Ms. Muzio has been the Director of The Dance Center for over 44 years. Her unequaled dedication to her school, students, and instructors and her unique, thorough teaching style have brought The Dance Center a reputation as one of the top pre-professional and most widely respected training institutions in the tri-state area. While consistently working to develop and improve the Vaganova curriculum as it applies to her school, Ms. Muzio continues to teach classes and mentor students while implementing concise, structured classical schedules for her school and company to follow. As a result of this hands-on approach, The Dance Center continues to be one of the most current, successful dance schools, attracting talented, serious students seeking a classical ballet base, along with a challenging, varied performing experience.

Continuing with her mission, in 1979, Ms. Muzio founded the Brandywine Ballet, a non-profit ballet company. The Dance Center would become the official school for the newly formed company. In 1999, Ms. Muzio and Eddy Toussaint founded the Brandywine Ballet Theatre, the professional arm of the company, and Brandywine Ballet's Certificate in Dance Program, a unique partnership with West Chester University. Both of these non-profit programs have proved to be successful outlets for quality performing opportunities for both serious dance students and professionally recognized choreographers.

While Brandywine Ballet initially performed and concentrated on classical ballets, over the past few years, Ms. Muzio's goal for the school and company has been the development of artists who fit in the 21st century, i.e., classically trained dancers who are also exposed to contemporary and neo-classic choreography and influence. Ms. Muzio guides her students in their training by insisting they develop a strong, classical technique with professional-level, challenging classes daily. She couples that with the opportunity for them to develop their individual expression by working with guest choreographers and other master teachers. In addition to the in-house professional faculty, all dancers have the opportunity to experience new choreography and masterclasses with professionals from The Balanchine Trust, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Pennsylvania Ballet, Koresh Dance Company, BalletX, and Joffrey Ballet, to name a few.

Ms. Page trained at a young age at The Dance Center under the direction of Donna Muzio and was promoted to principal dancer with the Brandywine Ballet during her high school years. She won full scholarships to train with the Milwaukee Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet upon graduation. She apprenticed with the Pittsburgh Ballet before accepting a company position with Florida Ballet, where she danced the Gold Medal Pas de Deux, choreographed by world-renowned choreographer Norbert Vasak. She later became a member of the Tampa/Colorado Ballet dancing solo and principal roles in classical and contemporary works. Ms. Page eventually accepted principal positions with Sarasota Ballet and Ballet Eddy Toussaint USA, dancing many original, contemporary ballets that were set on her as well as performing the various classics such as Paquita Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

Ms. Page returned home in 1993 to teach at The Dance Center and also perform as a Principal Dancer with the Brandywine Ballet. In 1998, she was one of the first Principal Dancers in the newly formed Brandywine Ballet Theatre, the professional arm of the company, dancing alongside Zdenek Konvalina (presently with the English National Ballet) for 2 years. She eventually became Brandywine Ballet's Ballet Mistress in 2001 and has served in that position as well as Resident Choreographer since then. Ms. Page has been on faculty at The Dance Center since 1993, teaching ballet based on the Vaganova Method in the Elementary Division, Regular Division, and Professional Division of the school.

Tim Early has been on faculty at The Dance Center since 1993 and has also been a Principal Dancer with Brandywine Ballet Company during that time. Mr. Early has extensive ballet training and bases his teaching on the Vaganova Method of Ballet. In addition to dancing, teaching, and choreographing for the Brandywine Ballet Organization, Mr. Early is currently co-director of the Philadelphia-based Modern Company Opus I Contemporary as well as Resident Choreographer and Co-Artistic Director, alongside Donna Muzio, for newly formed Brandywine Contemporary. Mr. Early has also choreographed for Lafayette College, Moravian College, Temple University, and West Chester University. In addition, Mr. Early has served as the head of the Dance Department for the Performing Arts Institute in Wilkes-Barre, PA, for the past nine years in their prestigious summer program.

Jessica Morley is the daughter of Founder and Director Donna Muzio and former Principal Dancer with the Brandywine Ballet Company. Ms. Morley began her training at The Dance Center at the age of three. She was classically trained based on the Vaganova method of ballet, under the direction of Donna Muzio for fifteen years. During that time, Ms. Morley also studied with Nancy Page, Tim Early, Nana Badrena, Eddy Touissant, Cherie Noble, Patricia Brown, and David Kloss. Ms. Morley was one of the founding members of the Brandywine Ballet Theatre, the professional arm of the Brandywine Ballet Company, which was created by Donna Muzio and Eddy Touissant in 1998.

After graduating from Towson University in 2005, Ms. Morley returned home to join the faculty of The Dance Center. Under the mentorship of her mother, Ms. Morley is enthusiastic about the continual development of her skills as a dance instructor. Her teaching style is based on the Vaganova method to instruct her ballet students and uses this training as a basis for teaching other forms of dance. Outside of teaching at The Dance Center, Ms. Morley has earned a doctorate in School Psychology and has worked as a practitioner since 2009.

Kathleen Morley is the daughter of Founder and Director Donna Muzio and former Soloist with the Brandywine Ballet Company. Ms. Morley began her dance training at the age of three at The Dance Center, where she trained for fifteen years under the direction of Donna Muzio. During that time, Ms. Morley was classically trained based on the Vaganova method of ballet, studying with such teachers as Donna Muzio, Nancy Page, Tim Early, Cherie Noble, Nana Badrena, and David Kloss. Ms. Morley also studied jazz extensively during her training, both at The Dance Center and various schools in Philadelphia. In addition to her training, Ms. Morley has taught classes and workshops for The Dance Center's summer programs, assists in the organization and facilitation of The Dance Center's annual student recitals assists in administrative capacities for The Dance Center, and also serves as a rehearsal assistant for the Brandywine Ballet Company's annual production of The Nutcracker. This season is Ms. Morley's eighth year on faculty at The Dance Center.

Outside of dance, Ms. Morley earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, from St. Joseph’s University and obtained her Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law in 2009. In addition to teaching at The Dance Center, Ms. Morley works full-time as an attorney at a Philadelphia-based law firm.

Andrea Olazagasti began her dance training at Delaware Dance Company at the age of 9. Before graduating, she spent her final year studying at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Ms. Olazagasti went on to dance for the Lousiville Ballet, Festival Ballet Providence, and most recently with First State Ballet, where she danced many leading roles such as Myrta and Peasant Pas de Deux from Giselle and Pas de Trois from Swan Lake. She has had works created on her, including Helena from A Midsummer Night's Dream and Evil Step Sister from Cinderella. In the 2013 Valentina Kazlova IBC, Ms. Olazagasti and her partner were awarded "the best interpretation of the compulsory piece" by Paolo Arrias of Boston Ballet.

In addition to dancing professionally, Ms. Olazagasti has extensive teaching experience in ballet, lyrical, modern, and jazz.  She has been a dance instructor for schools affiliated with the Louisville Ballet, Festival Ballet Providence, and First State Ballet.  For the upcoming 2015-2016 season, Ms. Olazagasti will be joining The Dance Center/Brandywine Ballet Organization as a Principal Dancer with Brandywine Ballet Theatre, in addition to joining our faculty. The Dance Center welcomes Ms. Olazagasti and looks forward to having our students benefit from her professional experiences both on the stage and in the classroom.

Genevieve Jacoby is an undergraduate student at West Chester University studying dance along with Political Science and Law. She currently serves as the Secretary for the West Chester University Dance Company, where she has many opportunities to choreograph and perform for the company.

Miss Jacoby's teaching experience is extensive. She has taught all ages and levels at the Conservatory of Music and Dance in Eagleville, PA, in ballet, tap, hip hop, acro, and lyrical. She also is a faculty member at Macrina Academy of Dance in Audubon, PA, where she started her training many years ago under the owner, Annemarie Macrina. Miss Jacoby has recently had the opportunity to perform in the professional realm by taking part in West Chester University's Department of Theatre and Dance Professors Devised Work entitled Carnival of Ruin.  

Ms. Mondzelewski was chosen to apprentice at 16 years of age with the Colorado Ballet. She then moved to Denver to join the company under the direction of Martin Friedman. After a short time as an apprentice, she became a proud member of the corps de ballet. She had the opportunity to perform in Denver and tour with company in full length classical and contemporary ballets. Ms. Mondzelewski danced professionally for several years until returning to Philadelphia to attend college where she received her BA in Fine Arts from the University of the Arts. For the past 20 years she has dedicated her life to performing, choreographing, and teaching in the PA, DE, and NJ areas. She now focuses her talent in the studio where she has the knowledge and experienc to connect with all students, young children through professional, in all genres of dance. The Dance Center welcomes Ms. Mondzelewski to our faculty as she is a seasoned teacher whose goal is to provide a high level of technique with a strong focus on implementing confidence in young dancers.  

Ms. Jarvie received her BFA in Dance from Cedar Crest College and her MFA in Dance Education from Temple University. She has been teaching dance professionally for the past 25 years throughout the tri-state area. Most notably, Ms. Jarvie was the Director of Dance for Renaissance Academy Charter School for 13 years. During her tenure she developed a varied curriculum for over 350 students. In addition, each year she produced two concerts, a full-length Nutcracker, as well as community outreach performances Her program was featured in Dance Teacher Magazine as a full inclusive program that enabled all students of all ages and levels to participate.

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Since her time at Renaissance, Ms. Jarvie has dedicated her teaching and love of dance to many studios in the area. She especially enjoys teaching and focusing on the younger dancers in their prime development years. She feels her vast experience in teaching and choreographing can best be shared at the beginner levels.

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Mehgan is very excited to be part of the The Dance Center/Brandywine Ballet faculty.

Hannah has been training in ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary for over 15 years. She started as a young pre-school dancer and advanced to a pre-professional classical and contemporary dancer in her teens. While training and performing, she was also an assistant teacher for the fundamental dance classes and taught dance technique as well as choreography for all ages and levels. As a high school junior and senior, she was a member of her school’s dance team which she also choreographed for the team during those years.

Through her experiences in working with dancers of all ages and levels, Hannah has developed a special love for the art of dance, especially working with children. After high school she continued her dance classes at the pre-professional level all the while earning an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and is presently obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.

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Miss Carter is very excited to share her passion for dance with the students at The Dance Center. We welcome her to our faculty!

Patricia has had a lifelong involvement with dance. She has designed and performed classical educational concerts for piano aficionados in New York and Pennsylvania, played for dance performances, rehearsals, and training classes, and directed and performed in musical productions for schools and churches.

Ms. Perla was Company Pianist for the Des Moines Ballet before moving to NYC, where she had the opportunity to play for leading dance teachers, including Maggie Black, Peff Modelski, Gelsey Kirkland, Steps, Broadway Dance Center, Ballet Academy East, and Joffrey School.

Ms. Perla has been playing for The Dance Center/Brandywine Ballet since 1990.