Sunday November 24th
Youth Showcase - 5:00 pm
Meet the Artists
BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS is more than a non-profit organization that combines professional theater with arts education in Northeast Ohio. We create arts experiences for all ages and abilities as individual as the people we serve. Dance education serves students ages 2-88 with over 75 classes offered weekly.
CLEVELAND SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Founded in 1981, the Cleveland School of the Arts is an extraordinary arts high school that evolved from a passionate idea to become a vigorous arts education model. The Cleveland School of the Arts Dance Company is an honors course focusing on performing available to Dance majors at the school through an audition process each academic year. The company welcomes guest artists and represents our department at off-campus performances. Students have the opportunity to perform at festivals, with local music organizations, and more.
CASS DUNN-HELTON is a senior Dance major at Cleveland School of the Arts. They have performed with the Honors Dance company at the Cleveland Dance Festival, Ohio Dance Festival, and at Disney in Florida. Outside of school they dance at Route 42 Dance Academy and are also a part of the Cleveland Foundation/College Now Top Scholars program. Cass has attended the Interlochen summer intensive on full artistic merit scholarship the last two summers and is a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts.
FAIRMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS is a multi-arts organization committed to "enriching lives through the arts" through classes, workshops, performances, festivals, and exhibitions. Through the Center, the Fairmount Dance Company is a pre-professional student company with a contemporary ballet foundation composed of the top Fairmount Center dance levels. The goal of the Company is to give committed students increased performance opportunities, to provide increased technical and choreographic challenge, and to help them serve as ambassadors of dance both within Fairmount Center for the Arts and out in the community.
THE DANCE CENTRE BY KAYLEIGH Located in Rocky River, Ohio, The Dance Centre (TDC) has been a leader in dance education in Northeast Ohio for more than 3 decades. Founded in 1989, Heidi Glynias’s vision was to create a space for dancers to not only develop and excel, but to become the best they can be, experiencing success, pride and confidence through hard work. Heidi’s legacy continues on with the current owner and director, Kayleigh Feldkircher, emphasizing giving back to our community, leadership skills, and wellness education in addition to providing quality dance instruction.
AHNA BONNETTE - Choreographer (she/her) grew up in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona where she trained, taught and set solo works at Dance Connection Scottsdale. At 18, she was accepted into SUNY Purchase to pursue a BFA in dance. After a year there she left to explore concert dance firsthand. In 2021, she traveled with choreographer Peter Chu, répétiteur Roger Van der Poel and Jenni Gordon to aid in setting repertoire and host dance intensives at competition dance studios in Texas, Florida, and California. She then spent 5 weeks assisting Chu and Van der Poel in Germany as they set a work on Augsburg Ballet. In May 2022 she joined GroundWorks DanceTheater as a company artist and later added on the responsibility of social media assistant. Ahna recently finished two seasons with them, closing out with the company. In addition to performing, Bonnette over her career, has also developed a deep passion for creating with, and teaching young artists.
TITANS DANCE COMPANY - LORAIN HIGH SCHOOL (TDC) was founded Fall of 2024 by Director of Dance Elizabeth Hany. TDC is a collaborative movement experience for students who participate. They are encouraged to master technique, explore choreography, and ultimately cultivate a community experience for all involved.
TUSCARAWAS DANCE ARTS CENTER has been offering dance classes in downtown Dover, OH for over 30 years. With a focus in ballet and modern, they are active in supporting their local arts community. The studio is owned and operated by Shelly Beitzel, where she also works closely with her daughter, Lee Beitzel.
MILLER SOUTH SCHOOL FOR THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS is located in Akron Ohio serving students in grades 4-8. At Miller South, the creative and curious learn to challenge, support, and inspire each other. The unique environment focuses on the Arts and Academics, while empowering students to use innovative skills to flourish as people and professionals. Dancers at Miller South participate in daily classes that encompass technique, history, composition, and performance. These dedicated performers make up the Miller South Dance Ensemble, which has graced numerous community venues, including the Akron Public Library, Firestone High School, the Akron Art Museum, E.J. Thomas Hall, and the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square. Moreover, the ensemble has had the privilege of collaborating with distinguished Professional Dance Companies such as Inlet Dance Theatre, Groundworks Dance Theatre, and The Movement Project, in addition to partnering with the Tuesday Musical Association. Miller South Dance Ensemble has also established partnerships with Kent State University and the University of Akron.
The Akron Public Schools enrollment period for the 2025-2026 school year is now! For enrollment and audition information, please visit our school website: www.millersouth.aksonschools.com
NATYA NIRVANA, MUCAI ACADEMY, NRITHYANJALI DANCE SCHOOL
MUCAI ACADEMY is a non-profit performing arts studio offering classes in dance, theater, and fitness for over 15 years in Worthington, OH. Students ages 3 through adults receive inclusive instruction and performance opportunities regardless of socio-economic status. MUCAI Academy focuses on cultural diversity. At MUCAI Academy, Dance is for Everybody.
SUKANYA CHAND is a dance practitioner who specializes in Bharatanatyam and Odissi, two of the eight Indian Classical Dance forms. Sukanya received her dance foundation in India and she explored the basics of Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Flamenco, Theater, and Modern dance when she moved to US. She enjoys choreographing solo and collaborative pieces that highlight the elements of Indian Classical, folk dances, creating traditional and contemporary pieces. Performances, master classes, workshops are provided through her dance company ‘Natya Nirvana’ with the mission to educate, enrich the Central Ohio community through arts education while creating multicultural awareness and cultivating local talent. She is currently an instructor at MUCAI Academy in Worthington, Ohio.
BRINDA RAMASUBRMANIAN, well-versed in three Indian classical dance forms: Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kuchipudi, each known for its unique history, intricate footwork, and expressive storytelling through gestures and facial expressions. Brinda is a the founder of Nrithyanjali Dance School. She finds immense joy in teaching, molding the next generation of dancers with patience, precision, and a deep understanding of the art. The school primarily focuses on teaching Bharatanatyam, a dance form known for its powerful rhythms and spiritual roots. Under her guidance, students of all ages learn the technical rigor, emotional expression, and cultural significance of Bharatanatyam, while also receiving exposure to Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi. The mission of Nrithyanjali is to build a nurturing environment where students not only excel in dance but also gain an appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of India.
THE MOVEMENT PROJECT SUMMER INTENSIVE GUEST ARTISTS
The Movement Project's Summer Intensive is a one week program geared for serious-minded dancers interested in furthering themselves as creative artists and who wish to deepen and grow their technical and performance knowledge. This intensive provides a rigorous daily schedule in professional training, creative practice and rehearsals taught by TMP artistic directors, company members, as well as notable guest artists in the dance community. The program will focus on modern dance technique, contemporary, ballet, improvisation, composition, injury prevention and somatic practices. In addition to movement courses, the program includes courses designed to prepare young artists for a career in dance, such as, resume building, dance on film and marketing. As part of our marketing course, each artist will receive dance action shots for their portfolio.
