Our Staff

Director / Choreographer Jennifer Kups:  Jennifer has been dancing since the age of four.  She has studied all types of dance with Rita Wilhelm, Cleveland Ballet, Cleveland State and then continued her dancing career at Kent State University where she received a degree in dance performance.  While at Kent State, Jennifer was a member of the performing company and choreographed for college level students.  She has  studied the Cecchetti Ballet method and is also a certified Cecchetti instructor.    Jennifer also continues to train with  the Broadway Dance Center in New York City.  In addition to dance,  she has also studied the Pilates method, and is a certified Pilates instructor.  Jennifer is the owner of     Studio J Academy of Dance.

Marybeth Chordas:  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.

Erin McAdams:  Erin has joined Studio J Academy of Dance with a B.A. in Dance from Mercyhurst  College.  She has studied an eclectic array of dance techniques, such as jazz, tap, ballet and modern.  Training in these multiple techniques has given her the opportunities to choreograph and be a guest teacher for neighborhood high schools and studios. Erin also was accepted into the Broadway Dance Academy’s Summer Intensive for 3 months, where she was able to enhance her technique from many master teachers.  Her philosophy on teaching is to give her students personal guidance in a positive learning environment where they may acquire the love and appreciation of dance, grow as individuals and strive for personal excellence.

Lauren McAdams:  Lauren knew at a young age she wanted to spend her life dancing.  Many years of competing throughout the country and  performing at amateur and professional levels, has prepared her to be a dance teacher.  Lauren has been teaching for 6 years for studios across Greater Cleveland.  She has also choreographed Rocky River high school production of “footloose”, and other productions at St. Joseph Academy.  Lauren is currently studying business at John Carroll University.       Erin McAdams:  Erin has joined Studio J Academy of Dance with a B.A. in Dance from Mercyhurst  College.  She has studied an eclectic array of da Erin McAdams:  Erin has joined Studio J Academy of Dance with a B.A. in Dance from Mercyhurst  College.  She has studied an eclectic array of dance techniques, such as jazz, tap, ballet and modern.  Training in these multiple techniques has given her the opportunities to choreograph and be a guest teacher for neighborhood high schools and studios. Erin also was accepted into the Broadway Dance Academy’s Summer Intensive for 3 months, where she was able to enhance her technique from many master teachers.  Her philosophy on teaching is to give her students personal guidance in a positive learning environment where they may acquire the love and appreciation of dance, grow as individuals and strive for personal excellence.            Jedance. Jennifer has taught African dance master classes and workshops at Ohio University, Factory Street Dance Studio, Charlotte Braun Dance Studio and the Royal School of Ballet and Studio 82. Jennifer is a company member of the Azaguno African Dance Company and has traveled and performed with the company in Princeton, Jennifer Nalette has earned her teaching degree from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in English Education and a minor in Dance. Jennifer has studied with Joanne Morscher, Troy McCarty, Dee Hillier, David Strobbe, Ana Lobe, Lynn Tabor, Mary Jo Rimke, Josh Widick, Kenya Woods, Sean Curran, Earl     Mosley, Joanna de Souza, Zelma Badu-Younge, Paschal Yao-Younge, American Theater Dance Workshop in NYC, Habib Iddrisu, Assane Konte, the faculty at Ohio University Dance Department and many others. She has been trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, theater dance, Indian dance and African drumming and dance.  Jennifer has taught African dance master classes and workshops at Ohio University, Factory Street Dance Studio, Charlotte Braun Dance Studio and the Royal School of Ballet and Studio 82. Jennifer is a company member of the Azaguno African Dance Company and has traveled and performed with the company in Princeton, New Jersey, Athens, Ohio, New York, and South Korea.  nifer Nalette has earned her teaching degree from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in English Education and a minor in Dance. Jennifer has studied with Joanne Morscher, Troy McCarty, Dee Hillier, David Strobbe, Ana Lobe, Lynn Tabor, Mary Jo Rimke, Josh Widick, Kenya Woods, Sean Curran, Earl Mosley, Joanna de Souza, Zelma Badu-Younge, Paschal Yao-Younge, American Theater Dance Workshop in NYC, Habib Iddrisu, Assane Konte, the faculty at Ohio University Dance Department and many others. She has been trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, theater dance, Indian dance and African drumming and dance. Jennifer has taught African dance master classes and workshops at Ohio University, Factory Street Dance Studio, Charlotte Braun Dance Studio and the Royal School of Ballet and Studio 82. Jennifer is a company member of the Azaguno African Dance Company and has traveled and performed with the company in Princeton, New Jersey, Athens, Ohio, New York, and South Korea. Je Jennifer Nalette has earned her teaching degree from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in English Education and a minor in Dance. Jennifer has studied with Joanne Morscher, Troy McCarty, Dee Hillier, David Strobbe, Ana Lobe, Lynn Tabor, Mary Jo Rimke, Josh Widick, Kenya Woods, Sean Curran, Earl Mosley, Joanna de Souza, Zelma Badu-Younge, Paschal Yao-Younge, American Theater Dance Workshop in NYC, Habib Iddrisu, Assane Konte, the faculty at Ohio University Dance Department and many others. She has been trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, theater dance, Indian dance and African drumming and dance.  Jennifer has taught African dance master classes and workshops at Ohio University, Factory Street Dance Studio, Charlotte Braun Dance Studio and the Royal School of Ballet and Studio 82. Jennifer is a company member of the Azaguno African Dance Company and has traveled and performed with the company in Princeton, New Jersey, Athens, Ohio, New York, and South Korea.  nnifer Nalette has earned her teaching degree from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in English Education and a minor in Dance. Jennifer has studied with Joanne Morscher, Troy McCarty, Dee Hillier, David Strobbe, Ana Lobe, Lynn Tabor, Mary Jo Rimke, Josh Widick, Kenya Woods, Sean Curran, Earl Mosley, Joanna de Souza, Zelma Badu-Younge, Paschal Yao-Younge, American Theater Dance Workshop in NYC, Habib Iddrisu, Assane Konte, the faculty at Ohio University Dance Department and many others. She has been trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, theater dance, Indian dance and African drumming and dance.  Jennifer has taught African dance master classes and workshops at Ohio University, Factory Street Dance Studio, Charlotte Braun Dance Studio and the Royal School of Ballet and Studio 82. Jennifer is a company member of the Azaguno African Dance Company and has traveled and performed with the company in Princeton, New Jersey, Athens, Ohio, New York, and South Korea.  ennifer Nalette has earned her teaching degree from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in English Education and a minor in Dance. Jennifer has studied with Joanne Morscher, Troy McCarty, Dee Hillier, David Strobbe, Ana Lobe, Lynn Tabor, Mary Jo Rimke, Josh Widick, Kenya Woods, Sean Curran, Earl Mosley, Joanna de Souza, Zelma Badu-Younge, Paschal Yao-Younge, American Theater Dance Workshop in NYC, Habib Iddrisu, Assane Konte, the faculty at Ohio University Dance Department and many others. She has been trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, theater dance, Indian dance and African drumming and dance.  Jennifer has taught African dance master classes and workshops at Ohio University, Factory Street Dance Studio, Charlotte Braun Dance Studio and the Royal School of Ballet and Studio 82. Jennifer is a company member of the Azaguno African Dance Company and has traveled and performed with the company in Princeton, New Jersey, Athens, Ohio, New York, and South Korea.  nce Erin McAdams: Erin has joined Studio J Academy of Dance with a B.A. in Dance from Mercyhurst College. She has studied an eclectic array of dance techniques, such as jazz, tap, ballet and modern. Training in these multiple techniques has given her the opportunities to choreograph and be a guest teacher for neighborhood high schools and studios. Erin also was accepted into the Broadway Dance Academy’s Summer Intensive for 3 months, where she was able to enhance her technique from many master teachers. Her philosophy on teaching is to give her students personal guidance in a positive learning environment where they may acquire the love and appreciation of dance, grow as individuals and strive for personal excellence. techniques, such as jazz, tap, ballet and modern.  Training in these multiple techniques has given her the opportunities to choreograph and be a guest teacher for neighborhood high schools and studios. Erin also was accepted into the Broadway Dance Academy’s Summer Intensive for 3 months, where she was able to enhance her technique from many master teachers.  Her philosophy on teaching is to give her students personal guidance in a positive learning environment where they may acquire the love and appreciation of dance, grow as individuals and strive for personal excellence.  Erin McAdams:  Erin has joined Studio J Academy of Dance with a B.A. in Dance from Mercyhurst  College.  She has studied an eclectic array of dancnfmd,.   Erin McAdams:  Erin has joined Studio J Academy of Dance with a B.A. in Dance from Mercyhurst  College.  She has studied an eclectic array of dance techniques, such as jazz, tap, ballet and modern.  Training in these multiple techniques has given her the opportunities to choreograph and be a guest teacher for neighborhood high schools and studios. Erin also was accepted into the Broadway Dance Academy’s Summer Intensive for 3 months, where she was able to enhance her technique from many master teachers.  Her philosophy on teaching is to give her students personal guidance in a positive learning environment where they may acquire the love and appreciation of dance, grow as individuals and strive for personal excellence.    iques, such as jazz, tap, ballet and modern.  Training in these multiple techniques has given her the opportunities to choreograph and be a guest teacher for neighborhood high schools and studios. Erin also was accepted into the Broadway Dance Academy’s Summer Intensive for 3 months, where she was able to enhance her technique from many master teachers.  Her philosophy on teaching is to give her students personal guidance in a positive learning environment where they may acquire the love and appreciation of dance, grow as individuals and strive for personal excellence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Nalette has earned her teaching degree from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in English Education and a minor in Dance. Jennifer has studied with Joanne Morscher, Troy McCarty, Dee Hillier, David Strobbe, Ana Lobe, Lynn Tabor, Mary Jo Rimke, Josh Widick, Kenya Woods, Sean Curran, Earl Mosley, Joanna de Souza, Zelma Badu-Younge, Paschal Yao-Younge, American Theater Dance Workshop in NYC, Habib Iddrisu, Assane Konte, the faculty at Ohio University Dance Department and many others. She has been trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, modern, theater dance, Indian dance and African drumming and dance.  Jennifer has taught African dance master classes and workshops at Ohio University, Factory Street Dance Studio, Charlotte Braun Dance Studio and the Royal School of Ballet and Studio 82. Jennifer is a company member of the Azaguno African Dance Company and has traveled and performed with the company in Princeton, New Jersey, Athens, Ohio, New York, and South Korea.