FACULTY

Sandy Glenn - Founder

Sandy is a Past President of the Cecchetti Council of America, a member of Cecchetti International and a Permanent Examiner for ballet exams. She holds the Advanced Certificate in the Method and is the Liaison Officer for Ontario Canada. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Psychology from Northwestern University and has studied and performed various methods of classical ballet and character. She taught in Howell for several years before opening Glenns’ School of Dance in 1977. As a member of the CCA Executive Board, she has also taught at workshops and the summer program for students and teachers at Michigan State University, Cleveland School of Ballet, and Hope College. She is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding service to the dance community.

Ginger Gray - Owner & Operator

Ginger is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Fine Arts degree in dance performance and choreography. While training there, she was a member of the University Dance Company and the recipient of several merit scholarships. She spent more than 15 years as an administrator and choreographer for an organization instructing pom and dance teams in the Midwest. She has passed through Cecchetti Grade 6 as both a student and a teacher, qualifying her to send teachers as well as students through the exam syllabus. She has served as a judge for regional and national dance competitions, a guest teacher for state art festivals, and a guest choreographer and visiting lecturer for Eastern Michigan University. She has been a member of the GSD faculty for more than 20 years.

Anni Ulman

Anni is a graduate of Michigan State University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and social work. While there, she continued her dance training under Dixie Durr studying various styles of jazz. She spent more than 10 years as an administrator and choreographer for an organization instructing pom and dance teams in the Midwest. She has been a part of our core faculty for more than 10 years, sought after for her movement style in jazz and lyrical combined with her approach to our young dancers. She is also a certified massage therapist, specializing in the kinesiology of the dancer’s physique

Jodie Austin

Jodie is an alumni of Performing Arts Dance Theater and a member of the Cecchetti Council of America, accomplishing five student and four teacher exams. She has been teaching all forms of dance and has been instrumental in developing our children’s program. She attended Michigan State University to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Development.

Jessica Williams

Jessica Williams grew up with Glenns' School of Dance, performed with PADT, and passed 5 Cecchetti Ballet exams as a student as well as her first teacher exam. She choreographed for concerts and shows while studying at Western Michigan University. After graduating she attended Everst Institute to become certified in Massage Therapy. Jessica is proficient in all forms of dance and has been successful in teaching students of all ages.

Alison Chekosky

Alison joined our staff many years ago after several years as a teaching assistant and substitute teacher with us. In high school, she was a member and captain of an award-winning high school dance team. Alison accomplished four Cecchetti ballet student exams and was a soloist with the Major Company of PADT. She is highly respected for her hiphop classes but is a well-rounded instructor in all forms of dance. We congratulate Alison on her recent graduation from Michigan State University with a degree in Hospitality Business.

Stacey Jackovich

Stacey has returned again as a much sought after instructor at our studio. Prior to starting her teaching career, she spent several years performing in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago on television shows and commercials. She is accomplished as a teacher and a performer in all fields of dance, as well as passing six Cecchetti student exams. She initially attended the University of Michigan on a dance scholarship, but completed her undergraduate work in Advertising at Michigan State University where she was the captain of the award-winning "Motion" Dance Team. Her choreography has won numerous awards nationwide and was recently showcased in Costa Rica.

Cara Zonca

Cara graduated from the University of Michigan as a merit scholarship student, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Movement Science minor with her training focused in ballet, contemporary, yoga and pilates. Prior to U of M, Cara was a principal dancer and soloist with Performing Arts Dance Theater, earning annual honors as an NYCDA Outstanding Dancer, and WCDE Elite Dancer. Additional honors include being a member of the University of Michigan Dance Team and scholarships to study at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City. She has accomplished seven levels of Cecchetti Ballet instruction. She has enriched many young dancers as a teacher with many studios in Michigan and Ohio. She has performed with many great artists in Ann Arbor and New York City. We are thrilled to welcome to our facility

Jordan Leonard

Jordan began her training with Glenns' in her early childhood. Since her start with us, she has excelled in all genres of dance, been an integral part of our company in residence as a principal dancer and soloist, been selected by our guest artists for group work as well as solo performances, and been recognized by all convention organizations that we attend as an "outstanding" and "elite" dancer - invited to perform solos in New York City and Las Vegas at various summer dance nationals. Recently, she was selected as the recipient of a prestigious scholarship to attend Point Park University in Pittsburgh where she may continue into a professional dance career. She has passed with high honors through her Cecchetti Grade Six, and we are thrilled to have her share her knowledge and inspiration with our next generation of dancers.

Amanda Tomlin

Amanda began her training with Glenns' in her early childhood. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. While attending college, Amanda taught and performed with the Rochelle Bertsch School of Ballet in Mount Pleasant. Amanda has been a member of the Cecchetti Council of America for over 20 years and holds her Advanced Professional teaching certification with the CCA. She currently is on the National Executive Board of Directors for the CCA and has been a recipient of the Eastern Michigan teaching scholarship to attend the International Summer School at Hope College.

Travis Staton-Marrero

Hailing from Puerto Rico, Travis began his dance training at a young age studying hip hop, breakdancing, latin ballroom, jazz, ballet, modern and contemporary. He continued his training, studying dance and theatre at Oakland University, and spent time studying at several professional studios in New York and Los Angeles. Travis is an avid hip hop instructor and choreographer throughout Southeast Michigan, teaching students of all ages at many studios in the area and at the American College Dance Festival. His professional experience includes principal roles as a dancer with the Sensuality Latin Dance Show, the Motown Music Awards, NHSMBA Hispanic Scholarship Fundraiser, Chicago Salsa Congress, and the Puerto Rican Travel and Tourism Company Performance. Other professional roles include The Wannabe’s TV Show, Miley Cyrus ensemble dancer, Motor City Movement, Michael Jackson Tribute and the Detroit Salsa Congress. Currently, Travis is the assistant artistic director of the Michigan Dance Project, and attends Michigan State University studying Theatre and Acting.

Samantha Socia

Samantha began her training with Glenns' in her early childhood. Since her start with us, she has excelled in all genres of dance, been an integral part of our company in residence as a principal dancer and soloist, and been selected by our guest artists for special group works. She has also been active as a featured dancer in many community theater projects. As a young dancer, she was recognized by all convention organizations that we attend as an "outstanding" and "elite" dancer - invited to perform solos in New York City and Las Vegas at various summer dance nationals. Since graduating from Howell High School, Samantha has been an integral part of our children’s faculty. We are thrilled to share her knowledge and inspiration with our next generation of dancers.

Jolin Cramer

Glenns’ School of Dance has been home to Jolin since she began studying Cecchetti ballet, jazz, and lyrical at a young age. She became a member of Performing Arts Dance Theater in 2010 and received great recognition from the convention staff - traveling to multiple nationals and receiving a scholarship to attend the Rockette Summer Intensive in 2016. Jolin fell in love with movement in high school and production in college. She graduated from Western Michigan University in 2020 with a B.A. in Dance and a Minor in Event Management; specializing in dance production. She was the president of the WMU Orchesis Dance Society, Student Ambassador for Partners in Dance, as well as a stage manager and/or performer in all of their dance concerts. Since graduation, Jo has toured the country as a Technician with New York City Dance Alliance, as a Production Manager at Onstage New York & as a Production Coordinator at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival - working with some of the most established dance professionals in America. On top of teaching at GSD, she is a cool aunt, a model, and a freelance graphic designer through her company Lights Jo. Jolin is truly a jack of all trades...master of all.

Alison Bloomquist

Alison began her training here at Glenn’s School of Dance, when she was three years old. She joined our company in residence, Performing Arts Dance Theater, when she was nine. In her time with PADT, Alison traveled to New York City in multiple seasons, to represent us as a Regional Outstanding Dancer and soloist at the New York City Dance Alliance Nationals. After graduating high school, Alison was selected as a member of the Michigan State University Dance Team, and performed with them during her four years at Michigan State. Upon graduating, Alison then became an assistant coach for the team, while at the same time completing her first season with the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders! In addition, Alison manages her own apparel line, The Walk, with her business partner and will be performing for another season with the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders - look for her on Sundays!