Growing up in Tyumen, West Siberia, Russian Federation, Olga's early dance training was provided by teachers from the Kirov Ballet School, Saint Petersburg, Russia.  From the age of seven she studied ballet, lyrical, modern and added ballroom dancing as a young adult.  Between the ages of twelve and twenty she participated in city and regional competitions and was a regional finalist five years in a row.  She has also competed internationally.
In 1989 Olga graduated from Tyumen State University, West Siberia with BAs in Dance, and French Language and Literature.  Before coming to the United States she owned and operated her own dance studio in Tyumen for ten years.  Olga is also a ballroom dance instructor and has been involved in international ballroom competitions.
She is eager to share her unique dance background and international experiences with the students of the Eleanor Pernia Studio of Dance.  In addition to continuing the successful competition teams Olga looks forward to expanding the dance syllabus offered to ballroom and belly dance.

Marissa Montanez was trained at several studios in the state of Maryland including Elite Dance and Gymnastics, under the direction of Starpower Competition's Gary Pate, and the award winning Spotlight Studio of Dance, under the direction of Wyndee McGovern. Marissa has also been a member of the Howard County Ballet, a performance group based in Ellicott City Maryland, as well as JazzFusion, a pre-professional dance company. In 2002 Marissa, along with JazzFusion, performed at the prestigous Jazz Dance World Congress. Marissa received her undergraduate degree from Towson University, where she was a member and captain of the nine time National Champion Dance Team. Marissa has been teaching and choreographing for the last 7 years, and has worked with dancers all over the Mid-Atlantic Region. Recently, Marissa has been offered a posiition at the traveling "Wild Dance Intensive", along with a star studded faculty of choreographers and dance professionals, to educate young students about their options for a future in dance.

In 1962, drawing on her many years of experience as a professional dancer in the theater and on television, Eleanor founded the Eleanor Pernia Studio of Dance.  The Studio has since been successful in providing a dynamic, nurturing environment for virtually all aspects of dance training.  In addition to introducing dance to students of all ages, Eleanor has created and coached successful competition teams.  Eleanor's goals have been, and will continue to include expanding the benefits of dance to other aspects of life such as poise, self confidence and creativity.

Jesi currently a student at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is an Elementary Education major and plans to declare her dance minor in her upcoming fall semester. She started dancing at the age of three at the Eleanor Pernia Studio of dance. Throughout her 15 year of training with the studio she learned tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and modern. She also competed for many years with the studio's Star Struck Competition Team going on to win many solo and group awards. While Jesi is not in school herself, she also works at Hollywood Elementary School as an aide in reading and math. Jesi loves teaching as well as all of the kids she has the opportunity to work with.

Anna incorporates her varied knowledge of alignment, therapeutics and meditation to release stress and to focus the mind. Anna provides the opportunity to experience a complete yoga practice using postures (asanas) and focused breathing to connect the physical and emotional selves. This connection is explored to foster transformative personal growth. Anna has been teaching yoga since 1995. She is a registered 500-hour teacher with the Yoga Alliance. Her certifications include Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy and Cardiac Yoga ®. She is also a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and is a registered Anusara Yoga Inspired instructor. She is currently studying Parayoga with Marion Griffin and Master Teacher, Rod Stryker.

Tiffany began dancing at the age of three studying ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, lyrical and hip hop at a studio in Syracuse, New York.  At the age of twelve she began competing in dance competitions and continued to do so through high school, winning prestigious awards for her solo and group routines.  Tiffany continued to teach dance while earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and Masters of Science Degree in Special Education.  She earned these degrees from LeMoyne College.  Tiffany currently teaches Special Education at Robert Frost Elementary School.  She is delighted to share her passion for dance with children by continuing her dance instruction at the Eleanor Pernia Studio of Dance.