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Cincinnati Dance & Movement Center
880 Compton Rd
Cin., OH 45231
P 513-521-8462 

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Faculty

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At CDMC, classes are taught by adult dance teachers (youngest is 26 years old) with college-level training in dance and education. Unlike many studios, we do not hire high school students to teach the younger children’s classes; they can only serve as assistants to the adult teachers in charge. Most of our teachers are fully licensed educators with a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Education in addition to their dance training. This is extremely important, as it shows our teachers are highly trained educators as well as being highly trained dancers. Some studios have dancers serving as teachers who may be great dancers, but are unable to properly convey the material to students. We do not have this problem, as our teachers are not only outstanding dancers (having been professional dancers, members of their university dance teams, and award-winning competitive dancers), but are also outstanding educators. Our teaching faculty has won numerous teaching and choreography awards on the local, regional, and even national level.

Our faculty members regularly attend master classes and teaching workshops to stay on top of current dance trends and teaching methods. Some studios boast that their teachers are certified by Dance Masters or other similar dance clubs that require no formal education (not even a high school diploma, much less a university degree) with “certification” consisting of one day of training and testing by a current member. While we consider these associations to be beneficial, a one-day training/certification program is hardly a replacement for a four-year university degree. Our teaching staff boasts eight teachers with four-year Bachelor’s degrees, three of whom have additional Master’s degrees.

Ms. Tina Marie Prentosito

Teacher/Director - Ms. Tina Marie Prentosito

  • Began dance training at age three with Rita Goldhoff
  • BA University of Cincinnati, 1989 – graduated summa cum laude with high honors; member of honor societies Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Alpha Delta (president senior year), Golden Key. Also studied dance at Ohio State (teaching assistant in tap) before transferring to UC
  • Numerous local, regional, and national dance awards, including Top Teacher, Top Choreographer, Teacher of the Year, Choreographer of the Year, and Top Studio
  • Current affiliations include the Miami Valley Dance Teachers’ Association, Women of Sole (tap performance group), the Cincinnati Chapter of American Mensa, and the Cincinnati Better Business Bureau
  • 24 years experience teaching dance (CDMC/TMSD, Fred Astaire Studio, Finneytown Schools, and Rita Goldhoff’s S/D)

Ms. Mary Anne Schaeper

Teacher - Ms. Mary Anne Schaeper

  • Began dance training at age six
  • BFA in Dance, University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, 1982
  • MA in Dance, University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, 1985, full assistantship
  • Local, regional, and national dance awards for teaching and choreography
  • 27 years experience teaching dance (CDMC/TMSD, Cincinnati Public Schools, CCM, and Cincinnati Ballet)

Ms. Michele Vollmer

Teacher - Ms. Michele Vollmer

  • Began dance training at age thirteen with CDMC (then the Tina Marie School of Dance)
  • BA Northern Kentucky University, 1998 – summa cum laude, Minor in Dance, member of NKU Dance Team, member of NKU Dance Troupe
  • Elementary Education Degree, taught 2nd-4th grade for three years before retiring from full-time teaching to start a family
  • Local, regional, and national dance awards as performing member of CDMC/TMSD’s competitive dance team and as teacher/choreographer
  • 16 years experience teaching dance (CDMC/TMSD)

Ms. Shawn Flick

Teacher - Ms. Shawn Flick

  • Began dance training at age five with CDMC (then the Tina Marie School of Dance)
  • BA University of Cincinnati, 2002 – Early Childhood Education
  • MA Indiana Wesleyan University, 2008 – Master of Education; 7 years experience as first grade teacher
  • Local, regional, and national dance awards as performing member of CDMC/TMSD’s competitive dance team
  • 12 years experience teaching dance (CDMC/TMSD, Loveland Schools, Dynamo Gymnastics)

Ms. Amanda Kontopos

Teacher - Ms. Amanda Kontopos (Se habla español.)

  • Began dance training at age three, and shortly thereafter began training at CDMC (then the Tina Marie School of Dance)
  • BS University of Cincinnati, 2005, Early Childhood Education; Member of UC Dance Team
  • Local, regional, and national dance awards as performing member of CDMC/TMSD’s competitive dance team and as teacher/choreographer
  • Hip-hop instruction and choreography seen on the Tyra Banks Show
  • 10 years experience teaching dance (CDMC/TMSD)

Ms. Sarah Anderson

Teacher - Ms. Sarah Anderson (Se habla español.)

  • Began dance training at age three, and shortly thereafter began training at CDMC (then the Tina Marie School of Dance)
  • BA Xavier University, 2004. Member of XU dance team; captain of team senior year
  • Degree in Spanish, minor in Professional Education, taught middle school four years before retiring from full-time teaching to start a family
  • Local, regional, and national dance awards for teaching and choreography
  • 10 years experience teaching dance (CDMC/TMSD)

Ms. Amy Dimmerling

Teacher - Ms. Amy Dimmerling

  • Began dance and gymnastics training at age five
  • BS University of Cincinnati, 2000; MS University of Cincinnati, 2002. UC cheerleader and cheer choreographer
  • Local, regional, and national dance awards for teaching and choreography
  • Current affiliations include Cincinnati Taps Inc. (board member) and Women of Sole (tap performance group)
  • 7 years experience teaching dance (CDMC/TMSD, Contemporary Dance Theatre, CCM, Broadway Bound)

Ms. Jamie Meyers-Eaton

Teacher - Ms. Jamie Meyers-Eaton

  • Began dance training at age two
  • BS Miami University, 2002; MU Cheerleader; Early Childhood Credentials from Durham College (N.C), 2004; currently working on Master’s Degree
  • Local, regional, and national dance awards as performer and teacher/choreographer
  • Affiliations include Footnotes Tap Ensemble and Women of Sole (tap performance group)
  • 6 years experience teaching dance (CDMC/TMSD, Webby Dance Company, Dee's Dance Studio)

Ms. Melissa Kuhlman

Teacher - Ms. Melissa Kuhlman

  • Began dance training at age three, and shortly thereafter began training at CDMC (then the Tina Marie School of Dance)
  • Attended Marion College, member of Marion’s Dance Team; Currently attending Xavier University
  • Local, regional, and national dance awards as performing member of CDMC/TMSD’s competitive dance team
  • 5 years experience teaching dance (CDMC/TMSD, Taylor Elementary School)