Meet the Team
Deborah Hirsch
Founder & President
Between running Philly Dance Fitness & ZAZZ, and running after three children, Deborah has her hands more than full. She founded Philly Dance Fitness in 2010, which now offers more than 45 weekly adult classes at multiple locations in the city, as well as a full slate of toddler and children’s programs. She’s completed numerous fitness certifications, teaching everything from aquacize to Pilates, and of course, all kinds of dance. She also teaches partner dancing through sister company Ballroom Bliss. During the summer, she organizes the annual nonprofit Philadelphia Dance Day festival and oversees the Zazz day camp for 5-12 year-olds. She credits the encouragement of many excellent teachers over the years for helping her become her best self, and hopes to do the same for your children.
Alex Ernest
All Stars Director, On-site Coordinator, & Show Choir Instructor
Alex is an actor, trained vocalist and cabaret performer originally hailing from Orlando, Fla. She’s been performing in plays, musicals, short films and performance art pieces since she was 3 years old. After studying Theatre Arts at the University of South Florida, she had the opportunity to perform in numerous states along the East Coast. In 2021, she settled in Philadelphia to further pursue a life of the arts here in the city. She has been teaching children in both traditional and non-traditional settings since 2013, and is pleased to bring her experience and love of musical theatre to ZAZZ!
April Beall
Piano Instructor & Assistant
April is a lover of art, dance and music! She has been dancing since the age of three, starting with ballet and branching out into learning tap and contemporary styles. She also has 11 years of piano experience. Born and raised in Maryland, April has come to Philadelphia to study graphic design and illustration at Moore College of Art and Design.
Arabella Nobel
Tap & Show Choir Instructor
Arabella has been dancing since she could walk. Originally from New Jersey, she attended Temple University for her undergraduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a certification in American Sign Language. She also performed and choreographed for Temple Tappers and was a flutist for the Diamond Marching Band. Arabella’s main styles include jazz, modern, and tap. She loves seeing kids have fun and creatively express themselves! In the future, Arabella plans to attend graduate school to become a Pediatric Speech Pathologist and continue teaching dance.
Ashanti Jenkins
Drama & Dance Instructor
Ashanti is a traditionally trained West African dancer with Imani Edutainers in her hometown of Lancaster, Pa and an instructor within the company. She has been performing for 15 years at colleges, festivals, annual celebrations on the East coast along with teaching kids and adult dance classes for 4+ years. With the company, she has trained with many traditional instructors and choreographed routines for the annual recitals with Imani. Ashanti wants dancing to feel exhilarating yet blissful for everyone and believes no matter what type of dancing you’re into, you have to feel out your own unique style and your body will flow to anything!
Beverly Holskin
Ballet Director & Dance Instructor
Beverly began dancing at age 3, studying classical ballet, jazz and tap. She continued dancing while working as a research scientist, and rehearsed with the Philadelphia Civic Ballet Company at night and on weekends. In class, she delivers her technical expertise in a structured but supportive environment — a more laid-back approach than what you might find at a traditional ballet school. She’s designed curriculum for students of all ages, from creative movement/pre-ballet classes for 2-5 year-olds, to jazz for grade school kids, to pointe for adults. Since joining our company in 2011, she’s been the driving force in growing and shaping our multi-generational ballet program. In addition to instructing, Beverly is the program director for the ZAZZ summer camp — a perfect outlet for her surprisingly extensive knowledge of popular kids’ movies and music!
Chloe Kozuch
Assistant
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Chloe has been dancing since she was 4 years old in pre-ballet, and has loved dancing ever since. She is classically trained in ballet, contemporary, and theater dance, and has been a teaching assistant for two years (and counting!) at the Philadelphia Dance Academy, where she trains currently. A junior at Friends Select, Chloe co-founded her school’s dance club to share her love of dance with her friends and peers. Outside of dancing, Chloe also enjoys volleyball, tennis, and musical theater. Chloe is excited to share her knowledge and passion for dance with her students as a teaching assistant at Zazz!
Delaney Malloy
Dance Instructor & Marketing Coordinator
Delaney started dancing as soon as she could wiggle around, and began training early in the family living room with her dance teacher mom. Starting formal classes at the age of 5, Delaney trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, and other various styles. Eager to share the love of dance, Delaney began assistant teaching at her local studio at the age of 12 and continued to teach at various camps and programs since. Delaney has worked for ZAZZ and its parent studio, Philly Dance Fitness, since 2019 on the administrative team, and she is very excited to now be teaching for the afterschool program. Her approach to teaching is “Let loose, have fun, feel free. You can always work on technique, but that dancefloor-feeling is the most important part.”
Danielle Ferro Rock
Dance & Acro Instructor
Miss Danielle comes from a family lineage of dancers and dance educators. After receiving a BA from Barnard College, Columbia University, Danielle began her career as a dance educator. She has a wealth of experience teaching a variety of disciplines to all ages and levels. She is also a yoga teacher and infuses her yoga techniques into her teaching methodology. Miss Danielle is new to Philadelphia where she lives with her cat named Flo. She enjoys world travel and spending time with her newly adult children.
Eleanor Romaine
Tap Instructor & Assistant
Eleanor has been dancing since she could walk, and it’s been her passion ever since! She’s trained in tap and K-pop dance styles. Eleanor loves working with kids, and strives to create a fun and accepting environment through her teaching. In her classes she places an emphasis on technique, musicality and improv. Eleanor is also a classically-trained vocalist and violinist!
Emily Leddy
Administrative Director
From theatre kid to dance educator and arts administrator, the arts have always been a central part of Emily’s life. She holds a BA in Dance with minors in Business and Psychology from DeSales University and brings more than a decade of experience performing, choreographing, and teaching dancers of all ages. She can’t resist singing along to a good show tune and loves having daily dance parties with her sons while navigating the adventures of homeschooling. Ask Emily any questions you have about our kids’ programs!
Hanajah White-Wise
Assistant
Hanajah is an actress, dancer, and poet from South Philly. She is a graduate of Muhlenberg College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film Studies. She has been dancing for as long as she can remember. She began gymnastics at age 10 and has trained in styles including liturgical dance and ballet. At 13, she performed in her very first play, and from that moment, she knew it was where she belonged. Hanajah enjoys creating flyers, content, and graphics whenever she can. She believes in fostering creative spaces where artists feel encouraged, brave, and uplifted. In addition to her training in liturgical dance and ballet, she also has experience in majorette, West African dance, and step. During her Junior year, she studied abroad in Italy at Accademia dell’Arte, where she trained in Physical Theatre. That experience left a lasting impact on her artistic voice and inspired her to create abstract, experimental work that mirrors the human experience. It also strengthened her love for productions that intertwine theatre and dance, a combination she continues to explore in her creative journey. In her free time, Hanajah enjoys Pilates, reading, writing poetry, and watching TV and films. She loves bringing laughter and joy into every space she enters and hopes to continue creating work that moves and inspires.
Jody Thigpen
Early Childhood Instructor
Originally from Los Angeles, Jody has been dancing since she could walk and trained in many styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and bollywood. Jody has been teaching and working with kids for over 15 years. She started as a teaching assistant at her former dance studio, worked with summer camps and educational programming, and now is a social worker working with children and adolescents. Jody made the move to Philadelphia 10 years ago to pursue her Master’s degree and decided to stick around. She has been with Philly Dance Fitness as an instructor since 2018 and loves sharing the joy of dance with others!
Landyn Wu
Dance Instructor
Hello! My name is Mr. Landyn! I have been a dancer since I was 3 years old and I can’t wait to teach the new generation of dancers. My favorite styles include Musical Theatre, Jazz, Lyrical and Kpop! You can almost always find me near or on a stage. Even though I teach I still make sure to keep my skills sharp. You might see me performing in the area! I am new to Philadelphia and can’t wait to meet all of you. Thank you for having me!
Leah Herman
Piano and Musical Theater Instructor
Leah is an actor and operatic soprano hailing from the Big Apple. Leah graduated from the University of the Arts with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre in 2023. Leah has since settled in Philadelphia and has been acting professionally and teaching theatre and voice to kids! Leah is very passionate about classical music and has performed roles in various operas in Italy and Germany. Leah also enjoys playing the piano and accompanying herself while she sings her favorite songs! Leah adores working with kids and strives to create a safe and judgment-free space that stresses the importance of letting loose and being silly!