The Dancing School professional staff is a passionate group of dancers. We strongly believe all children should have the opportunity to learn the art of dance in a non-competitive, fun, and friendly environment. All of our students are treated with dignity and respect. We hope to see you soon!
Jillian Fader began dancing before the age of three. She was trained in a variety of styles at the Patti Finelli School of Dance where she became an assistant in 2004 and a teacher in 2007. She has her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in biology, with minors in chemistry and dance from Youngstown State University, where she performed with the Dance Ensemble for five years.
Miss Jilli has taught at numerous studios in Northeast Ohio, attended the Dancing for Others Benefit for 19 years and the American College Dance Festival for two years. She currently holds a Professional Educator License in K-12 Science and works at Girard High School, where she teaches Integrated and Environmental Science, Microbiology and Forensics. She has coached majorette for six years and is entering her fifth season as majorette coach at GHS. Miss Jilli is a member of Dance Masters of Ohio and is certified in Acrobatic Arts Level 1 and Basic Zumba! She is a member of Dance Masters of America, certified and tested in modern, tap, jazz, and ballet.
She continues to seek professional development during the off-season. Miss Jilli is married to the love of her life, Nathaniel. When not dancing, Miss Jilli loves reading, exercising and traveling! TDS is Miss Jilli’s dream and she is so grateful to every staff member, student and family for making it come true.
Erica Hays, a new resident of Youngstown, Ohio. In May 2021 she received a Bachelors of Art in Dance Management with a minor in Developmental Psychology and an Entrepreneurship Certificate. She started dancing at Stacey’s Dance Studio in Marietta, Ohio at the age of 4 and started competing with the Force team in 2007 and has been assisting and teaching since 2015.
During her time at Youngstown State she was a Dance Ensemble Officer and performed in Dance Ensemble shows from 2018-2021. She also works at The Dancing School in Girard and is a part-time nanny. In fall of 2020 she attended the Acrobatic Arts Module 1 training and is now certified!
When she is not dancing, she enjoys relaxing with her dog, Callie, and reading.
Hailey Gelzheiser is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer in the Youngstown and Cleveland areas. She received her B.A. in Dance Management from Youngstown State University, where she received an extensive education in technique, choreography, and pedagogy. Along with teaching at The Dancing School, she also serves as the Artistic Director of the JCC School of Dance and teaches at SMARTS, where she serves as a Community Teaching Artist and Empowers Dance Teacher to many local schools.
In her free time, Hailey continues to find opportunities to train, perform, and choreograph through organizations like Cleveland Dance Project and Dance Masters of America, Inc.
Melissa is a mom of four kids, all of whom she adores even when they are driving her crazy. She has 30 years of teaching experience with a BFA in Dance Performance and Education along with a Masters in Leadership and Teaching.
When not with her kids she enjoys serving as the Principal and Director of Special Services in Windham, as well as reading and being outdoors.
Deanna Daniels grew up in small town Vienna, OH. At age 4 she started attending ballet, tap, jazz, acro, and gymnastics classes. She feels that getting to perform en Pointe was a dream come true and one of her biggest accomplishments.
Deanna began assisting teaching classes at age 13 and immediately knew it was her passion. Deanna has now been teaching Gymnastics at Olympic Dreams Gymnastics for over 10 years, and taught acro at James Dance and performing arts studio from 2012-2015. She has taught kids from age 18 months old learning their very first forward roll, all the way to competitive team gymnasts trying their first layout on floor.
Deanna currently resides in Niles, OH with her husband and 2 beautiful children. In her spare time she enjoys crafting, playing video games, and reading.
Tina is a graduate of Girard High School. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (K-8) and a Masters Degree in Curriculum from Youngstown State University. Tina taught in Girard City Schools for 35 years prior to retiring. Tina started twirling at the age of 13. In high school, Tina was a majorette, feature twirler, and drum majorette. During that time she competed at local, state and national levels attaining numerous awards and titles. Tina was the director of the Golden Sabre Baton and Drum Corp for 5 years.
Over the past 47 years Tina has worked with and choreographed for multiple high school majorette, flag and pom pom lines as well as feature twirlers at both high school and college levels. Tina is a member of the All-America Judges Association and a registered NBTA (National Baton Twirling Association) judge, coach, and contest director. She has judged numerous modeling pageants, parades, and twirling competitions including Miss Majorette Pageants and State Championships in Ohio, New York, Michigan, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Arizona, Indiana, and Florida. She has also judged at AYOP (Nationals). Tina has taught at various twirling camps and clinics in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. Many of Tina's private twirling students have won awards at State and National levels.
When Tina is not sharing her passion for twirling she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, doing puzzles, and tutoring.
Timmy Campbell aka Mr. Timmy is trained in Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Ballet, and Pas de Deux. Prior to dancing, Timmy trained in martial arts for 10+ years. He is trained in numerous styles, competed, and taught for 4 years. He choreographed numerous fight sequences, weapons demonstrations, and stunt scenes during his time as a martial artist. Timmy has 10+ years of dance experience under his belt.
During his time dancing Timmy has competed, been in numerous productions, done an array of benefit performances and has taught (competitively and recreationally). He enjoys spreading his love for dance. He wants to share the freedom, expression and joy dance brings. If not dancing, he can be found counseling or mentoring, he holds a bachelors in criminology and a masters in mental health clinical counseling.
In his free time, he loves nature, music (listening and creating), spending time with loved ones, and reading!