Faculty
The PAB faculty all employ the same Vaganova teaching method assuring indispensable continuity and providing students with a precise technique, musicality and complete body awareness and control.
John White, FounderGrowing up in Southern California, John White began his ballet training with Oleg Tupine and Michel Panaieff. Encouraged to pursue a career as a professional dancer, he moved to New York where he continued his training...
Margarita de Saá White, FounderBorn in Havana, Cuba, Margarita de Saá began her ballet training studying under Fernanado and Alicia Alonso. Offered a position with the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Ms. de Saá rose through the ranks of the company to attain the title of Prima Ballerina.
Melinda Pendleton, Owner and TeacherMs. Pendleton began her ballet training at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet under the guidance of her parents, John White and Margarita de Saá
Teaching Staff
Janine Beckles, TeacherJanine started dancing at the age of six years old at Dance Theatre of Harlem for 8 yrs on full scholarship. She then continued her training at LaGuardia H.S. of the Performing Arts and the Ailey School (performing “Memoria”, “Hymn”, and “Revelations”) on full scholarship. Janine received a BFA in Dance Performance and a BA...
Sigrid Payne DaVeiga, TeacherSigrid Payne DaVeiga began her ballet and dance training at Canyon Concern Ballet in Colorado at a very young age. She danced all over the country performing in Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland and Washington DC. Her passion for teaching and inspiring young dancers began at The Georgetown School of Ballet, under the mentorship of Brooke Desnoes,...
Nino Gvazava, TeacherNino grew up in Tbilisi, Georgia (Europe), where she studied ballet performance following the Vaganova method at the Vakhtang Chabukiani State Ballet School.
Lauren Hirsch, AccompanistMs. Hirsch studied classical piano throughout her childhood with Rose Light and Janet Pearson. Ms. Hirsch later graduated the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences, and earned her Juris Doctor from Temple University.
Bryan Koulman, Teacher and Ballet MasterMr. Koulman began his study of classical ballet while attending Swarthmore College. After dancing with the Milwaukee Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theatre, he expressed an interest in teaching and the choreographic process.
Heather Lacey, TeacherHeather Holajter studied at Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet and later joined their Society program, getting to perform a wide variety of roles throughout the area.
Linda Karash Mintzer, TeacherLinda Karash Mintzer attended the School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, where she trained under Barbara Weisberger, Robert Rodham, Richard Thomas, John White and Margarita de Saá. While still a young student, she performed with New York City Ballet...
Edie Saltzberg, AccompanistEdie Saltzberg began her career as an accompanist playing for the choir when she attended Girls’ High in Philadelphia. As an 11th grader, she began to play for dance classes at the Settlement Music School, as well.
Tatyana Shargorodsky, Accompanist and TeacherTatyana Shargorodsky was born in the former Soviet Union, where she received her elementary music education in the Ukrainian city of Lvov.
Elena Tiuriakulova, TeacherElena Tiuriakulova graduated with excellence in 1975 from the world famous Vaganova Choreography School (Kirov School) in St. Petersburg, Russia. She received her practical training at the Mariinski Theater of Opera and Ballet. She became Principal Dancer at the Kyrgyz State Theater of Opera and Ballet, dancing the lead roles in all of the major ballets...