Our Beloved Teachers
Bobbie Jo Gildner – Owner/Artistic Director/Teacher
Miss Bobbie Jo has been dancing for 35+ years, she received her teaching certification from The Jay Dash School of Dance in Cherry Hill, NJ in 1989. Miss Bobbie Jo has performed in Disney, Universal Studios, Great Adventure and many other local events. She was a Cheerleader/Dancer for the Allentown Jets Basketball team, and was the inaugural Dance Director/Choreographer for the Lehigh Valley Lady Outlawz Arena football dance team. Miss Bobbie Jo was the 1st director of the dance competition/showcase for SportsFest. She also coached cheerleading for 16 years at Dieruff High School. Miss Bobbie Jo loves to share her passion of dance with her students to help them grow their love of dance and become more confident. She is married with 4 children & 2 grandchildren.
Stacy Gabel - Vocal, Piano, Guitar & Musical Teacher
Miss Stacy has been teaching at PPAC since it first opened it's doors. She is a graduate of Parkland HS, the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (NYC) and Kutztown University. She holds certifications in musical theater and music as well as a BS in TV/Radio Production. She spent many years working full time in NYC and Los Angeles in children's television while performing in TV, film and stage productions as well as coaching kids and teens with their own auditions and competitions. Miss Stacy continues to perform and direct locally in theater and TV commercials, is a member of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem and sings/plays guitar and keyboards in a few local music groups/bands. Miss Stacy is very passionate about teaching and enjoys watching the kids at PPAC grow and learn to be confident, professional performers.
Kate Mercado - Teacher
Miss Kate studied dance at Miss Jeanne's School of Dance Arts for 12 years. She continued her dance education at Arizona State University where she joined the dance company Axe. She has traveled all over the US and Canada dancing Afro Brazilian Custom Dances; Specializing in Samba and African Dance. She has taught Samba, African Dance and Zumba in Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona for 5 years before returning to PA in 2012. Along with sharing her love of dance, Miss Kate is also a Principal within the Allentown School District. Miss Kate has been teaching at PPAC for 7 years.
Paige Marie Updegrove - Teacher
Miss Paige is a Schuylkill County based dance instructor who developed a passion for dance at the young age of 2. Dancing for over 22 years, she has had the opportunity to study under great instructors during her time at DeSales University, as well as working with dance on camera, and performing in various shows. Miss Paige lives to perform and has had the honor of dancing at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and the American Cancer Society telethon. She doesn't limit herself to just one genre, you will always find her teaching any style of dance, having the time of her life. Paige is a certified dance instructor, having completed the intense curriculum at the National Dance Institute in New York City. She has been a professional instructor for 6 years now and continues to educate herself by constantly training and keeping a healthy lifestyle. As a teacher, Paige not only challenges her students, but creates a positive atmosphere where they are able to develop their art and leave each class with a smile on their face feeling accomplished. She believes in all of her students being kind to others not just in the studio, but outside as well. Dance is a place to grow, learn, make friends and most importantly - have fun!