Back in 2005, Coaches Dominique Schuster, and Barbara Deliere created a program they never imagined would explode into a highly recognized and respected dance team in Western Pennsylvania. From humble beginnings, the Peters Township Dance Team (PTDT) has developed a storied history of success, taught dancers the fundamentals of teamwork, and fostered special individual and family moments.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Peters Township Dance Team. Current students would be surprised to know that it took the team, and coaches, many years to develop into the nationally awarded program that they are today.
During their inaugural year, the team attended local competitions around the Pittsburgh area, competing against other teams from around the region. It wasn’t until the 2006-2007 season that they decided to take on the UDA National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Florida. Their first year, they placed sixteenth, not advancing to finals.
With hard work and persistence, during the next five years, the girls placed top five at the national competition. Until finally, in the 2013 season, the team won the National Dance Team Championship for the first time in PTDT history.
“Being awarded the national title for the first time really felt good,” said Coach Schuster, “It showed us that all of our hard work was finally paying off and showed us how special this program had become.”
Current Junior Varsity dance team coach, Samantha Abraham, was on the PTDT team that won the first national championship. “It was such a crazy experience to be a part of the team that made history for the program,” she said.
Over the next few years, some results were better than others, the team placed around in the top twelve, still a prestigious position any team would be grateful to achieve. However, the coaches wanted to repeat the success of the 2013 season. They focused on running intense practices, strengthening the bonds of teamwork between dancers, and most importantly fostering a burning love and passion for the sport and each other.
“Joining the team has been so special to me, these girls have become some of my best friends and I love having something to share with them that is so important to all of us,” said freshman Josie Drylie.
The changes the coaches made to prepare the team began to pay dividends. From 2019-2024 (excluding 20-21 COVID season), the team earned the first place spot, being named UDA National Dance Team Champions each year. The success of this team can be traced back to a committed family who wanted to share their love of dance with the Peters Township community.
“I had been a dancer for so many years, I wanted to give the girls at Peters the opportunity to be a part of something and share an interest with one another,” said Coach Shuster.
The team wouldn’t be where they are today or even exist without the mom and daughter who had a dream. Head coach Dominique Schuster had many years of experience of being on a high school dance team at her alma mater Upper Saint Clair. Her mom, Barbara Deileire, was a high school Spanish teacher at Peters Township for 21 years before she retired, where she also coached the cheerleading team. Deleire coached the cheer team for 10 years with Schuster serving as her assistant coach. In 2005, they started PTDT and coached both sports for two years. Deliere remained teaching Spanish at the high school and helping with various extracurricular activities along with coaching PTDT.
When neighboring all star hip hop team, Pittsburgh Pride Ambush (coached by Schuster) was invited to appear on World of Dance it was time for Deliere to make a change, “ I knew it was time to retire, we had so many dance obligations I was done at the end of the school year”, she said.
Strong bonds between teammates played a key role in the team’s success. The girls on the Peters Township Dance Team understand that dancing is not an individual sport and compete for each other.
“If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for your team,” coach Schuster said, “The girls have mutual respect, and realize [that] we are all working toward the same goal.”
The team’s senior leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering those tight bonds that lead to success during performances.
“Being close with my team is the most important thing to me. Holding each other accountable, all for the purpose of building meaningful relationships, is something that we really focus on,” said senior captain Emma Bell
The team builds their connections with each other through various team bonding activities that include sleepovers, dinners together, themed practices, and their favorite: getting to share hotel rooms at away competitions.
“It doesn’t always have to be one hundred percent serious,” said senior captain Eva Cibrone. “We love to have fun and be silly. It’s why we love the sport and why we chose to tryout and be on the team in the first place.”
Their 2024- 2025 season started off strong as they traveled to Michigan and came home with a first place win for both varsity and junior varsity teams as they attempt to defend their fourth national title in a row.
