The Safer, Stronger Dancers & Instructors™ Summer Intensive

Founder of Broche Ballet and the International Adult Ballet Festival, specializes in teaching ballet to adults. Her superpower is understanding the unique challenges adults face when learning ballet.

 

She started ballet as an adult, was trained by a professional who started as an adult, and has spent more than a decade working with adults from all walks of life to realize their ballet dreams. Her background gives the unique ability to provide adult-oriented ballet programs and instruction that actually help dancers improve. 

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In addition to deep technical work, Julie is known for her signature Artistry classes where dancers let the music guide them, set their hearts on fire and reconnect with why they love ballet.

From her teaching apprenticeship under Beth Kurtz to continuing education with Veronica K, Cristina Michaels, Katja Treger, and performing on stage with lABF, and the Grand Ukranian Ballet, Julie constantly seeks new tools to spark those magical "lightbulb" moments for her students.

Maria Haralambis, M.Ed., NASM CES, FMT is a Ph.D. Candidate, Professor, Social Media Manager, Pre-Pro Ballet Teacher, & CEO of The Dance Scientist, L.L.C. You can see her featured in the November 2023 Dance Magazine issue in the section “What Dancers Can Learn from Sports Performance Training.” She serves 8 roles in boards and committees across organizations including HDC, IADMS, & NDEO. As a Pre-Pro Ballet Teacher, her students have attended: YAGP, Cecchetti Intensive, ABT, Grand Rapids Ballet, Florida Ballet, Portland Ballet, have won awards and scholarships, and some dance professionally.

 

She holds certifications in Stott Pilates, Acrobatic Arts, Cecchetti, Rock Tape, NASM Corrective Exercise, and First Aid. For her Masters Thesis, she conducted a research study in a Motor Learning lab that analyzed dancers’ balance using a computerized forceplate. She teaches at two studios, is a Social Media Manager for several dance studios, teaches an online Dance Kinesiology course to MFA students at Reinhardt University, and is a professor for an online course on NDEO’s platform for Dance Educators. Outside of that, her business offers products for Educators, such as Anatomy Posters, Flashcards, E-Books, Online Courses, her own Dance Science merch, her own blog, and Podcast.

With over 20 years of experience in all phases of dance, Brenda Stygar’s credits include Dancer and Ballet Mistress of Ohio Ballet from 1980 through 1987, dancer with Berkshire Ballet, Bristol Concert Ballet, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Resident Dance Company, and Western Washington Concert Dance Company. Her administrative positions have been Executive Director for the Tom Evert Dance Company, Development Director and Choreographer for Magical Theatre Company, and The Illusion Factory.

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Ms. Stygar served as the Director of the Northeast Ohio Dance Academy.

She also teaches ballet at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts and taught Creative Movement at Discovery Montessori School. She has choreographed for regional companies in Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, Illinois, and Washington, and has taught master classes throughout the United States, South America, and Central America.

In 2001 she was awarded a special grant from the New York Council for the Art to create a new work for the Albany-Berkshire Ballet.4

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Ms. Stygar holds a Bachelor's degree with a major in dance and a minor in education, graduating cum laude from Adelphi University outside New York City. She earned her accreditation in teaching Dance K-12 from Kent State University.

Suzanne is a 3x Emmy Award-winning makeup and special effects artist renowned for her expertise in Ultra High Definition (UHD) makeup application.

 

With decades of experience across film, television, commercials, and print, she has collaborated with Hollywood A-list celebrities, sports stars, and high-profile clients. Suzanne's early passion for makeup and costume design was influenced by her mother, a high-fashion model and clothing designer, and further inspired by family friend and Academy Award-winning actor Ben Johnson.

 

She honed her skills under the mentorship of industry legends such as Dick Smith and the Westmore brothers. As the Director of Education for Graftobian Makeup Company, Suzanne specializes in UHD makeup techniques and has been instrumental in developing products suited for high-resolution formats.

 

She also founded Natural Born Cosmetics in 2006 to address the unique skincare needs of on-camera performers. Her dedication to the craft and commitment to education have solidified her reputation as a leading figure in the makeup industry.

With over 40 years of experience in orthopedic and sports injury rehabilitation, Ronald J. Kleinman, PT, has worked extensively with professional dancers from the Dayton Ballet, Ohio Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, and performers from Carnival Cruise Line. His passion for dance medicine is deeply personal—his mother was a Radio City Rockette and ballet school owner, inspiring his dedication to dancer health and longevity.

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Ron has treated high school, college, and professional athletes, including players from the LA Rams, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Force, and division I-III collegiate teams, as well as athletes from the University of Akron, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. He specializes in Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction and has trained physical therapists nationwide in its treatment.

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A leader in his field, Ron served as President of the Ohio Physical Therapy Association, was a delegate to the American Physical Therapy Association for 20 years, and was appointed by two Ohio governors to the Ohio OT, PT, ATC Licensing Board. He continues to consult and treat private patients, bringing his vast expertise to dancers and athletes seeking injury prevention, recovery, and performance longevity.

Leah is a founding member of Cultivate Dance Project (Columbus, OH), where she not only dances but also choreographs and serves as the Assistant Rehearsal Director.

 

Her passion for dance and performance is matched by her dedication to teaching, having led classes for youth and adults in a variety of styles. Leah's dance journey began at age three, and she later honed her skills under Jeanne Morehart at Avondale Dance Center. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from The University of Akron, she performed in works like STREB Action Company's Akron Project and collaborated with choreographer Chloe Felesina from Ballet X.

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Her experiences as both a performer and teacher have shaped her approach to dance, with much of her work inspired by her personal journey and her work with others, including children with Autism at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

 

Leah’s passion lies in helping dancers connect with their artistry and embrace the transformative power of movement, whether on stage or in the studio.