Meet the Director

Hello! My name is Gianna Neal, and I have been the Director of MCDC since fall of 2022 As a previous student of MCDC and Muhlenberg Theatre & Dance, I have always held this community near and dear to my heart.

As a student, I attended multiple studios before finding MCDC, and I can attest that our program has something unique. Our core values and mission to educate the “whole child” is what sets us apart from many other institutions — not only focusing on technique, but also creating a safe space for students to explore dance creatively and intellectually. We want students to thrive and feel confident in all of their creative endeavors.

Our teachers are so excited to share their passion with your kids! We will be offering classes in Creative Movement, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Modern, as well as a few new styles to MCDC, including Musical Theatre! We can't wait to get started!

Throughout her middle and high school years, Gianna was an active member of Muhlenberg Community Dance Center. Since graduating with a B.A. in Theatre from Muhlenberg College in 2015, Gianna has worked with children of all ages in the arts throughout the Lehigh Valley. For the past eight years, she has served as theatre director and choreographer for Northampton Area High School. Additionally, she has directed and choreographed at Saucon Valley Middle School and Pennsylvania Youth Theatre, where she also served as a drama and dance instructor for ages 6 through 18.

In 2017, Gianna developed and ran the dance curriculum at the Allentown YMCA for children pre-K through high school, and she has been a dance instructor at various dance studios in the area. While at Muhlenberg, she helped teach MCDC classes, including Creative Movement. Gianna began working professionally onstage and in TV/film early in her career, and throughout her four years at Muhlenberg, performed in both departmental and MSMT productions.

Gianna is formerly the Office Manager for the Theatre & Dance Department at Muhlenberg, but now spends her most of her time during the day with her twin boys.