Jessica Callender started dance training at the age of two and has never stopped dancing. Her experience includes five years of dance at Tuscarawas Dance Arts in Dover and the Summer Program at Briansky Saratoga Ballet Center where she studied with Oleg Briansky, the famous Russian Ballet instructor and several members of the New York City Ballet. Her university dance training was at Ohio University and Akron University. She has also performed as a guest dancer with the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet. Jessica has been teaching at Melody & Motion since founding it with her husband Dave in 2002. Additionally, she is the mother of three children, Clayton, Jillian and Savannah. She believes dance classes are valuable because the experience "improves coordination, strength and flexibility and gives a sense of accomplishment." Students in her class can expect to learn the skills needed to enjoy and appreciate the arts for a lifetime.

Emily Dowler, a dance major at The University of Akron, has been dancing since taking her first ballet class at the age of six. She has eight years experience at La Danse Technique, three years at Studio 19 Dance Complex and two and a half years at The University of Akron. She has been cast in numerous school pieces and earned awards including judge's choice and top 5 solo placement. She believes dance class is a valuable experience for students because, "it teaches them discipline and strength. It gives them a sense of pride knowing they accomplished something great!" Students can expect to gain confidence and poise from her classes and "the feeling that they can do anything they set their minds to."

Lorie Ann Porcher began taking tumbling with KMB Studio in first grade. By second grade, she joined the Tuscarawas County YMCA Gymnastics Team and competed with them for nine years. She previously taught for KMB Studio and the Marietta YMCA, and has been with Melody & Motion for five years. Lorie holds a B.A. from Marietta College, an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Appalachian State University and has been named part of the 2002 Mental Health Group of the Year - Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Additionally, she is a mother of two active children, Kole and Jade. She believes classes like hers are valuable because "it giveschildren the opportunity to socialize with peers, challenge themselves to learn new and more difficult skills, and improve confidence and self-esteem."

Candace Casini has seven years experience cheering for Indian Valley with three years in Varsity level basketball, football and competition cheerleading. She is an OASSA State Champion and COA & Jambfest National Champion. She has been recognized for Best Jumps at camp in 2007 and 2008 and has received the COA All-American Cheerleader Award. She believes cheerleading classes are valuable because "it's very important to be taught the proper form early." Students can expect to have a lot of fun in her class while learning how to "have the best motions and jumps possible and be the loudest, most spirited cheerleader!"

Phil Wilson holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Youngstown State University. He completed additional studies at Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, Bowling Green, Ohio State, and The University of Illinois. He has three years experience in the U.S. Army Band, two years as a professional musician and thirty two years experience teaching band to 5th through 12th grade students. His teaching career included eight years at Bluffton, two years at Paulding, two years at Windham and the last twenty years at Indian Valley. Phil spends a lot of time in his woodshop and rides his motorcycle as much as he can. He has two sons, one living in Dayton, Ohio and one the other in Shanghai, China.

Sylvia Schneider earned her B.S. as an education major in vocal music with a minor in instrumental music and her Masters in Music Education from Kent State University. Her teaching career includes two years at Claymont and fifteen at Conotton Valley where she taught elementary, Jr. & Sr. High vocal and general music. She has directed plays and musicals and served as choir director. Her granddaughter, Marissa Suslowitz, currently studies ballet at Melody & Motion.

Leslie Grimmett has loved music since childhood. She began playing the clarinet at the age of 8 and became a first chair musician, earning several superior ratings at regional music festivals, though she longed to play the guitar and be a rock star. She enjoys singing and does it often. She holds a BA in Speech Communication from Muskingum College and worked as a human resource specialist and educational outreach coordinator until starting her family in 2004. She was introduced to Kindermusik when she took her then-3-month-old daughter to her first class. She was hooked right away as Kindermusik brought together her greatest loves: music and family. She believes early childhood music and movement education is invaluable because music is a language the heart understands. Now, a mother of two, she is excited to share the Kindermusik experience with you. Students in Miss Leslie's class can expect to particpate in musical activities designed to stimulate their overall development, shape their attitude toward a lifetime appreciation of the arts, and prepare them for formal music training, but most importantly, have fun!

As an only child surrounded by the arts; his mother was a founding member of the Canton Civic Ballet Company and his father a sought after illustrator and cartoonist, Denny Vlahos studied piano early in life and gave his first recital at the age of six. He later began to learn guitar, attended the Stan Kenton Jazz Seminar in Springfield, MO and traveled throughout Ohio with a professional entertainment group know as the “Percussionists.”

While pursuing his musical education at Akron University, Denny also began teaching a series of Folk, Jazz and Classical Guitar classes at the Kent State Stark Campus at the age of sixteen. Capitalizing on the offer of a relative, Denny moved to Chicago, Ill where he earned his B.M degree in performance from DePaul University; later earning his M.M at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA on a teaching-assistantship.

After college, Denny was asked to work for Guitarra Magazine, teach privately and manage the Sherry-Brener Studios in Chicago. At the magazine, his duties were as a contributing author, and assistant to the editor. He also had his own column devoted to reviewing new guitar publications. By his affiliation with these firms, Denny interviewed many of the days world-class artists; such as Angel Romero, Julian Bream and Elliot Fisk, as well as acquired his hand-made Jose Rameriz guitar from Spain.

Denny attended many master classes through a scholarship by the Chicago Guitar Society, won a guitar competition in Geneva, Ill, and premiered several works. He then spearheaded his musical career by giving concerts throughout the Chicago area. Denny became known particularly for his knowledge of literature involving guitar and other instruments; such as flute, piano, violin, voice, string ensemble and small orchestra, and has had favorable reviews in a music publication for his work in guitar duets.

Denny further honed his teaching skills at Eastern Illinois University and Mount Union College where he was offered a job as the guitar instructor. Using the Christopher Parkening method that he learned at Guitarra Magazine, Denny began developing his own Guitar Teaching methodology. This position also allowed him to preform with the Alliance Community Orchestra. Drawing on his Chicago experience of successfully teaching under-privileged children, Denny now instructs privately as well as in class as at the Fieldcrest-Montessori School of North Canton, Ohio.