SheLor Staff

Shannan Dorcy, Principal Dance and Acrobatics Instructor, is a veteran student of SheLor School of Dance of ten years and a Principal Dance Instructor for over 20 years. Shannan is an award winning dance competitor; certified in the Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD) ballet syllabus and Fred Astaire Performing Arts (FAPA), Tap certification.  She has served as a local judge for dance related pageants and was a former co-captain of the Butler High School Sequinettes. Shannan has studied with renowned dance masters and participated in a 2-week residency at SRU with Nina Martin, a  master teacher of choreography and improvisational dance.

Additionally, she has been trained and certified in Acrobatic Arts which is an organization that focuses on blending dance movements with acrobatic skills. Shannan has also had the opportunity to participate in the SRU Research Symposium dealing with improvisational dance.  Most recently, Shannan attended the Gus Giordano Jazz Congress in Chicago and the International Royal Academy of Dance Summer Teachers Program in Maryland where she completed studies in music as it relates to movement, graded syllabus and intermediate work in classical ballet.

She is a graduate of Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with a Specialization in Early Childhood Development, and holds a Minor in Dance. 

She is currently employed at Butler Catholic School as the head 3yr old preschool instructor. Shannan resides in Butler with her husband, son, and twin daughters.

FUN FACT:

My first job was working at the first Sheetz in Butler. It was located where Good Guys is now. I remember how excited we all were when they installed the touchscreens for the MTOs. It used to be done with a paper and pencil.  I was also there when they installed the first Freeze (slushie) machines. Unlimited free slushies was the best perk of the job!  Lol!!

Kristen Mason, Principal Dance Instructor, is a veteran student of SheLor School of Dance of fifteen years and a Principal Dance Instructor for over 20 years.  Kristen is an award winning dance competitor and has certified in the Royal Academy of Dance Summer Program at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. where she completed certification; She was chosen for the Doug Elkins Dance Company while attending Slippery Rock University in 2000 and was a member of the SRU Dance Theater.  She has performed at the American College Dance Festival and the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.  Kristen studied Tap in New York City and participated in “Rock Tap”, where she performed in an off-Broadway show, “Break the Floor” in 2002.  Kristen was honored at SRU with the “Outstanding Dance Minor Award” 2001-2002.  She also received the “Young Choreographer’s Award at the American Dance Awards Competition for student's Tap entry at competition.  

Kristen completed her MS Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh. 

FUN FACT:

The pandemic has brought out a new love of kayaking, hiking, and bicycling. When not working or teaching dance you will find my family and me at Moraine State Park taking in all its glory!

 Sara McLafferty, Principal Dance and Acrobatics Instructor, is a veteran student of SheLor School of Dance of fourteen years, and has been a Principal Dance Instructor for over 15 years. Throughout her years at the studio, Sara has had extensive study of the ballet syllabus Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) where she was certified in many levels.  She also was an award winning group dance and solo dance competitor receiving high honors. 

Sara has been trained and certified in Preschool Acro Dance by Acrobatic Arts which is an organization that focuses on combining dance movements with acrobatic skills. She is also a certified Zumba instructor.
Sara is a recent graduate of La Roche College in Pittsburgh where she received a Bachelors of Science degree in Interior Design and a Minor in Dance Performance.  At La Roche, Sara performed many classical works under artistic director Gerard W. Hold, including "Giselle", "Swan Lake Act II", "Sleeping Beauty", "Paquita" and "Cinderella".  Sara also has danced many original pieces, both contemporary and classical, choreographed by Lana Novodran, Miriam Scigliano and Gina Marie Desko.  Sara also performed in La Roche's annual spring showcases at the Byham Theater in downtown Pittsburgh.  

Evie Fox, Principal Dance and Acrobatics Instructor, is a veteran-student of ShéLor School of Dance of fourteen years and has been a Principle Dance Instructor for over a year. She is an award winning dance competitor and holds certifications in ballet studies from the Royal Academy of Dance. She is trained and certified in Acrobatic Arts which is an organization dedicated to blending dance movements with acrobatic skills. She has graduated from Butler County Community College (BC3) with an associate degree of Applied Science as a PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant). Miss Evie joined SheLor's staff in 2019.

FUN FACT:

 I was terrified to follow after my big sister who took acrobatics because i was scared that when recital came around i was going to cartwheel off the stage. I loved and still love acrobatics so much that i now teach it!

Lucy Lewis, Principal Dance Instructor, is a veteran-student of SheLor School of Dance of fourteen years and has been a Principle Dance Instructor for over 3 years. She is an award-winning dance competitor and has completed certifications in ballet studies from the Royal Academy of Dance. She teaches all ages, styles, and levels of the dance curriculum but has a fondness of Jazz and Hip Hop. She is a graduate of Chatham University with a Major in Human Biology and is currently going to graduate school for her MPAS (Masters of Physician Assistant). Miss Lucy joined SheLor's staff in 2017.

FUN FACT:

Gene Kelly was my favorite dancer growing up!

Rochelle Graham, Principal Dance Instructor,  is a veteran student of ShéLor School of Dance of fourteen years and a Principal Dance Instructor for over 18 years.  Rochelle is an award winning dance competitor and has examined and certified with the Royal Academy of Dance. She has continued ongoing training in dance through attendance at dance conventions and RAD instructor trainings. 

Most recently she completed her certification as a Group Fitness Instructor through Aerobics and Fitness Association of American (AFFA) and also holds certifications in Core de Force LIVE through Beachbody LIVE and Barre through American Barre Technique. With these certifications, Rochelle has been able to extend her love of teaching to adults and offers classes here at SheLor, as well as teaching group fitness at Butler County YMCA.

 While a student at Slippery Rock University, she completed her undergraduate studies in social work and continued dance education classes at SRU.  She holds a master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Pittsburgh and holds her Social Work License (LSW) through the state of Pennsylvania. When Rochelle isn't sharing her passion for dance and fitness with others, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and works for Butler County Children and Youth Agency.

FUN FACT:

When I was 16, I was determined to quit dance!  Then, I decided that dance was my therapy, and here I am 20+ years later! 

Kelly Szwed, Principal Dance Instructor,  is a veteran student of ShéLor School of Dance of fourteen years. During that time, she was also a student teacher. She is an award winning competitor as a group dancer as well as a pointe soloist.  Highlights  of her pointe solos include Sleeping Beauty, the Black Swan in the  production of Swan Lake, and the Dewdrop Fairy in The Nutcracker.

Kelly completed certifications in ballet studies from the Royal Academy of Dance.

She  is a graduate of Saint Louis University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During her time there she was the President and  Director of Choreography for a student run dance performance group  “Phases of Motion”.

After recently moving back to the area from St. Louis, she is currently  working as a nurse for Allegheny  Health Network in the cardiac cath lab. 

Kelly is very excited to again be a part of the SheLor family! Miss Kelly joined the SheLor staff in 2021.

FUN FACT:

One of my favorite movies is Pirates of the Caribbean. I danced to the theme song from the movie for my first pointe solo!