Sam Beckas 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 Kronk. In her time at PBT, Sam participated in The Nutcracker for three years, and this experience remains one of her fondest memories to this day. 

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. In her three years of competing, she learned that your biggest competitor is yourself and the most important thing is to have fun and believe in yourself. 

Following in Ms. Heather’s footsteps, Sam attended college at Mercyhurst University and took a break from dance, though she never lost her love for it. After graduation Sam taught at Stage West Performing Arts Center for one year before relocating for a job. Now, back at Stage West, Sam is excited to continue working with the students and challenging them as dancers and  young women.