Philly Dance Fitness
work it, shake it, move it, dance
Deborah Hirsch – President, Choreographer and Instructor
Deborah, a self-proclaimed dance addict, founded Philly Dance Fitness in early 2010 with the help of her husband and business partner, Seth Weiner.
Deborah has been dancing since she could stand (her grandmother will tell you how she would hold herself up as a baby, using the coffee table for balance, and bounce in time with whatever music was playing) She has yet to find a style of dance that she doesn’t like and can often be found surfing Youtube for hours looking up new moves.
Since she never seems to get enough dancing, becoming a dance fitness instructor seemed like a natural path. After completing her group exercise certification in 2008, she become licensed to teach Zumba, Urban Striptease, step aerobics and target kickboxing. She also teaches cardio bellydance, hip-hop, sculpt, core conditioning and boot camp.
For Deborah, the best part of running this company is the chance to promote her favorite activity as an exciting, accessible form of exercise. Her classes are designed to feel like a dance party – at least, a sweaty, gym-clothes party. In addition to group classes, Deborah offers private lessons, school workshops, corporate classes, bachelorette parties and other special events. Contact her at deborah@phillydancefitness.com or check out her ZIN Instructor Profile.
Alicia DeBruhl – Zumba Instructor and Choreographer
Alicia is a licensed Zumba Instructor with over 10 years of dance experience. Alicia started her dance career as a freshman in college specializing in Afro-Cuban and modern dance. The Baltimore native also taught hip-hop for many years through the Art and Drama department at the YMCA of Central Maryland.
Years later, Alicia fell in love with fitness and infused her passion for dance with her work in physical fitness. In 2007, she was certified as an AAAI-ISMA Personal Trainer. To better educate her clients, Alicia later received her career diploma in fitness and nutrition through Penn Foster.
Beverly Holskin – Ballet and Creative Movement Instructor
Beverly, owner and director of Major Moment Studio, began dancing at the age of 3. She has studied classical ballet and jazz through much of her life. A former member of the Philadelphia Civic Ballet corps de ballet, Beverly was introduced to the world of modeling at a fashion event featuring ballet dancers as backdrops for the fashion show. Since that night, Beverly became choreographer and lead model for a major fashion show production company and over the last 20 years has done hundreds of fashion shows in the tri-state area.
Today, she shares a partnership in Major Moment Productions, a fashion show production company, as choreographer, assistant producer and lead model. Beverly has also taught modeling, creative movement and dance to children and adults of all ages. Recently, she became involved in Next Level Teen and AB FAB GIRLS, where she helps teenagers build confidence and poise.
Bonnie Cannon – Salsa and West Coast Swing Instructor
Bonnie Cannon has been dancing salsa and West Coast swing for more than eight years. Aside from social dancing, she’s competed in West Coast Swing and performed salsa. Originally from Oklahoma, Bonnie moved to the Northeast in 2008 and currently studies theater at Temple University. Dubbed the “dance machine” for the boundless energy that keeps her on the dance floor for hours, Bonnie loves sharing her passion for dance with others.
Jaime Molyneux – Zumba Instructor and Choreographer
Philadelphia native Jaime Molyneux has been teaching Zumba since 2009. After graduating from Temple University, she joined the campus study abroad office as an associate director. While working, she also returned to the classroom, completing a masters in business administration in December 2011.
Outside of work and dancing, you can find Jaime traveling or training for her next marathon.
Joseph Firmingham – Zumba Jammer and Choreographer
Joseph Firmingham is an authorized Zumba Jammer™ and international fitness presenter who recently moved here from Michigan. He’s trained with several highly-respected fitness professionals over more than 14 years in the industry, including Gin Miller, Lawrence Biscontini, Deborah Puskarich and Barbara Klontz. In addition to four Zumba formats (Aqua, Toning, Gold and Zumbatomic), Joseph teaches step, YogaFit, strength and other group exercise classes. As a Zumba Jammer, a title he earned in fall 2010, he leads choreography sessions for other Zumba instructors. Joseph brings a fun, fresh approach to dance fitness through his high energy teaching style and choreography.
Kathy Silvestri – Impact Jazz Instructor and Choreographer
Kathy began studying ballet, tap and jazz at age 10, taking classes at her aunt’s dance studio in Marcus Hook, PA. She moved into community musical theater as a teenager. Inspired by the professional choreographers she’d worked with, she began choreographing and coaching students involved in her former summer theater program. Not ready to give up dancing herself, she found another outlet for her creative expression in fitness. Since becoming a certified group fitness instructor 12 years ago, she’s taught a diverse array of dance fitness classes throughout the tri-state area. She’ll surprise you with new themes every week in her Tuesday night Impact Jazz classes, from classic Broadway to Madonna and beyond.
Lael Leach – Zumba Instructor and Choreographer
Lael has more than seven years of experience teaching aerobics and eight years teaching Caribbean/hip hop dancing. But her interest in fitness began long before that. At age 7, she begged her mom for a weight bench and dumbbells for Christmas, while all her friends asked for “Baby Alive” and G.I. Joe dolls. Throughout her adolescent years, Lael participated in numerous physical activities including track, volleyball, field hockey, basketball and dance. In 2009, she represented Bally Total Fitness at the Oaks fitness expo as an elite fitness member.
Coming from a dancing family, it was only natural that Lael also developed a love for dance. She has been a member of numerous dance, step and drill teams. She first began teaching aerobics and Caribbean/Hip Hop style dancing as a sophomore at Briarcliffe College.
Looking for new fitness trends, Lael came across Zumba. It was the best blend of fitness and dance she’d seen. She became a licensed Zumba instructor in spring 2011 and is currently working on additional fitness certifications.
Timaree Schmit – Piloxing Instructor
Timaree loves teaching, fitness and helping students love their lives more and more. While earning a doctorate in human sexuality, Timaree began working as a fitness instructor, gradually expanding her repertoire to include Pilates, kickboxing, Flirty Girl Fitness, Zumba, Spinning and various modalities of sculpting, circuit training and hi-lo cardio. Her raison d’etre is leading people towards enjoyable workouts that make them feel stronger, sexier and happier.
Seth Weiner – Chief Operating Officer
Seth is the technical and logistical mastermind behind Philly Dance Fitness. From website editing to stripper pole installation, Seth makes this company run smoothly and efficiently. Most recently, he designed a web application to manage class attendance. He can hardly contain his joy at becoming the unofficial company chauffeur or occasionally being coerced into guest teaching. Would he be in this role if not for his wife’s incessant need to dance? Probably not. But at least he has another job managing a team of web developers at xfinitytv.com to maintain his sanity – and get advice on his PDF applications.
Tigger – Official Mascot
Tigger Before Striptease Aerobics
Tigger After Striptease Aerobics
Contact Information
- (215) 645-2717
- info@phillydancefitness.com
