About

Our Story

Founded in 2007, the JP Gallery for Performing Arts has served the Greater Pittsburgh community for nearly two decades, offering comprehensive programming in dance and theatre. What began as a traveling studio evolved into a permanent home in 2009, when the organization opened its first brick-and-mortar location on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill, specializing in ballroom and Latin dance.

Following its relocation to Pittsburgh’s Northside, Founding Artistic Director Jessica Palitti identified a need for accessible extracurricular performing arts opportunities for children. In response, she expanded the Gallery’s programming to include youth education and, in 2012, established the Northside Gallery Players Theatre Ensemble. The youth ensemble quickly gained momentum, presenting storybook-based musical productions throughout the year. As interest and participation grew, the program expanded to include an adult performance ensemble.

In 2013, the Performing Arts Preschool was introduced to support the development of the youngest learners through a blend of early childhood academics and arts education. Due to its success, the preschool relocated from its original storefront to a larger facility in Brighton Heights, offering expanded amenities including dedicated classroom space and a performance hall with a stage. This growth allowed all Morning and Evening Arts Academy programs to operate under one roof.

Today, the JP Gallery for Performing Arts serves both youth and adult students through a diverse range of classes in dance, theatre, music, and stage production. The organization is now housed in a newly renovated 5,000-square-foot, freestanding facility in Bellevue known as The Circle PGH, which functions as both a performance venue and special events center.

Committed to fostering creativity and community engagement, the JP Gallery for Performing Arts continues to welcome individuals of all ages and experience levels—whether they are stepping onto the stage, refining their craft, or simply exploring the transformative world of the performing arts.

Meet The Artistic Director

Jessica Palitti began her dance training at the age of three and is a proud native of Beaver County. She grew up immersed in her local dance community, studying a wide range of styles. In 1999, she began competing in American-style ballroom dance, specializing in both Smooth and Rhythm categories, and later expanded her training and competition work into International Latin and Standard styles.

In 2006, Jessica founded Hip Hop Holler, a touring summer youth intensive and performance group, which ultimately led to the establishment of her studio, JP Dance Gallery, Inc. She has choreographed numerous school district musical productions, including Curtains, Peter Pan, Cinderella, The Sound of Music, and Hello, Dolly! Her passion for the performing arts also inspired her to found her own theatre company, The Northside Gallery Players.

With over twenty-two years of experience in early childhood education, Jessica has served as both an arts and academic educator. She currently sits on the board of advisors for several local youth centers, where she contributes to fundraising initiatives and supports staff development and education.

Jessica holds a Small Business Certification from Penn Foster University and a certification in Early Childhood Fundamentals from Portland State University’s School of Extended Studies Program for Continuing Education.

She currently operates The Circle PGH, a special event center and theatre with her partner Jonathan Steinhauser.

FACULTY & GUEST ARTISTS

Susan Custer (Early Childhood) is a native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and has proudly called Pittsburgh home for the past 25 years. With a deep passion for working with children, she has dedicated much of her time to leading youth initiatives both within her church and in the broader community.

Mrs. Custer has extensive experience as a music instructor, teaching piano, organ, and voice to students ranging from early childhood through adolescence. In addition to her teaching, she contributes her talents as a skilled seamstress, supporting local dance, theatre, and puppetry organizations.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Brigham Young University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Pollution Control from Penn State University. A mother of five, Mrs. Custer brings more than twenty years of volunteer experience working with children ages 18 months to 18 years.

Her passion for education is rooted in her appreciation for the unique perspectives of young learners. As she shares, “I love the innocence in children’s perspectives and opinions. With older students, I am passionate about inspiring them to realize they can achieve whatever they set their minds to—and even surpass expectations.”

Susan is the head of the Early Childhood Division at the JP Gallery For Performing Arts, both teaching and overseeing dance, theatre, and academic classes for children up to six years of age.

Joseph P. Stamerra (Music Director) is beyond thrilled to collaborate with JP Gallery For Performing Arts in conjunction with the Northside Gallery Players Theatre Company for the first time as Music Director. He retired in June of 2024 after 35 years as a proud music educator with the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Joseph has been the music director for Act One Theatre School for the past 36 years…and counting! Some of his favorite MD endeavors include, Chicago, Once On This Island, Into the Woods, Mean Girls, Children of Eden (Act One Theatre School), Evil Dead, Bubble Boy: The Musical (No Name Players), Godspell (Apple Hill Playhouse), Hubba! Hubba!, Beehive, Side By Side by Sondheim, (CCAC South). Joe has been a past MD for the late Don “Chef” Brockett. He also teaches private piano at his home in Carnegie. He would like everyone to remember, “A day without music, is a day wasted.”

Melissa Ford (Ballet) has had a passion for ballet since she began her training at the age of six in St. Louis, Missouri. A former competitive dancer, she brings a strong emphasis on the integration of technical precision and artistic expression to her work.

Dr. Ford holds a PhD in History and is a faculty member at Slippery Rock University, where she teaches a range of courses, including those focused on popular culture. After a hiatus from dance, she is thrilled to return to the studio as an instructor, teaching both adult and company classes at JP Gallery for Performing Arts.

Maggie Stunkel (School Division) has been a dedicated student at the JP Gallery for Performing Arts for the past six years and is a proud member of the Senior Company Performance Repertoire. She is currently a dance major at the Creative and Performing Arts High School in Pittsburgh, where she studies a variety of dance styles each day, continually refining her technique and artistry.

Maggie has taken on several notable roles throughout her training, including the title role of Annie in the 2022 Northside Gallery Players production of Annie Jr. Her additional credits include Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music: Youth Edition (2024) and a featured dancer in 42nd Street: Youth Edition (2025). She was also selected to portray the lead character, Andrea, in the 2025 annual dance concert, The Devil Wears Prada.

In addition to performing, Maggie has been a student teacher at the JP Gallery for the past three years and has recently begun leading her own classes within the school division. Outside of the studio, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Maggie is passionate about sharing her love of dance with others and hopes to continue pursuing it as an integral part of her future.

Adrianne (Class Helper) has had a passion for the arts for as long as she can remember! She began her training in dance and acrobatics at the age of three and continues to expand her talents through weekly guitar and voice lessons.
Her love for theatre runs deep, with performance credits including Mary Poppins (Ensemble), The Sound of Music: Youth Edition (Brigitta von Trapp), Honk Jr. (Ida), 42nd Street: Youth Edition (Peggy Sawyer), and Frozen Jr. (Elsa).
Adrianne will be attending the local performing arts school this fall, where she will be majoring in Musical Theatre. Outside of her artistic pursuits, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading books, and relaxing with her dogs and cats.

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