Melissa Nemetz-Costa of Plum recently began teaching an array of dance techniques during summer camps at the Regional Family YMCA of Laurel Highlands.
She is looking forward to serving as the instructor of classes regularly at the facility, she said.
“We are excited to have her here. She brings a lot of enthusiasm and wealth of experience to our program,” said Shawn Thompson, program director of the facility along Bessemer Road in East Huntingdon.
Nemetz-Costa said she owned and operated a dance studio in Wexford for 24 years before she closed its doors.
She called it “a fabulous experience, but it was time for a change.”
Nemetz-Costa will teach regularly Monday through Thursday at the local YMCA, she said.
“I love teaching here. The YMCA is a very supportive and collaborative effort,” Nemetz-Costa said.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Point Park University.
Nemetz-Costa brings experience in teaching ballet, baton, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical and tap dancing techniques, she added.
While she teaches in the facility's gymnasium, Nemetz-Costa looks forward to leading classes in the new dance studio when the expansion project is complete, she said.
She is in the process of choosing ballet bars and a color scheme for the new space, she added.
The new area that will be equipped with a professional Marley dance floor, as well as a new sound system, features that leave Nemetz-Costa “thrilled,” she said.
She likened the Marley flooring to that which is installed in The Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.
“The studio will be double the size we currently use. It's going to be great,” Nemetz-Costa said.
She said the bulk of her classes will be held in the evening hours, but she will also offer early afternoon classes to accommodate preschool classes.
Nemetz-Costa said the 2 1⁄2 tot dance, preschool dance and kinder dance introduces tap and ballet, while developing dance skills, coordination, balance and listening skills for children ages 30 months through 6.
Classes are grouped by age on each day of instruction for students to be able to take more than one style of dance.
Nemetz-Costa said recitals will be held at the end of the season, however, they are not required.
She said she conducts the classes in a way that recital and non-recital students are incorporated into each lesson.
The instructor's short-term goal is to increase enrollment and create a program with longevity, she said.
Eventually, she would like to take it a step further and make hers the area's go-to dance studio, she said.
“I would like for the kids to have a good, positive experience at an affordable price,” Nemetz-Costa said.
Regional Family YMCA executive director Steve Simon said Nemetz-Costa is highly qualified, and she comes with a great understanding of both traditional and modern dance techniques.
He added that the new dance studio is projected to open in the fall.
“We are looking forward to a great new year of dance with (Melissa) and our new dance studio,” Simon said.
For details about upcoming classes or to register, contact the Regional Family YMCA at 724-542-9962.
Kelly is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-547-5722 or kvernon@tribweb.com.
