Elena Antolik - Director, Instructor & Choreographer

Elena Antolik was born to dance! A major force in the dance world for over 20 years, Elena Antolik is a performer, competitor, choreographer, master teacher, adjudicator and studio owner. Stemming from years of extensive training and experience, including a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Point Park University, Elena is the owner and director of The Elite School of Dance by Elena in North Huntingdon, PA. Her studio boasts a reputation of classic training which brings recognition and pride to her students as overall competition winners, both regionally and across the country. Many alumni from The Elite School of Dance by Elena successfully pursue dance during their college and post baccalaureate careers—all testimony to the solid training they receive from Elena and her special ability to nurture her students’ love of dance for a lifetime. Through her studio and dance company, Elena’s Dancers Elite, she displays her creative choreography, an exceptional talent admired and acknowledged nationwide through numerous awards.

Always expanding her expert role in the dance industry, Elena has traveled to several states to serve as a judge for dance competitions. Her latest venture as an arbiter caused Elena to be accepted as an adjudicator in the movement caption for the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges and the Three Rivers Winter Ensemble Association.

Elena’s dedication to the art of dance is part of her very core, and she continues to remain deeply committed to her passion. Her experience, beliefs, abilities, dedication and commitment led to her recognition in Who’s Who of American Women. Many wonderful experiences and events caused Elena to be where she is today, and she is eternally grateful to everyone who brought the magic of dance into her life.

Ribeka Kovach - Instructor & Choreographer

Ribeka Kovach is our Acrobatics/Gymnastics instructor and The Elite School of Dance by Elena is thrilled to have Ribeka be apart of our esteemed faculty for the past three years! She started taking gymnastics classes when she was six years old and began competing in regional and state events when she was 12. Ribeka won medals in many events throughout the years, including a silver medal for her all around score in the 1997 Pennsylvania State Junior Olympics Gymnastics competition. Ribeka, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, was also a member of the University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown’s competitive cheerleading squad. She recently received her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Seton Hill University and is employed at Duquesne Light Company as a Rates Analyst. A recent newlywed, she gave Adam Garrity the honor of become Mrs. Ribeka Garrity and we wish them love and happiness forever more.

Carrie Hertneky - Instructor & Choreographer

Carrie Hertneky, is one of our instructors who teaches Tap, Pre-Hip Hop and Hip Hop. Carrie is delighted to have been teaching at the Elite School of Dance by Elena for the past four years and we are happy she is here! Most recently, she introduced our dance studio to Cheer Dance. At the age of three, Carrie began to study at Janet’s School of Dance where she took classes in Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Gymnastics. She was competing by the age of eight and began student teaching at 16 years old. As a performer, competitor and choreographer, Carrie knew she loved to dance and as a result was the recipient of top awards at regional and national dance competitions.

She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, receiving her Bachelor of Science with a major in Respiratory Therapy and a minor in Dance. In addition to her studies, Carrie was a member of the “A Team” from the IUP Dance Explosion. Her volunteer activities included serving as a head coach for the competitive cheerleading squad, Norwin Rams in North Huntingdon’s Catholic Diocese for nine years. Congratulations to Carrie and her new husband who danced down the wedding aisle on July 24, 2010!

Ashley Metz - Instructor & Choreographer

Ashley Metz is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she began dancing at the age of four. She received her dance training from Studio G, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and The Elite School of Dance by Elena where she was a student teacher for four years. She has studied many genres of dance, including Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Hip Hop, Contact Improv, Irish, and African. Ashley competed extensively throughout high school as a member of our own Elena’s Dancers Elite. She competed with group numbers in many genres of dance and as a lyrical soloist.

Ashley recently graduated from the Schreyer Honors College of the Pennsylvania State University. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree with high distinction and with honors in Human Development and Family Studies, and double minors in Dance and Psychology. She was an active member and choreographer for Tapestry Dance Company all four years at Penn State, and served on the executive board as Tapestry’s Secretary for three years. Ashley was also a member of the University Dance Company and traveled to the American College Dance Festival to perform and to be adjudicated. She was named Outstanding Graduating Senior from the Penn State Dance minor program. During her time at Penn State, Ashley also taught dance at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Arts in Centre Hall, PA and was a member of the Jade Dance Project.

Ashley is currently a Human Resource Representative with Westinghouse Electric Company at their Monroeville location. A strong advocate against pediatric brain cancer, Ashley dedicates her free time to the Reflections Of Grace Foundation, where she serves on the Board of Directors as Race Director, Race for Grace. The Elite School of Dance by Elena is so pleased and proud to have Ashley, one of our very own alums, as an instructor for the last three years!