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Courtney Laves-Mearini - Director
Samantha BasfordSamantha Basford is a former professional dancer with the Miami City Ballet. She trained in New York at the Joffrey Ballet School and the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center. Since 2002, Samantha has taught at various schools around the country including the Miami City Ballet School. Most recently, she was the artistic assistant to Peter Martins and Kay Mazzo at the School of American Ballet. Andrea BlanksteinBorn in Borås, Sweden, Ms. Blankstein began her ballet training with Mary Moe Adams at Adams Ballet Academy in Tempe, Arizona. At the age of sixteen she was awarded the Bartholin Prize at the Bartholin International Ballet Seminar in Copenhagen, Denmark. Upon the invitation of Peter Schaufuss she joined the Deutsche Oper Berlin in Germany where she danced a wide range of ballets and roles including a pas de trois created on her by Bill T. Jones and “Candide” in Sleeping Beauty by Peter Schaufuss. Ms. Blankstein joined the Cleveland/San Jose Ballet upon her return to the United States, later joining Ballet Arizona. Ms. Blankstein was a principal dancer with Virginia Ballet Theatre for two seasons and performed various leading roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy, Romeo and Juliet pas de deux, Sleeping Beauty pas de deux and the white couple from Les Patineurs. She was a guest principal dancer with Albany Berkshire Ballet and Great Lakes Festival Ballet for The Nutcracker. Ms. Blankstein performed with Ohio Ballet for one season where Domey Reiter-Stoffer created the role of “Miss Jessel” for her in The Turn of the Screw. She most recently worked with State Street Ballet. Ms. Blankstein regularly teaches at various studios and is working on her own dance wear line- Trikå DeSYn by Dre. Jan Martin DealJan started her training in the Cecchetti method of ballet in North Olmstead, Ohio with Alys Beaucaires. She then received a scholarship with Alex Martin and danced as a trainee for the Cleveland School of Ballet. She graduated from Butler Univeristy in Indianapolis, Indiana with a B.A. degree and performed with the Butler Ballet Company. Her teaching career started with Jan being oferred the position of Director and Les Beaucaries Dance Studio. She also taught classes at the Beck Center for Fine Arts in Lakewood. She has been teaching pre-ballet at Cleveland City Dance for the past several years. Lisa Lock
Diane LucasDiane trained at the Fairmount Center for Performing Arts and the Dance Center of Cleveland Heights, both under the direction of John Begg, and Cleveland City Dance. She performed with the Fairmount Dance Company, the Dance Center Company and the Cleveland Chamber Ballet. She has taught ballet at the Fairmount Center for the Performing Arts, the Dance Center of Cleveland Heights and the JCC. For the past six years she has been teaching for Clveland City Dance and Spotlight Dance Center. Mark OtloskiFormer Cleveland/San Jose Ballet Principal dancer of 22 years, Mark Otloski, will teach this all men’s class. During his tenure with the company he also served as rehearsal assistant and as Ballet Master of Ballet San Jose of Silicon Valley. Mr. Otloski is currently dancing with GroundWorks Dancetheater and is the Educational Outreach Coordinator for the company. Mr. Otloski is on the faculty at Cleveland City Dance 3days a week. Kathleen Davis PierceKathleen has a B.S.in Dance from Kent State University . Kathleen has taught at Canton Ballet, Kent State Motor Development Program, the JCC, and the Fairmount Center. She has taught adult and seniors at Cuyahoga Community College and at Kent State Research and Fitness Program. She has performed with the Leaven Dance Company and Dance Image. Kathleen is also a certified Reike master as of October 2002. Karen RavenKaren received her dance training at the State University of N.Y. College at Buffalo where she studied both ballet and modern dance. She received a B.S. in Human Development and Family Relations. After completing her Masters of Education degree at Cleveland State University, she has worked professionally for the past 15 years as a psychotherapist assisting adults, adolescents and families live healthier, more fulfilling lives. She has taken classes in dance therapy. For the past 3 years, Karen has been teaching classes at Cleveland City Dance. Nan WigginsAmy RittenhouseAmy trained with Bill Evans, Cleveland Institute of Dance, and Lake Erie College. She has performed nationally and internationally with Impact Productions and locally with the Tom Evert Repertory Company. She has taught creative dance, jazz and tap for children at the Cleveland Music School settlement, the Rainy Institute, the Fairmount Center and local area public schools. Paul WilsonPaul has a B.F.A. in Dance from the University of Akron. Mr. Wilson trained on scholarship at the Houston Ballet and Melissa Hayden's in New York. He performed with the New Orleans Ballet, the Mississippi Ballet, the Fort Worth Ballet, the Chicago City Ballet and the Washington Ballet. He has taught for the Beck Center in Lakewood, the Jewish Community Center, Broadway School of the Arts, Oberlin College and Dance Caravan. Paul has been teaching at Cleveland City Dance for the past 15 years. |
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Chanda FordA native of Syracuse, New York. Ms. Ford began her studies in dance with the Cleveland Ballet. Ms Ford later attended the Alvin Ailey School, Cleveland School of the Arts, Ohio State University and Akron University . Ms. Ford has received scholarships to attend Ohio State University, Akron University, The Governors Summer Institute at Ohio State University and Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. Ms. Ford has also performed professionally with the Alvin Ailey School, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater and the Cavs Dance Team. Ms. Ford has taught at the Music School Settlement, Broadway School of Music, Cleveland School of Arts, Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center, Karamu, Ashtabula Arts Center, and several private dance studios throughout Ohio. Currently Ms. Ford is a senior at Cleveland State University studying Sociology. Becky SlivkaBecky grew up dancing in Salt Lake City, Utah. She received her training in ballet and jazz from Janet Gray Studios, and perfomed locally, nationally and internationally with Clayton Productions. Besides performing in California, San Antonio and Washington D.C, she has danced in Venezeula, Mexico, England, France, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. She choreographed for and perfomed in a show at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. Becky has taught jazz technique to students of many different ages and levels and has choreographed for performing groups for over eight years. She choreographed school musicals for four years and high school show choirs for past five years. Currently Becky is on maternity leave. Rachael WidnerMiss Widener studied under Scholarship at Cleveland City Dance with Paul Wilson and Linda Adolphi. Upon graduation from high school, Miss Widener began her performing career by touring as Dance Captain/Choreographer with such production shows as The Future of Magic, The Illusion Corps, and The Magic of Adam Williams, where she Directed shows for Adam Williams at the Magic Castle. Miss Widener has also choreographed for many local productions such as Amherst High School Pop Show, TRW, Tower City’s Holiday Magical Spectacular, and Workshop Players Theatre. After becoming Director of Midwest School of Ballet, Miss Widener returned to the University of Akron, where she will graduate with honors and receive her BFA in Dance in Spring 2007. Miss Widener has been teaching Dance at Midwest School of Ballet and numerous local private studios for over 15 years. |
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Allison BairdAllison is a graduate of Ohio Nothern University Dance Program. She has studied Tap under Jerry Ames at New York Broadway Dance Company, Brenda Buffalino in Los Angeles and Ann Olsen with Las Vegas. She has been teaching Tap and Ballet since 1996. Most recently she performed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland with Mind the Gap. April HirshApril Hirsh is originally from Syracuse, New York, and grew up taking dance classes at Miss Colleen's School of Dance in New York. April has a bachelor's degree in English and Sociology from The State University of New York at Geneseo. While at Geneseo, she choreographed and performed in 6 student dance productions, and taught hip hop for the Salvation Army and tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and musical theater at Kasey's Creative Dance Studio. April came to Cleveland to study social work at Case Western Reserve University, and currently teaches jazz, hip hop, and musical theater for Strongsville Dance Company. April also is a member of the tap company, Cleveland City Rhythm, and is a substitute tap teacher at Cleveland City Dance. Mari Beth Smith
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Kathleen Davis PierceKathleen has a B.S.in Dance from Kent State University . Kathleen has taught at Canton Ballet, Kent State Motor Development Program, the JCC, and the Fairmount Center. She has taught adult and seniors at Cuyahoga Community College and at Kent State Research and Fitness Program. She has performed with the Leaven Dance Company and Dance Image. Kathleen is also a certified Reike master as of October 2004. Shannon SterneShannon is returning to teach the Thursday Graham modern classes I & II. She performed with the San Diego Ballet before completing her Masters degree in nutrition at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She then earned a Masters degree in contemporary dance with a specialization in dancer wellness also from Case. She has performed in numerous works by Martha Graham including Steps in the Street, Primitive Mysteries, and in Verb Ballet’s major revival of Appalachian Spring. Shannon is a part-time lecturer in the Dance Program at Case where she teaches ballet, Graham-based modern, kinesiology, dancer wellness and ethnic dance. |
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Jacqi LoewyJacqi is on of Cleveland’s busiest Professional director choreographers. She holds BFA in musical theater dance from Colby Sawyer College and a master in directing from The University of Akron, along with Broadway choreography credits to her name. In New York she worked with Tony award winners Karen Ziemba in “Contact” & Andre de Shields in “The Full Monty”. Jacqi has also taught at Case Western Reserve, the University of Akron, Lake Erie College, X Center conservatory, and Second City Cleveland. She is currently the artistic director of Charenton Theater Company and president of Cleveland Theater Collective. |
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Michael Medcalf – On SabbaticalIn 1998, Michael Medcalf established Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre (CCDT) in Cleveland , Ohio . Over the next 9 years as artistic director, he developed the company into a dynamic and highly sought after organization known for its innovative artistic programming, outreach approaches and collaborations. He commissioned works by both new and established choreographers such as Dianne McIntyre, Shapiro and Smith, and David Rousseve amongst others, and created several ballets for the company himself. In addition, he has choreographed for opera, musical theater, and contemporary dance companies nationally. His experience, professionalism, and leadership helped establish CCDT as one of the most relevant and respected arts organizations in Northeast Ohio . He has served on the Boards of Ohio Dance and Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio and on panels for Dance Cleveland, the Ohio Arts Council and the Ohio Art Presenters Network. Amongst his many awards, including Young Audiences of Greater Cleveland’s Sunshine Award, in 2007, Northern Ohio Live Magazine honored Medcalf for his contributions to the dance community by awarding him with its Award of Achievement. |
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See Chanda Ford |
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Nailah
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Katie MerseckKatie is the youngest certified Pilates instructor through Body Technic Systems, Inc. and has been teaching since 2005. The extensive course consisted of 500 hours of training and multiple certification test. Since completion, she has enjoyed training dancers, gymnasts, and figure skaters, among others, in this core strengthening and body enhancing exercise system. Katie's background also includes dance training and pre-certification in Gyrotonic®, and training in Gyrokinesis®. This coming fall, Katie will be attending Ohio State University as a pre-med undergraduate to pursue a career in either physical therapy or neurology. |
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See Paul Wilson |
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Dianne KlanDiane Q. Klann has been dancing since she was 5 years old. She began with intensive instructions in tap and ballet and has performed on television and before large live audiences. She loves all forms of dance and has a hard time sitting still when music touches her soul. When she was introduced to Scottish Country Dance she feel in love with it and has been teaching it for 15 years. In the other world, Diane is an artist/illustrator/designer and owns a graphic design firm whose tag line is "If it can be printed Kal Art can do it! |
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La RomeraLa Romera, is an award winning internationally recognized dancer with over 30 years experience performing and teaching in Spain and North America. Considered by the Spanish maestros as being one of the most authentic flamenco dancers in the US, La Romera's students can be assured of receiving the highest quality training. She has developed a successful system that allows students to work at their own level within a group class. A supportive, friendly atmosphere is present in class at all times, inspiring the student to achieve their own personal best. |
Courtney received her training in Houston, Texas studying
primarily under Anne and Nicolas Polajenko, Gilbert Rome, ABT's Alexander
Minz, Claire Duncan and James Clouser. She trained for a year at the University of Utah under Li-Chou Chang and had the opportunity to work with Sir Anton Donin
and Toni Lander, restaging "Pas de Quatre" in the role of Marie
Taglioni. She danced with several companies including Atlanta Ballet, South
Carolina Ballet Theater and Cleveland Ballet. She danced lead roles in
"Serenade", "Paquita", "Sleeping Beauty",
"Concerto Borocco", "Raymonda Variations", and
Lynn-Taylor Corbett's "Appearances". She has been teaching ballet
since 1978 for various studios, including teaching at the University of Arkron's dance department.She received her B.A. in Anthropology and
Communications from Cleveland State University in 1997 and has excavated for
three field seasons on the Maya Mountain Archaeological Project in Belize, Central America with Dr. Peter Dunham. 
Lock is a dancer and choreographer who
moved to Cleveland from Los Angeles, where she had lived for 11 years. A
native of Basel, Switzerland, she holds a ballet diploma from the Grande
Ecole de Danse in Bern, Switzerland and degrees from the California Institute
of the Arts in Los Angeles . Lock teaches ballet for Cleveland Contemporary
Dance Theatre and is an instructor at Cleveland City Dance.
Mari
Beth Smith is a life long dancer and has been an instructor for 15 years.
Mrs. Smith has performed and competed with the well-known Manhattan Dance
Company in New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas and others. She has been seen
in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and has choreographed many award
winning dancers. Her most recent project involves putting together a
performance troupe of dancers called Cleveland City Rhythm. 
Nailah has studied Middle Eastern dance for over 20 years with
renowned dancers Katina, Basha, Cassandra Al Warda, Mizeyah Phyllidia,
Suzanna Del Vechio, Jasmine Jahal, Zahra Zuhair and others. She is a former
member of Troupe Dayim Lahib and has danced professionally, incorporating
sword and cane in her American Cabaret and folk routine.