Meet Our Instructors

Melissa is the owner and creator of Hearth And Hallow Movement Lounge, a boutique aerial and dance fitness studio in Ivyland, PA. With over 10 years of experience as an aerial hoop (lyra) instructor, Melissa specializes in teaching introductory, intermediate, and choreography classes. 

Her passion for aerial arts began in 2013, sparking a journey that led her to seek lessons across various locations, including the Philadelphia Circus School, New York, and New Jersey. Melissa's dedication to the craft earned her a position in a work-study program at Pennsylvania Pole Academy, where she developed her skills and became a lyra instructor. 

At Hearth And Hallow, Melissa is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for individuals eager to explore aerial arts and enhance their flexibility. 

Outside the studio, Melissa enjoys tending to her chickens, gardening, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her dogs, Bowie & Sadie, her son, Theo, and her husband, Jeff. She also has a love for all things spooky, especially Beetlejuice. 

Melissa founded Hearth And Hallow Movement Lounge to offer a central and vital gathering place where the community can come together and experience the joy of movement.

Heather started her journey into the world of dance with bellydance, she learned tribal and cabaret styles. She has performed bellydance at the Wrightstown Renaissance Faire and Rakkasah East. Heather found structure and expression through dance in her practice and work with props, including silk fabric, wings and balancing swords.

She evolved her props practice by transitioning from bellydance to flow arts and fire performing. As a fire performer for Freaks Alley at Valley of Fear Haunted Hayride, she performed with fire poi, double staff, double hoops, and fans. Being a part of a Halloween circus themed attraction led her to fall in love with her next love, the aerial lyra hoop.

Heather began her aerial dance training at Trenton Circus School. She has experience with lyra, silks, hammock, straps, pole and trapeze. Heather has developed her skill over the years by taking classes at Trenton Circus School, Pennsylvania Pole Academy, along with private lessons at Las Vegas Circus Center. Heather has performed on the aerial lyra hoop at Sellersville theater and PPA Showcases. After completing her teacher training mentorship with Melissa Sarcewicz in June 2021, she became a Lyra instructor at Pennsylvania Pole Academy. Teaching all three levels of Lyra, Burlesque Lyra and Moon shaped Lyra classes. She has diversified her teaching abilities and spotting techniques over her time as an instructor. 

As an instructor, Heather chooses to see the alternative and unconventional beauty in her students and the world around her. She strives to teach others to learn to control their body by isolating muscle groups to accomplish aerial poses. Heather always strives to bring out the best in her students by giving detailed demonstrations and encouraging individualism in expression of the poses.

Performance arts are for adults of all ages to find new ways to do poses that may seem impossible at first, through consistent practice and proper form are possible. Heather will be sharing her dance and aerial expertise at Hearth & Hallow Movement Lounge, where the environment fosters gathering together to learn new skills, without sacrificing who you are to get there. Teaching at Hearth & Hallow Movement Lounge will be a transformative experience for me as an instructor to have freedom of expression on and off the Lyra.

Saige has been passionate about dance since high school, mastering a diverse range of styles including jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical, salsa, and heels. With a rich background in teaching, Saige has shared her expertise with students of all ages, specializing in hip hop and heels classes. 

Today, Saige primarily focuses on teaching street heels, where they bring their dynamic choreographic vision to life. Whether it's a slow, sensual piece or an energetic hip hop routine, Saige crafts each class to not only challenge but also inspire dancers to explore their unique expression through movement.

As a certified fitness trainer with a focus on strength and conditioning, I’m excited to help you reach your fitness goals through dynamic and effective workouts. As a mom and functional training enthusiast, I’m committed to creating a supportive and motivating environment where we can work together to build strength, improve endurance, and achieve your personal best. My passion lies in creating effective, engaging workouts that fit into not only the movement lounge, but in your lifestyle.

Jenn discovered pole in 2011 and along with it, her passion and love for aerials and movement. Intertwining strength, grace, fluidity and embodiment, pole & movement became a life-long journey of learning, exploration and discovery. Jenn is so grateful for the opportunity to share and be a part of igniting this practice with others since 2014. 

Katie began her dance training at Miss Cindy’s School of Dance, where she studied jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, modern, lyrical, and contemporary dance styles. As a member of the award-winning Broad Street Entertainers, she performed at local community events, at dance competitions, in Disney World, on television, and at the Jersey shore. After high school, she became a member of the DeSales University Dance Team and performed at basketball games and community events. 

Katie began her teaching career at Pennsylvania Pole Academy (PPA) in 2012, where she specialized in teaching chair dance, cardio dance, hip hop, and jazz / contemporary style classes. She also choreographed for showcases, workshops, and pole dancing competitions. Katie broadened her dance training at PPA, by taking group and private lessons with professional pole dancers from around the world. 

With over 30 years of dance training and experience, Katie continues to share her passion and love for the art of dance as an instructor and choreographer. She focuses on technique, musicality, and emotional expression in her dance instruction. She encourages her students to interpret the music through their movements, and she understands the importance of motivating her students to set and achieve their goals (both individually and as part of a team). She strives to build connections and inspire others to express themselves through dance.