Meet Our Family of Instructors
Our team is dedicated to providing more than just technical instruction; we nurture the passion, grace, and discipline within every student that walks through our doors.
Meet Our Instructors
Lisa Pelino-Tautin
OWNER / INSTRUCTOR
40 years study at KSD • Member Dance Masters of America National organization and Ohio chapter, teaching certifications in Ballet & Jazz, SUNY Buffalo • Recipient of the Peter A. Yeager Memorial Dance Scholarship, 1997 • PA licensed nail technician • Behavior Specialist, Cambridge Spring Elementary School • Allegheny College, Economics/Dance Studies • Edinboro University, Elementary and Special Education • Director/Choreographer, Summer Arts Explosion • CrossFit L1 Trainer, CrossFit XBA.
Rebecca Budraitis
INSTRUCTOR
Danced at Kristine’s School of Dance for 21 years• Took a hip hop class at Allegro Dance Arts for 1 year• Danced at Amber Cochrane Dance Academy for 2 years• Taught hip hop at Amber Cochrane Dance Academy for 2 years• Was a member of the Geneva College dance team• Graduated from Geneva College with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Services
Carly Harakal
INSTRUCTOR
18 years study at KSD• Recipient of the Peter A. Yeager Memorial Dance Scholarship, 2014• Recipient of the Kristine F. Haemer Student Assistant Scholarship, 2016• KSD Summer Dance Camp Instructor• SRU Jamrock Hip-Hop Dance Team, 2023-2025• Slippery Rock University, Political Science Pre-Law, Criminology, Strategic Communication & Media• Phi Sigma, Slippery Rock University.
Lori Reynolds
OWNER / INSTRUCTOR
45 years study at KSD• Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School, Kent State University• Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School, SUNY Buffalo• Edinboro University graduate• Choreographer, French Creek Valley Community Theatre• Office Manager, Progress for Industry
Gracie Higgins
INSTRUCTOR
12 years study at KSD• Saegertown High School Graduate, 2023• Member of KSD Competition Team 2018-2020• Recipient of the Kristine F. Haemer Student Assistant Scholarship, 2022• Slippery Rock University, Early Childhood Education K-4 and Special Education K-12.
Elizabeth Horvat
INSTRUCTOR
15 years study at KSD• Recipient of the Peter A. Yeager Memorial Dance Scholarship• Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from West Virginia University
Amanda Keister
INSTRUCTOR
19 years study at KSD• Recipient of Peter A. Yeager Memorial Scholarship, 2019• Youth Group Leader at French Creek Community Church• Employee for CCHS• Volunteer at VCHC
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At Kristine's, we don't just teach dance steps; we nurture the spirit of every dancer who walks through our doors. It’s about building confidence that lasts a lifetime fostered by our love of dance.
— Our Instructors' Philosophy