OUR FACULTY

Darcy Phifer Field

Darcy is the daughter of founders Ken and Jean Phifer and is the artistic director of the studio. She received her early dance education from her parents before dancing professionally in New York City. Darcy’s dance credits are extensive. She has danced in several Broadway shows, including Sophisticated Ladies with Gregory Hines and The Most Happy Fella. Her television credits include the Miss America Pageant, the Grammy Awards, Great Performances on PBS, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, and Night of A Hundred Stars. She has appeared in numerous television commercials and in a feature film. She also consulted on the editing of dance numbers for the iconic 1987 movie Dirty Dancin’. Darcy taught in New York City at the Luigi Dance Center, at the Harkness Ballet School, and for the Canadian and American Dance Festivals. Along with Sandra Plavchak, she is the eight-time recipient of the National Choreography Award. Her dance groups have been named the Grand National Champions sixteen times, most recently in 2024.

Austin Taylor

Austin is the present owner of the studio and began his dance training at Ken & Jean Dance Studio in 1992 with Ken, Jean, Darcy, and Sandi. In 2011, he graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Dance Performance. Austin has since performed around the world with companies in New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando and abroad. He was a dancer and aerialist as well as dance captain and company manager on Holland America Line for 8 years under Stiletto Entertainment and RWS Entertainment Group. Austin was also in the inaugural and finale cast of BBC’s Dancing With The Stars @ Sea, Walt Disney’s Beauty and The Beast Live Onstage! at Hollywood Studios, HersheyPark’s DANCE, DANCE, DANCE: America!, and Legends In Concert in Las Vegas. He has choreographed and helped to stage numerous shows for theme parks and musical artists. Austin’s industrial credits include American Eagle Outfitters, NY Sports Club, Fairmont Hotels, and The Andy Warhol Museum. Austin has taught at numerous dance studios and has adjudicated regional and national title competitions, performing arts competitions, and conventions around the country. He also served as Adjunct Professor at Seton Hill University. Austin is an Associate Member of Cecchetti Council of America and an active member of Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of America, Acrobatic Arts, Studio Owner Alliance, and Youth Protection Association for Dance. He currently serves as Chair of the Cecchetti Council of Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Teoli

Jennifer is a 2007 graduate from Point Park University with a BA in dance. Jennifer began her training with Ken and Jean in 1988 when she was three years old and has been teaching at the studio since 2006. Jennifer is a brilliant choreographer, and many of her students are recipients of dance scholarships. She brings a wealth of knowledge along with a clear understanding of how to motivate and bring the best out in her dancers. She is currently an Associate Member of the Cecchetti Council of America and holds student and teacher certificates in Grades I-V. She is the proud mother of four beautiful children.

Michele Gala

Michele Gala began dancing at the age of three at the Ken and Jean Dance Studio. She is a graduate of Seton Hill University where she graduated with a BA in Dance Pedagogy, Performance, and Choreography and a BS in Business Administration Marketing, all with honors. Michele trained with the Radio City Rockettes at their summer intensive, performed with Exhalations Dance Theatre and in various works at Seton Hill University. She is an Associate Member of the Cecchetti Council of America, and has obtained student certifications in Grades I-VI and Teacher Grades I-V. Michele is also a member of Dance Masters of Pennsylvania and Dance Masters of America and serves as Secretary for Cecchetti Council of Pennsylvania.

Sandra Plavchak - Resident Choreographer & Consultant

Sandra has been a principal member of the faculty for 30 years and brings with her a wealth of talent and a keen knowledge for teaching children. She was the valedictorian of her class at University of Pittsburgh and holds a B.S. in Education and English. She is member of Dance Masters of America and is highly active in the Pennsylvania chapter. Sandra is co-recipient, with Darcy, of eight National Choreography Awards, the highest award given by the organizations. Sandra teaches the Cecchetti Method of Ballet and holds professional certificates in Grades I-VI. She is a principal choreographer for the Junior Ballet Company of the Cecchetti Council of Pennsylvania. Sandra holds office as Treasurer for the organization as well. Sandra’s three daughters all danced at the studio throughout their childhoods. She is most grateful for having had the opportunity to work alongside both Ken and Jean throughout her professional career and learn from such masters in the field of dance.

Suzi Normandy - Faculty

Suzi is a graduate of Juniata College. She grew up studying all forms of dance under Ken and Jean and has been an important member of our faculty for more than 25 years. She teaches tap, ballet, jazz, and acrobatics. Suzi imparts her love of dance to our students with exceptional care and attention to detail. She is the proud mother of two wonderful young performers.

Elaina Custino - Faculty

Elaina graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory with a BFA in Acting and a Minor in Dance. After graduation, Elaina moved to Los Angeles where she earned the credentials to become a member of SAG-AFTRA. She has performed and taught dance at Diamond Head Theatre in Honolulu, Hawaii. Elaina began her dance training at Ken & Jean Dance Studio in 1994 with Ken, Jean, Darcy and Sandi at the age of 3. She was a member of two Dance Masters of America Grand National Champion teams and the Pennsylvania Cecchetti Ballet Company. Elaina is the mother of one soon to be ballerina.

Eileen Grace - Little Feet: Music & Movement Director

Eileen trained with the Cecchetti Council of Pennsylvania at Ken and Jean Dance Studio and is a graduate of Pointe Park University. She is an award-winning Director and Choreographer and former Broadway performer and Rockette.  As a performer, she appeared in three Broadway shows, numerous television appearances and performed as a Rockette for 8 years. Eileen directed and staged the Radio City Christmas Spectacular touring productions for 9 years and her directing and/or choreography credits include over 40 musicals. She served as Artistic Director of the Rockette’s Summer Intensive Program, Associate Producer for Reagle Music Theatre of Boston, and served as Director for the annual Bradley Awards at the Kennedy Center in Wash. D.C. As an instructor, Eileen has taught master classes at universities, conventions and workshops around the country. She is the mom of two teenage dancers and has been teaching Music to young children for over 11 years.

In addition to our wonderful faculty, a select group of our most accomplished and mature advanced students assists the faculty in teaching our classes. However, as a matter of studio policy, we do not allow teens to instruct or assume the responsibility of handling classes on their own.