Matthew Venus

Ballet/Contemporary/Tap Teacher

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Matthew began his dance training at Jackson School for the Arts and at various dance studios and summer programs throughout Northeast Ohio.  His last two years of high school, he interned with Megan Seemann as an assistant teacher to beginner dancers and was the dance captain for Jackson High Schools production of "Cinderella."  During his senior year, Matthew was a full-time company member with the canton Ballet under Cassandra Crowley and Jennifer Hayward and other ballets choreographed by Angelo Lemmo and Cassandra Crowley.  After graduation, Matthew attended the University of Akron for two years where he studied and performed dance while taking masterclasses from professional companies like Abraham in Motion, Koresh Dance, Christopher K. Morgan and Artists, Groundworks Dance Theatre, and others.  Matthew then accepted a full-scholarship to the School of Cleveland Ballet Trainee Program, where he trained under the amazing Gladisa Guadalupe and Rainer Diaz from July to December of 2019.  Matthew has choreographed for Jackson's Dance Showcase and Arts Extravaganza and was commissioned to choreograph pieces for their showcase in 2019.

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Heather Muzic

Ballet/Pointe Teacher

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Heather attended the University of Akron to study Dance Performance and Education.  While attending the University, she studied ballet, pointe, modern and jazz under Andy Carroll, Lana Carroll, Jerry Burr, Inna Stabrova, Tom Smith and Priscilla Wagner. She performed with Akron's Repertory  Dance Company and represented Akron at The American College Dance Festival. She has also attended classes with the Joffrey Ballet, Ohio Ballet, Ohio Dance Theatre, Jennifer Muller Dance Company, Inlet Dance Theatre and Broadway Dance Center. Heather started her teaching career at Angela's Dance Studio and over the past ten years has made teaching her full time job at various dance studios across Northeast Ohio including Studio 82 and Noreen Londegren School of Dance. Heather has also been involved with after school enrichment programs for movement in Solon and Cleveland Heights as well as summer projects with Music Settlement.  

Angeline Wellock

Pre-Dance Teacher

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Angeline Wellock rejoins DDDS in 2020 as the Pre-Dance teacher.  She previously taught Creative Movement classes and workshops both in the studio and pre-school environment.  She has a background as an Early Childhood teacher with a Bachelors from Kent State University and has her Masters in Education from Bowling Green State University.  She has a background in Musical Theater, Show Choir, and as a Performance Vocalist.  Angeline has a unique way of having young children learn to come out of their shell and fostering their creative abilities.  It is guaranteed that the kids will have fun while finding ways to express themselves through dance

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Caitlin Dennis

Hip Hop / Jazz Teacher

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Caitlin is thrilled to be back teaching at DDDS where her dance career started 23 years ago at the age of 4! With over 16 years both learning and teaching here, her dedication and love of all modalities of Dance has always been an integral part of her life.

Caitlin attended Green High School and was a member of the highly awarded competition Dance and Cheer teams traveling as far as Georgia to compete. Like many DDDS students, she went on to College to study Dance.  She was chosen to train and perform for four years with the prestigious University of Akron Dance Company being cast in both student and faculty choreographed works. She was also chosen to train and perform with STREB Extreme Action and uses all of her experiences in her own choreography.  Caitlin received her B.F.A. from the University of Akron in Dance in 2015.

After graduation she began her professional dance career with the Seven Dance Co in Columbus, Ohio. Caitlin performed on the production of “Song of The Stars” that premiered at The Capitol Theater and was made into a 360 degree planetarium film that can still be seen at COSI, Gateway Film Center, PBS and planetariums worldwide. 

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Connie Fleming

Musical Theater Teacher

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Conni Fleming began her dance training right here at the Dianna Durkin Dance Studio in Green, continuing her education at the Canton Ballet and the University of Akron. Ms. Fleming toured extensively with several dance companies, among them the Atlanta Ballet, Memphis Ballet, and Mississippi Ballet Theatre.  She has been the recipient of the National Craft of Choreography Scholarship, and has worked with Jerry Burr, Jill- Eathorne Bahr, and Robert Barnett, among others. 
Her musical credits include West Side Story ( Anita ) , Hello Dolly, My Fair Lady, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, A Chorus Line ( Val, Sheila, Swing) ,several cabaret engagements as well as other shows in New York City. 
Her choreography has been presented at the Players Guild in Canton ,( The Club), Hudson Players ( Mary Poppins, and  1776 for which she was honored by the Ohio Community Theatre Association in 2016 for excellence in choreography) as well as the Akron area premier of Young Frankenstein at Weathervane Theatre. 
Most recently Conni has been the resident choreographer for the popular Stow Munroe Falls High School All School Musicals. Her credits include Oklahoma, Music Man, My Fair Lady, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, and this year’s production of Guys and Dolls. 
Conni is very excited to be coming back “home” where it all began to share her love of Musical Theatre and the wonderful dancing that grace the Broadway stages.  She is looking forward to work with the amazing students at DDDS. 

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