Anna Cannavo '23 Combines Dance and Education Degrees in Role as Dance Team Coach Thursday, February 5, 2026

Meet Anna Cannavo '23

Job Title & Employer

Dance Team Coach, Mt. Lebanon High School

Other Job Titles

Performer, dance teacher, dance judge and adjudicator, tutor and substitute teacher

Majors

Education Pre-K – 4th Grade; Dance with concentration in Jazz

Graduation

2023

College Activities

Most of my college activities surrounded dance in some capacity, like being in the studio and auditioning, but also, enjoying the city and Point State Park, working at a gym and hanging out with my roommates.

Hometown

Bethlehem/Easton, Pa.

High School

Freedom High School in Bethlehem Area School District

Now Living In

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Hobbies & Interests

I love to be outside, go for walks and hikes, paddleboard, kayak, go for runs, work out, play with my dog, cook, read and travel. I’m always looking for ways to be an educator in new capacities as well.

Why did you decide to pursue degrees in both education and dance?

I always wanted to be a teacher and a dancer since I was little. In high school, I pursued dance heavily outside of school while focusing on child development classes in school. I didn’t want to sacrifice either career, as I always envisioned myself as both a classroom teacher and a performer, and combining the two as a dance educator. Point Park gave me the ability to pursue both roles and blend them into multiple paths and options.

Tell us what you’ve done since graduation and what your current roles are.

After graduation, I became a substitute teacher in the Mt. Lebanon School District. I became a building substitute for Lincoln Elementary, which opened the door for me to complete three long-term substitute positions there — two in second grade and one in fourth grade.

At the same time, I continued teaching at multiple dance studios in the Pittsburgh area and choreographing for competitive teams. I auditioned for and joined a nonprofit dance company, Nolan Dance Collective, which allows me to perform locally and in New York City throughout the year.

I continue to further my dance education at adult drop-in classes. This past year, I completed a long-term substitute position in Kindergarten at South Fayette Elementary School. I am entering my third year as a dance judge and adjudicator for two competitions that travel nationwide throughout the winter months.

This past May, I helped begin the Mt. Lebanon High School Dance Team and am one of two coaches for the brand-new dance team. I am not currently substitute teaching, but I continue to tutor and stay involved in the surrounding school districts with the hope of having my own classroom in the future.

How did Point Park prepare you for coaching a dance team?

Point Park’s School of Dance gives students the opportunity to explore all styles of dance and the various avenues that dance provides. We take pedagogy classes, anatomy classes and entrepreneurship for dancers. These classes provided me with extensive knowledge on how to teach properly in ways that best support students. Our professors opened our eyes not only to performing opportunities but also how to be a dance educator in many facets.

The School of Education centers around developmentally appropriate teaching, which provided me with an understanding of how to be in front of a room of all age groups and how to best support the students’ needs with a variety of age groups. Coaching a dance team also takes a lot of business and leadership skills behind the scenes.

I work to keep accurate records for our nonprofit status, communicate with families and competitions we attend, reach out to sponsors, and organize schedules and activities to support and give the team exposure. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without my education classes, dance classes and general education classes that taught me business-focused leadership strategies.

What made Point Park the right choice to pursue degrees in both education and dance?

Point Park focuses on the whole person and not just the major you choose as your pathway. The university has small enough class sizes that you really can get to know your professors and build relationships with them. After visiting Point Park, I felt supported to pursue two degrees because the school wants students to be well-rounded and ready to go out into the world with multiple skill sets and abilities.

 

What faculty members had an impact on you?

Kiki Lucas, Kiesha Lalama, Jill Lazzini, Anna Thompson and Taylor Knight (SlowDanger), Crystal Frazier and Jason McDole are some of the dance professors who really had a lasting impact on my time at Point Park. I continue to stay connected with them post-grad and always know I have their mentorship and guidance when I need it.

Kamryn York, Ed.D., Christal Edmunds, Ph.D., Virginia Chambers, Ed.D., and Kristen Misutka, Ph.D., guided me in the School of Education in so many ways. They pushed me to pursue my dreams and helped me become the best educator I could be.

Why would you recommend Point Park to a prospective student?

Point Park provides a unique experience for students with its vast program options and ability to help you find your niche. For me, that meant pursuing dance and education, and now the school offers a fast-track B.F.A. to M.Ed. program for dancers and educators to do just that.

The School of Dance provides many opportunities not just to continue your dance training but to pursue the arts in their full potential. The education program gets you in the field in year one, which is unique. I was fortunate to explore private, charter, and public schools, as well as urban and suburban settings. I observed in a high school classroom and taught in a preschool program, which gave me insight into the youngest learners and the young adults.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Don’t ever sacrifice all of the options you want to explore, because you never know where they will take you. Those passions are what make you, you. Ask for help and get people behind you who support you in everything you want to achieve.

More About: Mt. Lebanon High School, dance, jazz, education, School of Education, School of Education Alumni