Programs & Registration
2026 Early Fall Program
Our 2026 Early Fall Program will meet every Wednesday from September 2nd to October 21st at the All American Fieldhouse in Monroeville! We are offering 10 courses for children of all ages!
This school year, we will offer 3 additional programs: one from October to December, one from January to March, and another from March to May.
Our Early Fall Program is 8 weeks long. Each course meets for one hour each Wednesday.
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View the course schedule
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Meet our instructors
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Read a detailed summary and overview for each course
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View pricing & other registration details
Course Schedule: 2026 Early Fall Program
10 am
11 am
12 pm
1 pm
Ages 6-8
Team Sports
Critical Thinking & Collaborative Problem Solving
Lunch & Recess Hour
American History I: From Early Explorers To Life in Colonial America
Ages 9-12
Woodworking Fundamentals
Team Sports
Musical Theatre Ensemble (Ages 8-12)
Beat Builders & Percussion
American History I: Foundations of a Nation (1215–1766)
Ages 13-17
Woodworking Fundamentals
Fundamentals in Vocal Singing
Instructors: 2026 Early Fall Program
Alan Bowden is currently the Football Program Leader and Urban Missionary for Urban Impact Foundation and the Assistant Varsity Football Coach at Seton LaSalle High School. Alan conducts performance training for his athletes during the off-season. Also, he has worked part time as a Counselor at the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA. Alan is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, and while attending Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, he played college football. While in high school, Alan was a letterman in football, track and field, and baseball.
Ashley Glessner has studied music for over 20 years and has taught and performed for 15+ years. She currently holds a Bachelors of Music Technology Performance/Voice along with a Masters in Music Technology – Digital Music Pedagogy/Voice, both from Duquesne University. Ashley’s past experiences include performing solo, collaborating with others, participating in choirs and orchestras, singing in quartets, performing vocal jazz, applying classical vocal pedagogy techniques, recording audio in a studio, engineering live sound, leading worship, and coaching future worship leaders. In addition to owning and teaching at Dynamic Music Studio, she loves working with students through various partnerships to bring music to our surrounding local community.
Emma C. Heinbaugh is an award-winning dancer, choreographer, singer, actress and educator with a heart for the next generation! As a mother herself, she deeply believes in creating safe spaces for children’s artistic expression. Emma has traveled the country performing and choreographing for national tours in both dance and musical theatre, as well as choreographing for competitive dance teams and shows across the nation. She is so excited to be back with Legacy Academy this semester and cannot wait to help your child bloom!
Wayne Goebel retired in 2022 after 29 years with the then Port Authority of Allegheny
County. With the dream of building and repristinating fine furniture of lasting value as a legacy for future generations, Wayne and his wife Charlotte registered a new company named WayneCraft LLC. As a third-generation craftsman/contractor, woodworking and craftsmanship are in his DNA. The skills passed down from his grandfather and father have translated into his desire to teach future generations the joy of creativity. After graduating from the Back Channel School of Woodworking, Wayne was asked to stay on as a volunteer instructor and assistant where he continued to refine his skills. He is also an active member of The Western PA Woodworkers Association. “I have such a passion for fine woodworking and a deep desire to inspire creativity in the budding craftsmen of our next generation.”
Melissa Gesuale is an experienced educator with nine years of teaching experience spanning a diverse range of student ages and learning needs. Her background includes both special education and general education mathematics, where she developed a strong reputation for creating engaging, student-centered learning environments that promote academic growth and confident thinkers. In recognition of her dedication and impact in the classroom, Melissa was honored with Pennsylvania’s Promising Practitioner Award. She is passionate about helping all learners reach their full potential through evidence-based instructional practices and meaningful relationships. Currently, Melissa works as a flight attendant, bringing the same commitment to communication, adaptability, and service that defined her years in education. She continues to pursue her passion for education by designing enriching learning experiences that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.
Nicole Chabola is an experienced educator with a passion for helping students learn through engaging, hands-on experiences. She earned both her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Reading from PennWest Edinboro (formerly Edinboro University of Pennsylvania). Nicole holds certifications in Elementary Education (K–6) and Special Education (K–12), allowing her to work with a wide range of learners and learning styles. During her 12 years in public education, she spent eight years teaching students on the autism spectrum in elementary and high school settings and four years teaching 5th grade social studies. Nicole brings a love of history, literacy, and student-centered learning to the classroom and is excited to help students explore the people, events, and stories that shaped America.
Seth Wermager is the co-founder and director of Pittsburgh Legacy Academy. He spent 14 years in urban education teaching middle school science, US history, and English. At his previous school, Seth was known for having high expectations for his students. Having spent most of his career teaching science, he started and ran a school wide science fair for years, developed partnerships with local universities, and helped increase student achievement. Ever since he was in the 7th grade, he knew he was called to be a teacher. In July of 2026, Seth decided it was time to step away from the public school system entirely to focus on building Legacy Academy, which will become an educational model that he believes can help initiate a revolution for change within the traditional American school model.
Course Descriptions: 2026 Early Fall Program
Critical Thinking and Collaborative Problem Solving
Melissa Gesuale
Ages 6-8
In this exciting 8-week adventure, young thinkers will build critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration skills through hands-on challenges, detective missions, debates, engineering activities, logic puzzles, and team problem-solving games. Each week, students will learn how to think independently while working effectively with others, gaining confidence in sharing ideas, listening respectfully, and tackling challenges from new perspectives. The course culminates in an exciting "Case of the Missing Mascot" escape room, where students will use all the skills they've developed to solve clues, unlock puzzles, and recover the classroom mascot. This course is perfect for curious minds who love asking questions, thinking outside the box, and having fun while learning!
Team Sports
Alan Bowden
Ages 6-8
Give your child an exciting introduction to the world of team sports in a fun, encouraging, and active environment! Throughout this course, students will build confidence as they develop fundamental athletic skills including running, agility, throwing, catching, kicking, dribbling, shooting, batting, and teamwork through a variety of engaging games and activities. Each lesson emphasizes good sportsmanship, cooperation, and skill development while allowing students to apply what they learn in age-appropriate games such as Sharks and Minnows, kickball, basketball, flag football, whiffle ball, and dodgeball. As students grow in coordination and confidence, they will also learn the value of perseverance, communication, and working together toward a common goal. The course culminates in an exciting Olympic-style tournament where students celebrate their progress by competing in a variety of team challenges that showcase the skills they've developed throughout the course.
American History I: From Early Explorers to Life in Colonial America
Nicole Chabola
Ages 6-8
Embark on an exciting journey through the beginnings of American history as students discover the people, places, and events that shaped a new nation. Through weekly at-home readings from America's Story 1 by Master Books Curriculum, students will explore the lives of Native American tribes, Viking exploration, Christopher Columbus and other European explorers, the founding of Jamestown, the Pilgrims' search for religious freedom, the First Thanksgiving, and everyday life in the American colonies. In class, interactive discussions, map and timeline studies, and hands-on activities will help students connect historical events while developing critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the past. Along the way, students will examine how courage, perseverance, cooperation, and faith influenced the early development of America. By the end of the course, they will have a strong foundation for understanding the origins of the United States and the people whose stories continue to shape our nation's history today.
Team Sports
Alan Bowden
Ages 9-12
Designed for active students, this course builds athletic skills, teamwork, and confidence through a variety of exciting team sports. Students will learn the fundamental rules, techniques, and strategies of kickball, basketball, flag football, and dodgeball while developing coordination, communication, and sportsmanship. Each class combines focused skill instruction with organized games that allow students to apply what they've learned in a fun, supportive environment. As the course progresses, students will strengthen their game awareness, decision-making, and ability to work effectively as part of a team. Whether your child is new to team sports or looking to sharpen existing skills, this course provides an engaging opportunity to stay active, build friendships, and grow as an athlete.
Beat Builders & Percussion
Ashley Glessner
Ages 9-12
This exciting and fun interactive course will have you making rhythmic beats within the first week. We will dive into various basic rhythm combinations and rests using buckets, drumsticks, shakers, bells, hand drums, and body percussion. We will also begin to learn the basics of musical notation of the C Major scale on the Treble Clef to use pitched percussion instruments, such as Boom Whackers, hand bells, and xylophones to round out the end of the course. Great musical rhythmic foundation that can transition into any other music instrument the student would like to learn next. This is a perfect class for those looking to dive into music without having to select a specific instrument of study right from the beginning. On the last week of this course, we plan to hold a small performance for the students’ immediate families so everyone can share their percussion skills through our group percussion and unison melody tunes.
Woodworking Fundamentals
Wayne Goebel
Ages 9-12
Through this 8-week class, young students will learn the fundamentals of safe and creative woodworking. Each week we will introduce and demonstrate hand tools designed for young hands so that students learn each tool’s proper function and safe operation. Students will work in rotating teams of two to complete their projects. These projects are designed to build confidence and sharpen their skills while reinforcing the techniques of craftsmanship. The techniques include shop safety, measuring and marking accurately, and making both straight and angled cuts with a hand saw and wooden miter box. Each team will make their own wood tool tote as a final project to demonstrate their learning.
American History I: Foundations of a
Nation (1215–1766)
Seth Wermager
Ages 9-12
Rather than focusing primarily on memorizing names and dates in a disconnected manner, this course emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationships that shaped the history and the enduring principles that influenced America's founding. Students will trace the development of ideas from the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights to the writings of John Locke and other influential thinkers whose beliefs about natural rights and limited government profoundly shaped the American colonies. Along the way, students will examine how trade, exploration, Bible literacy, self-government, and growing tensions with Great Britain helped cultivate an independent spirit among the colonists. Students will receive a loaned copy of Tuttle Twins: America's History Volume 1 for weekly reading assignments to complete at home. In class, students will engage in discussions, map studies, primary resource document analysis, and timeline studies to learn how America's unique experiment in self-government emerged and why its founding principles are worth preserving and fighting for today.
Musical Theatre Ensemble
Emma Heinbaugh
Ages 8-12
Over 8 high-energy weeks, young performers will discover the magic of musical theatre as a true ensemble. Students will build confidence singing, dancing, and acting as one cast—learning how to blend voices, move together, and tell a story. Each class combines vocal warm-ups, choreography basics, and acting exercises focused on teamwork, stage presence, and character development. We will explore a fun, upbeat ensemble number from a family-friendly Broadway show, giving every student a chance to shine while also learning how to support their classmates. No experience needed, just a love of performing and a willingness to try new things. The session wraps with an open showcase for family and friends, where our ensemble will perform for YOU to celebrate all they have learned!
Fundamentals in Vocal Singing
Ashley Glessner
Ages 13-17
Throughout our 8 week vocal class, we will focus on basic vocal pedagogy, breathing techniques, and how our internal “built in” vocal instrument works. Singing begins from week one through the entire course. We will determine everyone’s vocal range to help them understand which voice part they are currently, which will help with future song selections. Putting our vocal foundations into practice through group and solo pieces, this course allows students the ability to see how our voices work in a group setting by singing as one in addition to learning to sing different vocal harmonies with others. We will also expand our vocal abilities through solo songs to find individual vocal sound. If time allows, we plan to go over the basic techniques on how to perform while singing. On the last week of this course, we plan to hold a small performance for immediate families so students can share their vocal gifts through our group and solo songs.
Wood Working Fundamentals
Wayne Goebel
Ages 13-17
Through this 8-week course designed for teenagers, students will learn the fundamentals of safe and creative woodworking. Safety in the workshop environment will be paramount while keeping a creative atmosphere where students can express themselves with newly developing skills and knowledge. Concepts include shop safety, wood identification, measuring and shaping, the “Art of the Cut”, joinery and gluing, complex assembly and clamping, and basic finishing techniques. Both hand and power tools will be introduced, demonstrated and, where appropriate, utilized under strict supervision. Students will demonstrate their skills & learning through building a cabinet as a culminating project.
Pricing & Registration
Prices for Each 8 Week Program
Registration Fee: $30 per family
Courses for Ages 6-8: $60
Courses for Ages 9-12: $65
Courses for Ages 13-17: $70
Lunch / Recess Hour
for Ages 6-12: $30
**Woodworking classes have an extra $10 fee built in for materials costs**
Other Details
A cafe space is available for parents to utilize during class hours if needed.
For the Lunch / Recess Hour, students must bring a peanut free packed lunch.
Questions? Email sethwermager@gmail.com
