Our Instuctors

Who We Are

Shannon Brancato

Artistic Director & Instructor

Shannon Thomas Brancato began her journey with dance when her mother, Sherry Thomas, opened the studio fifty years ago. She was a dance assistant, then a teacher, and now manages TSD for her mother. Shannon also took ballet lessons from Kitty Megnin Smith in Seneca. She attended Point Park University, where her passion for dance was able to grow. After receiving her minor in dance, Shannon taught for additional dance studios in both Harrisburg and Meadville areas which allowed her to share her love of dance with her students. While teaching at Allegro Dance Arts, she choreographed many tap competition pieces. Her favorite piece to teach has always been Riverdance because she can use her Irish heritage as inspiration. Shannon takes pride in watching her students succeed on stage and in life. Her career has led her to be a nurse at Saegertown High School. She lives in Conneaut Lake with her husband, Joe, and dog River. They have two daughters, Kenzie and Elaina.

Kelly McClelland

Dance Instructor

When Kelly McClelland was 7 years old, she started taking dance lessons with Sherry Thomas. Kelly danced through all of her school years and also enjoyed singing. Seeking out as many opportunities to dance and sing as possible, Kelly was on the Oiler Marching Band Danceline and was a captain for 2 years. She participated in many musical productions both at OCHS and in community summer productions. She enjoyed singing in many choirs and attended District and Regional Chorus both her Junior and Senior years.

Kelly graduated from Grove City College with a B.S. in Accounting. While at Grove City Kelly was a member of the Wolverine Marching Band Marquette Danceline, and she was honored to be a captain for 2 years. In the fall semesters, Kelly was a dancer and choreographer for the Orchesis Dance Troupe. In the spring semesters, Kelly danced and choreographed for the May Pageant Dance Ensemble. Through her college years, Kelly sang in the Grove City College Chapel Choir, and also as a cantor at St. Joseph Church in Oil City.

Kelly joined the staff at Thomas School of Dance in September of 2000. Her heart belongs to her students, past, present, and future, and she willingly does everything she can to make sure they have a positive and fulfilling dance experience. Kelly continues to learn and evolve her dance skills through watching live productions, and videos. Sharing her passion for dance and music with her students is her greatest joy.

Kelly lives in Oil City with her husband Tom. They have two daughters, Tori and Kaci. Kelly’s hobbies include walking, being outdoors, personal fitness, reading, watching movies, and all things Disney.

Kelly Zerbe

Dance Instructor

Kelly Zerbe has been a part of Thomas School of Dance since she was four years old! A student, dance assistant, teacher, and featured choreographer, Kelly has grown up at the studio, and now teaches the children of her previous students. Having received a minor in dance from Slippery Rock University, Kelly has taught all ages and genres of dance, with her favorite being jazz. In addition, she has been a teacher for the Oil City Area School District for 24 years. Due to her love of dance, musical theater, and teaching, she has been the Youth Theatre choreographer at the Barrow-Civic Theater since 2005. She has also choreographed many adult productions at the Barrow including Chicago, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, Crazy for You, Big Fish, Matilda and more. In her spare time, Kelly teaches Zumba at the Oil City YWCA. Kelly is married to Tim, and they have two sons, Devin and Jordan.

Sherry Thomas

Founder

Sherry began her dance studies under Lee Miller in Oil City around age 10. She became a student assistant and danced with Lee until the age of 18. Sherry and her husband, Brian, directed and choreographed plays for Cranberry High School and the Oil City Community Playhouse. With the help of Brian, Sherry accomplished her dream of opening her own dance studio, Thomas School of Dance, in the 70’s. Catherine Little, the owner of Little's Dance Studio in Erie, PA, became her mentor. She attended and taught at numerous conventions across the United States, which expanded her talents and made her more knowledgeable about dance. She has dedicated her life to dance and theater in the Oil City area. One of the goals Thomas School of Dance has always maintained was to make dance affordable to all families in the Oil City area. Sherry accomplished this by guaranteeing her students received combination classes and training students in ballet, jazz, and tap. Sherry and Brian’s legacy lives on through the teachers and dancers at TSD. Even after more than 50 years in the industry, Sherry’s love for dance hasn’t faded, and she can still be seen every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday cheering on the dancers at TSD. Sherry has three daughters, Shannon, Heather, and Airen who have all taken to the stage in their own ways over the years and seven wonderful grandchildren that she adores spending time with.

Christine Shattenberg

Office Manager

Chrissy, Sherry's sister, has worked as the office manager for Thomas School of Dance for the past 15 years. Her daughter Janelle and son Travis danced at TSD when they were young. Chrissy also works as an in-home caregiver when she is not managing the office at TSD. TSD has fantastic families and children, and she loves watching them develop a love of the performing arts and hone their dance movements. I look forward to each year at TSD! Chrissy lives in Oil City with her husband, Bob.

Kenzie
Brancato-Griffith

Guest Choreographer

Kenzie began her dancing career at the age of two at her grandmother’s dance studio, Thomas School of Dance. As a third-generation dancer, she immediately fell in love with all styles of dance. She studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip-hop, tap, tumbling and competed nationally for 10 years. Kenzie has had opportunities to attend summer intensives at Erie Dance Conservatory, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Oberlin College, Broadway Dance Center, The Rock West, and Point Park University as well as learn from many prestigious professionals at various conventions and workshops. She was chosen to compete internationally with Team USA at The World Showdance Championships in Riesa, Germany. She attended Penn State University and was a member of Orchesis Dance Company. With Orchesis, Kenzie was the lead choreographer for two years and President of the company her final year. She has choreographed for dance recitals and competitions with various dance studios for 10 years. She loves working with the students and fellow teachers at Thomas School of Dance!

Kenzie lives in Ohio with her husband, Justin, two german-shorthaired pointers Theory and Briar, and goats Darwin and Stanley.