season 15 choreographers

This page was most recently updated on 1/11/25

All rehearsals will be held at CDP Studios - 5505 Valley Belt Rd, Suite B, Independence, OH

Before auditions:

• Watch choreographer videos / check out the rehearsal schedule so you know who to rank! (We always recommend ranking as many dances as you can to maximize your casting potential - due to high numbers of auditioning dancers, not everyone can be cast so rank a lot and come to class in January to hone your technique before auditions!)

• Print and complete the preference form and bring it with you to auditions.

• Register for auditions to save your spot!

• We will post videos of the audition combos about a week before auditions. You do NOT need to know the choreography from the below videos. Also, you do not have to pre-learn the audition combos, we only post them in advance to help make you feel more comfortable at auditions! If you don’t have time to pre-learn we will still teach them at auditions as if no one knows them ;)

You’ll see potential costume costs below for each piece - these are just an estimate and may change.

There is a YouTube playlist, HOWEVER some of our videos are only on vimeo, so make sure you watch down below too!

Gretchen Ziolek began dancing at a young age, and soon began dancing with the Competitive Companies at her studio. She continued her dance training at Ohio University where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Her training included Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Choreography, Kinesiology, Pedagogy, and Movement Improvisation. She received her training from Zelma Badu- Young, Travis Gatling, Sean Curran, Gladys Bailin, Mickie Gellar, Marina Walchli, Ruben Graciani, Mariah Maloney, and John Bohuslawsky. While at Ohio University, she performed in numerous faculty, student, and guest artist works. Gretchen received a scholarship to attend Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts, where she trained with renowned artists, and performed in pieces choreographed by Karen Arceneaux, Princess Mhoon Cooper and Earl Mosley. Gretchen also had the opportunity to study as an intern with Verb Ballets during the summer of 2007. She taught, choreographed & directed competitive teams at Dance FX for eleven years, and earned her teams and studio numerous high point and choreography awards. She also taught at Candance Academy and Above the Barre, teaching technique, ballet, and contemporary classes, as well as running several rehearsals for their competitive teams for a few seasons. She also choreographed three full length musical productions at Orange High School under director Elaine Sonnie. Gretchen has performed at Big River Dance Festival in Huntington, West Virginia, Station Hope in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been dancing with Cleveland Dance Project for the past 12 seasons. She loves this community and is very excited to continue to be a part of CDP!

Style: Contemporary
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Blossom - Dermot Kennedy
Rehearsals: Sunday 10-11:30am
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Possible floral dresses, or a dusty blue. Simple sundress vibes. (CDP budget)

Amanda Budzick grew up dancing at Dance Dimensions by Jen Naso in Strongsville. During her time there, she trained in all styles and competed in jazz, lyrical, tap, contemporary, and acro. After graduating high school, she went to college at Kent State University to study Early Childhood Education. She was also on the Kent State Dance Team for 4 years and was a captain her senior year. The dance team performed at home football and basketball games in the styles of jazz, hip hop, and pom. Along with dancing at games, the team also traveled to NDA Collegiate Nationals in the spring in Daytona Beach, Florida. Her junior year they made Kent State history, making it to finals for the first time ever and placing 13th in the nation in the hardest jazz division. Amanda graduated from Kent State in 2019 and is now a 1st grade teacher at Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School. She has been teaching dance at Dance Dimensions by Jen Naso for 10 years and taught at The Dance House for 4 years. Amanda has also a part of CDP Company since 2020.

Kaylyn Meyers grew up dancing at Ignite Dance Studio in Brunswick, Ohio. She began dancing at the age of 4 and competing at the age of 7. She trained in all styles such as pointe, ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical and contemporary. She competed in jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop. After graduating high school she went to college at Kent State University to study early childhood education. She was on the dance team for 4 years. The team performed at all home football and basketball games in the styles of pom, jazz, and hip hop. Along with dancing at games the team also traveled to NDA Collegiate Nationals in the Spring. Her junior year the team made Kent State history by making it to finals for the first time ever and placing 13th in the nation in the hardest jazz division. Kaylyn graduated from Kent State University in December 2019 and is now a Sales Consultant for Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits. She also taught at Medina Centre for Dance Art for two years.

Style: Hip Hop
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Tate McRae mix - It's OK, I'm Ok, Greedy, Exes
Rehearsals: Sundays, 10-11:30am
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Parachute pants, white tennis shoes, top TBD ($30)

Caroline Brennan began dancing at age 3 in Needham, MA. She trained in ballet, jazz and pointe throughout her childhood and went on to earn a minor in dance from Allegheny College. At Allegheny she was a dancer and choreographer for two dance groups on campus. After college, she has worked as a dance and fitness instructor. Caroline has been a member of CDP since Season 2 and is excited to be a choreographer this season!

Kristen Tellaisha started dancing at the age of 5 and was trained at Lisa Wilhelm Academy of Dance. Kristen was a four year member and captain of her high school dance team and was also a four year member and captain of her college dance team at the University of Dayton. For 8 years, Kristen was the dance coach and advisor for the Lakewood High School Rangerette auxiliary dance team for the school’s marching band. Kristen has been a member of Cleveland Dance Project since season 2, and has choreographed for CDP in Seasons 8 and 11. She is excited to choreograph again and thanks the CDP directing staff for the opportunity!

Style: Contemporary/Lyrical
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Joy - Loma
Rehearsals: Sundays 11:30a-1pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Long flowy, sheer, red skirts (CDP budget) with black leotards (from dancer’s closet)

DiBa Bennett studied at the Canton Ballet for 14 years and then completed a dual degree at the Ohio State University with a BFA in Modern Dance and a BA in Psychology. In OSU’s dance program, Jessica trained with professors who were principal dancers of Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor, and Mark Morris. She has also danced and choreographed professionally in New York City, Los Angeles, and Columbus, OH with dance companies like Lori Belilove, Anna and the Annadroids, the Backspace Performance Ensemble, Amy Campbell's Crooked Mouth Dance Company, as well as the Kloons production company, Fugitive Kind Live Theater and musicians including Yula Beeri, Basement Batman, Fashion Week, and several drag artists like Thorgy Thor and Acid Betty. Her recent exciting ventures have been collaborating with world-renowned choreographer, Stephen Petronio for DANCE Cleveland's mentorship program and performing at Electric Forest Music Festival with Studio West. DiBa’s dance studies and professional experience have culminated to form her dynamic and sometimes quirky contemporary style with an enthusiasm for improvisation and compositional exploration.

Style: Contemporary
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Taper Jean Girl - Kings of Leon
Rehearsals: Sundays 2:30-4pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): A-line print mini dresses (CDP Budget, possibly up to $15 from dancers)

Tori McKinney started dancing at the age of 2 in Parma Hts, Ohio at Charlotte Braun Dance Studio and continued her training there up until college. During high school Tori was also a member of the Magnificat High School Dance team where she then served as an assistant coach from 2017-2022. Tori received her BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University in 2015 and continues to train as a Cleveland Dance Project Company member. Since graduating from SRU, Tori has taught and choreographed for many local studios, schools and teams. She is also a certified Safety and Legality Official for the US All Star Federation of club dance and cheer teams as well as a fitness instructor for Cleveland Dance Project and Be Fitness. Tori also discovered aerial dance after college and has earned 2 medals at the Pole Sport Organization Central Pole Championships in 2018 and 2019. Tori is a Teaching Artist with Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio, a social development program in local school districts that uses ballroom dance as the tool to promote teamwork and safe interaction between individuals in the 5th and 8th grade. She also teaches various fitness and dance classes in the Greater Cleveland area.

Style: Contemporary/Lyrical
Level: Advanced
Music: Hallelujah - Matt Bloyd and Jeremy Jordan
Rehearsals: Sundays 2:30-4pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): dresses or skirts (CDP budget)

Alyssa George a Cum Laude graduate of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with specializations in Business Administration and Performance & Choreography. She is from Brunswick, Ohio, and has traveled to Paris and Rome with the SRU Department of Dance. She has presented at the CHESS Conference at Gannon University, twice in the SRU Research Symposium for D-Man in The Waters and Through Common Ground We Found Fate a rep directed by former professor Nola Nolen. She has attended American Dance Festival in Durham, North professor Nola Nolen. She has attended American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina in 2017, and FORGE Summer Dance Intensive at SRU. In 2018 she performed at American College Dance Association at West Chester University and attended the Gibney Dance Experience in NYC. She has been in multiple student and faculty works in Faculty, Fall, Winter and Senior Synthesis Dance Concerts at SRU and in her senior year she put on her own independent concert discussing the research theme of story telling in dance. As a choreographer, she has had her own work performed in concerts as well. Her other interests are creating dance films and has experience in editing and archival research. She is a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, has interned in the Technical Theatre department at Dance Place in Washington DC. She has attended the Orange Grove Summer Dance Intensive in 2019, 20, 22 and 2023. She is currently performing and choreographing with the Cleveland Dance Project.

Style: Contemporary/Modern
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Ne me quitte pas by Jacques Brel
Rehearsals: Sundays 4-5:30pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Simple casual black outfits, dresses, pants, skirts, tops with an accent of white accessories. (Dancer’s closet)

Tiera Peters is a dancer with the Cleveland Ballet, originally from Rockland County, New York. She has performed and showcased multiple choreographed pieces on herself, students and other professional dancers. Her work has been displayed in Ballet Rockland Productions and, most recently, Cleveland Ballet's ChoreoLab. She loves bridging the gap between technical ballet strength and contemporary movement.

Style: Contemporary
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Burning Pile (Mother Mother)
Rehearsals: Sundays 4-5:30
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Long, flowy white t-shirt with black/grey/brown shorts (dancers closets)

Alana Lesnansky is excited for the opportunity to choreograph for Cleveland Dance Project! She has been dancing since the age of 3, and has studied a wide variety of styles including Ballet/Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theater, and Ballroom. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Youngstown State University with a minor in Dance, where she choreographed several pieces for the YSU Dance Ensemble. She spent a summer performing as a trombonist/back-up vocalist at Hersheypark. Alana continued her dance training and choreography with Rêve Dance Company through her time in graduate school at Penn State University, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology. She has choreographed All Shook Up for a local community theater Teen Summer Show. Alana was most recently on stage in 3 seasons of CDP, in the ensemble of Music Man and Cinderella and in the dance ensemble in The Little Mermaid at Near West Theatre. Alana believes that everyone should have the opportunity to dance, and loves to help dancers explore the ends of their comfort zone and find growth and success in her choreography!

Style: Musical Theater
Level: Beg/Int
Music: Roaring On - Gatsby; Show Me How You Burlesque - Christina Aguilera; Dancing Through Life - Wicked
Rehearsals: Sundays 5:30-7pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): black leggings/top & black jazz shoes with green/pink accessory (dancers closet), red accessory from CDP closet

Macie Westrick was born and raised in Belpre, Ohio. She grew up in the competitive dance space and trained in the areas of jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and tap at Gel's Dance Centre in Parkersburg, West Virginia. She continued her dance career in college as a member of the Ohio University Dance Team. During her time with the Dance Team, Macie performed at football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer games on campus, and competed at The Universal Dance Association National Competition and Dance Team Union's College Classic. After the completion of her bachelor's degree, Macie stayed an additional year to pursue her MBA, and joined Ohio University Vibrations - a student-lead dance group on campus. During her time with Vibrations, Macie choreographed a pom piece for the group and continued training in hip hop, jazz, and lyrical. Now, Macie works in software sales at Parasoft Corporation, and resides in Vermillion, Ohio. She choreographs for high school dance teams, and joined the CDP Family during Season 14 as a cast member. Instagram: @maciewestrick

Style: Heels
Level: Intermediate
Music: Gimme More - Britney Spears
Rehearsals: Mondays 6:15-7:45pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Black heeled booties, Black cargo pants, rhinestone crop top ($30)

Zoë Helms began dancing as a child at The Canton Ballet and studied dance education at Bowling Green State University. She graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors of Science in Dance and Human Movement. She has her Resident Educator License in Dance from The Ohio State University. Zoë worked for Toledo School for the Arts from 2022-2024 where she was head of the hip hop dance program and also taught introduction to dance. During her time at TSA she directed and choreographed two sold out hip hop recitals and co-coached the dance team. The dance team won 1st place at the OASSA state competition two years in a row. Before TSA, Zoë worked for Toledo Public Schools from 2015-2022 where she choreographed school dance recitals, show choir productions, and taught dance classes. Zoë has worked as an instructor at Nye Dance Productions for the past five years, and choreographed the hip hop duet that won first place at EnergyNDC's Midwest Nationals. She still travels back to Toledo to teach the competition team once a month. Zoë moved to Cleveland this past July and has been taking classes at CDP and danced in last seasons showcase. She has enjoyed performing and making new friends within CDP!

Style: Hip Hop
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Sticky - Tyler the Creator
Rehearsals: Mondays 7:45-9:15pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Potentially a baggy janitor outfit with bandanas or cargos with a baggy t shirt. (less than $50)

Arielle Strosser is originally from Lancaster, PA. She choreographed for multiple dance teams in the area from the age of 16. She taught dance at the Lititz Academy of Dance, and was a part of their Cojomotion Dance Company. This company gave her the opportunity to perform at many local and charitable events. After majoring in Dance at Radford University in Virginia, Arielle moved to Ohio to attend Cleveland State University with a major in psychology and a minor in dance. Arielle works closely with Cleveland Dance Project and just finished choreographing her 11th piece of her 14 seasons with them. She enjoys freelancing heels classes around the greater Cleveland area and hopes to bring a new sense of sass and femininity to the dancers she works with!

Style: Jazz
Level: Advanced
Music: Angel of My Dreams - Jade
Rehearsals: Mondays 8-9:30pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): A mix of Silver dresses/ pants/ skirts (CDP budget)

Madeline Kallay started dancing at the age of 3 in Painesville, OH. She participated in summer intensives with the American Ballet Theatre, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and more, and completed her senior year of high school training with The Cleveland Ballet in its inaugural year. Madeline received her BA in Communications and BFA in Ballet from the University of Cincinnati where she performed in modern, contemporary, ballet, and everything in between. She also choreographed pieces for the annual dancer showcase her last 2 years. During her college years, Madeline joined a dance outreach organization called Movement Exchange and got to see dance act as a vessel for meaningful change within and without. Madeline taught at several studios in Cincinnati before moving back to Cleveland. She started dancing with Cleveland Dance Project in season 12 and just choreographed for the first time in season 14. Madeline continues to find herself inspired by this community and the power of what dance can do. Instagram: @mads.kallay

Style: Ballet
Level: All Levels
Music: The Winner Is - DeVotchKa and Michael Danna
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 5-6:30pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Black shorts and top (from dancers’ closets) with satin rose gold/light pink button up unbuttoned (CDP budget, possibly up to $10 from dancers), black socks (dancers’ closets), and black hair bow for female dancers (CDP budget/choreographer covering cost) 

Heather Sakai serves as the Marketing Director for Cleveland Dance Project and staff member for the Cleveland Dance Project Company. Heather has been a part of CDP since its inception, contributing as a dancer, choreographer, and instructor. Heather began her dance journey at the age of three, spending her early years training under Jeanne Ann Corrigan and later receiving the bulk of her education under Arlene Cassara, dancing competitively with the Rocky River Studio of Dance. She continued her studies at Baldwin-Wallace College before earning dual master’s degrees in Social Work (with a focus on Adult Mental Health) and Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University. While at Case, Heather specialized in Graham technique and was selected to attend a summer workshop at the Martha Graham Studio in New York City. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Heather has taught ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, musical theater, and gymnastics to students of all ages both nationally and internationally. She has also choreographed extensively for children and adults. Heather is also a certified SEATED RHYTHM™ instructor with Active for Life Fitness, a program dedicated to promoting healthy, active lifestyles for seniors and individuals with developmental disabilities. Outside of her dance endeavors, Heather works as a Social Media Engagement Coordinator for Bright Beginnings. When she’s not dancing or working, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and her dog, Kuppy. 

Style: K-pop
Level: All
Music: APT - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 6:30-8pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): silver/holographic skirts, hello kitty or kawaii tee, red bows in hair, black boots, accessories (less than $40)

Nisha Kamath, originally from Buffalo, NY, moved to Cleveland in 2020 to pursue a PhD in Immunology at Case Western Reserve University. Beyond her academic pursuits, Nisha channels her creativity and relieves stress through dance. A passionate performer, she is self-taught in hip hop and traditional Indian dance styles and has expanded her repertoire by taking contemporary, modern, jazz, and advanced hip hop classes as an adult. Nisha has a long history of choreographing for Indian festivals and school performances, showcasing her talent and love for blending styles. Recently, she choreographed a dynamic hip hop-bhangra piece for CDP Season 12 and taught beginner/intermediate Bollywood classes during the summer of 2024. This season, she’s thrilled to debut a new fusion piece on the CDP stage, combining her diverse influences into a captivating performance.

Vaani Nanavaty is a Pharmacology PhD student at Case Western Reserve University. She is a passionate dancer who has been immersed in the world of dance since a young age. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, she developed a deep appreciation for Indian classical dance. After 8 years of rigorous training in Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form characterized by its graceful gestures, rhythmic footwork, and expressive storytelling, Vaani successfully completed her Arangetram, a significant milestone marking the completion of a dancer’s formal training. Driven by her love for dance, Vaani is eager to explore the fusion of classical and contemporary styles, pushing the boundaries of traditional dance forms and creating innovative performances.

Style: Indian classical (Bharatanatyam)-Hiphop fusion
Level: Int/Adv dancers (no Indian classical dance experience required)
Music: Shanti -Zedd & Grey
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 6:30-8pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Black joggers, black tank top (dancer’s closet), gold or red dupatta (CDP budget), indian classical dance makeup

Rachelle Kucharski started dancing when she was 13. Immediately dance became her passion and after just 6 years of dancing she was offered a teaching position at her studio Dance By Gloria. Rachelle continued teaching and dancing at DBG while attending Baldwin-Wallace University where she earned her degree in Dance and Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing and Psychology. She later continued her education to receive her MBA in HR and received her SHRM-CP Certification. Rachelle was previously the coordinator/instructor for the Middleburg Heights Recreation Center dance program, a member of the Urban Dance Association through BW, dance educator for the North Royalton Saturday Enrichment Program, and was proud to be an original member of Dance by Gloria's first Tap Performing Group. After college Rachelle continued her growth as a teacher at DGB which later become Interpretations Dance Academy for 26 seasons. Rachelle has worked with dancers age 3-60+ in the styles of ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, lyrical, acro and contemporary. She currently works full time in HR as a Sr. HR Generalist and holds the following certifications Module One, Module Two, Aerial and Back Handspring, and Acro Dance Pre School through Acrobatic Arts, Module One through Alixa Flexibility, Functional Range Assessment and Functional Range Conditioning through Functional Range Systems. Rachelle has been dancing with CDP since the beginning and has choreographed for multiple seasons previously. She is looking forward to spending more time at CDP and exploring new opportunities to share her background to help others.

Style: Fusion
Level: Beg/Int
Music: Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon
Rehearsals: Tuesdays 8-9:30pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): bright/vibrant color top/accessories, jeans, tennis shoes (Dancers closets)

Jamie Holkovic is a Cleveland native who has had a passion for dance since a very young age! She grew up dancing under the direction of Jolene Mcpherson at Interpretations Dance Academy. There she danced both recreationally and competitively and worked with many esteemed choreographers including Samantha Kost, Julie Sneltzer (Woods), Bridget Biliunas and Kathy Satow (Conners). After graduating high school Jamie continued her dance education and passion as a John Carroll University Blue Streak dancer (coach Melissa Zajacz), and was co-captain for two years. After college, Jamie was offered a job at multiple local studio and has worked as a teacher and choreographer for 6 years. She has been lucky enough to work with many students over the years, and is inspired by every person she has the pleasure of dancing with!

Style: Contemporary
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Above the Clouds of Pompeii - Bears Den
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 6-7:30pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Dancers choice creams and whites preferably with pockets (dancer closet)

Maddy Jankowski grew up in Kingston, NY where she trained in classical ballet under Anne Hebard and Melissa Bierstock at Anne Hebard's School of Ballet. Maddy then attended The College of the Holy Cross and was a member of both HC Dance Ensemble and the Holy Cross Dance Team. Maddy was a 3-year choreographer for Dance Ensemble in the styles of ballet and lyrical while also performing as a contemporary dancer. During her time on Dance Team, she performed at home football and basketball games as well as at Yankee Stadium and the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. After college, Maddy moved to Boston, MA and danced and choreographed with DanceWorks Boston for multiple seasons. Since moving to Cleveland, she has performed and choreographed with Cleveland Dance Project and loves taking CDP classes in her free time. Maddy currently works as a pediatric nurse but continues to keep her love of dance alive through CDP!

Style: Contemporary
Level: Int/Adv
Music: No Ordinary - Labrinth
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 7:30-9pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Black shorts and top (from dancers’ closets) with satin rose gold/light pink button up unbuttoned (CDP budget, possibly up to $10 from dancers), black socks (dancers’ closets), and black hair bow for female dancers (CDP budget/choreographer covering cost) 

Hannah Lee has been dancing since the age of 5 through different dance studios in Cleveland on competition teams until graduating high school. She continued her dance career at The Ohio State University through a student-run dance organization in which she became the vice president of her senior year. Hannah choreographed multiple hip-hop and contemporary pieces for this dance group throughout her years in school. After college, Hannah discovered CDP and has been dancing full time again ever since. She has choreographed both hip-hop and contemporary pieces for two different showcases and taught a series of hip-hop classes this past fall. Hannah loves meeting new people through CDP and sharing her love for dance and performing.

Style: Contemporary
Level: Advanced
Music: My Mind - Yebba
Rehearsals: Thursdays 6:15-7:45pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): black flowy mesh pants & black top (CDP budget)

Nele Neckebroeck has been dancing since she was 8 years old, starting at her small dance studio in Belgium to several seasons at Cleveland Dance Project.In Belgium, she started training in jazz funk, but quickly after started training in modern/contemporary and eventually added on hip hop/street dance and ballet. After taking a break in college, she picked back up with a season of modern dance with Anneleen Nickmans, and then took a huge leap and flew to the US at the end of 2022. Shortly after she discovered Cleveland Dance Project, which has been her dance home ever since. Nele has participated in four CDP showcase seasons in a variety of styles including jazz, heels, contemporary and modern, and additionally has trained in hip hop at CDP. Outside of training, Nele also has experience in teaching (Belgian) folk dance workshops. She’s very excited to grow as a choreographer in Season 15 of Cleveland Dance Project!

Style: Hip Hop fusion
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Power - Little Mix
Rehearsals: Thursdays 6:15-7:45pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Baggy sweatpants (CDP budget) + fitted white top + white shoes (dancers closets)

Anna Cerveny began her dance training under Joanne Morscher at the Royal School of Ballet at the age of 7. During her childhood, she also had the pleasure of training at Bengbu Ballet, BalletMet, and Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts. She received her BS in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Columbia University, with a focus on Performing Arts Rehabilitation. During her 7 years of school, she spent much of her time dancing, choreographing, and directing her university's respective dance organizations and taking dance classes at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and Broadway Dance Center. After graduating in 2013, Anna spent a year traveling the US, Canada, and Japan as the physical therapist for the Tony-winning Broadway play, "WarHorse", and taking dance classes around the world. Currently she works at University Hospitals as a senior physical therapist/clinical specialist and the founder of UH's dance rehabilitation program, where she works with dancers from around the greater Cleveland area, including Cleveland Ballet and the Case Western dance program. In 2017, Anna founded Cleveland Dance Project (CDP), an all-level dance community that provides training, choreography, and performance opportunities to adults from the beginner to the professional. In 2019, the dance & wellness professional company, CDP Company 501c3, organically came to be to fill a community need for health education fused with movement, and dancer injury prevention services. Anna continues to train, perform, and choreograph with both CDP and CDP Company, as well as serves as the Executive Director and physical therapist for the nonprofit organization. She has now opened the Cleveland Dance Project studio that will house CDP Company, and CDP’s dance & fitness classes, as well as provide holistic health education and services, and a gathering place for these wellness-focused communities.

Molly Weiss is a dancer and choreographer based in the Cleveland area whose passionate and vibrant attitude helps her to succeed as a performer and a teacher. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2017 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Creative Writing; her passions lie in the arts. She began competitively dancing at age six and hasn't stopped since, trained in the styles of jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, tap, musical theatre, and acrobatics. During her time at University of Michigan she was a member and choreographer of a hip-hop dance crew, as well as performed in music videos and took classes through the U of M dance department. After graduating, Molly taught at various dance studios and choreographed for high school show choir and musicals. During this time she also trained on Cleveland's elite hip-hop dance crew, Elevāted, which led her to performance opportunities such as World of Dance and the Cleveland Cavaliers game. In 2018, Molly became the founding Artistic Director of Cleveland Dance Project Company, a 501c3 contemporary fusion dance company committed to promoting wellness for dancers and exploring the benefits of movement for physical and mental health. She now is the CDP Company Board President. She furthered her choreography and performance experience by getting involved with Six Flags Entertainment as the Park Choreographer at Valleyfair Amusement Park, and has had the opportunity to serve as associate choreographer and perform in many shows and events throughout the company. Molly is excited by the opportunity to embrace the athleticism, beauty, and art of dance.

Style: Jazz Funk Production
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Got It - Marian Hill; Best Friend - Sofi Tukker; Club Can’t Handle Me - Flo Rida; Give Me Everything - Pitbull
Rehearsals: Thursdays 7:45-9:15pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): neon greens & purples with silvers, golds, blacks accent pieces with black boots (dancers closets)

Katie Holst grew up in West Michigan and began training in ballet at her local studio, Turning Pointe School of Dance. She went on to develop a passion for dance and continued training with the Grand Rapids School of Ballet. She recently graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Dance and Biology. During her time in the dance program, Katie had the opportunity to work with several guest artists such as Queala Clancy, Zelma Badu-Younge, Renaldo Maurice, and Charlie Clark, as well as the school faculty, including Carrie Brueck Morris, Hannah Seidel, and Edgar L. Page. Katie had the opportunity to perform at the American College Dance Association (ACDA) regional conference in 2023. Her senior capstone solo “L I M I N A L” was selected to be performed in the Spring Dance Concert of 2023. Currently, Katie is living and working in Northeast Ohio, finding ways to continue her work with dance through teaching at local studios and getting involved in the Cleveland Dance Project.

Style: Contemporary
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Space Cowboy - Flipturn
Rehearsals: Fridays 3-4:30pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): either monochrome or two colors (Dancers closets)

Liz Piskura has been dancing and choreographing with CDP for 5 seasons now. She started dancing when she was just a little kid and hasn't really stopped since. After high school, she went to Cleveland State University and got a degree in Health Sciences. Now, she works at ECHO health. While she was in college, Liz taught dance classes at a studio ranging from the absolute beginner to competitions level. She was also on the cheer and dance teams for the Lorain County Nightmares and the Lake Erie Crushers. Since joining CDP, Liz has been able to keep up with her training and try out some new dance styles. One of the coolest things she's done with CDP was performing at halftime for the Cleveland Browns on Halloween in 2022. But she'll tell you, nothing beats the adrenaline rush of a show day

Reagan Lovelace's journey into dance began a few years ago, and she has been passionately honing her skills ever since. Two summers ago, she was excited to join the CDP community, where she has displayed her talent for the past 3 seasons. At CDP, Reagan has immersed herself in a wide array of classes and workshops, exploring dance styles such as jazz, contemporary, heels, hip-hop, ballet, and her favorite, jumps, leaps, and turns. She finds jazz and heels particularly empowering, as they boost her confidence and bring her great joy. During the day, Reagan is a 4th-grade teacher who shares her passion for learning with all who come in contact with her.

Style: Heels/ Jazz
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Taylor Swift mix - Look What You Made Me Do/Call It What You Want/Ready for It
Rehearsals: Saturdays 10:30am-12pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Black bike shorts, black crew socks, black heels, oversized tee ($10)

Michael Zingale is local to Cleveland and has been a supporter of CDP since season one. He started his dance training 30 years ago taking a tap class. That begin his passion for dance leading to other styles including musical theater, jazz, and ballet. Studying under Arlene Cassara, Michael has performed in numerous recitals, theater and dance competitions. With one season under his belt with the Cleveland Dance Project, he is excited to choreograph another season and make more magic on stage!

Style: Tap
Levels: All
Music: Enter Sandman - Metallica
Rehearsals: Saturday 12-1:30pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): Flannel Nightgown with leggings, Black socks and black tap shoes, Blue ribbon as headband ($30)

Alexis Clanin grew up dancing competitively and furthered her dance education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received a BFA in dance performance and choreography in December of 2019. In 2016, she received the opportunity to perform as a background dancer for Hailee Steinfeld and trained with the contemporary ballet company, Bodiography, during their 2018 summer intensive. She has performed the solo “Jouska” by THE MARK dance company various times beginning in the spring of 2021 and received the role “Bungee Ballerina” in CarolineCalouche & Co. “Clara’s Trip 2021.” She is currently a company dancer for CPD Company and a patient coordinator for Aspen Dental. She also teaches/choreographs for Elite Dance Company where she enjoys sharing her passion for dance with her students.

Style: Contemporary
Level: Int/Adv
Music: Control - Zoe Wees
Rehearsals: Saturdays 12:30-2pm
Potential Costumes (& possible dancer investment): purple dresses (CDP budget), or cream trousers (CDP budget) with purple top (dancer’s closet)