Our Staff
Sarah DiFrischia
When Miss Sarah began her dance career, she fell in love with the beauty of dance, the dedication and determination it took, and the excitement of the ever-changing art form. During grade school, Sarah danced at a local studio for 10 years. She studied Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Cecchetti, Acrobatics, and Pointe. She was a student teacher for 8 years and a member of the Competition Team for 5 years. Every year she had the privilege of taking master classes from many well-known and accomplished dancers, choreographers, and dance teachers. During high school, Sarah was a finalist in the PA Governor’s School of the Arts, was accepted and attended the PA Free Enterprise Week, and always placed high during competitions with solos as well as with her Competition Group. After graduating high school, Sarah attended Palm Beach Atlantic University. While at PBAU, Sarah had the privilege to study under Demetrius Klein, the well-known and established modern choreographer and master teacher. She studied Tap, Ballet, Pointe, Partnering, Modern, and Contemporary movement. Sarah was also the only Freshman to become a member of the prestigious Palm Beach Atlantic Dance Ensemble. While there, Sarah was chosen to dance many solo and partnering duets for the Dance Ensemble’s numerous performances. Sarah then moved to Slippery Rock and finished her education at Slippery Rock University. She continued her studies in Modern, Jazz, and Ballet, however, it was at SRU, that Sarah began structuring a solid foundation in Teaching, Improvisation, and Choreography. During her college years, Sarah taught at many local studios as well as choreographed many pieces for performances at SRU. Among her many accomplishments, Sarah is most proud of her “Top Teacher” award she received while her students competed, having her SRU acapella Tap dance “Rhythms” be picked for 3 different venues, and dancing with her (then) 4 month-old daughter, Elise, for her final Senior Synthesis performance. After graduating, Sarah continued to teach locally and hone her Teaching and Choreography skills and pursued and received dance teacher credentials and certifications through the Cecchetti Council of America and USA Gymnastics. Sarah is looking forward to the future in growing the studio and expanding the space, continuing to create the studio’s thorough curriculum, and grow the business through leadership and teacher mentoring. Most importantly, Sarah is enjoying the moments that make her life wonderful; seeing her 3 children grow, watching her dancers enjoy dancing, and being able to use her talents to praise God through dancing. |
Robyn Hughes
Robyn Hughes has been dancing since the young age of 2. She started teaching at the age of 14 and had choreographed her first competition group by the age of 16. After high school, she attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia as a Dance major. Robyn is a member of Dance Masters of America where she has been certified to teach all aspects of dance by written and demonstrative tests. She has attended the Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School in Buffalo New York, where she had classes by such names as Tom Ralabate, Lynn Formato, Bob Rizzo, and Judy Ann Bassing. Robyn has also attended Dance Teacher Summit, NUVO and many dance conventions where she has taken Master classes from such names as Mia Michaels, Twitch, Mandy Moore, Ray Leeper, and Travis Wall. Studying to be the best teacher she can be is one of her goals. She feels that as a teacher you should always push your students and push yourself to be the best that you can be. In her past 30+ years of teaching she has had numerous award-winning dances. She has choreographed dances that won overall award in both group and solo numbers. Some of her students have gone on to dance professionally. To name a few, one was a Rockette, many have danced on cruise lines including Disney, one is the head coach of the University of Tennessee’s National Champion dance team- Go Vols! One of her proudest moments was seeing her student, Andrew Wilson, dance on Broadway in CATS. He was also a dancer and dance captain in Disney’s Newsies, and he is in the movie! Along with all her amazing students and parents Robyn has loved throughout the years, her greatest joy is her husband of over 25 years, Charlie, and their 3 daughters; Hannah, Rachel, and Belle. |
Lydia Anthony
Lydia Anthony has been involved with dance and performing for most of her life. Throughout her youth, she gained experience in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Cecchetti, Acrobatics, Pointe, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, and Musical Theater. She enjoyed using her skills in a variety of competitions, pageants, talent shows, and musicals. After high school, Lydia studied Dance at East Tennessee State University. She had the opportunity to choreograph and perform in multiple numbers for the department’s spring showcase. While at ETSU, she was privileged to study under wonderful staff members including Jennifer Kintner, the director of Mountain Movers Modern Dance Company. After moving home to Pennsylvania and joining the staff of Crossroads Dance Academy, Lydia was blessed to continue to share her love of dance with others. She furthered her education and obtained her A.A.S. degree in Business Management from BC3. Lydia was also trained in hand-balancing at New England Center for Circus Arts in Brattleboro, Vermont. With safety as a top priority, Lydia is a member of USA Gymnastics and she is a certified Emergency Medical Responder through the American Red Cross. Using her knowledge in both business and dance, she enjoys instructing in the classrooms and connecting with the families that are a part of the studio. She enjoys improving student’s technique, creating new choreography, and providing a safe and enjoyable dance experience. She finds it rewarding to teach and choreograph for all ages in an uplifting environment. Her passion is to encourage her students in their education, creativity, and character development as they grow into young adults. |
Belle Hughes
Belle Hughes has been dancing at Crossroads Dance Academy since it opened. She has been a member of the Performance Company since 4th grade and one of her favorite performances was for the Harlem Globe Trotters game in Youngstown, Ohio. While traveling to gain dance education experience, she has taken classes from world renown teachers such as Travis Wall, Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore and Twitch. Belle also attended a Musical Theater camp at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Since her competition days began, Belle has held numerous titles such as Miss Showbiz and Miss PrimeTime and National Miss Showbiz. In 2019 she earned her first choreography award for her solo “Amazing Grace”. Belle was very involved in multiple organizations through Grove City High School. She was a member of the student council and was the secretary of her class. She was also a member of the dance line and show choir where she has performed in many different games, shows, parades, events, and competitions. Being in musicals have become a huge passion for Belle. She held the role of Victoria (white cat) in the Grove City production of CATS. She also held the role of Ali in Mamma Mia. In 2017, Belle attended the Arts International showcase in Orlando where she was a finalist for her dance solo. This incredible experience opened the door for her to become a model for A Wish Come True dance catalog. Belle graduated from Grove City High School in 2021 and is currently a student at Grove City College with a dual major in Elementary Education and Special Education. She has been part ofthe college's Orchesis Dance Company and just completed her second year as a cheerleader for both football and basketball. Sharing her love and passion for dance through teaching is an exciting opportunity for Belle. She can’t wait to see the young dancers grow in both skill and confidence. |