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| Dancexcel is committed to providing the highest quality dance instruction through our professional, experienced teaching staff to give our students the dance knowledge, technique, confidence and self-esteem needed to transfer over into the world of professional dance. At Dancexcel, we focus upon proper placement into classes according to both age and skill level. We place a strong emphasis on proper technical training and ballet class, which allows dancers to excel further and faster in their other selected classes and styles. We require respect, poise, and discipline from our students and expect regular class attendance. We are determined to provide an environment in which every dancer can thrive and become their personal best. Dancexcel strives to engage students in a fun-filled, non-risk atmosphere where learning becomes fun and dancers support one another. Dancexcel is focused on helping students develop a positive self-image through dance, fitness, health and overall well being. [ click for testimonials ] |
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| Gina Koch created Dancexcel with the vision of giving young dancers the opportunity to fall in love with dance just as she did as a little girl. She has over 20 years of dance experience with training in ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, tap, modern and theater. She has been teaching dance for over 12 years and is a former kindergarten teacher as well. She performed as a professional member of the Cleveland Cavalier Girls Dance Team and was invited to dance aboard Holland America Cruise Lines. She was also a member of the Cleveland Baron’s Dance Team. Gina has received numerous awards for her choreography, dance performances, technique and teaching abilities. She received a scholarship to train in New York City at the Broadway Dance Center at the age of 16. Gina graduated Magna Cum Laude from Baldwin Wallace College in 2004 with Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She served as a kindergarten teacher at Kidder Elementary in Brunswick from 2004-2008 and was named Teacher of the Year for the 2007-2008 school year. Gina currently owns and operates Dancexcel’s Brunswick and Medina studios, is CPR certified, coaches the Kidder Performance Dance Team, and most recently became head coach of the Brunswick High School Dance Team. |
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| Kristin Galuszka is the Assistant Director of Dancexcel. She is also the Competition and Performance Coordinator, responsible for the Dancexcel Diamond Crew. She has been an instructor at Dancexcel since its opening in 2007. Miss Kristin has an extensive background in all styles of dance and brings with her 26 years of dance training and experience. She graduated from Ashland University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, where she was the captain and choreographer of the Ashland University Dance Team. Miss Kristin has a professional background in the dance world and has performed on local professional team including the Cleveland Baron’s Dance Team. Her professional background helps her bring her students a fun, engaging and thorough dance experience! |
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| Miss Willham brings an extensive background in dance training and teaching to the studio. She began her dance training at the age of 4 and was asked to student teach at the young age of 12. Miss Willham was invited to train with the renowned Dee Hillier at the age of 15, where she stayed for many years and excelled in all areas of dance. Miss Willham began teaching dance in 1993 and taught at several local studios before joining Dancexcel. Miss Willham loves to share her passion for dance with students of all ages and is dedicated to fostering the self-esteem of each individual child. |
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| Mandee Marini has 25 years of dance training and experience, in all forms of dance. She has been teaching in the Cleveland area for the past 12 years and is currently working towards her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition, she has ample training and experience in childcare. Mandee has coached several local dance and cheerleading teams as well as leading several cheerleading and dance camps for local students. Her choreography is in high demand for many studios in the Cleveland area.
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| Stephanie Konkoly began her dance training at the age of 4. She has over 17 years of dance training and experience. She has choreographed for multiple dance and cheer clinics and has won numerous awards for her performances as a cheerleader and dancer. Miss Stephanie also has extensive training in tumbling and acro skills. She is experienced in teaching young children creative movement, dance and cheer. Miss Stephanie is currently continuing her education and working towards a degree in the Health Care Field. Miss Stephanie has been a teacher at Dancexcel since its opening in 2007. |
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| Julie Miller joins Dancexcel with an extensive background in ballet and modern dance. She has been teaching dance for the past nine years in the Cleveland area. Miss Julie graduated from Akron University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2005 where she was a member of the Akron University Dance Company. She has performed in University of Akron’s Swan Lake and Les Syllphides. She has also performed in the Cleveland Orchestra’s production of Cleopatra. Miss Julie challenges each of her students and pushes them to grow and become their personal best. She is the Lead Ballet and Modern Instructor at Dancexcel. |
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| Jenny Miller has been a teacher with Dancexcel since its opening in 2007 and brings with her a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and many years experience in dance instruction. She has 23 years of dance training in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, theater, lyrical, pointe, and modern. Miss Jenny graduated from Baldwin Wallace College in 2003, where she performed on the Baldwin Wallace Dance Team, danced in the Baldwin Wallace Dance Concerts each year, and was featured on Kicking It With Kenny as a Baldwin Wallace dancer. Miss Jenny is currently a second grade teacher at Kidder Elementary in Brunswick, where she coaches the Kidder Performance Dance Team. |
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| Connie Krebs is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College with a B.A. in Dance in 2003. She has been singing and dancing for over 20 years starting with the Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts in Buffalo, NY. Connie has competed vocally in classical music to earn a coveted spot in the New York State Summer School for the Arts in Choral Studies, performed for the Jamaican Independence Day Celebration in NYC, choreographed full length musical for Western NY high schools, and coached stunting cheerleading groups for Camp Cayuga in the Poconos. She brings to Dancexcel a strong background in musical theater and audition techniques as well as dance styles such as African-Caribbean and Fosse Jazz. Connie has three daughters of her own and loves sharing her enthusiasm for dance and singing with her students, especially the smallest dancers!
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| Miranda Watkins began her dance training in kindergarten, with Miss Gina as her first dance teacher. She has over 10 years of competitive cheer and dance experience. Miss Miranda was also a member of the Dancexcel Diamond Crew Seniors, which included a performance at the 2011 Orange Bowl Halftime Show. Miss Miranda was a three-year member of the Medina High School Dance Team, where she was captain her senior year. She has also cheered and danced for Ohio Explosion and, most recently, Ultimate Athletics of Ohio, where she competed at the 2011 Dance Worlds. She is CPR certified and first-aid trained. Miss Miranda is currently attending Walsh University where she is studying Early Childhood Education and is a member of the cheerleading squad. Miss Miranda was previously a student teacher at Dancexcel and we are thrilled to have her join the Dancexcel teaching staff!
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| Emily Allred began dancing at the age of three. She has over 20 years of dance training in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical and tap. Miss Emmy has worked with many young dancers since she started as an Assistant Teacher when she was just 13. She attended Bowling Green State University where she took dance classes and received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Miss Emmy is currently in her last year at Notre Dame College where she is working on obtaining her teaching licensure in Language Arts Education. She is very excited to share her passion for dance with the students at Dancexcel!
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| Regina Pietraroia’s passion for dance has been the connecting thread throughout her life and has taken her all over the country. She trained in the Cleveland area in ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz, and continued to study ballet at Butler University in Indianapolis. There, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Middle/Secondary Education and English. Throughout college, Regina performed with the North Coast Dance Collective, appearing in many roles in The Nutcracker, Cleveland’s Jazz Fest, and area television broadcasts. After college, Regina lived in San Francisco’s Bay Area, where she taught English and ballet at area high schools and dance studios. While in California, Regina expanded pre-ballet programs, developed a ballet syllabus, and began a pointe program. Regina continued to train in ballet, pointe and modern while in the Bay Area. She returned to Northeast Ohio, where she is currently working on a Masters in Arts Administration at the University of Akron, while taking ballet technique classes. Regina also teaches dance outreach classes at Akron’s public schools. She believes that dance encourages not only physical, but also mental and emotional growth. Her creative and engaging classes promote confidence as well as physical strength. She is thrilled to share the joy of dance with the students at Dancexcel!
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| Emily Dowler began her dance training at the age of 6. She has over 14 years of dance experience and 9 years of gymnastics training. She has choreographed for many studios whether it be just for fun or a more professional setting. She has trained with choreographers such as Dee Caspery and Mia Michaels. She is currently pursuing a dance degree from the University of Akron. She has been asked to perform in numerous shows through the university as well as being asked to become a member of the Cleveland Gladiators Dance Team. Emily is excited and eager to join the Dancexcel staff!
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| Kristen Bollinger has been dancing for 19 years and has recently graduated from Hope College with a major in Dance Performance and Choreography with a minor in Business Management. She performed in faculty dance performances as well as student led performances during her four years at Hope. Kristen was a member of the jazz and tap company, Insync Dance Theatre, as well. She has been trained in a variety of styles including modern, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical, tap, non-traditional partnering, and capoeira. She is excited to share her passion and love for dance with the students at Dancexcel! |
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| Julie Golem brings over 15 years of dance, teaching, and competition experience in jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary to Dancexcel. She has won numerous awards for her performances including a special stage presence award during her competition years. Miss Julie has a strong background not only in dance, but cheer and theater as well. Miss Julie coached a competition hip hop crew in Columbus, Ohio, helping them win many top awards at local competitions. She received her Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University in History, while also obtaining minors in Dance, Spanish, and Economics. This fall she will continue her education as a J.D. student at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She is excited and eager to share her love of dance with the students at Dancexcel! |
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