Born and raised in Erie, PA, Brett Swanson graduated from McDowell High School.  He then went on to major in Finance at The Ohio State University. Brett Swanson is the current Manager and Small Business Lender at Northwest Bank in Millcreek, PA.  He has been with the bank for ten years and a manager for nearly eight.  Always active in the community, Brett has served in numerous organizations including serving as Treasurer on the Fairview Community Council, Junior Achievement at Fairview Elementary School, Fairview Downtown Development Committee, Kiwanis Club, and serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre leading the way for ECBT’s progression in the Erie Arts Community.

Mary Kathryn Vicary Eighmy is a licensed physical therapist who received her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Gannon University.  Mary was interested in developing ways to reach the best patient outcomes for the performing artist, as she was a professional ballet dancer prior to becoming a physical therapist.  The majority of her pre-professional dance training was completed under the tutelage of Sarah Purvis at Erie Dance Conservatory. She enjoyed training at several summer intensives including the School of American Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Craft of Choreography Conference, Kim Robards Dance, and North Carolina Dance Theater (now Charlotte Ballet), where she also danced as a trainee. Mary completed a physical therapy orthopedic residency through the Sport and Orthopedic Department of Physical Therapy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in July of 2017. Mary has worked as a physical therapist at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Centers for Rehab Services in Erie, Pennsylvania, in addition to traveling with USA Gymnastics as a member of the medical staff to assist with physical therapy needs during competitions and training camps. Mary currently works at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Erie as the only board certified specialist in orthopedic physical therapy in the Motion Analysis Center, as well as in the Rehabilitation Department. Also, she is an adjunct professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Gannon University. Mary continues to blend her passions by providing physical therapy services to pediatric and adolescent athletes, primarily including dancers and other performing artists.

Cindy Purvis is an Erie native that has been an art enthusiast and human rights activist for decades. In 2005 Cindy partnered with the Sisters of Saint Joseph to bring Dr. Kevin Bales, President of “Free the Slaves,” to Erie, PA to give forums to five different area colleges and universities to speak on human trafficking. Ms. Purvis was the Executive Director of Lake Erie Ballet for over 12 years and is a founding member of Saint Patrick’s Haven, Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre, and Healthcare 4 All PA. Currently, Cindy is an elected member of the Democratic State Committee and serving as 1st Vice-Chair of the Erie County Democratic Party. Ms. Purvis is also a board member of Healthcare 4 all PA, and the Treasurer for Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre.

Janet’s early dance training began at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, PA.  She studied under Edward Caton, Nicholas Petrov, Marion Petrov and Ismet Mouhedin.  She was one of the first graduating classes of the newly created dance department of Mercyhurst College under the direction of Ismet Mouhedin and Valentine Belova. She also studied during her college years at the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale Weary.  She graduated from Mercyhurst College with a BA in Dance and a minor in Business. After graduation, Janet taught ballet and jazz at the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh.  She was the co-director of the University of Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble and choreographed for various theatre groups in Pittsburgh.  When she moved back to Erie after getting married, she opened “Aerobics Unlimited”, a studio that offered aerobics as well as adult ballet, jazz and ballroom dancing. She taught at “Aerobics Unlimited” for nine years and owned and operated, along with her husband, Bill, “Porter’s Restaurant and Tap Room” in the historic Union Station. She and her husband, Bill, currently own Sabella’s Catering.  Janet has served on the board of directors for the Erie Civic Ballet, the Erie Dance Consortium, and Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre.

Sarah received her early training from the Erie Civic Ballet School under the direction of Arlene Ashton Hay, Robert Steele, and Sharon Filone. As a dancer, she performed with the Lake Erie Ballet Company in Classical Symphony, Concerto Barocco, Coppélia, Giselle, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker. Her choreographic projects include Untitled Baroque, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, It’s Still Rockin’ Roll To Me, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Peter Pan, The Sleeping Beauty, The Wizard of Oz, Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Cinderella, and The Nutcracker. Sarah’s teaching/rehearsal experiences include the Lake Erie Ballet School (9 years), Villa Maria Academy’s Dance Department (16 years), Salt & Pepper Mine Company (1 year) Lakettes Gymnastic Academy (6 years), New Castle Regional Ballet (3 years), and Erie Dance Conservatory, now in its 19th season. In 1994, Ms. Purvis was the only former student chosen to teach at the Lake Erie Ballet School while completing her degree from Mercyhurst College in 2002. Sarah is currently the Artistic Director of the Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre. Ms. Purvis has held the positions of President-Elect, President, and Past-President of the Erie Dance Consortium, the 2009, 2011, and 2013 Co-Chair of the Erie Festival of Dance, held the position of Treasurer, Vice-President, President of the prestigious Regional Dance America/Northeast, a national organization of dancers, teachers, and choreographers.

Maya Fanazini is a current investment analyst at Erie Insurance Group in Erie, PA. Maya recently joined the External Investments team and is supporting the alternatives portfolio. She received a B.A. in Finance, a B.A. in Marketing, and a minor in Management from Mercyhurst University as a member of the Women’s Soccer team. As a student-athlete, she was a board member for the Student Athletic Advisory Committee for three years. Recently, Maya graduated with her M.B.A. from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and was awarded the Most Outstanding Student. Born and raised in Erie, PA, Maya graduated from Fairview High School in 2016.

As a trained Mindfulness Facilitator from UCLA Semel Institute For Neuroscience and Human Behavior and Certified Member of International Mindfulness Teachers Association, Kim Hill’s passion for helping businesses and organizations shines through in her trainings. With 40+ years of experience in education, health, and wellness, she has given her mindfulness seminars and consultations around the country for schools, universities, and corporations. Kim always felt there was a missing piece in the puzzle of health and wellness. While people largely understand the role that diet and exercise play in building a strong body, they often forget the pivotal part our mind plays in a well-rounded lifestyle. “When you look at a beautiful painting, it may appear to be just two dimensions, but you’re actually looking at something that has layers upon layers. So, when you’re looking at mindfulness in the whole person, it’s not just about mindfulness—it’s about your whole lifestyle. You’re exercising, you’re eating healthy, and you’re living in the present.” It was this connection of mind, body, and spirit that motivated Kim to dive into mindfulness. Nearly a decade after she began her search for answers, absorbing thousands of pages of literature, participating in dozens of retreats, becoming yoga certified, and completing extensive coursework in the study of mindfulness, Kim designed a mindfulness curriculum of her own.

Bethany Norris moved to Erie 12 years ago and has loved living, working, and building her family in the Erie community. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Edinboro University in 2008, her Master of Science in Special Education from Mercyhurst University in 2015, and her Principal Certification from Gannon University in 2020. Bethany has been passionate about dance, and has both participated in dance classes, as well as taught dance classes from local dance studios. Bethany has been a classroom teacher, worked collaboratively with teachers and school administrators to support students both academically and behaviorally, trained teachers on a new technology platform that was used to support virtual learning, and has implemented character and career readiness lessons for students. Currently, Ms. Norris is the Dean of Students at Montessori Regional Charter School.

Tracy graduated from General McLane High School and continued her education in psychology and criminal justice at Mercyhurst University. She worked as a juvenile therapist for a number of years and then began her career at Loesel-Schaaf Insurance Agency, Inc. while continuing her graduate education at Gannon University. At Loesel-Schaaf she is responsible for accounting, payroll, contracting, licensing and other financial aspects of the agency. She most recently earned the Human Resources 1 and Advanced certifications. Tracy lives in McKean, where she was born and raised, with her husband, Ken, and daughters Alexis and Gabriella. She has been involved in numerous boards and organizations typically involving her daughters’ activities, including President of the PTA for 3 years.

Kristen has danced for over 25 years. She graduated from the University of Akron, earning a B.A. in Dance Studies, with a Business Cognate and Theater minor. Her favorite experiences as a performer thus far include the world premiere of “Tuning In,” directed and choreographed by Tony-nominated Emmy winner George Pinney, with musical direction by Terry LaBolt, and acting as a Character Performer at Walt Disney World. Kristen is currently the dance teacher at Northwestern Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy. As well as serving on the Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre board of directors, Kristen is a founding board member of Seiche Dance Collective where she feeds her passions for learning and performance opportunities.