 KATHI
HALBERT
- Director
Kathi has dedicated her life to teaching and adjudicating students and teachers all over the country, however, she has never lost focus of the importance of continued education for herself.
Visit the "Directors
Chair" section on the home page for additional
details, including Memberships and Certifications
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 MARY
VADALA:
Mary is a 13 year faculty member of KDGC. She
began her dance training at 5 years of age under the
direction of Ken & Jean Phifer, has studeied with
the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, the Pittsburgh Ballet
Theater, and the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for
the Arts. Mary is a member of Dance Masters of Of
America, Dance Masters of Ohio and Cecchetti Council of
America. She has completed her Cecchetti Teacher’s
Grade V and Student’s Grade VI certification. Mary is
a graduate of Butler University and has a bachelor’s
degree in Dance/Pedagogy Concentration.
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 AMANDA
SCIOLA:
Amanda has been on our staff for eight years and has
been dancing since the age of four. She is a member of
Dance Masters of America, Dance Masters of Ohio and the
Cecchetti Council of America. She received her teaching
degree at Dance Masters of America’s Teacher’s
Training School at Buffalo, New York and has also
completed her Cecchetti Teacher’s Grade III and
Student’s Grade V certification. She has her MBA in
Business Administration from YSU. Amanda currently works
for DiRusso’s as the Sales and Marketing Director.
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 RENEE
ROGERS:
This is Renee’s seventh year on staff and is a true
professional in every way. She has toured the U.S. as a
professional dancer, performed in local theaters and
off-Broadway, taught and assisted master classes across
the U.S. with professional choreographers, and was
filmed as a feature dancer on educational videos. Since
1996 Renee has worked with Easy Street Productions and
over the past five years has taken on the role of
choreographer. She received her BSAS in Exercise Science
in 2004 at YSU. Renee is currently employed by the
Fitnesst LLC in Canfield as an exercise physiologist.
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 CHRIS
BEDNARIK:
Chris is a former member of the KDGC competitive team
for 6 years and has taught gymnastics, Kindercise and
all levels of competitive teams at Kathi’s for the
past 28 years. She is a graduate of Kent State
University where she was a member of their collegiate
gymnastics team. She hold a bachelor’s degree in
Health and Physical Education. Chris is safety
certified and a member of the USA Gymnastics
Association.
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 BRICE
BIGGIN:
Brice competed for 4 years on Kent State’s gymnastics
team, and was co-captain his Junior and Senior year. He
served as assistant coach for 5 years before becoming
the head women’s coach. Brice was named Northeast
Regional Assistant Coach of the Year in 1989; Mid
American Conference Coach of the year in 1992, 1994,
2001, 2003, and 2007; North East Regional Coach of the
Year in 1996 and 1997 and Central Regional Head Coach of
the Year in 2001. Brice has a bachelor’s degree in
Physical Education and Master’s degree in Sports
Administration from Kent State University. Brice is our
optional coach and has been with us for 25 years.
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 CHAD
CLELAND:
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 AMANDA
WELKER:
Amanda literally grew up in
the gym with her mother being a former gymnastics coach
and Amanda often being used as an example for learning
new skills. She studied ballet and jazz under Debbie
Menichino for five years. Upon entering Junior High she
joined the Wilmington Greyhounds Cheerleading squad
where she cheered for five years only to return after
graduation as an assistant coach. She is currently
working towards a Bachelor’s Degree at YSU. This is
Amanda’s fourth year on staff at Kathi’s.
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 ROSEMARY
SHUMATE:
Rosemary received her BFA in Dance at Wright State
University in Dayton, Ohio. While in college she enjoyed
performing with Dayton Contemporary’s 2nd Company, The
Dayton Opera, WSU’s Dance Ensemble and in various
musicals including She Loves Me, Anything Goes and
Oklahoma.
After college Rosemary went onto performing for The
Cleveland Cavalier’s Dance Team where she was co-
captain and choreographer.
Rosemary has been teaching, choreographing and judging
for 11 years all around northeast Ohio. She has worked
with all ages, from pre school, to the University level.
She has earned various awards at competitions including;
national and regional choreography awards, overalls,
platinum awards, and best in show.
She enjoys exploring dance in new and exciting ways
while incorporating and stressing technique in the
movement. She continues her own education by annually
attending master classes taught by Mia Michaels, Wade
Robson, Travis Wall, Brian Friedman, Chris Judd, and
Laurie Ann Gibson to name a few. She also enjoys sharing
her experiences with her students.
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 JAY J GRAHAM:
As the Midwest’s top Hip Hop choreographer, Jay-J is known for his innovative style. Currently he has opened for such popular music artists as Usher, Brittany Spears, N’Sync and Backstreet Boys. Jay-J’s 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 is currently teaching at many highly established studios throughout the Midwest. He has done master and scholarship classes for such organizations as Dance Masters of Ohio and the Ohio Committee of Cecchetti. He has judged for organizations and events throughout our area.
Jay-J started his dance training under the direction of Dance Master’s instructors taking jazz, modern, tap and ballet. He continued his education through such dance artists as Bob Rizzo, Frank Hatchett, Brian Friedman, Wade Robinson, Shane Sparks, Napolean and Tabathy Dumo, Robert Schultz, Savion Glover and Dave Scott. All of who are currently working in the dance industry at this time.
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. His styles can vary from street tap, funk jazz and hip hop – all popular and current in today’s dance culture, media, music video and television.
“Jay-J” will be on staff on Saturdays teaching hour funk jazz classes to several of our lines and hip hop to all levels. Jay J is looking for all types of dancers for his hip hop classes. You don’t need to have a strong dance background to take part in these classes, just good rhythm and street moves. He is also entertaining the thought of creating performance hip hop teams.
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JOANNE MALONEY:
Joanne Maloney has been in the fitness industry since 1984. Along with a diploma in Fitness & Nutrition and CPR certification, she continues to attend seminars/lectures and take home study courses related to healthy living. Miss
Joanne's specialty is putting together a safe and effective exercise program for individual needs. she has trained athletes, set up corporate wellness programs and assisted in putting together programs for post-rehab patients. Miss
Joanne now teaches Adult Fitness classes, see the bulletin
board for more information and schedules..
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CHRISTINE PATORAY:
This is Christine’s second year coaching gymnastics at Kathi’s Dance & Gym Center. This year she will be taking over our Kindercise and Mommy & Me programs. We are really looking forward to her bringing her great personality and love of working with children to the program. Christine will also be coaching gymnastics and cheer classes. She is a former YSU Cheerleader and was also a competitive gymnast for five years.
Christine is currently a student at YSU majoring in Communications.
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MEGAN CLELAND:
This is Megan’s fourth year on the teaching staff at Kathi’s. She graduated from high school in 2006 playing one of the lead roles as Don Lockwood in “Singin’ in the Rain”. During her years dancing at Kathi’s, Megan took many gymnastics and dance classes including hip hop, completed her Cecchetti V exam, assisted and taught at the studio and participated in the Junior Membership program for Dance Masters of America. Megan was the 2006 recipient of the “Peggy Klinke Scholarship” and with that scholarship studied in Las Vegas, Nevada with many teachers at the National Dance Masters of America Convention. Throughout her high school years she participated in the “Easy Street Productions” in their Christmas and spring shows. This summer Megan will be attending Dance Masters Teachers Training School in Buffalo, New York.
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ERI RAIB:
Eri is joining KDGC for a third year, bringing her creative and entertaining tap choreography to life. She has trained for nearly 20 years, studying under master teachers including Ayodele Cassel, Barbara Duffy, and Michael Minery. She has a Bachelor of Arts from YSU, and is now pursuing an advanced degree in exercise science. Eri holds certifications from the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America and the National Exercise Trainers Association.
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SARAH BEST:
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