The Martinettes were founded in 1969 by Kathy Martin Savarino. Now in their 52nd year, the corps is under the direction of Alice Wassilchalk Breckenridge and assistant director Donna Wassilchalk Semon. The current instructor staff also includes Brandy Anderson (twirling instructor), Jenna Cecil (assistant instructor), and Tori Thomas (assistant instructor).
Over the years, the corps has performed under many different names. As the membership of the corps changed, the name was updated to reflect that change. During the 2006-2007 season, the decision was made to update the name again. The corps is now performing under the name of The Martinettes Twirling Corps, LLC!!!! It is our hope that the corps will now be recognized for providing instruction in all types of twirling equipment, (multiple batons, fire baton, flags, rifles, ribbons, etc.) and not just in single baton twirling.
"The Martinettes" have participated in hundreds of parades and have held the titles of Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day Parade Best Marching Group (Non-School Related), PA Firemen's Conference/Convention State Champions, Western PA Firemen's Conference/Convention Champions, Kennywood Park Fantasy Competition Champions, and Washington, Westmoreland & Fayette County Firemen's Convention Champions, as well as numerous other first place titles. The Competitive Senior Twirling Corps won the 2009 TRWEA IRA Mixed Team Championship and the 2010 TRWEA IRA Colorguard Championship!!!!!!!
The corps has also had many opportunities to perform in many special events. During the 2006-2007 season, the corps was invited to perform during one of the pre-game festivities of the World Champion Pittsburgh Passion Women's Football Team. During the 2007-2008 season, the corps was given the opportunity to perform during a charity event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. From 2008-2014, the corps was asked to perform as special guests during the Shirley Tatar Dean Dance Recital. From 2007-2010 they were a part of the entertainment at the Annual St. Sebastian Church Parish Street Fair. During the 2012-2013 season the corps was asked to perform during the Elizabeth Forward Marching Band Summer Carnival and the North Belle Vernon Community Day.
"The Martinettes" are extremely proud of how many of their individual twirlers have gone on to twirl for their local high schools and chosen colleges. Over the years, the corps has provided 10 different local high schools with twirlers. These schools include Albert Gallatin High School, Belle Vernon Area, Beth Center High School, Brownsville Area, California Area, Charleroi Area, Elizabeth Forward High School, Frazier High School, Monessen High School, Ringgold High School, Seton LaSalle High School, Southmoreland High School, Uniontown Middle School, and Yough High School. The corps has also provided 6 different colleges/universities with twirlers. These schools include California University of Pennsylvania, Duquesne University, Pitt, Penn State, Robert Morris University, Slippery Rock University and St. Vincent College. Many of our individual twirlers have competed under NBTA rules at the State and National level and have held such titles as Miss Keystone State, PA State Solo Champion, PA State Strut Champion, PA State 2-Baton Champion, and Miss College Majorette of PA.
