Our Instructors
Angela Bucci-Herb
With 28 years of experience in coaching twirling and 10 years as a reading specialist, Angela brings a unique combination of expertise, passion, and dedication to both the competition floor and the classroom. Having twirled for Kutztown University and competed for six years with CIDA and TIA, Angela has a deep understanding of the artistry, twirling, and design elements required for success in the sport.
Angela holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Kutztown University, a Master's degree and certification as a Reading Specialist from Wilkes University, and a Principal Certificate from King’s College. She currently serves as the Reading Specialist at Kutztown Elementary, where she helps students unlock their potential and overcome reading challenges. These academic and professional accomplishments reflect her commitment to both education and personal growth, allowing her to blend her passion for teaching with her love for coaching.
In both her professional life and as a coach, Angela focuses on building mental strength, resilience, and a growth mindset. Whether helping struggling readers or coaching twirlers, she empowers each student to meet challenges with mental strength, helping them see their value and true potential in all areas of life.
Lizzie Rarick
“ Elizabeth “Lizzie” Rarick brings a strong foundation in both academics and the performing arts to the Emerge team. A graduate of Kutztown High School, she holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Kutztown University. In addition to her role at Emerge, Lizzie is a dedicated high school biology teacher.
Lizzie’s performance background includes dancing and twirling competitively throughout grade school and performing for four years as a majorette with the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band, where she served as a squad leader for three of those years. Now entering her third year teaching various dance and twirl classes at Emerge, Lizzie is committed to fostering a positive and encouraging environment for her students to grow both technically and artistically.
Outside the studio and classroom, Lizzie enjoys baking for her family, spending time in nature, and listening to classical music. She also has a cuddly 6-year-old cat named Lily, who loves to snuggle after a long day. “
Kathryn Gieringer
Kathryn started dancing at the age of 3. She graduated from Lehigh Valley Charter for the Performing Arts as a dance major in 2008. After graduating, Kathryn started her successful teaching career in all styles of dance. Her choreography has won numerous entertainment & choreography awards at competitions. Including Make The Impact Judges Award. She is trained in various styles of dance and loves teaching all genres and age levels.
Desiree Haas
Desiree is a passionate and dedicated dance educator who believes in the power of movement to foster confidence, creativity, and connection. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus on dance education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she trained extensively in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and contemporary dance.
While in Philadelphia, Desiree performed in various Fringe Festivals and First Friday events often, collaborating with local choreographers including the late Manfred Fischbeck of Group Motion. She was also honored to be part of Paul Taylor’s iconic work Esplanade, recreated by Ruth Adrien for 2000 Feet: A World Celebration of Dance. Other notable artists she has worked with include Hope Boykin, Gabe Masson, Andrew Pap, and Roni Koresh—experiences that deeply shaped her perspective on both performance and pedagogy.
Desiree brings a balance of structure and joy to every class, creating an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired—whether they’re learning the basics or preparing for the stage.
Bria Walton
Bria Walton has been dancing for over 20 years and is trained in all styles of dance! After
growing up a competitive dancer, Bria continued her training at Academy of Phresh in Philadelphia while at studying at Temple University.
Bria’s professional credits include Good Morning America, Pharrell Williams Sephora Fragrance
Launch, and she was a featured dancer in Todrick Hall’s music video for his visual album. Bria has completed two seasons with Introspective Movement Project, under the direction of Sonia Pennington, where she was able to perform at the Wawa Welcome to America Festival and the Philly Fringe Festival.
Bria is a diverse choreographer and educator; she has had the privilege of choreographing for
many dance studios and dance teams across the country. Her choreography has been seen anywhere from Squad 76, the Philadelphia 76ers dance team to dancers competing at Youth America Grand Prix and everything in between. She loves to create a safe environment where dancers feel can be pushed and reach their maximum potential. Her true passion is traveling around the country to teach, judge and choreograph for the next generation of dancers!
Amber Blatt
Amber is a professional actress, singer and dancer. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre
from Point Park University. Amber has performed at numerous regional theatres, theme parks,cruise ships and national tours. She is the resident choreographer at The Pines Dinner Theatre in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She has Directed and Choreographed musicals and show choirs at Kutztown, Wyoming Valley West, and Tulpehocken High Schools. She currently teaches tap, jazz, ballet and musical theatre at Branches of Dance in Muhlenberg, PA. and is excited to teach a few of these styles at Emerge. She continues to study tap through Tap Ties in Allentown, PA and Karida Griffiths Tap Teachers program. Amber has been teaching and inspiring students for 30 years and believes that dance is a universal language for anyone to express themselves.
Megan Laudenslager
Miss Megan has been dancing for over 20 years, studying a variety of styles including jazz, tap, ballet and lyrical. She’s been teaching at Emerge for 3 years and has been teaching and choreographing in the Kutztown area for almost 10 years. Prior experiences include serving as Choreographer for Kutztown High School and Talisman Players. She has a passion for musical theater as well, and has a multitude of theater experience both on- and off-stage. She has performed with The Talisman Players in Kutztown in roles such as Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Jiminy Cricket (Pinocchio), Rosemary (How to Succeed…), and more. Megan is a proud graduate of Kutztown University with a degree in Communications, and currently works as a project manager in King Of Prussia, PA. When she isn’t teaching or performing, she is probably vacationing to her favorite place- Disney World! But when she does take the time to relax at home, she loves crafting, watching The Office, and spending time with her friends and family.
Gabriella Web
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Our Student Instructors
Abby
Ashley
Ashley
Abby has been dancing for 13 years and teaches dance and tumble party, beginning ballet and twirl and cadet dance and twirl. Abby loves to bring smiles to all the kids faces and just overall enjoy working with kids to make them the best dancer they can be and love being able to see each dancer grow year to year. Her favorite style of da
Abby has been dancing for 13 years and teaches dance and tumble party, beginning ballet and twirl and cadet dance and twirl. Abby loves to bring smiles to all the kids faces and just overall enjoy working with kids to make them the best dancer they can be and love being able to see each dancer grow year to year. Her favorite style of dance is contemporary, She has attended the Penn State Lionettes dance clinic, class at Broadway Dance center in NYC, groove convention, a summer intensive at the Ballet Guild of Lehigh Valley and in 2020 I was titled junior miss true dance.
Ashley
Ashley
Ashley
Ashley has been dancing and twirling for 14 years. She is going to be a senior at Fleetwood High School and plans to go to college and become an elementary teacher. This season she is teaching Cadet dance team, Cadet twirl team, Beginning ballet and twirl, and Dance and tumble party. She is so excited to teach the next generation of danc
Ashley has been dancing and twirling for 14 years. She is going to be a senior at Fleetwood High School and plans to go to college and become an elementary teacher. This season she is teaching Cadet dance team, Cadet twirl team, Beginning ballet and twirl, and Dance and tumble party. She is so excited to teach the next generation of dancers! Her favorite style of dance is lyrical. She has attended the Penn State Lionettes dance clinic, West Chester dance team dance clinic, Penn State Touch of Blue twirl clinic, Broadway Dance center classes, and Groove Convention classes. In 2025 her cadet dance team won gold in Wildwood at our final competition of the year!! She is so proud of how hard her students work and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next! She also has many accomplishments throughout her many years of stage competitions and TIA competitions.
Ella
Lauren
Lauren
Ella has been dancing for 15 years and twirling for 4. She will be a senior at Fleetwood High School and is planning to attend college for Environmental Science and Dance. This season she is teaching Dance and Tumble Party and Kinderdance. She is also choreographing a solo for one of our juniors this year. Her favorite style of dance is
Ella has been dancing for 15 years and twirling for 4. She will be a senior at Fleetwood High School and is planning to attend college for Environmental Science and Dance. This season she is teaching Dance and Tumble Party and Kinderdance. She is also choreographing a solo for one of our juniors this year. Her favorite style of dance is tap. She has attended the West Chester Dance Clinic, Penn State Dance Clinic, Broadway Dance Center Classes, Tap Ties Workshops and Classes, and Groove Convention Classes. This past season she was the True Dance Challenge True Colors Titlist. Ella is so excited for this next final season with her dance family and cannot wait to help her combo kids grow to be amazing little dancers.
Lauren
Lauren
Lauren
Lauren is entering her 14th year of dance and 9th year of twirl. She has been an assistant teacher for 5 years and last year, started teaching her own classes, working with dancers from ages 2-10, which include choreographing shows for her young performers, teaching them the choreography, and expanding their knowledge in the dance world
Lauren is entering her 14th year of dance and 9th year of twirl. She has been an assistant teacher for 5 years and last year, started teaching her own classes, working with dancers from ages 2-10, which include choreographing shows for her young performers, teaching them the choreography, and expanding their knowledge in the dance world while providing a fun, welcoming, and safe environment for the dancers to grow. This season she is teaching the Cadet dance and twirl team, beginning ballet and twirl, beginning tumbling class, and dance and tumble party. Her favorite style of dance is contemporary because it is free and expressive, telling a story, which is the magic of dance. She has attended countless conventions, camps, competitions, and classes, which she is so beyond thankful to have the opportunity to do. She adores both competition circuits which include TIA and stage competitions, but most of all she finds the most love with her friends, teachers, and students, who work with her to make her experience as a dancer, twirler, performer, and teacher as perfect and fun as she could ever imagine.
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