TaMara Swank
Seton Hill Faculty Member
TaMara created the SHUDA program in 2005 and has been the coordinator of the Seton Hill University Dance Academy from January 2005 - May 2007 and co-coordinator for the past year. She holds a Masters Degree in Exercise Science with a certification as a Performance Enhancement Specialist and a B.A. Degree in Dance (Ballet Concentration) from Point Park University. She has been an instructor in all levels of dance technique and has been commissioned to create choreography for children's programs, high school dance companies, university dance programs and musical theatre productions. As dance faculty at Seton Hill University, she has choreographed more than thirty pieces for dance concert productions and musicals, and her works have been selected for choreography awards at Showstoppers, Starquest, Headliners, Starbound, and Platinum Productions. She has performed professionally for Paul Osbourne Productions and Don Brockett Productions and choreographed for many productions including: "Grease", "Hello Dolly",

"Oliver", "The King and I", "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Pippin", and many more. Swank also has a list of original works including "The Jazzy Nutcracker," "The Seven Deadly Sins" dance concert and "The Little Mermaid." Prior to arriving at Seton Hill University, TaMara was the director of the Franklin Dance Conservatory from 1993 to 1997. In 1997, she founded Studio 22 Arts, Inc. with locations in Franklin and Titusville, PA. Studio 22 was a performing arts center that offered instruction in all methods of dance as well as theatre, voice, piano, guitar, art and martial arts.


Lori Incardona
Seton Hill Faculty Member
Lori is both a University Faculty Member and a Co-Coordinator of Seton Hill University Dance Academy. After Graduating with a Bachelor of the Arts from Slippery Rock University with a degree in dance, Lori moved to Sarasota, Florida where she taught ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, and tap for 3 years. She was also able to choreograph and help direct mini theatre productions of "Peter Pan" and "The Wizard of Oz." While in the area, Lori performed as a dancer, actor, and singer in a number of productions at the Players Theatre of Sarasota, Manatee Players Theatre, and The Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. Some of her favorite productions include "Fame; The Musical", "Miss Saigon", "Jekyll & Hyde", "Funny Girl" and "Grand Hotel" to name a few. She was also honored to serve as dance captain on many of these shows including "Miss Saigon," "Jekyll & Hyde," "Got a Minute? II" (a charity event to raise money for breast cancer) as well as an original show entitled "Best Seller" and as a swing for "Chicago." Although Lori has a passion for performing, her love will always be teaching! Helping children develop a sense of who they are through dance and the performing arts. She hopes to inspire her students to be the best performer and person they can be and to always believe in themselves and they can achieve anything!


Kelsey Brikis

Seton Hill Faculty Member
Kelsey is a graduate of Point Park University where she received her B.A. in Dance with a concentration in Jazz. There she taught Hip Hop and filled in for several other dance classes for the PPU Community Program. She returned to Pittsburgh this past holiday from New York City where she trained at the world renowned studios of Broadway Dance Center and Steps On Broadway with artists and instructors such as Jana Hicks, Jermaine Browne, Wes Veldink, and Mia Michaels. She performed on the New York stage and in music videos as both a dancer and as a drummer for an indie-rock band based out of Brooklyn, NY where she won the Deli Magazine's Best Bands of 2007 and band of the month for February 2008. Kelsey's choreography debuted at the age of 18 when she self-directed a full-length performance entitled, "Emotions," which contained numerous styles of dance including jazz, tap, pointe, contemporary, and hip hop. She has since won various awards for her work and Outstanding Teacher for 2008. Kelsey is happy to be able to share her love of dance and the capability of evoking emotion through movement with the dancers at Seton Hill University Dance Academy.