I am the owner and director of the Fort Wayne School of Dance since July 2002. My husband, Jeff and I purchased the FWSD from Nancy McKaig in which she owned the studio for over 30 years. I have been in the dance world since I was 19 years of age and love every minute of it. I was an instructor for FWSD and from there I developed and instructed the Intro to Jazz class at the University of Saint Francis. I developed the University of Saint Francis Dance Team and was the Head Dance Coach for five years. Jeff and I currently have five children and our three oldest are all active in the studio. FWSD has been our family and our home for the last five years.

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Hi. My name is Miss Mary. I was introduced to my first pair of tap and ballet shoes at the age of 4, and danced my way all through high school. In 1990, I was bitten by the “dance bug” again, after enrolling in an adult jazz class at the Fort Wayne School of Dance, where my daughter was already taking classes. Two years later, I had the opportunity to get back into tap, my true passion, and in 1995, I was invited to teach my first class. Since then, I have had the joy of sharing my love of dance with students of all ages. On a personal note, I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in elementary education. In 1977, I married my wonderful hubby Don, and we’ve called Fort Wayne our home since 1982. We have two grown children (Christina and Matthew), a beautiful grandson (Dillon), and two lovable golden retrievers (Libby and Chloe).

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I began dance in Jr. High and continued through high school. I then came to the Fort Wayne School of Dance in 1984 as a student. I started teaching in 1986, and I have taught all ages and styles of dance since then. I married my husband Eric in 1989. After a move approximately 1 hour away and the birth of our first child I left the Fort Wayne School of Dance in1994. I then began teaching at Elaine's dance studio in Ligonier, IN. We moved back to Fort Wayne in 1997 and after the birth of our second child, I resumed teaching at the Fort Wayne School of Dance in 1998. I have been there ever since, and have added child number 3 to our family. I've participated in many dance conventions in Chicago, Indianapolis & Cincinnati. I've also judged many talent competitions and coached cheerleading. I'm excited to have been a part of the Fort Wayne School of Dance for so long and continuing into the future.

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Originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, I received my BA in Dance from Muhlenberg College in 2002. I went on for my graduate studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where I received my Master of Education in Dance in 2003. Within my education, I had the opportunity to study under such distinguished dance educators like: Karen Dearborn, Luke Kahlich, Claire Byrne, Rebecca Lazier, Ann Vachon, and Brad Parquette. After moving to the Midwest in the summer of 2003, I began teaching dance throughout the Fort Wayne area, which I continue to do today. Currently, I am an Associate Faculty member of dance in the Department of Theatre at IPFW and an adjunct faculty member in dance for the University of Saint Francis. I am also the modern technique teacher for the New American Youth Ballet Conservatory. In the evenings, I teach dance technique for Fort Wayne School of Dance and Northeast School of Dance.

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My name is Bethany Shefferly. I have been dancing since age five. I started my dance education at Northeast School of Dance but came to the Fort Wayne School of Dance in 1997 and have been here ever since. I began teaching at FWSD in high school and have continued my career as a dance instructor into adulthood. In addition to teaching at FWSD, I also am the head dance team coach at the university of Saint Francis. I graduated from Bishop Dwenger High School in 2000, where I was a member of the Po Squad. In 2004 I received my BA in Psychology from the University of Saint Francis. At USF, I was a 4 year member and captain of the Dance Team. I currently reside in Fort Wayne with my loving and supportive husband, Anthony.

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My name is Leah VanCleave. I'm a dance instructor and a hair stylist. I started dancing at age three with Fort Wayne School of Dance. I danced at North Side High School and taught for 4 years, received studio dancer of the year, the Amy Bass award, and the choreographers award in 2000-2001. In 2001-2002 I danced and choreographed for University of Saint Francis. Since then I have taught at various schools and workshops around Indiana and Ohio. Since 2002 I have taught at FWSD and have loved every minutes of it! It's a wonderful place to be!

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I first became associate with FWSD when I took my daughter Debra to dance class at age 4 back in 1976. I started working part time at the desk around 1985 and became office manager in 1990, which has continued to the present. I have had many enjoyable years working with the students, parents and staff, and I hope to have many more. I married my husband Dave back in 1969, and besides my daughter Debra, who is currently living in NYC teaching dance and continuing her dance performance, I have a son Doug who is married and resides in Fort Wayne with his wife Joy. I have three cats and one dog and also work at a pre-school teaching 2 year olds at a parent day out program at a church four mornings a week. I love to keep busy and really enjoy working with children. It is always very exciting to see everyone each September and start a new year.

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Hi, my name is Heidi Eicheinger! I have been dancing since the age of three. I first came to the studio in 1998 for one year, but left and came back in 2001 because I loved it so much! I was on the Northrop Dance Team for 3 years. I graduated in 2007. I'm currently a nursing student at the University of St. Francis, and a member of their dance team. All the years that I have been a student I can now apply my technique to my students!

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I have had experience and training from various organizations in the performing arts. I began my dancing career at the age of five. I have competed in local and regional dance competitions with a variety of studios. In high school I was on the dance squad for four years and on the cheer squad for a year. Son after graduation, I made the dance team for the University of Saint Francis Cougars and was team captain for two years. We performed at all home football and basketball games, which included poms, jazz, and hip hop routines. I was also a member of the Fort Wayne Fusion football dance team, know as The Energy. In between teaching classes I am also taking classes to continue to advance in my dance experience and knowledge. I am currently working full time in health care as a Physical Therapist Assistant.

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Hi, my name is Kari. I started at the Fort Wayne School of Dance when I was six years old. I was the first recipient of the Nancy McKaig scholarship in 2002. I have done all types of dance but tap I have picked up the best. I danced up Snider's dance team for one year. I graduate from High School in June of 2008 from Snider High School I will be attending the University of Saint Francis in fall of 2008 for Physical Therapy. I enjoy teaching tap and clogging at the Fort Wayne School of Dance.

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Hello! My name is Tonni Deckard, and I teach the tumbling classes at Fort Wayne School of Dance. As a child I took gymnastics until high school where I chose to compete in track and basketball. I have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Purdue University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Olivet Nazarene University. Since 1995 I have been a sixth grade teacher at Bellmont Middle School in Decatur. While teaching middle school I have also coached track and drama. I grew up in Ossian but now live in Fort Wayne with my cat and dog. I am looking forward to another great year at Fort Wayne School of Dance.

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