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Cornelia Sampson
Cornelia Sampson, Artisitc Director of Michigan Ballet Theatre, began her training in Detroit with
Violette Armand. She was trained and examined the National Academy of Ballet syllabus. She continued
her studies at Les Grands Ballet Canadienne in Montreal, in New York at the School of American Ballet
and as a scholarship student at the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo where she was accepted into the
company.
Ms. Sampson has taught master classes for many organizations including, Interlochen Arts Academy,American Ballet Theatre, Oakland University and Burklyn Ballet Theatre, founded the
Rochester School of Dance and Cornelia’s School of Dance and Michigan Ballet Theatre. She has staged
and choreographed many works for MBT including a TV version of The Nutcracker that aired prime time
on national TV.
Her Students have been accepted into major companies including American Ballet Theatre,
New York City Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet Co, Pacific Northwest Ballet Co, Miami City Ballet
and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. As a private coach, her dancers have won numerous 1st place awards
and medals in recognized competitions. In 2007, she was named Outstanding Choreographer for her
piece entitled “After the Ball” which placed 1st at the Youth America Grand Prix Competition and
her school was named “Outstanding School”.
Samantha Shelton
Samantha Shelton, trained in Michigan with Rosemarie Floyd and in New York at the David Howard Dance Centre and the Joffrey Ballet with Francesca Corkle, Trinette Singleton and John Magnus. For the past 11 summers she has been on faculty for the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive at the Detroit Opera House and in addition to teaching, has choreographed and staged several works for the ABT Summer Intensive. Samantha was on the Interlochen Center for the Arts faculty for three summers and an adjunct professor of ballet at Wane State University for seven years. She graduated from the University of Michigan with an M.F.A. in Dance and a B.A. in Political Science. She also holds an M.A. in Performing Arts Administration from New York University.
Suzanne M. Hawkins
Suzanne M. Hawkins was trained in Michigan with Ruth Carney and has studied both the graded methods
of the Vaganova and Cecchetti Systems of Ballet. She has completed the teachers’ training courses
through Dimitri Roudenov (Ballet Intensive from Moscow,) Diina Bjorn (Norwegian National Ballet),
Jurgen Schneider (American Ballet Theatre), and Finis Jhung. She began her teaching career in 1981
after performing with the Detroit City Ballet Company. Ms. Hawkins has been on staff at Oakland
University Department of Music, Theater and Dance, and The Institute of Music and Dance (Center for Creative Studies). She was Ballet Master for Eisenhower Dance Ensemble and has taught master classes throughout the area. Her students have received acceptances to professional summer programs as well as scholarships and professional employment to Major Ballet companies throughout the United States.
DeAnne Essian
DeAnne Essian, received her professional training with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and at
Western Michigan University where she was awarded a full scholarship for the Bachelor of Fine Arts
Program. Essian continued her training on scholarship at the Joffrey School in N.Y. where she
performed with the Joffrey II Co. She is currently teaching at the Rochester School of Dance
where she is also founder and Director of Grace Dance Ensemble
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Kimberly Maljik,
Kim Maljak a full time Dance & Health teacher at West Bloomfield High School,
received her teaching certification in Dance & Health at Wayne State University
and also holds a Bachelors in Performing Arts from Oakland University where she
performed on the Oakland University Dance Team.
Ms. Maljak preformed for six years
on the NBA Detroit Pistons Automation Dance Team, has choreographed and coached for
the varsity dance teams at Warren Woods Tower High School for twelve years, and has been
on the faculty of The Rochester School of Dance and Cornelia’s School of Dance for ten years.
Her competition team has won many platinum and gold medals at recognized competitions.
Michael Hicks,
Training: Toni Lewis, Luigi, Joe Tremaine, Frank Hatchet,
Gus Giordano.
Professional Affiliation: Mid-America Dance Theatre
- Toured with National Companies of Jesus Christ Superstar,
The Wiz, Kiss Me Kate. Held Titles: "Mr. Michigan
Talent", "Mr. North American Talent".
Teaching Credits: Faculty member: Wichita State University,
Virginia School of the Arts.
Mykh Poole
Mykh Poole, homegrown dancer/entertainer, who was born and raised in Detroit MI.
Mykh, a natural born dancer, started winning over crowds by the tender age of 8.
He later honed his dancing talent by taking Hip-Hop and Jazz classes at a local dance studio.
His technique and strong performance skills led him to a Hip-Hop Company competitive team which
was 1st place platinum/gold successful in over 15 competitions.
His dance ability has also enabled
him to perform for major recording artists such a Mary J. Blige, T.I and Lil Flip.
Currently he performs for local recording artists and teaches as he continues on the road to
stardom. He hopes his drive as well as talent in dancing, singing, and acting will lead him to
be on of the biggest entertainers the world has yet to see.
Kathy Fush,
Training: Marygrove College, Oakland University, Romeo
Civic Dance Center.
Performing Credits: Oakland Dance Theatre.
Teaching credits: Oakland University, Romeo Community
School System.
Jennifer Ojala
Jennifer Ojala, former director of Dance Force and Cre8tive Fine Arts, trained locally
and was selected to perform with Oakland University’s modern division in her senior year.
She both choreographed and performed in the Little Mermaid Sesame Street tour, HBO's A Night
of Comedy and Entertainment, and with Molly M and ABU Tours. Ojala is currently teaching at
RSD and is a dance coach and choreographer for the Elite Junior Olympics team.
Terrye J. Mock, MA, LLPC
Terrye recieved a Bachelor of Arts with a major in dance from Butler University Indianapolis Indiana.
Her professional career began as principal dancer with The Indianapolis Ballet Theatre under the direction of George Verdak, a long time member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and continued with The Texas Ballet under the direction of Soili Arvola and Leo Ahonen. Terrye has used her movement and music skills in a variety of settings: early childhood centers, senior residential homes and those living with traumatic brain injuries. In addition to her commitment to Cornelia's School of Dance, Terrye is a mental health professional licensed by the State of Michigan.
Donna Tomassi,
Eastern Michigan University.
Training: Charmaine & Cathy Schick, Bill Payne,
Bruce Stegman, John Cruthman, Nathan Prevost.
Performance and Choreography Honors: Eastern Michigan
University.
Teaching Credits: Rochester School of Dance, Cornelia's
School of Dance, Clayton Academy, R.D. Dance.
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