Jennifer Kups; Owner and Director for over 10 years and teaching for 17 years. Jennifer's dance training started at age 3 years old and continued with the same studio until she graduated from high school. Rita Wilhelm was her teacher and mentor in the dance buisness world. She started teaching all types of dance forms after receiving her Bachlors of Science in Dance Performance from Kent State University. Jennifer was a member of many Modern Dance Companies along with being accepted in to the Cleveland Ballet when she was still a student in High School. Jennifer is a certified Cecchetti Ballet Instructor along with being a certified Pilates Instructor. She enjoys giving her students the gift of dance because it has brought so much joy in her life over the years. Mrs. Kups also is able to share the studio with her Family; Frank, Calli & Cameron.
Marybeth Russo; Marybeth began her dance studies at the Rita Wilhelm Academy of Dance at age three. She has become an extremely confident teacher and continues to study the Cecchetti method of Ballet. She is a certified Cecchetti instructor and brings Hip-Hop to the Academy. She also continues her dance studies at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Marybeth is a graduate from Ursuline College holding a B.A. in education and presently teaches kindergarten at Lander Elementary in the Mayfield City School District. Marybeth enjoys spending her time with her husband Rocco and son Mossimo.
Sara Lawrence-Sucato; Sara began her dance training at age five in her hometown Columbus, Ohio. She graduated with Honors from Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA) with a degree in Dance Teaching and Choreography. She has studied with noted teachers Madame Natalie Krassovska, Laura Alonso, Cynthia Harvey, Vivi Flindt, Finis Jhung, Christopher Huggins, and Milton Myers. Her performance credits include roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Coppélia , La Sylphide, Pas de Quatre, Paquita Variations, Bolero. She has performed with the Mercyhurst Dancers , The DanceCure, Columbus Dance Theatre , and Shen and Bones Performance Group. Sara teaches dance and Pilates at a number of area studios and is a member of Dancing Wheels.
Melissa Gruca; Melissa began studying dance at Linda Lee Dance Studio when she was four years old. There she became proficient in the Cecchetti Ballet method along with different tap and jazz styles. While studying with Linda Lee Abbott Melissa passed levels I – IV of the Cecchetti Ballet exams. Melissa graduated from Alma College with a B.A. degree in Dance. There she danced with the Alma College Dance Company and taught college level dance classes. While in college Melissa taught dance privately for DuHadway Dance Dimension (formerly Linda Lee Dance Studio). She taught ballet, pointe, tap and jazz to a variety of ages and levels. She also choreographed for the DDD competition team. While working with DDD Melissa passed her Level I Cecchetti Teachers exam. Melissa moved to Cleveland in 2001 and began dancing and performing with different professional dance companies including Antaeus Dance, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre and Inlet Dance Theatre. While in Cleveland Melissa Co-Founded the Fairmount Dance Theatre. FDT is a youth based Dance Company that strives to bring the beauty of dance to young professionals. Melissa left FDT in the fall of 2007 and is now very excited to be a part of Studio J. She strives to be a positive influence on her student’s lives and to share with them the joy that dance has brought to her life. She lives in University Heights with her husband Bob, daughter Anna and her two dogs…Jack and Molly.
Torrance Nowden; Torrance has been a member of Studio J since 2011. He brings a new excitment to the class room. He teaches all levels of Jazz and Contemporary for Studio J.
Kara Madden; Kara just joined Studio J this year to teach Classical Ballet and Contemporary. She is a member of the Verb Ballet here in Cleveland. It has been a preasure to have her expertise in the dance room.
Heather Doolittle; Heather joined Studio J in 2012, teaching Ballet, Lyrical and Contmeporary. She was a member of the Akron Civic Ballet and Graduated with a dance degree. Heather's choreography has been a real pleasure to experience.
Jay 'J Graham: As the Midwest’s leader in industry level choreography and teaching, Jay-J is known for his innovative style. His talent and dedication has earned him a scholarship award to "Monsters of Hip Hop" in Chicago as well as being a three year running scholarship winner to Urban Jamm in LA.
Jay-J started his dance training under the direction of Dance Master’s instructors taking jazz, tap, and ballet. He continued his education through dance artists such as:
(JAZZ/CONTEMPORARY) Bob Rizzo, Brian Friedman, Wade Robson, Robert Schultz, Mia Michaels, Kevin Maher, and Tyce Diorio, (TAP) Savion Glover, Gregg Russell, and Mark Goodman, (HIP HOP) Shane Sparks, Napolean and Tabitha Dumo, Rhapsody James, Luther Brown, Phi from "Jabbawockeez", Dave Scott, and the legendary Popin' Pete. Jay-J choreographed the opening dance sequence for Pepsi Street Motion tour and has opened up for such popular music artists as Usher, Britney Spears, N’Sync, Paul Wall, Backstreet Boys, Brandy, MGK, and the new singing sensation Carly Rae Jepson. He is currently working with the new recording artist Cali Miles on her artist development/choreography for her new album.
One of Jay-J’s highest attributes is his ability to work with children and adults of all ages from the beginner thru the most advanced. His classes are known for its high energy, but still maintain a technical base and a structured curriculum.