Dance Instructor

Vilija Burnelis grew up in Crescent Township, Pennsylvania and began dancing at the age of 5 at Arena’s Dance Company (ADC). She attended her home school district until the 8th grade when she made the transition to Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School (LPPACS). As well as dancing in school, she continued taking classes in her home studio where she assisted and taught students of different technical levels. She has performed in every recital and The Nutcracker since 2008, with multiple musical theater productions during the summers. Although her time at LPPACS and ADC had formed her into a competent performing artist, she decided to further her dance training and education at Slippery Rock University where she pursued her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a concentration in studio ownership and entrepreneurship.

She was given the opportunity to learn how to manage a production, work with light designs and sound boards, and choreograph and perform in the dance concerts. She was chosen to become a resident assistant on campus for Forge Summer Intensive in 2023 where she needed to show leadership for her fellow peers. Vilija is now thrilled to be back to where it all began to be an important part of future generations’ formation in dance.