Accent School of Dance

Karen Rich

Owner & Instructor

A graduate of the University of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Dance, Miss Karen has performed extensively throughout her career. These performances include many Atlantic City Casinos, the Famous Palumbo’s in Philadelphia, performing in a TV commercial for Power 99, and gracing the field of the Vet as an Eagles Cheerleader. One of her most memorable experiences was performing at the World Trade Center. With more than thirty years of teaching experience, she will be teaching children’s work, tap/jazz combo classes and Jazz classes. Miss Karen also enjoys assisting in the direction of the Competition teams and takes pride in their award winning routines! In addition to teaching, Karen is excited to be entering her 27th year as artistic director. Throughout her years as Director, Miss Karen is proud of the many studio awards Accent has received. These include, outstanding technique, choreography, entertainment and overall high scores!

Jaclyn Du Chateau

Instructor

Native Pennsylvanian, Jaclyn Du Chateau received her dance training here at Accent, as well as the Lehigh Valley Performing Arts High School. She graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance Performance from Columbia College, Chicago. Her degree allowed her to cover numerous genres of dance. Her choreography has been seen on the Columbia stage during Student Performance nights as well as past recitals for Accent. In addition to teaching, Jaclyn has a passion for photography and she offers dance movement sessions throughout the year. Jaclyn has a photography business called Jaclyn Du Chateau Photography. Jaclyn is also a Barre3 Lehigh Valley instructor, and is thrilled to be on staff at Accent, returning for her 9th season as an instructor!

Lea Lassandro

Instructor

Miss Lea began dancing at Accent at the age of 3. She is now returning to Accent as an instructor for her 9th season! She is excited to be leading the Acrobatic and Irish programs. She will also be teaching Hippity Gym! She is excited to make the classes a fun and an enjoyable environment for all! Lea attended LCCC with a concentration in early childhood education. She is also a past dancer and choreographer for Dorney Park and a past competitive choreographer for Pocono Academy of Dance.

Stephanie Lesavoy

Instructor

Miss Stephanie returns for her 4th year on our Accent staff after serving as a 7 year veteran and 4 year captain of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleading squad from 2009- 2016. Prior to her time cheering on her favorite team in the NFL, Stephanie graduated from Drexel University with her Bachelors of Science Degree in Design and Merchandising and a minor in both Business and Dance. While at Drexel, Stephanie was a 4 year member and captain of Drexel’s Division 1 Dance Team and a member of the Drexel Dance Ensemble. After earning her undergraduate degree Stephanie then went on to attend Philadelphia University where she earned her MBA and had the opportunity to study abroad in India. Stephanie currently works full-time as a Physician Liaison for St. Luke’s University Health system. Stephanie has been trained in the areas of tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, modern, lyrical, and theatre and is very excited to bring her passion for dance back into the studio as a member of the Accent teaching staff.

Rachael Toonder

Instructor

Miss Rachael grew up dancing in the Lehigh Valley, competing in regional and national dance competitions. She is a graduate of Temple University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts. During her time at Temple, Miss Rachael was a Division 1 cheerleader, and competed at the UCA National Cheer Championships in Orlando, FL. Upon Graduation, Miss Rachael returned to the Lehigh Valley to begin her teaching career. 

In addition to her work at Accent, she works with the Parkland High School Varsity and JV Dance teams, and the Varsity Cheerleading team, creating choreography for games, and competition. 

Miss Rachael continues her dance education with various professional dance organizations, including Dance Teacher Network and the Dance Teacher Summit. She has earned her Dance Masters of America teacher training certification in Jazz and Ballet Instruction. Miss Rachael’s choreography has received many high awards and honors, including top scores and specialty recognition! Some notable highlights include New York City Dance Alliance Critics Choice, Top Choreography at True Dance & Dancers Inc., Studio Choreography awards, and Technique awards, just to name a few. 

This year, Miss Rachael will be teaching Jazz, Lyrical, and Ballet. She will also be choreographing for Accent’s Junior, Teen, and Senior Ensembles. Miss Rachael is very excited to be entering her 16th season at Accent!

Dawn Blanco

Instructor

Dawn Blanco is the director of the Studio Dance Academy and a dance teacher at William Allen High School.  She began her dance training at age 7 and is trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, musical theater and hip hop dance. Miss Dawn attended Temple University and Kutztown University.  She has studied dance at Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey Studio, Steps on Broadway and Dance New Amsterdam in New York City. She holds K–12 teaching certification in the state of Pennsylvania and a Dance Masters of America Certification in Ballet, Jazz and Modern Instruction. Miss Dawn has 19 years' teaching experience and has taught at studios, colleges and universities throughout Pennsylvania. She has choreographed for nationally competitive dance ensembles, soloists and high school dance teams. A four time Freddy Awards nominee for outstanding choreography for Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Aida and Sister Act, she has won several awards in recognition of her creative choreography. Miss Dawn started her teaching career at Accent School of Dance and looks forward to another year of sharing her love of dance and teaching with the Accent students.

James Du Chateau

Guest Teacher

James started his dance training here in the Lehigh Valley! He attended Accent School of Dance and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Bethlehem, PA as well as the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase in Purchase, NY. He has performed all over the country and taught in the tri-state area for over five years. Credits: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Original Broadway Cast); Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Enchanted (Walt Disney Pictures); Mamma Mia, 42nd Street, Mike in A Chorus Line (Palace Theatre) Catch Me If You Can, An American In Paris (Arizona Broadway Theatre) La Cage Aux Folles (Axelrod Performing Arts Center) Saturday Night Fever (National Tour, Assistant Dance Captain). Insta: @jamesduchateau

Cheyanne Leid

Instructor

Miss Cheyanne graduated from Muhlenberg College with a BA in Dance and Theatre in May 2020. She received the Elizabeth A. Carlson Memorial Prize for Creative Leadership in Dance. Since graduating, Cheyanne has been teaching dance and theatre, choreographing recital seasons and musicals, directing short films, working at youth teacher camps (The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, EPAC), training as a yoga teacher, and sharing her passion for community building and empowerment wherever she goes. She has also been working as a fulltime special education paraprofessional, as well as a personal assistant/caretaker. Cheyanne’s training and experience includes performing at The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, The Fulton Opera House, American Music Theatre, on the Muhlenberg College Mainstage and with Muhlenberg’s Summer Music Theatre professional company. She has studied Commedia dell’arte, Classical Verse, Meisner acting processes, Ballet, Modern, Jazz forms, Contemporary forms, and Tap at the collegiate level. Cheyanne has had the pleasure of working with choreographers such as Tiffany Mills, Michael Nickerson Rossi, Randall Anthony Smith, Kitty Millay, Kristina Grant, Sammy Reyes, Karen Dearborn, and Andrea McCormick in full length ballets, modern concert pieces, and musical theatre productions. She has been honored to attend the American College Dance Association annual conference for three years as an extension of her choreographic and performance education. She has volunteered in Allentown as a theatre and dance teacher at after-school programs, and worked as an office assistant in the Muhlenberg Dance Office for three years. While working here, she was mentored by professors and professionals in the dance and theatre field. She has also house managed, worked in the box office, choreographed, and directed at the college. Her experience in many aspects of the performance world has sparked a passion for creating and teaching performing arts as a means of fostering community and empowerment. Cheyanne loves to share this passion with each one of her students, and can’t wait to meet you! She sends thanks to the entire Accent family for allowing her to step into the community and share what she loves.

Brittany Saraceno

Instructor

Miss Brittany grew up as a part of the Accent Family, and was a student of Miss Karen’s since the age of three! In 2007 she became a proud faculty member! She is a 2009 graduate of Temple University with a B.F.A. in Dance. While at Temple, she performed for many students and faculty members in and around, the Philadelphia area. Miss Brittany was the former coach for the Parkland Middle School Dance Team, a choreographer for both the PHS Varsity and JV Dance Teams and recently choreographed a piece for the William Allen Dance Academy. Miss Brittany furthers her education through various classes, workshops and conventions. She is certified through Dance Master’s of America to teach Jazz and Modern. Her choreography has been recognized both regionally and nationally! Most recently she began a new adventure with Judging dance competitions! At the studio she will be teaching Pre-School Combo classes, along with Hip-Hop, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary and choreographing for our competition teams.

Brenna Zimpfer

Instructor

Miss Brenna is excited to be entering her sixth season at Accent. Miss Brenna earned her Bachelor’s Degrees in Dance and Communications from Cedar Crest College. While in college, she studied Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Modern. She was a member of both the Cedar Crest College Dance Company and The Monarch Dance Company. Miss Brenna also performed in several Musical Productions at Cedar Crest including the role of Velma Kelly in Chicago the Musical and Violet Newstead in 9 to 5!   After college, Miss Brenna decided to pursue a career in Higher Education working in college admissions for 8 years. In 2021 she started a new job working as the Director of Admissions at a Life Coach training company called JRNI Coaching helping people fulfill their dreams and find more purpose, meaning, passion, and joy in their lives. Miss Brenna also loves yoga and hopes to start her yoga teacher training soon. Her passion for dance is fulfilled every week by teaching tap to all of the amazing students at Accent. This year, Miss Brenna is looking forward to continuing to share her love for tap dance with Accent dancers and choreographing for the Senior Tap Ensemble for the 3rd year in a row!

Stacey Carpency

Instructor

Miss Stacey started her dance training at age four at Accent! She graduated in 2016 from Bucknell University with a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Culture, Media, and Leisure Studies and a minor in Dance. During her time at Bucknell, she was an active member of the Theatre & Dance Department, participating in dance productions as a dancer and choreographer as well as assisting in lighting design. She had the opportunity to perform in student and faculty choreographed pieces. She was also selected to perform in guest artist pieces choreographed by artists such as Salim "Slam" Gauwloos, C. Kemal Nance, Tara Madsen Robbins, Nick Ross, and Marie Canal. She was also a member of the Bison Girls Dance Team, where she performed at half-time at the men’s home basketball games and other events on campus. Miss Stacey was also selected to represent Bucknell at the American College Dance Festival at Brockport, NY. In addition to dancing in college, she enjoyed spreading her love of dance through the local community by teaching at a dance studio in her college town, where she taught a variety of classes as well as choreographed for their competition teams. She also participated in local arts outreach events for middle and high school students as a demonstrator for her dance professors. In addition to teaching at Accent, she has been choreographing for the Allentown Central Catholic High School Dance Team for the last 10 years. When she’s not teaching or choreographing, Miss Stacey works in the Office of Admissions at Muhlenberg College as a Senior Assistant Director of Admissions. She enjoys continuing her dance education by taking classes in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. She is so excited to be entering her seventh season at Accent!

Madelyn Dundon 

Instructor

Madelyn Dundon is a singer, dancer, stage and film actress, and writer/illustrator from northeastern Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of West Virginia University holding a BA in Dance and a focus on dance history, graduating suma cum laude and awarded the College of Creative Arts and School of Theatre and Dance Outstanding Senior Awards. Madelyn made her film debut in the feature film Getting Grace, as “Grace”. Getting Grace opened nationwide to rave critics and audience reviews. She studied classical voice at Moravian College and the Manhattan School of Music. Miss Dundon has studied classical ballet, modern dance, and jazz with the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, and the Alaska Dance Theatre. She has taken class from Suzanne Farrell, Tim Fox, ABT principal Sarah Lane, Ballet West Principals Beckanne Sisk and Chase O’Connell, and former Suzanne Farrell Ballet Principal Elizabeth Holowchuk, amongst other accomplished and remarkable dance educators. At West Virginia University, Miss Dundon was cast in and performed Paul Taylor’s iconic work, Esplanade, a piece on which she simultaneously wrote a dance historical casebook. Research done for this casebook led Miss Dundon to an internship with the Paul Taylor Dance Company in the summer of 2020.  On stage, Dundon’s favorite acting roles have included Anne Frank in the Diary of Anne Frank, and the dancing role of Bonnie Jean in Brigadoon. In 2015 she was awarded first place in PA Shakespeare Festival’s Monologue Competition. She most recently wrote and performed her one-woman play Encountering Shakespeare: How Two Americans Saved the Bard at the Folger Shakespeare Library, where she is a certified reader. Ongoing projects include various dramaturgical casebooks and creative literary pieces. Madelyn is vocalist of the traditional jazz duo, “Two for Tea”, whose premiere EP, “Geography”, was released through all streaming services on May 7th. Miss Dundon’s strong classical ballet background has provided her with discipline and artistry that she applies to each artistic medium she explores. Dance was and is her first true love, and Miss Dundon is honored to be able to share her love of this craft with students of all ages. 

Erika Rich

Instructor

Miss Erika grew up at Accent learning from her Mom, Miss Karen! She is excited to be back at the studio taking the next step as an instructor! She is a 2015 graduate of DeSales University with B.A. in Dance. While at DeSales, she had the opportunity to perform in both student and faculty concerts. Erika was also chosen three times to participate in the American College Dance Festival in Wisconsin, NY & Georgia! Erika was a dancer in the Screen Dance Film Festival and has also appeared in films for the Television and Film Department at DeSales. The past two summers she was fortunate enough to study at the Trinity Laban Dance Conservatory in London, England. While there, she interned at MWW, a public relations firm. She has taken classes in LA and NYC, and enjoys furthering her education every chance she gets! This season, Miss Erika is thrilled to choreograph for the Senior Dance Ensemble!

Lizzy Steirer

Instructor

Miss Lizzy began dancing at Accent at the age of 3. She is so excited to be teaching this year! She graduated from the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Bethlehem, PA and attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. She is currently studying Arts & Entertainment Management. She has taught workshops, guest classes and alumni intensives throughout the Lehigh Valley. Throughout high school and college, she has had the opportunity to perform in student and faculty concerts and has also worked and performed with New York based companies, TAKE Dance, The Bang Group, and Sidra Bell. Miss Lizzy was able to present her choreography twice at the National High School Dance Festival in a selected student showcase. Recently, Miss Lizzy’s choreography has been recognized and awarded regionally at multiple competitions. She is thrilled to be back at her home studio and share her love for dance!