our staff
Heather West
Owner & Director
Heather Kronk West is the owner of Stage West. She began training at Doris Singer dance studio at the age of 3 and continued on to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
At Mercyhurst University she received a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Dance with a concentration in Pedagogy. Afterwards, she performed with the Lake Erie Ballet and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.
Her 20+ years of teaching and choreography experience include, The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Point Park University and The Civic Light Opera Academy. For 15 years she has successfully owned and operated B.C. Dance Academy, along with aiding the musical theatre department there, before expanding to include Stage West Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2016.
Along with teaching dance, Heather has a loving husband and two children.
SAM Beckas
Teacher, Choreographer, Marketing
Sam began dancing at three years old. With desires to be a ballerina, she began studying at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre around age 8, under the instruction of Heather West. In her time at PBT, Sam participated in The Nutcracker for three years, and this experience remains one of her fondest memories.
Sam soon decided to explore other dance opportunities including musical theater instruction at CLO and then moved on to competitive dance at DancExplosion Arts Center.
Sam has taught and choreographed at Stage West since 2018 and has since been nicknamed "Slaymantha." Her favorite part of teaching is bonding with the students and watching them grow as dancers and as people. She loves guiding them through their dance education and is always proud of their dedication, bravery, and creativity.
Danielle Crivelli
Teacher & Choreographer
Danielle started dancing at age three and began competing at the age of twelve. She attended Point Park University to continue her dance education and earned an Advanced Teacher Certification through Dance Educators of America. She continued her dance education through the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, focusing on contemporary and modern jazz, and was a member of the Pittsburgh Dance Alloy.
For more than 20 years, Danielle has been teaching dance and choreographing award-winning competition routines as well as multiple musical productions and halftime cheer routines throughout Lawrence and Beaver counties. She is passionate about helping dancers develop strong technical foundations while inspiring confidence, artistry, and a lifelong love of dance.
Danielle has taught and choreographed at Stage West since it opened in 2016.
Our Studio
Stage West Performing Arts Studio is located on the 2nd floor of 336 College Ave.
Our studio has two large dance rooms equipped with bluetooth speakers, ballet barres, tumbling mats, and creative movement accessories.
We are conveniently located in Downtown Beaver, just off of 3rd Street, behind Starbucks and other great shops. Our space offers free parking.
Studio 1
Studio 2
