Faculty
Dianne Savelli
Our founder and director of 44 years, Dianne Savelli, lost her valiant battle with cancer in August of 2024. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives that she touched during that time, and through her three daughters; who are dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming space in her memory.
Jennifer Savelli (Co-Director)
Jennifer has danced professionally for 20 years and has taught all forms of dance at studios across the country sharing her vast knowledge and love for the performing arts. She is a member of the permanent Guest Faculty at the Rock School in Philadelphia and has taught at Akron University and Pennsylvania
University's Dance Arts Company. She also has served as Director and Choreographer for Princess and Radisson Cruises. Jennifer likes to encourage the importance of being proficient in and respectful to as many forms of dance as possible in order to have the freedom and flexibility to make the choices desired for a long career in dance.
As a performer, Jennifer was a member of the Pennsylvania Ballet for four years and a Radio City Music Hall Rockette in Las Vegas under the Dirction of Maurice Hines. Broadway shows include Guys and Dolls, The Boy From Oz, Dance of the Vampires, and Fosse. First National tours include Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, and Fosse. Off-Broadway City Center Encores! productions include Bells Are Ringing, Applause, Kismet, and No Strings. Movies: CHICAGO, and most recently in the short "Not Your Time". She has performed in several television award shows including The Kennedy Center Honors (honoring both Chita Rivera and Steve Martin), The Tonys, The Academy Awards, The MTV Movie Awards, and The VMA's with J.Lo and Ja Rule. Also, the PBS series Broadway: The American Musical. She recently got to workshop Bruce Lee: Journey To the West with Dou Dou Huang. You can see Jennifer in Roundabout Theater's upcoming Revival Anything Goes!
Come join us for Zumba! In addition to her many credits, Jennifer is a certified Zumba instructor. She loves teaching it to everyone of all ages and levels. No previous dance training necessary... it's fun, fabulous, and a great way to trick your body into a fantastic workout! Whether or not you've ever Salsa's or Samba'd.. you'll soon be dancing your new moves at weddings and fun celebrations alike! Come try class and you'll be hooked!!
Juliette Savelli (Co-Director)
Juliette began her training with her mother, Dianne. She was trained in classical ballet in the Professional Division of the School of Cleveland Ballet. She also studied at the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Center in Chicago and has studied with master teachers in New York. Juliette's abilities to teach and choreograph are second to none, but her dedication to the instruction of accurate and safe technique is evident in all of her classes. She is exceptional in providing our preschoolers with a fun, yet structured, first encounter with dance. Juliette is also certified to teach Zumba. Together with her twin, Jennifer, she creates a fun, high energy class!
Sarah Savelli (Co-Director)
Sarah, known for her "intricate footwork yet easygoing sensuality" (Dance Magazine 2007), has a style that is distinct and exciting. She began her dance training with her mother, Dianne, at an early age in Cleveland and has since grown to be among the most respected tap dancers of her generation. As a proactive force in the dance field she has consistently created opportunities to keep Tap in the public eye. Sarah has been commissioned twice by Playhouse Square, the second largest performing arts center in the country to create, choreograph and present her original work "Tap Into Peace"; a show with the incredible music of Stevie Wonder as its inspiration and soundtrack. "Tap Into Peace" made its debut at City Center's Fall for Dance. In December of 2006, Sarah performed a One-Woman show at Symphony Space in New York and for the past three years has co-produced "Tappy Holidays!" in New York, Montana and Cleveland. Sarah served as Artistic Director and Choreographer for Rhythm ISS..., an all female Chicago based Tap Company she co-founded in 1995. The group was hailed by Dance Magazine as a quintet of women tappers impressive as much for their exuberant spirit as for their blistering footwork. Sarah has lent her talents to tap companies and productions such as Manhattan Tap (Heather Cornell, Artistic Director), Beauteez n the Beat (Roxane Butterfly, Artistic Director) and Especially Tap Chicago (Bruce Stegmann, Artistic Director). Most recently, she performed in Savion Glover's "STePz" at the Joyce Theater in NYC.
Angela Almasy
Angela started dance training at Savelli's at age 5, became a teacher assistant at 13, and started teaching classes at age 16.
Angela loves dance for the way it lets her express her love for music through movement and visual creativity. Her best memories are from the dance studio, where she’s found a lifelong community. Teaching gives Angela the opportunity to share her passion for dance and mentor students the way she was mentored by Mrs. Savelli and Miss Juliette. Outside of dance, she enjoys travel, fitness and sports.
Tiffany Besselman
Carolyn Bondra
Carolyn started dancing at Savelli's at 3 years old and was a member of the Savelli Dance Performance Group. Carolyn was on the dance team and was a cheerleader at the University of Mount Union.
Carolyn loves getting to know & share her experience with her students. Getting to see them develop new skills and become not just amazing dancers but people as well, is one of the biggest blessings. In her classes, Carolyn likes to have fun, do new choreography (maybe to some Disney Music), learn new skills and work hard (just ask her jumps and turns classes). Outside of dance, she likes to spend time with family and be outside in the sun!
Jason Coles
Jason began his Martial Arts training with Master Guy Savelli nearly 24 yrs ago, and has trained ever since. For last 15 yrs or so, he hastaught the Youth Martial Arts program at Savelli's where we have students from 3 to 18.
Martial arts helps Mr. Jay stay in shape and keeps his body strong, supple and flexible. It strengthens his mind, body, and spirit on a daily basis. Martial Arts has been a path to meeting interesting and quality people, while also being a wonderful way to have a positive influence on young people. As The Master use to say, we are "molding young lives." You can find him in the lobby welcoming parents and students with friendly greetings. In class, you'll focus on strength, coordination, balance, and movements while practicing kicks, strikes, and techniques. Expect to have a lot of fun learning energetic moves, breaking boards, and enhancing your speed! Outside of the studio, Mr. Jay’s favorite hobby is "TV-time" with his wife (who also happens to be Miss Juliette). He enjoys cooking and baking, but lately he’s probably outside tending to his vegetable garden. “You can't beat fresh cucumbers and green beans!”
Robin Channell
Robin started dance at age 3 and transitioned to Savelli’s at age 11 to continue her training. Post graduation, Robin attended Dance Masters of America for 4 years where she earned a certification with the DMA teacher training school.
What Robin cherishes most about dance is the profound connection it fosters between the mind, body, and spirit for both dancers and choreographers. She also appreciates dance for its demand for dedication and resilience, all while instilling a deep sense of personal achievement. Additionally, she believes it is the most exquisite form of art imaginable. In Robin’s classes, students can expect a safe and structured environment set up for all of her dancers to succeed to their fullest potential. Robin’s students will receive quality instruction in dance technique, terminology, and musicality while remembering to have fun a long the way. Outside of dance, Robin enjoys reading a good book or getting lost in a movie. She also has fun spending time with friends and family, as well as exploring nature with her dog.
Bobby Ford
With over 20 years of performing experience, Bobby holds a Multidisciplinary Fine Arts Degree from Lake Erie College, specializing in Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Mentored by top professionals, he excels in hip hop, jazz, swing, rhythm tap, and ballroom dance.
Passionate about sharing his diverse dance style, Bobby draws creative inspiration from artists like Mike Song, Marty Kudelka, Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Michael Jackson. His students can expect expert training in various dance forms and choreography. Outside of dance, Bobby enjoys creative work in music and film, having interned in Hollywood with Capitol Films and Sennett Entertainment.
Lily Gortz
Lily, a senior at Kent State University majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Dance, began her training at Jordan Center Dance, mastering multiple styles and competing for titles like Miss Dance.
She loves dance because it allows her to express herself through movement without talking, like a short escape from reality. Lily wants her students to be comfortable and inspired to learn and grow. She is so glad to be a part of Savelli'sand loves to watch the students develop and become their best selves!!! Outside of dance, Lily loves working out (specifically pilates), hanging with friends, and finding new coffee shops.
Kandee Hogan
Ms. Kandee began her training in Flint, MI under the direction of Alfred Bruce Bradley. She was a founding member of the "Flintstone Hoofers" (now Tapology Youth Ensemble) and toured the country performing and participating in various tap festivals. Ms. Kandee continued her dance training on scholarship at Oakland University before transferring to Michigan State University for Engineering.
While attaining her engineering degree Ms. Kandee stayed engaged in dance and served as the lead tap dance instructor at Troy Dance Connection, performer for Tapology, and instructing at various tap festivals. She was adjunct tap instructor at Wright State University, Artistic Director for Dance Dance Conservatory, and current Associate Artistic Director of Tapology. Additionally, she has performed at the "Apollo Theatre", the Signature Poetry Medley which featured Common, Black Thought, Lupe Fiasco, and other notable hip hop music artists.
Ms. Kandee loves dance because it is a way to connect the mind and the body. Dance is about movement, patterns, and memorization.It is a physical manifestation of the theoretical elements of math and science. As a scientist, she loves to see these theories come to life. Dancers are the geniuses of the world and the skills learned through dance are universally transferable.To learn mind-body connection and how the principles of dance are reflected in the physical world. You can also expect to learn about tap dance history, culture, and communication. She strives to make her classes fun and relatable and push her students to reach their potential, developing self-esteem and empowering them through dance. Ms Kandee loves cooking, gardening, and fermentation experiments. She likes to make kombucha, water kefir, cider and beer. When not teaching dance she works as a full time engineer for NASA, analyzing SPACE electrical power systems.
Alex Korman
Alex began training at Savelli Dance at 8 years old. Graduated from Miami University (OH), where she was a member of the Miami University Dance Team. While a member of the team, they were nationally ranked and competed at NDA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, FL.
Dance has always been an outlet for Alex and she’s always enjoyed challenging herself to learn new skills. As a teacher, Alex’s specialty is Jr High levels tap and jazz, but she also enjoys choreographing routines and seeing the end result at competition and recitals! In her classes, students will have an opportunity to learn new skills and see their hard work pay off come recital time! In her free time, Alex enjoys playing sand volleyball, skiing, reading, and playing with her 6 month old puppy, Mabel!
Jenna MacChesney
Jenna trained at Savelli's, graduating in 2011 as part of the Triple Threat Competition Group. She earned a BFA in Dance from the University of the Arts in 2015, where she studied under renowned instructors and choreographers such as Kim Bears Bailey, Sidra Bell, and Brian Sanders.
Dance transforms the body into art, evoking emotions and stories. Jenna feels most herself when dancing and is thrilled to empower her students to do the same. In her classes, Jenna focuses on 3-4 week themes, teaching at a flexible pace and encouraging questions. She dances with students to provide cues, aiming to boost their confidence and joy in dance.
Jenna spent a year with Philadelphia's Tap Team Two, studying La Vaughn Robinson's work and performing at São Paulo's Carnival. She now teaches dance and serves as a studio manager at barre3 Legacy Village, blending her passion for movement with fitness.
Megan Michael
Megan began her dance journey at Savelli’s at age 4, becoming a key member of their performance group for 8 years. She trained for 7 years with Sarah Savelli’s Cleveland Tap Crew, joined the Ohio Elite Tap Company, and completed a Choreographic Residency with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project.
She is thrilled to share her love of dance with her students and hopes to inspire a lasting appreciation of the art form. Students can expect Mega's classes to be full of expertise in tap dance with experience in choreographing and teaching, as well as a foundation built on years of professional training and performance. Megan enjoys watching old movies, reading, and supporting English Premier League soccer.
Eva Savelli
Carli Snider
Carli began dancing at Savelli Dance at age 3 and joined Performance Group. She started assisting classes at 11, igniting her passion for teaching. Now, with 12 years of experience leading her own classes, her teaching style is influenced by the Savelli Family.
Carli loves teaching dance because she believes it provides an escape and a focus in life, emphasizing skill and technique over performance. It has instilled confidence, creativity, and a unique form of self-expression beyond words. Carli’s class emphasizes balance, combining a fun, supportive environment with a strong focus on hard work and progress. She aims for students to feel excited and challenged in a safe space, leaving class feeling accomplished and more passionate about dance. When not in the studio, Carli stays active through fitness activities like working out, trail running, and mountain biking. She also passionate about animals and enjoy working with horses. Movement and nature are essential to her identity, and she loves discovering new ways to connect with both.
Carrie Wagner
Carrie began dancing at a young age and came to Savelli's in third grade where she fell even more in love with dance! She continued her dance training at University of Akron where she minored in dance.
She loves starting every dance year with a new class and seeing the dancers at the Summer Showcase perform all the hard work and fun they’ve had throughout the year. Carrie will greet you with a smiling face and a fun, challenging class! She wants to encourage every student to be the best they can be. Miss Carrie loves to try new restaurants with her husband, put on music and dance around the kitchen with her kids, try new recipes, shop, thrift, and listen to True Crime Podcasts.