Top quality instruction encourages each person to expand movement capabilities, allows for self- expression and results in a more confident individual and mover.

Dublin Dance Centre & Gymnastics is a place where students can grow. “Moving…in the best interest of children” is truly a way of life at DDC&G. Each instructor, whether teaching at the recreational or pre-professional level, is committed to teaching. DDC&G instructors are not only among the most educated and qualified in the area, but, also the most committed to their students. Read their biographies below and schedule a complimentary class to witness their exceptional instruction.




TERESA CRYE  -  Owner
Teresa opened Dublin Dance Centre & Gymnastics in 1984 (as Dublin Dance Centre) in an effort to find quality dance instruction in a safe and positive environment for children. Her love of the arts and passion for confidence-centered education has fostered the growth of Dublin Dance Centre to include a full program for all students from beginners to pre-professional. Teresa’s goal for top-quality instruction has brought DDC&G some of the finest instructors around- not only qualified and experienced professionals with varied backgrounds, but, instructors who are truly dedicated to the children they teach. “Moving in the best interest of children” is truly Teresa’s objective in all of DDC&G’s endeavors.





ERIN BEAL
Erin has danced since she was 3 years old; she has studied Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, and Modern at the Pre-Professional level and performed as a member of the Dublin Dance Centre & Gymnastics Repertory Company. Erin has performed several lead roles in DDC&G's annual year-end and holiday performances. Erin is currently attending The Ohio State University. This is Erin’s fourth season teaching for DDC&G.






BLAKE BEARDSLEY
Mr. Beardsley was born and raised in East Lyme, Connecticut (A true Connecticut Yankee!) He has performed professionally for the last 20 years with many companies, including, but not limited to, State Ballet of Missouri, Ballet Theater of Maryland, Ballet Oklahoma, BalletMet, Lake Erie Ballet, and Columbus Dance Theater. Some of his favorite tours include Asuncion in Paraguay, Bordeaux in France, Crested Butte in Colorado, and Vancouver Island in Canada. Mr. Beardsley’s early training came from both the University of South Florida (Under Gretchen Ward Warren) as well as with Haydee Gutierrez (A former company dancer with the Cuban National Ballet). He has acquired both a BA in Chemistry and an MFA in Ballet Performance. He has been teaching dance and choreographing dances for the last 15 years, and is very pleased to be on the staff at DDC&G for his fourth year.


JENNIFER BRYAN
Jennifer’s early training started with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Altoona Youth Ballet Company, PA. Through scholarships and stipends, her later training came from The San Francisco Ballet School, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and The Joffrey Ballet School, NYC. Jennifer has performed professionally with The Carlisle Project, The Joffrey Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, New Jersey Ballet Theatre, and with Ballet Met, Columbus, working with numerous world famous teachers and choreographers. Jennifer has taught in Altoona, Pittsburgh and Columbus. She has resigned from performing professionally to raise her two young children. This is Jennifer’s seventh season with DDC&G.




ANGELA CARTER  -  Co-Creative Dance Coordinator, and Artistic Director
Angela's training includes 25 years of dance study in Ballet, Jazz and Tap. She has had considerable experience educating pre-school aged children, including establishing the curriculum for Dublin Dance Centre's Creative Movement Program and twenty-one years instructing dance. Angela has been involved with DDC&G since it's inception and has played an integral part in establishing the highest standards for educating the youngest dancers. "I feel as though it is a privilege to be able to touch young children by inspiring their self-esteem and confidence through movement."





NOELLE CHUN
Noelle holds her MFA in Dance from The Ohio State University specializing in Pedagogy and Performance and her BA in Theatre Arts from Beloit College. Her dance training includes modern, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and improvisation. While at OSU, Noelle was a Graduate Teaching Associate and instructor of Repertory. She has also instructed classes for CM2, the Columbus Urban League, Wexner Center for the Arts and for Wittenberg University. In addition, Noelle was Program Director for the Beloit Youth Dance program in Wisconsin and the Arts Program Coordinator for the county of Honolulu in Hawaii. Noelle has a unique “….enthusiasm for motivating students and creating nurturing relationships….”. This is Noelle’s first year with DDC&G.



LAURA DUSTMAN  -  Co-Creative Dance Coordinator
Laura received her BFA in Dance Education from OSU in 1995. Laura has been dancing since age 4 and has studied Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, and Liturgical Dance including 6 years training with Ballet Met. Laura has worked with various local high school show choirs and flag corps. She enjoys teaching students of all ages, and is excited to be at DDC&G for her tenth season. “Other than my husband and kids, dance is what brings the most joy into my life. I feel fortunate to have been given the gift of movement and I hope by sharing that gift, my students can experience some of the same joy for themselves!”





RACHAEL FORSTROM
Rachael received her BA in Dance from Ohio University, where she concentrated on Modern, Jazz and Lyrical with and emphasis on Choreography. She began dancing at DeWeese Academy of Dance Arts in Middletown, Ohio including Modern, Jazz, Ballet and Lyrical. Rachael performed with Anatomical Scenario, a professional dance company, under the artistic direction of Anna Sullivan and currently dances and choreographes for The Columbus Crew. Rachel says, “without dance, I would be incomplete. . . it is in my soul. Knowing that I am able to instill my love of dance in others gives me great joy.” This is Rachael’s fifth season with DDC&G.




SETOIYO EKPO
Setoiyo has his degree in Media Communications from Ohio State University. He was born in Los Angeles and has lived in Central Ohio for the past 15 years. He started Break Dancing in high school and immediately found a love for the art form. He has studied and competed all over the nation, including Chicago and New York City. Setoiyo teaches at DDC&G and with in the community passing on the art of Break Dance. This is Setoiyo’s fourth season with Dublin Dance Centre & Gymnastics.






AMBER GEISER
Amber has been dancing for 27 years. Amber studied dance at Bowling Green State University and Kent State University. She has also trained at the Broadway Dance Centre in New York and from various master teachers. Recently, Amber has studied under Ayodele Casel, Jimmy Tate and Gregory Filler at Columbus Taps! One of Amber’s proudest moments is when she danced side by side Gregory Hines at a literacy banquet in Columbus, Ohio. Currently, Amber is the director of the Columbus Tap Project, a tap dance performance company under Becky Hoag. Amber is also a featured dancer for John Kunkle’s Miss America Road-Show and LeVeck productions. Although Amber is trained in various forms of dance, her passion began at the age of two with tap dancing. This is Amber's third season with DDC&G.


DEANNA GRAHAM
Deanna’s family is from Naas, Co. Kildare Ireland. Her father started Deanna Irish Dancing at the age of 8 locally with Ann Richens. She has traveled extensively performing and competing throughout North America. She has also competed internationally for 10 years winning numerous awards and reaching a Championship level. She qualified to go to the World Irish Dance Competition in Ireland three times. She has been teaching solo and Ceili dance for 10 years in Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Circleville, Chillicothe and Lancaster. While she is teaching she is also studying to sit her T.C.R.G. with the Irish Dance Commission of Ireland to teach competitive Irish Dance. This is Deanna’s third season with Dublin Dance Centre.



MARTINE GRYWALSKI
Born into a family of dancers, Martine received the beginning of her diverse dance training from Columbus Youth Ballet, BalletMet Dance Academy and Columbus Dance Theatre. Studying ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, tap, character and African-Caribbean styles at BalletMet, she was selected to train on the Professional Track Ballet Program at age 12. Martine’s performance background includes BalletMet productions and EventCo Productions around Columbus and at the Kentucky Derby, as a guest artist with Columbus Dance Theatre, and with Nonstop Dance productions of Chicago where she also taught ballet, lyrical, hip hop and jazz. Martine’s teaching career began in 2001 locally and includes master classes and auditions for “Objectivo: Fama” in Chicago. Martine brings her diverse dance background to each style of dance she teaches; this is her first season with Dublin Dance Center & Gymnastics.


KATHLEEN HOLMES
Kathleen has an extensive background in classical ballet training. Her teachers included ballerina Ekaterina Maximova and premier danseur Vladimir Vasiliev, former stars of Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet and the international ballet star Anna-Marie and David Holmes, who trained at the legendary Kirov ballet in Saint Petersburg. This classical background has been well utilized by Kathleen. She has appeared professionally as a principal in many Russian classics including: Swan Lake, Paquita, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere and in the title role of Prokofiev's Cinderella. She has performed for audiences in Italy, the United States, and Canada. A love of the classics, the rich history, the traditions of ballet- this is a source of inspiration for Kathleen. She brings to her students this important link to the past. It is with the knowledge and enjoyment that what she is imparting on her students is also an important link to the future. Kathy taught for 7 years at DDC&G: we greatly miss her and wish her the best with her family in Canada.

BONNIE LAVRIC  -  Bonnie Lavric Memorial Scholarship
In Loving Memory ...
Beloved wife, mother, dancer, teacher, mentor and friend:
Bonnie Jeanne Lavric began her study of dance with Louise B. Harrison in Pennsylvania and continued as a dance major at The Ohio State University. She danced at DDC&G for 16 years and taught for six – primarily Creative Dance classes for 3 - 5 year-olds, who loved her energy and ready smile. Bonnie became very interested in yoga and started teaching at DDC&G, with a loyal following. She played many character roles in the June performances, adding her special style to each. Bonnie touched many lives at DDC&G and everywhere she went. She is an inspiration, and it is a privilege for us to celebrate her spirit.



ANDREA LORENZ  -  Gymnastics Coordinator and Exhibition Team Director
Andrea is originally from Chantilly, Virginia, just outside of Washington DC. She has been involved in gymnastics since age 6; she trained and competed for Chantilly Academy of Gymnastics through level 8 and has been teaching competitive and recreational gymnastics for 9 years. Andrea is USAG Safety Certified, KAT Certified (Kinder Accreditation for Teachers), MELPD Certified (Movement Education & Lesson Plan Development), and a Certified Meet Director. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Development from OSU. "My favorite part of teaching is seeing a child learn something for the first time and watching their expression of joy and accomplishment. Through teaching, I try to create a "can do" attitude. I hope the confidence, determination, and physical skills kids get from gymnastics will follow them in every aspect of life.” This is Andrea's fifth season with DDC&G.


HEIDI MAY
Heidi has been involved in gymnastics and cheerleading since she was 8 years old. She trained and competed with Midwest Gymnastics and Cheerleading and competed individually. She was a two-time All American Cheer and Dance Pro Bowl Performance Tour and National Scholarship Invitational qualifier, and she cheered on the coed squad at the University of Maryland. Heidi has been teaching cheerleading at AmeriCheer and is certified by the National Council for Spirit Safety and Education. A graduate of Otterbein College, Heidi has a BA in broadcast journalism and minors in public relations and speech communication. She works for Cochran Group, a communications firm. This is Heidi's second season with DDC&G.



AMANDA McCOY  -  Inner City Dance Program Coordinator
Amanda has trained in all dance art forms with a focus in Jazz. She received her BA in Dance from University of Akron. She has instructed at the Miller South School of Performing Arts (an inner-city magnet school in Akron), performed with the University of Akron Repertory Company, and was the Dance Director for three years at Richland Gymnastics and Dance Academy. Amanda is the Dance Consultant for Mansfield City Schools and is starting her eighth season with DDC&G. "I am blessed with the ability to share my knowledge and love of dance with others. When I watch my students dance, I am overwhelmed with pride. I know this is what I am meant to do. If my students walk away with love and appreciation for dance, I have done my job. Dancing just makes you feel good. Everybody should feel the freedom of movement!"



RIAN ORDERS
Rian has been with Dublin Dance Centre & Gymnastics since the age of six. She trained in a number of dance styles, including ballet, tap, and jazz and was a member of the Senior Repertory company for seven years. Post high school, Rian continued her studies at The Ohio State University in Early Childhood Education. For the past two years, she has been dancing professionally with Columbus Movement Movement (CM2), performing in pieces by Kristina Isabelle, Jessica Tupa, and Anna Sullivan. Rian was also a member of Sullivan's Anatomical Scenario, with whom she traveled to the New York International Fringe Festival for the past two summers. This will be her tenth season on the faculty of DDC&G.




GINA PICCIANO
Gina has danced at Dublin Dance Centre & Gymnastics since she was ten years old. She trained in all art forms including Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, and Hip Hop and earned a leading role in two different productions. She completed the teaching internship program at DDC&G and currently holds her Masters in Education from The Ohio State University. This will be her 15th year dancing and her seventh year teaching at DDC&G. “Dancing has been a wonderful part of my life. It is a way that I can share my personality with the world. Teaching dance is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. The ability to touch someone’s life in a unique way is why I love to do what I do!”




MERLE REX
Merle has her Masters in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Physiology from the University of Alabama in Birmingham and BS in Biology and Physical Education from Auburn University. She has taught both middle school and high school aged students and coached and judged middle school gymnastics. She received her Ballet training as a member of the Alabama State Ballet and served as resident choreographer and stage manager for the Town & Gown Theatre in Birmingham. Merle and her three daughters have been a part of DDC&G for many years, we are excited to have Merle on staff for her fifth year teaching with DDC&G.




ALEXIS SHELLEY
Alexis has a BA in Foreign Languages from University of Kentucky and a Diploma as a Classical Dancer in ballet and modern from the Lexington Ballet Company where she trained in classical and neoclassical ballet, pointe and modern. Alexis has worked and performed professionally with local dance companies in Columbus (Xclaim Dance Company), Kentucky (Kentucky Dance Ensemble and Lexington Ballet Company), and Florida (Galmont Ballet Company and Maranatha School of Dance). Her choreography has been showcased in Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, West Virginia, and Columbus. In addition to dance, Alexis also has also taught French to middle school and high school students. This is Alexis’ first season with Dublin Dance Center & Gymnastics.



TORI STROMP
Tori is currently attending Otterbein College studying Psychology and Business with a minor in Dance. She has studied dance since she was young attending local studios and OSU. During high school, Tori focused her studies on Hip Hop, Jazz, and Modern participating in several Jazz/Hip Hop performance companies including DDC&G Sr Ensemble and CDT's performance group with Billy Bruce. Tori recently returned from New York City where she danced at Broadway Dance Center studying Jazz, Hip Hop, Break Dance, Video Dance, Funk, and Street Jazz with various renowned instructors. While there, she participated in an intensive Jazz and Hip Hop workshop with Brian Friedman (choreographer for Britney Spears, Pink, Mya, Hilary Duff, Ashanti, and Aaron Carter). This is Tori's fourth season teaching for DDC&G.


CHRISTINA TAYLOR  -  Repertory Director & Education Director
Christina has been dancing for 30 years and has been teaching for 19 years. Christina studied dance at Fort Hayes Career Center as well as Ohio State University during her junior and senior year of high school. After high school, she completed her studies at Florida State University where her emphasis was Ballet, Pointe, Modern, and Choreography. During college Christina received scholarships to Martha Graham School in New York City and Jacob’s Pillow. After college Christina danced professionally in Atlanta, Georgia for three years. This is Christina’s 14th year at DDC&G. "I teach because I find it a blessing to pass my dance experiences and knowledge on to children. I love that I can make a contribution to the younger generation."



BRUCE TERRY
Bruce has been a Jazz and Tap instructor at Al Gilbert's Dance Studio in Hollywood. He has taught throughout the U.S. for Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of America, Professional Dance Teacher's Association and Dance Caravan. He also spent seven years in Japan as Master Choreographer and Jazz/Tap Dance Department Head with Supershape, a large health club/dance studio. He also taught at two colleges in Japan and appeared in several TV commercials. Since returning to the United States, Bruce has performed in numerous off-Broadway productions as well as several character roles for DDC&G and Ballet Met. Bruce has been teaching at DDC&G for 13 years.




JESSICA TUPA
Jessica Tupa brings a lifetime of training to the classroom where she hopes to share her experience and, more importantly, her joy of dance with her students. After receiving her BFA in dance from OSU she has spent the last few years dancing professionally with local modern company “Natalie Marrone and The Dance Cure” as well as teaching in several Columbus area studios and creating her own work. Prior to living in Columbus, she was a principle dancer and choreographer’s assistant with the Tacoma based company “Melanie Kirkstauffer’s Dance Theatre Northwest”. She has been dancing professionally and teaching for over thirteen years. Jessica believes that through the artistry and discipline of dance students of all ages and ability may add enrichment and joy to multiple aspects of their lives. This is her fifth season with DDC&G.


JULIA WYLIE
A graduate of Hope College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Education, Julia has performed with Chicago Tap Theatre, Sacred Dance, The Holland Chorale, The Annual Faculty Concert and many other performances. She also studied abroad in Berlin, Germany at The Humboldt University and Dock Elf (11), in both Dance and German. Julia spent her last semester in Chicago, Illinois student teaching in dance classrooms at Rudyard Kipling Fine Arts Specialty School and Curie Metro High School for the Performing and Technical Arts. This is Julia's third season with DDC&G.





RACHAEL ZYNDA
Rachael's ballet background includes studying with The Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet under Nan Klinger, Ballet Met of Columbus, North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Ballet Regent Summer Institute. She graduated from Butler University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance where she also performed with the Butler Ballet. Rachael's teaching background includes Ballet, Pointe, Creative movement and conditioning classes. This will be her eighth year teaching and fourth year with Dublin Dance Centre & Gymnastics.

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