has continued her studies in all styles of dance. Richelle graduated from La Roche College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management and Marketing with a minor in Performing Arts. She performed in many shows and musicals around the Pittsburgh area and danced professionally with the Pittsburgh Power for several years. She then realized that her true passion was teaching and choreographing. She enjoys seeing the smiling faces of her students as they conquer something new. She loves instructing younger dance enthusiasts with the same passion she enjoyed while growing up. Richelle has been a proud member of ASADA for twelve years. She has attended Dance Masters of America Teacher’s Training School in NY. She is a proud certified member of Dance Masters of America chapter 10, Dance Educators of America and Progressing Ballet Technique. She is also a certified aerobics instructor which she specializes in hip hop hustle, latin heat and aqua fit. Outside of the studio Richelle enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and crafting.
Mrs. Richelle Ledgerwood
Dance Instructor
Styles: Competitive (All Styles)
You can find her on Mondays/Thursdays.
Styles: Gymnastics/Tumbling
You can find her on Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays
Miss Jaclyn has been a gymnastic instructor at ASADA since 2005. She trained for many years with the Kiski Valley YMCA where she won numerous awards as a gymnast. Several of her students have won gymnastics scholarships with Great Lakes Regional Dance Masters. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two children, Isabella & Emmett, along with her husband, Shane.
Mrs. Jaclyn Stefaniak
Gymnastics Coach
Miss Maura, a Pittsburgh native, has been dancing since the age of two and is trained in all styles of dance. She grew up as a competitive dancer winning numerous awards, titles and scholarships. Maura attended Point Park University’s pre-professional program and international summer dance intensive and Joffrey’s jazz and contemporary summer intensive. She is invested in her dance education and has participated in numerous workshops, master classes and learned from the countries top choreographers. She found a love for teaching and choreographing at a young age and her choreography has been recognized and has won numerous awards. Maura continues to instruct, educate and inspire young dancers with the same passion and love she had growing up.
Miss Maura Jump
Dance Instructor
Styles: Ballet, Pointe, Technique
You can find her on Mondays.
Miss Renee, a native of Pittsburgh, received her training at Bodiography Center for Movement under the direction of Maria Caruso, where she began her baccalaureate studies through the College Preparatory Dance Program at La Roche University. She completed her B.A. in Dance in December of 2020. During her summers, she attended intensive programs at Bodiography as well as Complexions Contemporary Ballet and the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. In addition to dance, she is passionate about fitness and is a certified instructor of the Bodiography Fitness and Strength Training System. Renee began her professional career as an apprentice with Bodiography in 2018, and was promoted to Principal Artist in 2021. She retired from dancing professionally in 2025, and currently serves on faculty and as a teaching artist at Bodiography Center for Movement and A Step Above Dance Academy.
Miss Renee Simeone
Dance Instructor
Miss Sarah Dietsch
Dance Instructor
Styles: Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre, Competitive
You can find her on Wednesdays/Thursdays.
Miss Sarah, a Pittsburgh based instructor, choreographer, and performer has been heavily involved in the dance community for over 20 years. She began dancing under the instruction of Linda Dies and Molly Dies in Warren, Pennsylvania. She continued her studies at Slippery Rock University, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with concentrations in both business administration and performance and choreography. Dietsch was a member of Afro- Colombian Dance Ensemble and ROCK Dance Company during her time at Slippery Rock University. She has worked with many established artists including Manasvini Ramaschandran, Francine Ott, Lindsay Fisher-Viatori, Chitra Subramanian, Jesse Factor, Christine Cobb, Jennifer Keller, and Melissa Teodoro. In addition to performance work, Sarah Dietsch also serves in the dance community as a passionate educator. Having worked at studios all over western Pennsylvania, she has worked with students from preschool to college in; ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, kindermoves, lyrical, yoga, and modern dance. In addition to her dance career, Sarah is also a Licensed Massage Therapist. She specializes in medical and neuromuscular massage therapy and works with dancers to keep their bodies healthy and mobile. Outside of the studio you can find Sarah hiking and spending time with her pets.
Styles: Gymnastics/Acro
You can find her on Mondays.
Miss Chrissy began dancing when she was 6 years old. She trained in all styles of dance throughout her years of dancing. She grew up as a competition dancer and competed in many dance competitions over the years . She earned many awards and high score overalls with her acro solos. Her favorite styles of dance from a young age have always been Acro and Jazz. Miss Chrissy has been teaching for many years now and loves sharing her love for dance with all of her students. When you can’t find her at the studio teaching you will find her spending time with her daughter Emalyn, son Gannon, and husband Brian.
Mrs. Chrissy Cyphers
Gymnastics Coach
Styles: Tap
You can find her on Mondays.
Mrs. Cristina Longwill
Dance Instructor
Miss Cristina grew up locally in Penn Hills, PA, but has been a resident of Upper Burrell for the last 13 years. Cristina has been dancing since the age of 3 and trained in all styles of dance at both Maryen Lorrain Dance Studio in Penn Hills and M&M Dance Academy in Monroeville. She competed until the age of 13, but continued training after that in her favorite style of dance, tap. Cristina always wanted to be a teacher and graduated from Grove City college with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education in 2007. She has taught elementary and middle school math at Woodland Hills School District, as well as ESL online. The last two years she has taught Environmental Science field trips on the River Boat Explorer in downtown Pittsburgh. Cristina has decided to take her love of teaching to the dance floor and is excited to become a part of the dance teaching staff at ASADA! When not teaching and dancing, Cristina spends time with her husband, Jon, their two boys Tyler and Connor, and their dog Bella. She enjoys reading, traveling, camping, eating at great new Pittsburgh restaurants and day trips to fun places around southwestern Pennsylvania.
Styles: All Styles
You can find her on Thursdays
Miss Heather began dancing at the age of three and is trained in all styles of dance. She was a competitive dancer and member of the Western Pennsylvania Performing Arts Company. Through commitment, dedication, and a strong desire for success, Heather was awarded numerous high-score, title, and critic’s choice awards. She was also able to study under the directors of Exhale Dance Tribe in Cincinnati, Ohio, Missy Lay Zimmer and Andrew Hubbard. Her accomplishments as a competitive dancer motivated Heather to pursue a career in dance at Seton Hill University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance Choreography and Pedagogy. Also, she has her Masters Degree in Education. She has been teaching dance for the past 12 years and loves to see the joy that dance brings to her students.
Miss Heather Long
Dance Instructor
Miss Lindsay Roman
Dance Instructor
Styles: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Modern
You can find her on Mondays & Wednesdays.
Miss Lindsay grew up in Lower Burrell, began dancing at the age of 3 at Michelle’s Dance Studio/ASADA. She continued her studies at Slippery Rock University, where she earned dual degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a focus on Public Relations, and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. While in college, she spent her free-time choreographing work for local studios nearby. While teaching, she helped choreograph a jazz dance that went to the Star Dance Alliance World Dance Championships. Miss Lindsay also choreographed many solos at Slippery Rock University that were presented in shows 60x60 and Slippery Rock University Dance Theater Adjudication Concert. Her goal is to continue inspiring students that they can achieve their dreams.
Mr. Isaac Ray
Dance Instructor
Styles: Ballet/Pointe
You can find him on Tuesdays
Isaac is a 2021 graduate of La Roche University’s Performing Arts Department holding a B.A. in Dance and a certification in the Bodiography Fitness and Strength Training System, as well as training from the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. He began as a Principal Ambassador of BCB2, was promoted to Company Artist in 2020, and Principal Artist in 2022. Over the years he performed various works by Maria Caruso, Gia Cacalano, Kelly Basil, Meg Schriffen, Nicole Jamison, Christina DiMarco, Callum Newman, Jackie O'Toole, and Virginie Mecene. He began his dance studies at Holliday Dance under the direction of Sharon Hollingshead, and Huntingdon Dance Academy under the direction of Kristin and Jamie Roberts. During his time with HDA, he performed in many productions of The Nutcracker choreographed by Jamie Rhett Roberts; he also played the role of "Puck" in A Midsummer Night's Dream choreographed by Thom Clower. In addition to his work with the company, he is on faculty at Bodiography Center for Movement and is the Co-Artistic Director of the Bodiography Student Company.