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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.
Shannon Murphy
Shannon Murphy, a native of Michigan, received her training at Charmaine’s School of Dance where she studied with Charmain and Kathy Schick and notables Madame Natalie Krassovska, Luigi, Roger Van Fleteren, Melissa Thodos and many other renowned dancers and choreographers. She continued her studies at Butler University where she earned her BFA in Dance Performance and graduated with High Honors. Following her graduation from Butler, she received a contract with Jean Ann Ryan Productions, traveling and performing with the company for two years. While with the company, she performed as a Dancer/Singer in three production shows: Runnin’ Wild featuring songs and original choreography from the musical Fosse, Sea Legs Cirque (a Cirque du Soleil style show), and Hey! Mr. Producer (a Broadway show produced by Cameron Mackintosh). In addition to dance and vocal roles with the company she also performed as a pas de deux and adagio soloist, an aerialist on the Spanish Web, and as “Louise”, a main character from the musical Carousel with original choreography by Agnes de Mille. She has also performed in Ballet International’s Nutcracker and with the Broadway Theatre Project’s production of “Submerge” directed by Ann Reinking.
Suzanne Kirsch
Suzanne Kirsch, holds a BA in Dance from Butler University and a BA in dance from the University of Iowa where she was an academic and dance scholarship recipient
studying under the renowned artist and principal ballerina Francoise Martinet. She is trained in Russian, French and American ballet styles as well as character and modern dance. She has studied with notables Mansur Kamaletdinov, former Artistic Director of The Bolshoi Ballet, Gretchen Ward Warren, former Ballet Mistress for American Ballet Theatre, and National Ballet of Canada’s Sorella Englund. Ms. Kirsch brings a wealth of knowledge to her classes. She believes that ballet is a disciplined art form that requires perseverance, hard work, and a sense of humor to master, and is necessary and complimentary to the study of other dance forms.
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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, is a homegrown dancer/entertainer who was born in Detroit, MI. Mykh, a natural born dancer, started winning over crowds at the tender age of 8. He later honed his dancing talent by training at Fem Fatale dance studio and Urban Jamm Convention where he studied Hip Hop, Break Dancing, Lyrical and jazz and His strong technique and performance skills led him to a Hip Hop Company Competitive Team that won 1st Place Platinum/Gold in over 15 competitions. He has performed for Detroit Automotion Dance Team, Detroit Shock Dance Team and the Fem Fatale Hip Hop Co. and was the opening act for major recording artists Mary J. Blige, T.I., and Lil Flip., Mykh is currently teaching and choreographing for RSD’s competitive team. His choreography has earned Gold and Platinum awards at major competitions
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 Universitys 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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