Gretchen Bleakney started her dance career at the age of 3 at PineTree Performing Arts Center. 15 years later she finished her senior year there. While in high school, she performed in the Mars Area Musicals for four years finishing up as the dance captain her senior year. Gretchen graduated from Slippery Rock University (SRU) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. Her dance training encompasses ballet,pointe, tap, Irish, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical/contemporary, modern, and Bharatanatyam.

At Slippery Rock, Gretchen performed in numerous pieces including “Femme Fetale” which closed the SRU Winter Concert in 2013. She was a member of Dance Express, the dance team that was originated by the dance major, and she is a member of the dance fraternity Sigma Rho Delta. Gretchen also completed her Master of Science Degree in Adapted Physical Activity at SRU. Gretchen hopes to continue her love of teaching young dancers for many years to come.