DDDS Teachers
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At DDDS, our classes are led by highly qualified dance professionals who are deeply committed to nurturing children's development into well-rounded dancers. Our dedicated staff fosters an environment that supports students in building self-esteem and forming lasting friendships with their peers.
Cindy Hixson
Director/Owner/Tap
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Cindy, daughter of Dianna Durkin Wiggins, assumed ownership of the studio in 2015. As the Director, Cindy is dedicated to fostering a safe and nurturing environment where students can learn from highly qualified instructors. Alongside our esteemed faculty, Cindy emphasizes the development of lifelong attributes, such as integrity, leadership, responsibility, and professionalism Her goal is to cultivate a welcoming and supportive dance community, ensuring every student feels valued and appreciated.
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Cindy's dance journey began at the age of two at DDDS and continued at the canton Ballet and the University of Akron. Throughout her career, she has studied under numerous master dance teachers across the country. She is certified to teach through Dance Masters of America and Dance Masters of Ohio. Cindy now specializes in tap, her first passion, and aims to create an inspiring environment where dancers can enhance their skills and express their creativity. She remains committed to advancing her expertise in Tap and studio management through conventions online seminars, and ongoing eductions. Cindy is dedicated to maintaining DDDS's esteemed reputation as a top-tier dance studio in North East Ohio and the Akron/Green community.
Dianna Durkin Wiggins
Founder
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Dianna Durkin, while still a student at Green High School, was entrusted with the studio by her dance teacher, Martha Galvin Fritz. Upon assuming ownership in 1960, Dianna inherited a modest roster of just five students. Within two years, she successfully expanded the studio to over 100 students. Dianna takes immense pride in the legacy of her former students, many of whom have enrolled their children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren—a testament to the enduring quality and high standards upheld by DDDS.
Dianna remains a vital source of mentorship, guidance, and inspiration for both teachers and students at the studio. Her continued involvement exemplifies her unwavering commitment to excellence, and her name remains on the door as a lasting symbol of her exemplary leadership and dedication.
Tara Beamish
Pre-Dance & Tap
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​Tara, a distinguished alumna of DDDS, has dedicated over 20 years to teaching at the studio. She began her dance journey as a member of the Green High School Dance Team and continued her education with additional dance classes at Kent State University. Tara has also enhanced her expertise by studying with renowned master teachers in New York City and at various conventions.
While Tara has a profound appreciation for all dance styles, tap remains her favorite. She is passionate about imparting her love for dance to young students, ensuring that their early experiences in dance classes are both educational and enjoyable. Tara is committed to creating memorable and enriching dance experiences for her students.
Lydia Hacker
Jazz & Hip Hop
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Lydia Hacker has been dancing for over 20 years. She began her training as a competitive dancer, and she continued to pursue her love through her college career. Lydia graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Akron with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Dance.
During her college career Lydia performed with the University of Akron Dance Company and the University of Akron Dance Team. Lydia has had the opportunity to perform as a backup dancer for artists such as Train, LL Cool J, Montell Jordan, and DJ Khaled. Lydia has worked as a Company Dancer for CDP Company, a professional contemporary fusion company based in the Cleveland area.
Lydia is thrilled to go into her fourth season as an NBA Dancer with the Cleveland Cavaliers Dance Team. During her time with the Cavaliers, Lydia has served as a team captain, performed with the team at the 2022 NBA All Star game, and represented the team at the 2024 NBA Paris Game.
Lydia is very passionate about dance education, and when she is not performing, she is a certified dance adjudicator with multiple dance competitions. More than anything, Lydia loves to be in the studio, passing her love of dance on to her students!
Matthew Venus
Ballet/Contemporary/Acrobatic
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​Matthew began his dance training at Jackson School for the Arts and various studios throughout Northeast Ohio. In his final two years of high school, he interned as an assistant teacher under Megan Seemann. During his senior year, he joined Canton Ballet as a full-time company member, performing in a range of ballets choreographed by Cassandra Crowley, Jennifer Hayward, Angelo Lemmo, and Laura Alonso.
Following his graduation, Matthew pursued further dance studies at the University of Akron, where he performed in multiple productions and attended masterclasses with esteemed companies including Abraham In Motion, Koresh Dance, Christopher K. Morgan & Artists, and Groundworks Dance Theatre. He then earned a full scholarship to the School of Cleveland Ballet Trainee Program, where he trained under Gladisa Guadalupe and Rainer Diaz.
Matthew is also a certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, with specialized training in aerial spotting and progressions, as well as coursework in choreography and floorwork.
Heather Muzic
Ballet/Pointe
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Heather pursued her studies in Dance Performance and Education at the University of Akron, where she received comprehensive training in ballet, pointe, modern, and jazz from distinguished instructors including Andy Carroll, Lana Carroll, Jerry Burr, Inna Stabrova, Tom Smith, and Priscilla Wagner. During her time at the University, she performed with Akron's Repertory Dance Company and represented the institution at The American College Dance Festival. Additionally, Heather has enhanced her expertise through classes with renowned organizations such as the Joffrey Ballet, Ohio Ballet, Ohio Dance Theatre, Jennifer Muller Dance Company, Inlet Dance Theatre, and Broadway Dance Center.
Heather began her teaching career at Angela's Dance Studio and has since dedicated herself to teaching full-time at various dance studios across Northeast Ohio, including Studio 82 and the Noreen Londegren School of Dance. Her involvement extends beyond studio instruction to after-school enrichment programs for movement in Solon and Cleveland Heights, as well as summer projects with the Music Settlement.
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Dusty Spraggins
PreDance/Dance With Me/Adult Tap
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Dusty is delighted to return to Dianna Durkin Dance Studio, where she is a cherished alumna and has been teaching for over 30 years. Her extensive experience includes participation in numerous dance conventions and competitions. Dusty remains committed to her professional development through online courses and programs tailored to teaching young dancers.
Her most significant qualification is her extensive hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge acquired over the years. Dusty has a special talent for engaging with our youngest students, who greatly admire her teaching style. Parents appreciate her patience and the high quality of the dance classes she delivers. Dusty excels in making PreDance classes enjoyable while imparting fundamental dance skills and preparing students for stage performances.
Our goal is to foster a lifelong love of dance in our young students, and Dusty is a master at achieving this. We eagerly anticipate seeing her students shine in our annual recital, where they consistently "steal the show"
Jordon Matthew
Musical Theatre Teacher
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Jordon first began studying dance at Jackson School for the Arts, and after graduating, moved to New York City full-time to study Musical Theatre in college and pursue it as a career. He began to find success in the New York theatre and dance scene while also spending any extra time he had at the Broadway Dance Center learning from top Broadway choreographers, and getting his foot in any audition room door he could. Jordon also studied Voice with the acclaimed Badiene Magaziner, where he was introduced to some of the best performers, producers, choreographers, etc. New York has to offer.
Eventually the pandemic brought him back to Cleveland where he has gone on to Dance Captain and Choreograph many productions around the Northeast, Ohio region, including shows such as, Matilda the Musical, Gypsy, 9 to 5 the Musical, Kinky Boots, Something Rotten, The Sound of Music and many more.
RaeAnna Lewis
Ballet/Jazz/PreAcro
RaeAnna began her dance training at the age of three and has developed a diverse skill set over the years. During her final two years of high school, RaeAnna was immersed in all genres of dance at DDDS, where she also competed in solos, duets, and group performances. In her senior year, she served as an assistant teacher at DDDS. Prior to this, she trained with the Canton Ballet, including participation in the Canton Jazz Company under Megan Seemann.
Currently, RaeAnna is a freshman at The University of Akron, pursuing a degree in Social Work with aspirations of adding a Dance Minor. She actively participates in the University’s Ballroom Dance Club, Emerging Leaders, and her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. RaeAnna has also served as a Ballet in the City Ambassador, promoting ballet as an art form.
Her extensive training includes master classes with renowned dancers such as Misty Copeland (ABT), Carlos Lopez (ABT), Zippora Karz (NYC Ballet), and members of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. RaeAnna is thrilled to return to DDDS this year as a teacher, where she enjoys sharing her passion for dance with younger students.
