Our Staff

We are extremely proud of the outstanding and diversified "Nardi Faculty".  These accomplished dance educators are fully committed to inspire, challenge and offer new experiences to each dance class they teach, while always keeping our studio fresh and on top of the dance industry.  Their artistic and unique styles of teaching allow students exceptional training and the gift of artistry. Please review the list of available dance instructors below to see their bios and professional back round. 

Artistic Director

Mary Jo Moninghoff (Alumni 2003)-Teacher/Performance Company

Mary Jo Moninghoff received her training at Nardi Dance Studios. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, pointe, theatre, and hip hop for 14 years. Mary Jo received her BA in Dance Education and Performance from Cedar Crest College in January of 2008, focusing in the genres of ballet, jazz, tap, and modern. During her time at Cedar Crest College, Mary Jo choreographed several pieces for the Performing Arts Department, as well as   performed in numerous dance pieces. She was Dance Company Manager her senior year, and was also Secretary of Alpha Psi Omega, the theatre sorority. In May of 2007, Mary Jo received her Zumba certification. She was also a member of the Precious Metal Dance Team (Lehigh Valley Steelhawks) for five years and danced professionally at the PPL Center for the Steelhawks' home games. In addition to teaching, Mary Jo has choreographed for Warren Hills Regional High School  2009-2014. Shows include: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Moby Dick! The Musical, Legally Blonde The Musical, Godspell, and Once Upon a Mattress. She still continues to study dance at Broadway Dance Center in New York City as well as various venues in the Lehigh Valley. Mary Jo has continued to be progressive in the dance field by attending the Dance Teacher Summit in New York City each year.  Mary Jo came back to teach at Nardi Dance Studio in 2009. Being a triple threat, she was the head of our broadway / theater program, as well as being versatile in every genre of dance. She accepted the position of Assistant Director in 2014, and the role of Artistic Director and office manager in 2020. Mary Jo has been working with the Performance Company Teams since 2016, and has been honored by receiving multiple entertainment awards and various accolades for her dance choreography. She is extremely thrilled to be part of the Nardi family, and continues to share her love of dance with her students.


Marketing and Programs Coordinator

Eden Weinstein-Teacher/Performance Company

Eden Weinstein is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator originating in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She is a 2017 graduate of the  University of Florida with high honors, a degree in dance, accompanied by two minors. Her performance credits range from her hometown stretching along the east coast to as south as central Florida. She represented honorary faculty members in main stage productions throughout her college career, as well as staging multiple dance works of her own. Eden continues to train under some of the most influential dance masters in the business in New York City, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Orlando, FL, as well as attending seminars such as the Dance Teacher’s Summit in NYC. With years of teaching experience, Eden continues to spread her passion for dance throughout the  tri-state area. Currently, Eden has been on staff at Nardi Dance Studios since 2017, where she acts as  Marketing Director,  Programs Coordinator, and full time teacher. She has also been an adjudicator for Believe National Talent  Competition, 8 National Dance Competition, and social media coordinator for True Dance Challenge. In addition, she is the founder of the Revive Dance Initiative, a dance benefit performance looking to give the gift of hope and healing through dance to local dance families in need due to effects of chronic illness. Eden’s enthusiasm and love for her craft keeps her work at a cutting-edge level that pushes dancers and herself to raise the bar constantly.


 

Jackie Moyer-Teacher/Performance Company

Jackie Moyer is a dance educator, performer, and choreographer located in the Lehigh Valley.  In 2007, Jackie earned her degree in dance from DeSales University, and immediately began her professional teaching and performance career. As a performer, Jackie has been a company member for several Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia based dance companies, including ContempraDance Theatre, Melange Contemporary Dance Company, DanceETHOS Performance company, and DANCElink.  While dancing with each of these companies, Jackie has had the opportunity to travel and perform throughout the Lehigh valley, Philadelphia,and New York. Most notably, in 2009, Jackie had the opportunity to perform in Poland at the International Dance Festival. Additionally,Jackie’s performance credits have allowed her to collaborate with other various and well-established artists, choreograph, and teach workshops. Some of Jackie’s professional choreographic works have been seen in New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and the Lehigh Valley. As a dance educator, Jackie has taught at several Lehigh Valley dance studios, working with various ages and levels teaching genres such as jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and ballet. Jackie has also worked with each studio’s competitive teams, many of which have received multiple first place awards under her direction.  Her choreography for these teams throughout the years has earned her many choreography awards. Jackie is also currently working as an adjunct faculty member and guest choreographer at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa. Jackie is in her 7th year at Nardi Dance Studios.

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Graceanne Ruggiero (Alumni 2012)-Teacher-Ballet/Pointe/Tap

Graceanne Ruggiero studied dance intensively at Nardi Studios for twelve years, training in ballet with Carol Sarik and in tap with Jill Fitzgerald. She graduated in 2016 from Muhlenberg College, where she studied Environmental Science and Secondary Education. While in college, Graceanne was heavily involved in the dance program, continuing her dance training with teachers such as Karen Dearborn, Heidi Cruz-Austin, and Trinette Singleton from the Joffrey Ballet. She performed in many student and faculty-choreographed works, and was a member of Muhlenberg’s tap ensemble under the direction of Shelley Oliver. Graceanne is now a member of the Tap Ties Company, which allows her to perform traditional tap pieces around the Lehigh Valley.  In addition to teaching dance, Graceanne is also a science teacher at Freedom High School.

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Antonella Scichili (Alumni 2017)-Teacher

Antonella Scichili graduated from Notre Dame High School in 2017, and was a full- time student at Nardi Dance Studio for 15 years. She was a member of the Senior Performance Company at Nardi’s, where they had competed in multiple dance competitions such as, Lehigh Valley Dance Challenge, 24 Seven Dance Convention, and Believe Dance Competition. A highlight from her time at Nardi’s was when their senior dance group was awarded a double platinum at Lehigh Valley Dance Challenge and won first overall small group performance for their contemporary piece choreographed by Jackie Moyer. Also, she was involved in an apprentice group called Mariposa Dance Company for three years. This dance company provided young dancers the opportunity to travel to many different cities and showcase pieces that were choreographed by popular artists, such as performing at Lincoln Center in New York City and at Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Antonella graduated from Marywood University in May of 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. Antonella was on the dance team at Marywood for four years, as well as being captain for two years. The team had two major shows every year, learning dances, and choreographing to all different styles such as ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and modern. Also, they had the role of performing at every basketball game during half-time. Antonella will always consider Nardi’s her second home as this was always her dream to become a faculty member for the studio. She plans to never stop teaching and choreographing as dance has been her passion since a child. 

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Brenda Michalska -Teacher-Acro/Tumble

Brenda Michalska is a lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley currently residing in Forks Township with her husband and 4 children. She is a 2001 graduate of Kutztown University where she majored in secondary education and competed on the nationally ranked all-girl cheer team. During this time, she was also an instructional staff member and judge for Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA).  Brenda has over 20 years of experience coaching, choreographing, and judging high school and all star cheerleading, as well as, coaching tumbling and gymnastics. She is a USAG certified gymnastics instructor, including having her Safe Sport certification. Brenda is eager to assist our Nardi dancers with their tumbling skills.

 

 

 


Faith Nardella-Teacher-Acro/Tumble

Faith Nardella is a resident of Forks Township and a mom of 3. She is a former Division 1 cheerleader at Rutgers University and competed on the nationally ranked all girl team.  Faith has over 20 years of experience coaching all star cheerleading, tumbling, and gymnastics. She is a USAG certified gymnastics instructor and has worked in multiple facilities in New Jersey and PA. Faith is excited to be joining the Nardi family and looks forward to supporting our dancers with their tumbling goals.

 

 

 

 

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Lisa Kolterjahn- Teacher/Office

 

Lisa Kolterjahn started dancing at the age of 3, studying in ballet, tap and jazz. She participated in yearly Royal Academy of Ballet classes and assessments. Lisa danced competitvely from 2001-2006, along with attending mulitple conventions and master classes. She worked as a dance teacher from 2002-2014. Lisa is a resident of Stewartsville, NJ and is a mom of 2. She is very excited to work with our Nardi students, along with assisting in our studio office. 

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Donna Harrison-Office Management 

Donna Harrison moved to PA from NY in 2017. Graduated Hofstra University with a BA in Dance. She went on to own and operate a very succesful dance studio in NY for 17 years, Donna's Gotta Dance Inc. She has always been a part of a dance family, and is happy to add the Nardi family to the list.