Cleveland City Dance Studio in Cleveland, Ohio is owned by Courtney J. Laves-Mearini who is also their Director. She is also the Artistic and Executive Director for their pre-professional company, non-profit City Ballet of Cleveland. City Ballet is in residence as an additional opportunity for performing and for those dancers that are more serious with their training. They also have a professional contemporary company, GroundWorks Dance Theater, which offers their more advanced dancers the chance to take classes with professionals and watch their rehearsal process.
The mission at Cleveland City Dance is to instill an appreciation and love for the art of dance by educating their students in the disciplines of ballet, jazz, tap, modern, Pilates, hip-hop and more. Their environment encourages children and adults to excel at their individual pace and reach their full potential while building self-esteem.
The principal goal of Cleveland City Dance is to offer a place where people can learn to dance, meet new people, have fun and feel comfortable. This applies to those looking to have a career in dance and those wishing to pursue dance for recreation and health.
Courtney believes their dance studio differs from other dance studios because they offer personalized attention by limiting class sizes. Also, their teachers are patient and experienced teachers willing to give their attention to all students. In addition, they provide students with written evaluations twice a year, with the option to schedule personal conferences that help to educate the parents and encourage the students.
Cleveland Dance offers career guidance for those aspiring to be professional dancers, pursue dance in college and find other dance related opportunities.
Courtney has had many wonderful moments happen over the years. When the dancers’ blossom and shine in a role it brings tears to her eyes, especially as they spread their wings and graduate well prepared to have their life’s journey unfold before them whether in a career as a dancer or in some other field unrelated to dance.
She believes the biggest mistakes dancers make is wanting their skills and abilities to happen immediately and not be patient and understand it takes time, effort and practice to mature. Not everyone can be at the top of the class at the same time or get to the advanced level at the same speed. Dancers have different attributes they can use to shine in dance. Unfortunately, our bodies can limit our capabilities when it comes to any physical activity. Each dancer finds some dance genres easier and some harder. She believes that students can stand in their own way and delay their progressing and reaching their goals if they are unwilling to listen honestly to what is being said and what their bodies are telling them; in this way, they can sabotage themselves and blame others.
Cleveland City’s goals for next year are to be organized and calm during the chaotic periods, including during Nutcracker season and as they prepare for their spring shows and attend Regional Dance America Northeast Festival in Philadelphia.
Rather than start her own studio, Courtney assumed ownership of an existing studio. She was tired of having little say in most of the programs in the studio where she was teaching, specifically when it came to the ballet classes and how often students were taking class.
On Saturday, November 22, 2014, Cleveland City Dance will present their annual Sugarplum Tea to benefit the City Ballet of Cleveland at the Cleveland Skating Club in Shaker Heights. Meet and greet your beloved characters from The Uniquely Cleveland Nutcracker. There will be a bountiful dessert buffet with their special tea or hot chocolate and their special photographer will be there to take your photo with the Sugar Plum Fair or other favorite character. You will also have the opportunity to make your own crown or wand. There will also be raffle tickets for fantastic prizes! For details, please visit City Ballet of Cleveland.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Cleveland City Dance Studio or Courtney J. Laves-Mearini.
If you are interested in learning more about Cleveland City Dance, City Ballet of Cleveland or GroundWorks Dance, check their website at http://www.clevelandcitydance.com, call them at 216-295-2222, or email them at info@clevelandcitydance.com. You can also find them on Facebook.
