About Us

Shannon began dancing at the age of three under the instruction Charlotte Braun. She continued her dance education at the University of Akron and graduated with a Bachelor degree in French and Dance. She is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, tumbling and cheerleading. She has furthered her training by attending classes at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway and conventions.  Shannon has choreographed and performed in local theater productions.  She is also AACCA certified and USASF credentialed in Allstar cheerleading.  Shannon has won several honors including best choreography, best showmanship, backstage awards, best sportsmanship, best technique and numerous national and regional titles.  Shannon’s students have won numerous awards, gone on to dance professionally, cheer at the collegiate level and most importantly blossomed into well rounded healthy adults.

Alex began her dance career at the age of three and continued to train at Once Upon A Dream for fifteen years. She was a member of the OUAD Holiday team, Company, and Competition team. During Alex’s tenure at OUAD, she has participated in numerous competitions at the regional and national levels, dance conventions in Ohio, Chicago, and Washington D.C., as well as summer dance intensives. In addition to dancing, Alex loved being an assistant teacher at the studio. This is her eighteenth year with Once Upon A Dream. Alex expanded her dance education through training with instructors including Eric Carvil, Sunita Joshi, Lisa Brodhead, Inna Stabrova and the staff of Verb Ballets. Alex currently attends the Honors College at Kent State University, majoring in Integrated Language Arts Education. She is also a professional level dance minor at Kent State’s College of Performing Arts. She has studied and performed at Kent State under the direction of Jeffrey Marc Rockland, Barbara Verlezza, Catherine Meredith, and Erin Smith. Alex truly believes that as a lifelong learner, she will learn from her students, just as they will learn from her.

Alyssa began dancing at a young age starting out at Abby Dance. She later transitioned to Once Upon a Dream at the age of eight. She has been a member of the OUAD Company and Competition team for many years training in various styles. During Alyssa’s time at the studio, she has participated in numerous competitions and conventions at the regional and national levels in Ohio, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. Alyssa has also had the opportunity to expand her dance education through training with talented instructors at OUAD, as well as the staff of Oberlin Dance Company and Verb Ballets. She has broadened her experience over the past few years to include being an assistant and dance instructor at OUAD, which has given her much pleasure. It has been very rewarding for her to teach young dancers and develop their love of dance while learning from them as well. Alyssa currently attends Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, majoring in Exercise Science, with plans of becoming a physical therapist. She is also a dance minor at the university, training for performances with the Slippery Rock Dance Theatre.

Brady Rowan has been dancing and competing since the age of 9. He has trained in all styles including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, hip hop, musical theatre, tap and acrobatics. Brady has won numerous scholarships including ASH regional apprentice, Titans of Dance Titan Force, Velocity regional MVA 1st runner up, an over $80,000 towards AMDA College in Los Angeles. Since graduating from high school, Brady has taught at I’hde Rather Be Dancing and Soul Inspired Dance Complex where he teaches contemporary, has choreographed numerous pieces and has won plenty of choreography awards. Brady now trains with MusEffect contemporary company in LA and continues his education at Franklin University studying Communications with a focus on Public Relations. 

Cara started her cheerleading career early in life at the age of 3. She was involved in school cheerleading, all-star cheerleading, gymnastics and dance. She has maintained her passion for the sport over the years. After high school she began coaching middle school cheerleading for her alma mater during football and basketball season for several years. She then went on to spend one year as the head coach for her high school JV & Varsity cheerleading squad. Cara is USASF certified, and credentialed in levels 1-3. She has maintained her CPR and First Aid certifications. Outside of the gym, she’s helping her fiancé run their pizza shop, Twisted Tomato Pizzeria in Bedford, OH. Anytime Cara isn’t working she’s spending time with her son, Bennett or her friends & family. 

Danielle Bush has over 20 years of cheerleading experience. She grew up near Birmingham, AL where she cheered for her High School and competitively. In her competitive career she cheered for a total of 7 years on a level 5 team in small coed and large coed all-star divisions making appearances at NCA, Cheersport, and Worlds events. She also was chosen by NCA her senior year to represent the state of Alabama in the Hula Bowl in Hawaii as a NCA Top All American in 2006. Dani also cheered collegiately at The Ohio State University,  competing in collegiate nationals. Her coaching career started at the High School level, where she successfully added stunting into the program, receiving coaching recognition from NCA for the programs progress in both safety and skill.  She is AACCA certified, USASF certified, BLS and CPR certified, Concussion Protocol Certified. Dani is in her 3rd year with Kent State University Cheerleading as Head Coach, and has placed in the 10 ten at NCA Collegiate Nationals the last 3 years for the small coed division. Outside of cheer, Dani works as a licensed nurse for a large insurance company, with a second bachelor’s degree in Biology- Pre Med concentration from Kent. She is happily married to her husband Mike, with 2 little boys, Liam and Conor. Her family is currently moving to Medina with their 2 Cattle Dogs, Bosa and Zeke. 

Emily began dancing at a young age and has trained at various studios in the Cleveland-Akron area. She has trained in various styles of dance and has experience teaching recreational, competitive and professional levels. Emily is a graduate of Wittenberg University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance, focusing her studies in choreography and dance notation. While at Wittenberg, she performed in a variety student, faculty, and guest pieces and was given the opportunity to choreography and stage many original works. Emily has had the privilege of working with numerous choreographers and performed original choreography from artists such as Sarah Hixon, Kristina Isabelle, and Dr. Ligia Pinheiro. Emily has had the opportunity to perform and submit choreography to the 2010 and 2012 American College Dance Festival adjudication conferences at Mercyhurst College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, she has also had the opportunity to study many degrees of dance notation and has performed Labanotation scores from “The Sleeping Beauty” with rights obtained from the Dance Notation Bureau in New York City.  Emily’s choreography has received both regional and national recognition as well as top performance honors and titles. 

Additionally, Emily is currently pursuing her Masters of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Case Western Reserve University with plans of becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.  She is currently completing her ACEND accredited dietetic internship through Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, OH focusing in both clinical dietetics and research.

Hannah’s love for dance began when she started training at the age of three.  She grew up competing with Abby Dance Center in numerous genres (contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, and hip-hop).   Hannah is a certified teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Amercias’ “Every Child Can!” program, and she’s been teaching with Once Upon a Dream Dance and Cheer for nearly ten years.  She’s received numerous awards for her choreography, and her dances have received four nominations to the Industry Dance Awards and Cancer Benefit Show in Hollywood, California - Best Performance – Explosions (2014), Best Choreography – To Build a Home (2016), Best Lyrical/Modern/Contemporary – Girl Behind the Mask (2018), Best Open/Acro/Ballet – The Village (2019).  She loves the challenge of helping dancers improve, whether they’ve been dancing for several years or are stepping into the studio for the first time. Hannah’s passion and energetic approach to teaching helps her students achieve the most on stage and in their everyday lives.  When away from the studio, Hannah enjoys playing piano and spending time with her husband.  She’s always planning her next vacation and knows just what to do when your suitcase doesn’t arrive.

Annabelle Shipley has been dancing since the age of three and her passion for creative movement runs deep.

She grew up dancing on competitive teams at The Dance Centre and Emjaez Dance Studio performing in tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and ballet. Once graduated from Bay High School she pursued her dance dreams and was accepted to the Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. She trained under many professional and great teachers such as Michelle Barber, Tracie Stanfield, Sheila Barker, Chio, David Howard, Jim Cooney and many more. She modeled for Dance Spirit Magazine and performed in dance pieces choreographed by Michelle Barber, Jamie J, Matthew Powell and others. After the BDC program, she was accepted to Point Park University as a dance major focusing on ballet and jazz. After PPU, she then began her career as a dance educator teaching at Emjaez Dance Studio while pursuing performance opportunities in Cleveland. Annabelle was a dancer for the Lake Erie Monsters dance team for two years and was captain of the team her second year. Annabelle realized the importance of nutrition to a dancer’s body; she enrolled in and completed an intense course on Integrative Nutrition becoming a Certified Health Coach. Annabelle is ready to bring more of her knowledge to Once Upon A Dream and many studios in & around Medina! Annabelle’s innovative approach will spread & share the passion and gift of dance art along with some holistic health knowledge. Bringing health, happiness and fulfillment to her students and families. Annabelle believes that dance brings joy to a performer and audiences and teaches many life lessons to a child and young adult. Dance teaches self-confidence, individuality, time management, flexibility, strength, expression… She believes in following your dreams.

Along with dance Annabelle loves her family, cat and animals, nature, traveling and trying new things!

Carley Mayes started her dance career at Once Upon a Dream when she was a young girl and continues to further her career on The University of Akron dance team. After starting at Once Upon a Dream, Carley took competition classes in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, tap, and ballet. She also cheered competitively for OUAD and expanded her horizons at Wadsworth High school on the cheer team and in the show choir. Throughout 15 years of dancing with this studio, she has been privileged to spend her high school career surrounded by a dance family and studio filled with inspiring teachers and dancers. She has learned all of the skills she needs to be a leader and a teacher to students of all ages thanks to the teachers who never failed to push her. These include Trixie Schoonover, Hannah Campbell , Emily Kula, Shannon Reichelt, Alex Jones, and many other coaches and mentors. At Once Upon a Dream Carley was able to find her full potential as a dancer and a person. She was inspired to further her career at any opportunity given and she continues to grow and learn at The University of Akron. Because this studio provided such a supportive environment for her for many years, she now intends to do the same for her students. She is very blessed to have the opportunity to teach at this studio and give her students the experience her teachers gave to her. With her strong passion for dance, she is sure to provide her students with a fun and safe place where they can learn and grow as dancers and people as well. 

BIO:

Bethany is an Ohio native who spent her pre-pandemic professional life working at theatres across Colorado. Her artistic home was Creede Repertory Theatre where she worked as an actor and choreographer for over a decade. Her choreography credits include The Wizard of Oz, 9 to 5, Little Shop of Horrors, Guys & Dolls, and several world premier Theatre for Young Audiences productions. She is thrilled to be bringing her passion for musical theatre back to her home town!

My position at Once Upon a Dream is office administrator for the Granger and Wadsworth Studios.  It is my “dream job” …the studio is a special place to work.  We have fantastic families and children and I love watching them develop a love of the performing arts and hone their dance movements.  I have worked at a dance studio for over 35 years; previously for my friend at Gotta Dance in Medina for 25 years.   I was the office administrator there and taught Pilates. My daughter, Alison also danced and taught there from 3-20 years old.  After my friend retired, I started working for Shannon at OUAD.  This is my tenth year at OUAD and I enjoy sharing my “love of dance and the performing arts” with the children and their families.  

I live on a 100 acre farm with my husband, Mike.  We have 4 horses, 2 dogs, and lots of cats!   I enjoy  riding my horse, Barbie on the farm, gardening, walking and keeping up with my Pilates.  We have two grown children, John (wife, Tracie) and Alison (husband, Kenny), 5 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild who share special times and help on the farm.  

I look forward to each year at OUAD..so fun and exciting!  

Hi my name is Elayna Yuschak! I started at Once Upon a Dream and did competitive cheer when I was 6 years old where I continued until I was 14. I went to college for soccer at Tiffin University but missed cheer so my sophomore year of college (fall of 2018) I decided to join the Cheer and STUNT teams as well! I love working with kids, especially through cheer and tumbling because it is amazing to watch them create friendships, achieve their goals and have fun