Rachel Huffman
Rachel Huffman is the Owner and Director of Martell School of Dance located in Akron, OH. She is from the small Ohio town of Woodsfield and has been a member of the Martell dance family since 2004; originally hired and mentored by the studio’s founder, Miss Teri Martell.
In her early years, Rachel studied with Candace Bruce at The Dance Workshop of Barnesville, OH. Rachel later earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from The University of Akron where she was a University Honors Scholar. Throughout college, she had the opportunity to study with and perform under the wings of various dance experts and professionals. She is well versed in a variety of modern and ballet dance techniques. She also possesses a love for Jazz, Musical Theatre, choreography, and dance history. Rachel has choreographed countless pieces for Martell as well as for Firestone High School Theatre, Jillian Rian’s Dance School, Montessori High School at University Circle, and The Western Reserve Playhouse in Cleveland.
Rachel holds a special passion for education. In addition to her dance studio work, she also designed the International Baccalaureate Dance Program curriculum for Montessori High School at University Circle. Rachel has served on the KSU Academy of Performing Arts Advisory Board and recently completed her final term on the ArtSparks Board of Directors. She continues to seek active partnerships such as working with The Dance Exchange of The Vincent House and maintains the studio’s connection to ArtSparks in various ways.
Since she was young, Rachel has affiliated dance to hope, happiness, and healing. Rachel will forever pass this approach on to all the students and Faculty with whom she connects. Rachel’s ultimate goal is to reassure students that there are multiple avenues in the dance world and that everyone can succeed and create a personal journey with dance that will resonate with them for life.
Tammy Treen
Tammy (Stafford) Treen started dancing with Martell at age 5 and will be starting her 42nd year as a part of the Martell family! She first fell in love with ballet after seeing the Nutcracker as a young girl. Tammy was the 1993-1994 Martell Scholarship Student. In addition to dancing on Jr. and Sr. Lines over the years, she also attended numerous conventions. These conventions lead to a national tour with Dance Caravan in the summer of 1994, as well as a Joffrey Ballet scholarship from the New York City Dance Alliance in 1996.
After graduating from Copley High School in 1998, she attended Malone College earning a B.A. in Psychology. While in college she danced with Living Fountain Dance Company from 2000-2002. In the summer of 2003, she studied Hawkins Technique under Bill Wade of Inlet Dance Theatre of Cleveland.
In 2009, Tammy graduated from The Ohio College of Massotherapy, and worked as an LMT for 10 years until starting a family. Tammy has been married for 12 years and has two children ages 7 and 5, whom you will see around the studio. Tammy continues to teach master classes in the Akron/Cleveland area at numerous studios and special events such as the All Ohio Dance Festival.
Tammy has also studied with the renowned jazz teacher Dee Hillier of Cleveland from 2010-2020. She has also studied ballroom with Ilia Volokh at WHYM, and Rachel and Jonathan with R&J Ballroom. She enjoys choreographing dances for wedding couples and parents. Tammy’s choreography “Heaven,”(2022) a tribute to her father, and “Peace in All Things” (2026) were chosen to perform in DANCE CLEVELAND’S student showcase at the lovely Playhouse Square.
With all these experiences, she feels most privileged to have studied under Teri Martell where all of her foundation began. Teaching at Martell is a wonderful reality that started as a childhood dream. Dance is an amazing gift that has tremendously enhanced her life from childhood until now, and she loves sharing that joy with her students.
MyAhna Davis
MyAhna Davis is 24 years old and a recent graduate from the University of Akron. She danced at Martell for 10 years as a student and has been teaching at the studio since 2012. MyAhna attended Miller South and Firestone’s Akron School of the Arts, both for their dance programs. She was Martell’s scholarship student during the 2011-2012 dance year and participated in several dance conventions and community performances with the studio as well. Currently MyAhna fills her time with teaching dance, being the Director of Children’s Ministry at Garden City Church, and working at the Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center in Akron. She has a huge passion for dance and sharing the art form with students of all ages and all abilities. Dance has a been a transformational part of MyAhna’s life since the age of 2 and she is excited to see and be a part of the way it impacts the lives of our students each and every year.
Torie Gray
Torie Gray is a tap and clog dancer from Southeastern Ohio. S
he owns and directs a non-profit pre-professional tap company called RhythmiCLE Sound Tap Company (RSTC) 501c3 which uses Martell as its home base. RSTC travels throughout the country to perform and take classes from masters in the field.
Torie also dances professionally as an apprentice with M.A.D.D. Rhythms in Chicago and travels to teach for tap festivals on weekends. Her choreography has won numerous high-scoring awards with choreographic recognition at regional and national competitions with several undefeated records. She holds a level one tap teacher certification from The American Tap Dance Foundation in NYC and has taken 5th in the IDO Tap Dance World Championships.
Academically she holds a psychology degree from UAkron and has behavior technician certification from her years spent doing behavior therapy and language acquisition for children with autism. She is constantly traveling to take class, teach, and further her knowledge of technique and tap dance history to pass along to her students.
Off the wood, Torie enjoys paddling, biking, backpacking, traveling, drumming, and spending time with her cats.
Kathleen Horrell
Kathleen Horrell began dancing ballet at the age of 5, going on to be a student at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts and later a performer with the Ohio Youth Ballet. She graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, spending much of her time there choreographing and performing. While at UA she had the opportunity to perform works set by choreographers from companies such as Streb, Neos, and BalletX. She has shared her love of dance with many Northeast Ohio students through her work with ArtSparks, Studio 82, and (of course) Martell. Kathleen works in office administration when she is not teaching, loves her two goofy cats, listens to a lot of Broadway soundtracks, and her favorite ballet is Coppelia.
Patricia Luthy-Herrnstein
Patricia Luthy-Herrnstein was classically trained at the School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Dayton Ballet. She danced professionally with Chautauqua Festival Company and Dayton Ballet as well as a guest artist for Columbus Youth Ballet.
Patti acted as the Assistant Artistic Director of Columbus Youth Ballet from 1990-1994, before moving to the Akron area. Miss Patti then taught at the University of Akron’s Dance Institute from 1995-2012. This will be her 16th season at Martell School of Dance. She loves sharing her passion for all things Tutus and Tiaras with her students.
At home Miss Patti is a wife, mother of two, and stepmother to four. The family continues to grow now that five have married! She is also “Mimi” to seven adorable grandchildren; Eleanor, Jimmy, Allie, Mathew, Leela, Ozzy, Maren, and Leni.
Jennifer McDonald
Jennifer McDonald In 2002, Jennifer graduated from St. Vincent St. Mary High School in Akron and began pursuing her lifelong dream of performing. In November of 2003, Jennifer was hired by Holland America Cruise Line to perform in the nighttime production shows as part of a 10-14 person cast. For 3 years she traveled all over the world, to places such as Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal and Europe. After deciding to come home in October of 2005, Jennifer returned to Martell and began teaching again. Her dream came true when she took over ownership of her beloved studio on June 1st, 2007. The following September, Jennifer married her husband Tommy, and together they have three sons, Benjamin, James, and Ryan. Most recently, Jennifer and Tommy became licensed foster parents. In 2017, Jennifer passed the torch to Miss Rachel and continues to teach various age groups, levels and styles alongside the incredible staff at Martell. Jennifer is a huge part of why Martell is such an amazing facility for kids and adults to come and learn how to DANCE!
Sharlee Keith
Sharlee Keith Sharlee Keith grew up in Strongsville, OH and began dancing at the age of three at Studio 82. She then attended the University of Akron and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Dance.
While studying there, Sharlee had the opportunity to work with well know companies and choreographers such as Doug Varone and Dancers, Alexandra Beller, Taylor II, and Keigwin & Co.
After graduating, she danced as a principal dancer with RED, Real Edge Dance, modern company for five years in Akron, OH. She has taught dance in the Northeast Ohio area since graduating college and is a former preschool and dance teacher for the City of Akron Recreation and Parks division.
Sharlee lives in Akron with her husband and two children. She is grateful to be a part of the Martell family and is excited for another wonderful year!
Katie Gsellman
Katie Gsellman began dancing at Martell at the age of 4 taking ballet and tap classes. Through the years, she picked up jazz, lyrical, modern, pointe, acro, hip hop, and musical theater. She was given the Most Improved Award and received her 5 and 10 Year awards dancing with Martell. She danced at conventions such as Dancemakers, Turn It Around Tour, and All Ohio Dance Festival for multiple years. She also performed in Junior & Senior lines.Katie attended Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts as well as Firestone High Schools Akron School of the Arts. In 2019 she was awarded a scholarship to attend Inlet Dance Theaters summer intensive in Cleveland, and soon after graduated from high school in 2020.
Katie married her best friend, Owen, in 2022, and attended The University of Akron, majoring in nursing. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in spring of 2026, and became a registered nurse in June of 2026. She now works as an RN at Akron City Hospital’s emergency department.
Dance has been one of the biggest and most meaningful parts of Katie’s life. The relationships she has formed and the things she has learned, not only about dance but about life, are all thanks to Martell School of Dance. This will be her 21st year with Martell and she hopes to continue being a part of her “home away from home”.
Alan Pickett
Alan Pickett, born and raised in Akron Ohio, started at Martell School of Dance and began training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. After graduating from Firestone High School’s visual and performing arts program, he went to the University of Akron studying dance, and working/teaching at Martell.
Then shortly after he moved to New York to study at The Ailey School. When his time there ended, he stayed in New York and trained at the various studios around the city like Peridance, Brickhouse and Broadway Dance Center.
Since moving back to Ohio he has set pieces for various events like the Akron Children Museum Gala and Camp Christopher’s Fall Fest, taught at conventions and intensives, and supported Martell School’s outreach programs. He is excited to encourage other dancers to explore their artistry and most important, share his love for dance!
Brooke Winter
Brooke Winter joined the Martell family in the Summer of 2015 and has loved it ever since! She lives in Sharon with her husband and three sons.
Brooke started dancing at age 5, with her favorite genres being ballet and lyrical. In addition to teaching at Martell, Brooke coached competitive gymnastics for 10 years. Brooke is a certified Acrobatic Arts instructor and is also CPR and Concussion certified. She especially loves teaching Acro because it is a fun blend of two of her favorite things-dance and gymnastics!
Brooke also coaches CrossFit twice a week and runs her own private preschool gymnastics program.
One of Brooke’s favorite parts about Martell is that it truly feels like one big happy family.
Alice Malik
Alice Malik is a performer, educator, artist, and advocate for strengthening healthy, vibrant communities.
Her career in entertainment was spent primarily as a supporting lead singer with Holland America Cruise Line and at Walt Disney World as a member of Actors’ Equity Association. Her main roles included: Dance Captain for the Magic Kingdom’s castle stage holiday show, and Lead Actor of “Disney Jr. Live on Stage.” Alice has performed extensively across the planet, in television productions, dinner theaters, and with Universal Orlando.
An Akron native, Alice trained under the tutelage of her mentors, Teri Martell, Kelly Berick, and Ron Hazelett. She continues to embrace her artistic expression through vocal performances and flamenco dancing. She graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Child and Family Development from the University of Akron and works as a child advocate for Summit County Juvenile Court’s CASA/GAL Program.
Alice is incredibly grateful to be a part of the Martell family, where she has danced since childhood and continues to work alongside her mom, her best friend, and the kindest humans. The pure joy experienced through collective movement and creative expression is invaluable, and Alice strives to share this with each of her dear students. She’s very very thankful for the endless love and support (and sometimes, Martell stage appearances!) of her husband, Shammas.
Amber Coughlin
Amber Coughlin is a Pittsburgh, PA native dancer and choreographer currently residing in Akron, Ohio. Her training includes intensives at Millenium Dance Complex Pittsburgh, Kelly Strayhorn Theatre’s Alloy Studios (formally Pittsburgh Dance Alloy Pittsburgh), and Point Park University. All supplementing her work at her home studio – Miss Holly’s Dance Studio.
Amber started performing in her school musicals from 6th grade on where she developed the passion she has for theatre today. Along with performing, Amber also began choreographing for musicals while still in High School. She was awarded the 1st Place Award for Choreography in the 2013 Gene Kelly Awards held in Pittsburgh, PA – for her work on ‘All Shook Up’ performed by Penn Hills HS. After graduating, she attended The University of Akron to train as a Dance Major and focus on her ballet (under Pauline Reilly-Howe) and modern technique (under Tom Smith – who trained under Martha Graham). Since that time, she has continued to dance, choreograph, and direct in the Akron/Cleveland area with companies such as Division Dance Company,her nonprofit Phoenix Performing Arts, Cleveland Dance Project, and now Martell.
She is thrilled to work with Martell to continue positively impacting the youth with the fine arts!
Chloe J. Redman
Chloe J. Redman, MA, BFA,is an arts administrator, dance educator, choreographer, and nonprofit leader dedicated to expanding access to high-quality arts education and strengthening communities through the arts.
Based in Akron, Ohio, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the University of Akron. With nearly a decade of experience in arts education and nonprofit leadership, Chloe has built a career at the intersection of artistic excellence, community engagement, program development, and organizational management.
As an arts administrator, Chloe has extensive experience in program management, strategic planning, fundraising, community partnerships, audience engagement, and nonprofit operations. Her work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that young people of all backgrounds have access to transformative arts experiences that foster creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning.
She is particularly passionate about leveraging the arts as a tool for educational enrichment, youth development, and community impact.
Chloe’s artistic training began at the Dance Institute at the University of Akron under the direction of Christina Foisie and includes extensive study in ballet, pointe, and modern dance.
She has trained with a diverse range of nationally and internationally recognized artists and companies, including former Ohio Ballet dancers Damien Highfield and Shauna Conzaman, Brian Murphy, Neos Dance Theatre, GroundWorks DanceTheater, Keigwin + Company, Joseph Morrissey, Le Ballet Jazz de Montréal, and Parsons Dance, among others.
Her artistic and community-centered work includes participation in the inaugural season of The Dance Exchange at Vincent House, an innovative arts initiative serving youth in Akron’s Middlebury neighborhood through dance education and creative engagement.
Chloe has also collaborated with the National Center for Choreography–Akron, contributing to creative processes and community-based projects that explore the evolving role of dance in contemporary society.
As a performing artist and collaborator, Chloe was part of the original creative development of Black by Nature, acclaimed choreographer Dominic Moore-Dunson’s nationally recognized interdisciplinary work. Her involvement in the project’s formative stages reflects her commitment to innovative artistic practices that engage themes of identity, culture, and belonging.
Chloe is a former apprentice and former Board Member of the Cleveland Dance Project, where she contributed both artistically and organizationally to advancing contemporary dance in Northeast Ohio. In 2022, she was recognized as Outstanding Artist in Dance for her significant contributions to the arts and cultural landscape of Summit County.
Today, Chloe serves the Co Executive Director for ArtSparks in Akron, OH.
Heather Doolittle Knighton
Heather Doolittle Knighton began her dance training at the age of 3 at Abby Dance Center in Barberton, Ohio, where she competed for 8 years in countless Regional Competitions,7 National Competitions and 1 International competition in Lake Tahoe Nevada. She took home many platinum, first place and overall highest scoring awards, as well as scholarships to numerous dance conventions.
Heather was invited to dance at the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii in 1997 and she competed and won the right to represent Columbus, Ohio as a member of the “I Love Dance Junior Sweetheart Touring Ensemble.”
She received scholarships to attend the Joffrey School of Ballet summer intensive when she was 10 years old, and the Kirov Academy of Ballet summer intensive at the age of 15. Heather is a Graduate of The University of Akron’s Dance Institute, where she was placed in the advanced level and received her first college credit dancing with The University of Akron Dance Company (UADC), at the age of 12.
While dancing there, she trained under many Artistic Directors and professional dancers from the Pennsylvania Ballet, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Jennifer Muller/The Works, GroundWorks Dance Theater, The Ohio Ballet, and Dancing Wheels.
She continued performing with UADC throughout college in leading and soloist roles choreographed by the faculty as well as guest choreographers. She performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Moscow Ballet of Russia in their productions of “The Nutcracker.” Heather has been teaching for the past 21 years and strives to make a positive impact in the lives of her students.
She has taught ballet, pointe, modern, and lyrical classes throughout Northeast Ohio. She has choreographed for Regional and National Dance Competitions, and for Theatre 8:15’s Halloween, Broadway, and Christmas Show productions. Her choreography won the “Living Art Award” for a solo piece competed in 2011, and a “Showmanship Award” for a lyrical team piece competed in 2020.
In 2022, Heather was the proud Production Manager of “The Akron Nutcracker”, a professional ballet production and collaboration between The University of Akron’s Dance Institute, Ohio Contemporary Ballet formerly Verb Ballets, and the Akron Symphony Orchestra.
Most recently her choreography has been showcased at the All Ohio Dance Festival, Cleveland Dance Festival and Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival.
Heather lives in Wadsworth with her husband and 2 children and is currently a Ballet Instructor with The University of Akron’s Dance Institute. This is her 7th season teaching with Martell and she is grateful for the opportunity to share her passion for dance with her students.
Molly Thomas
Molly Thomas grew up loving dance at Martell. Molly joined our dance family at a young age and was a student at Martell for 14 years. Throughout those years she studied a little bit of everything the studio had to offer, was the 2015/2016 scholarship student and has been to many conventions with Martell, such as NUVO, Turn it Around, and DanceMakers. Molly is now a student at Kent State University, majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainability. During the past few summers she has been a camp counselor at Camp Christopher. This past, rather peculiar summer, she ran the challenge course on site. During the fall and spring she also teaches environmental education to 5th and 6th graders whose schools come and visit Camp Christopher. Molly is extremely excited to be back at Martell and teaching.
Haleijah Conner
Haleijah Conner started dancing at Martell at age 8 taking ballet and tap. Her love for dance quickly grew and over the years she picked up jazz, modern, and lyrical. She received Martell’s good citizen award, as well as her 5 and 10 year awards. After graduating highschool, Haleijah began attending the University of Akron. She is currently studying biomedical sciences, however she continues to dance. Haleijah joined the university’s dance club Terpsichore, and last semester she was able to perform in the show re-accrediting the school’s fine arts programs. On top of being a full time student and teaching classes here at Martell, Haleijah works at a local childcare center and volunteers with the kids ministry at a local church. Haleijah has a huge heart for both children and dance, and Martell gives her the space to combine both! Dance has always been her outlet and Martell will always be her home. The teachers and faculty always gave her a place to feel safe and loved, now she is so happy to do the same for the next generation at Martell.
Grayce Thomas
Grayce Thomas is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a Business Cognate at the University of Akron. From the ages of three to eighteen, Grayce trained with Molly Dies’ Dance Unlimited in Warren, Pennsylvania and competed with Molly Dies’ Dance Express Company for seven years. At this studio, she gained a lot of experience in assistant teaching and was able to participate in many theatrical productions such as “Molly Dies’ Christmas Spectacular”. In her time at the University of Akron, Grayce has had the opportunity to grow by performing both faculty and student choreographed pieces in various showcases, and act as an officer for the school’s dance club, Terpsichore. Grayce is so thrilled to be joining the Martell Dance Family and sharing her love for dance!
Darcie Lemons
Darcie Lemons began her dance training at the age of nine in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical and Pointe at her local dance studio in Marysville, Ohio. She then attended the University of Akron, where she studied Modern, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, dance history, dance education, choreography and served as an officer of the dance club, Terpsichore. In August 2015, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education. While at UA, she had the opportunity to perform with the University of Akron Dance Company in many faculty shows, working with notable dance companies such as BalletX and STREB, in addition to performances such as Stream, and Dancing for the Kids. She was involved in many student productions as a choreographer, performer and producer and also attended the American College Dance Festival. Since graduating, she has been a member of the Dayton Contemporary Second Dance Company, RED Dance Company and a member of Inlet Dance Theater’s Trainee and Apprentice Program. Darcie has been with Martell since the 2016-2017 season and is excited to continue sharing her knowledge and love of dance!
April Templeton Brenneman
April Templeton Brenneman first started her dance training at the age of 8 under the late Richard Moore. Over the years, she continues to study her craft by traveling to numerous conventions, studios, and never turning down an opportunity to take class or perform. Recently, April has been seen assisting the incredible Duo Dejan Tubic and Zach Venegas here in Ohio and at DanceMakers Inc. Nationals Convention, back up dancing for recording artist Eden Xo at the DanceMakers Inc. Nationals Convention “Wrap it up Ceremony” in Myrtle Beach, as well as in an EP release concert for singer Anthony Paul from season 5 of “The Voice.”
Though April has enjoyed being a full time dance instructor over the years, teaching several disciplines of dance including contemporary, hip hop, jazz funk, and musical theatre, she has to admit that the journey to being back in the spotlight has felt like a dream! She loves the great opportunities that come from performing; however, she continually remains focused on her influence in the classroom. A goal of hers is to continue her training in dance as she feels “No one dancer is perfect; learning and training are never ending. To me, it is necessary to keep our eyes and hearts open for growth.” April hopes to continue inspiring students, and that she may be a teacher who makes a difference in the lives of others while she is working, training, and collaborating new innovative concepts to bring to her classes.
Lauren Mathis
Lauren Mathis has been an arts educator and administrator in the Northeast Ohio community for over 15 years. She received her BA in Dance and MA in Arts Administration from the University of Akron. During her graduate studies, she published a thesis on the benefits of movement for Alzheimer’s and Memory loss. Her choreography and teaching has been featured in collaboration with numerous organizations such as the Akron School for the Arts, Ballet in the City, Akron Civic Theatre, Weathervane Playhouse, The Movement Project, and Akron Public Library.
Lauren is honored to be able to share her love for dance with students of all levels and backgrounds.
Shayna Belle
Shayna Belle began dancing at the age of 5 at Martell School of Dance, where she trained in tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and pointe—quickly falling in love with tap as her favorite style. Her dedication to the art led her to pursue a dual path of passion and purpose.
Shayna is a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and currently a Doctorate student at Bowling Green State University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and an Associate’s degree in Dance Education and Performance from BGSU.
Brooke Bonner
Brooke Zavodney Bonner is a proud Martell alumna, teacher, adult-student, and mom. She began as a painfully shy 4th Grade Jazz student, quickly falling in love with the artistry and athleticism of dance. Her confidence and dedication grew as she participated in Martell’s Modern program under Miss Rachel, and as she explored new styles, including hip hop, tap, ballet, pointe, and lyrical. During her time as Scholarship Student (2010-2011), Brooke discovered the joy of mentorship within the Martell community. She went on to earn a Bachelors of Science degree in Child Development while taking various dance courses at Brigham Young University. Most of her work has involved helping children with developmental delays reach cognitive, social, and emotional milestones. Brooke moved back to Akron in 2024 with her husband, Nick, and her two sons and two orange cats.
Martell has remained a constant source of encouragement and connection in Brooke’s life, and she is honored to contribute to that same welcoming community as a teacher. Informed by her background in child development, Brooke is passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive environment where children feel comfortable taking risks, expressing themselves, and interacting positively with others.
Nicola Chiles
Nicola Chiles started dancing at Martell at the age of 3 taking ballet and tap. Throughout her years at Martell she picked up modern, lyrical, jazz, pointe, and clogging. Nicola has received her 5 and 10 year awards and her senior year won the Good Citizen Award.
Nicola graduated from Our Lady of the Elms in 2024 and is now a student at Kent State studying psychology and marketing.
She has continued dancing by joining the university’s dance club, Flashes Elite. Martell has always been a second home to Nicola and can’t wait to help the next generations of dancers to feel confident and love for dance.
Emily Bowen
Emily Bowen’s love for dance started at Martell School of Dance at the age of 5. During her time as a student, she continued studying all styles of dance until she graduated in 2007. Tap was always her favorite! She continued her love of dance in college by becoming a member of the Dance Ensemble for all four years.
She graduated from The University of Dayton in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught the littlest of learners in the classroom for eight years until she had her daughter, Nora.
Her most important role and passion in life is being a mom to her three children. Emily has always had a love and passion for working with young children and she is SO excited for what this dance season will bring!
VitaDee Hershberger
VitaDee Hershberger began dancing at Martell at the young age of 3 years old. Throughout her 15 years at the studio, she grew in her dance education by exploring the styles of ballet, tap, pointe, jazz, modern, and lyrical. She was awarded the Most Improved Dancer award, and that was all thanks to the teachers at Martell who helped her grow and find her deep love for the art of dance. She hopes to inspire her dancers in the same way her former teachers once did. She participated in five All Ohio Dance Festivals, along with DanceMakers conventions since 2015, where she was awarded a Nationals Scholarship her Senior year.
Over the past four years, Vita completed her Bachelor’s of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago, remained on the Dean’s List, and completed a minor in Public Relations. During her college experience, she took various ballet and jazz classes to keep up with technique. She will be completing her Master’s Degree at Cleveland State and continuing an internship towards her path of Clinical Social Work.
Vita is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Akron, and it only felt right for her to come back to Martell to share her love of dance with the community. She looks forward to bringing her enthusiasm, heart, and hard-working attitude to the Martell community!
Lilly Mendenhall
Lilly Mendenhall has been a dancer for 18 years, starting at Martell when she was just 3! She received her 5, 10, and 15-year awards through Martell, and after graduation, she went on to do Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester in New York City.
While in New York, she trained in various styles with many well-known choreographers in the dance industry. After graduating from BDC’s Professional Semester, she began an intensive program at CLI Conservatory.
She has spent the last 10 months at CLI training under Teddy Forance, Martha Nichols, Riley Watts, and many more leading artists in the industry. She is just getting started in her dance journey and is so excited to continue learning and see where she ends up!
Erica Piper
Erica Piper recently graduated summa cum laude from the University of Akron with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelors of Arts in Dance Education. During her time at the university she had the opportunities to perform in works by professionals from The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Hubbard Street Dance, Neos Dance Theatre, and Alexandre Munz’s S.A.F.E. Project as well as taking classes from the many companies in residence each year.
As an officer of the student dance club, Terpsichore, Erica produced, choreographed, and performed in many student productions. She also traveled to the American College Dance Festival and participated in community events with the Akron Children’s Hospital. Erica’s passion for quality dance education has led to some amazing experiences.
She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization and attended intensive teacher training with the acclaimed National Dance Institute in New York City. Erica is excited to share her love of dance with the Martell family!
Candace West
Bio coming soon.
Karissa Piunno
Karissa Piunno is a dedicated dancer and aspiring physical therapist currently pursuing her BFA in Dance at the University of Akron. With 15 years of rigorous training, her foundation includes 11 years at the Martell School of Dance, training at Miller South VPA, and graduating from the dance program at Firestone High School. She is an inductee of the National Dance Honors Society and has showcased her artistry at the All Ohio Dance Festival, Dance Cleveland, and the Akron Children’s Museum.
Beyond her performance career, Karissa has consistently pushed her technical boundaries, participating in the Inlet’s summer dance intensive and earning a scholarship at the 2023 Dance Makers convention. Her diverse repertoire spans ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz, and lyrical styles.
Looking ahead, Karissa is committed to bridging the gap between movement and health. She plans to transition into the physical therapy program at Stark State College, where she aims to leverage her deep understanding of dance mechanics to support and rehabilitate fellow performers.
Karissa is very excited to share her dance knowledge with others and help bring their love of dance to life!
Ellie Salisbury
Ellie Salisbury started dancing at Martell when she was three years old taking tap and ballet. Over the years she picked up various styles including jazz, modern, lyrical, and hip-hop. Ellie received her 5- and 10-year awards and will be completing her 15th year here at Martell.
Eliie has danced at the DanceMakers Convention, and other events such as The Akron Children’s Museum, All Ohio Dance Festival, and Dance Cleveland’s Showcase over the years. She has been a part of Martell’s Student Staff for multiple years, studying under Grayce Thomas, Heather Doolittle Knighton, Molly Thomas, Haleijah Conner, April Templeton Brenneman, Tammy Treen, Chloe J. Redman, and Nicola Chiles as a demonstrator for acro, ballet, hip hop, and jazz classes.
Ellie is currently a student at St. Vincent St. Mary Highschool and plans to study Psychology in college, as well as continue dancing. I am so thrilled to share my love for dance with my students!
Delaney Penrod
Delaney Penrod is a senior at Mogadore High School. She is from Norfolk, Virginia, originally, but has spent the majority of her life in Mogadore.
Delaney began her dance career at four years old. She danced recreationally for two years and competed with Dance Out Loud! Dance Centre for seven. Delaney began her tenth year of dance at Martell School of Dance taking two tap classes. While also trained in ballet, lyrical, jazz, and musical theatre, tap remains her favorite style.
Delaney will be going into her fifth year of dance with Martell. She has also danced with RhythmiCLE Sound Tap Company and attended Motor City Tap Fest where she had the privilege to take from many reputable teachers.
She is also very involved in her school. Delaney is on the Colorguard team, the choreographer for her school’s musicals, stage manager for the plays, senior class president, PAC president, and in the National Honor Society. After graduation she will ship off to Great Lakes, Illinois to begin Basic Military Training in the United States Navy.
Emma Bowles
Emma Bowles is a senior at Woodridge High School and has been dancing at Martell for 10 years. She trained extensively under Miss Rachel as her assistant for K Ballet during her scholarship year as well as higher level ballet classes, pointe, hip hop, and jazz. She can’t wait to share her love of dance with her students!
Brittney Hurley
Brittney Hurley Brittney graduated from St. Vincent St. Mary High School in 2002 and Kent State University in 2006 with a degree in finance. Brittney currently lives in Green with her husband Ryan and their 3 children Rylan, Quinn and Phiona. Brittney enjoys working in the accounting department. She is very excited to be a part of the Martell family and loves working with all of the students and staff!
Michelle Vaigl
Kris Duey
Kris Duey Mrs. Duey is thrilled to start her 17th year working at Martell School of Dance as the Office Manager. She started coming when she brought her daughter Alice to take dance lessons. As the years went on she was continually impressed with not only the quality of dancing, but with the warm Martell family that she became a part of. Even after Alice graduated from high school, Mrs. Duey continued on the staff. She says, “I just love the kids and love the dancing!”
Mrs. Duey herself danced as a child, and has taken our Adult Ballet and Tap. She starred in Martell’s first Adult Tap number “Steam Heat,” as well as dancing in “Singin in the Rain.”
Outside of Martell, Mrs. Duey works for the University of Akron at Quaker Square. She enjoys many hobbies such as: running, tap dancing, reading, yoga, playing piano, gardening, and of course spending time with her family and best friend Susan.
Mrs. Duey is very proud of her 3 children Sarah, Ian, and Alice. Sarah lives in San Diego and is in Commercial Real Estate. Ian, her running partner, lives in Akron and works at the Mustard Seed. And Alice is currently living in Cleveland and teaching at Martell!
Mrs. Duey looks forward to many more years watching everyone grow in the Martell community.
