“When I first sat down at the Civic Theater at 6 years old to watch “Spirit of the Cuyahoga”, little did I know that ballet would change my life and I would get to perform that ballet in high school before moving on to my professional career. Nan Klinger saw that spark in me and gave me an opportunity that would become my greatest love. Mia Klinger honed and perfected my skills with incredible teaching and love. She is the very reason I am a professional dancer and with her meticulous training and amazing determination as a director/mentor/teacher, I have made my wildest dream of becoming a ballet dancer reality. Twenty-six years later, I am forever grateful to Mia and the faculty because they care about each child that walks through their studio door and with their incredible knowledge, give them the tools to become better dancers, people and move them towards whatever direction life takes.”

“Ballet has taught me so many things over the years and has helped shape who I am. Through ballet, I learned to be more disciplined, diligent, respectful, and passionate about the arts. No teacher demanded those values as much as Nan Klinger did, and I am so thankful she did. It not only made me a stronger dancer, but it also made me a stronger person. Ballet is a part of me and always will be. No matter how hard I may try, it is something of which I can never let go. It has become a part of my soul, and I have found it is the best way for me to express myself. There is nothing more freeing than dancing, and I would not have that freedom had I not taken ballet. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to work with Nan Klinger and to be a member of the CVYB. It is a gift I will forever cherish.” 

“As a child, my direction in life was family, school and Excellence in Dance. This is what made me a successful adult. With my studies at Excellence in Dance and as a member of the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, I was part of a community outside of regular academia. It enhanced and contributed to my success as a well-rounded student because I was challenged and inspired as a student and artist. The discipline, instructed direction, and ethics instilled in those years molded me as a teacher with a professional training to draw from, strong work ethics and the experience of being a team player. My years there have made it possible for me work in many different environments, both pre-professional and professional. To learn the importance of being a member of a team has made me a success in the world of dance education.”

“Studying ballet at Excellence in Dance (EID) gave me a solid foundation of ballet training and life skills that have been the basis of a successful career as a professional ballet dancer, ballet teacher, and artist. I learned perseverance, dedication, work ethic, focus, repetition, and how to set goals and work hard to achieve them. Also, to be an expressive and resilient human being and a team player. To this day, I am grateful for everything I learned here that kickstarted my career and life and also for the lifelong friendships I made. “ Miss Nan’s” spirit still lives through my work.”

“Studying ballet and being part of the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet growing up was in invaluable experience for me. It taught me self-discipline, confidence, and creativity. I learned first hand what it meant to be a team player and the dynamics of working with others. These skills I learned as a youth are basic values that all children should learn no matter what profession they choose. Even though, I am not part of the ballet community as an adult, my passion for creativity has led me into my career of being a designer for one of the top architectural firms in the country. I will always love ballet but now it is just from a different perspective, the audience.”

“I was a pudgy little awkward kid when I first arrived at Nan’s school of Dance and emerged a lithe, graceful, experienced performer. I, shortly after, moved to New York to pursue a career in dance where I implemented all the tools I had acquired from Nan and the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet. I have since done five Broadway shows, a couple of television series and numerous television commercials having never lost the love, discipline and respect for the art of dance that stemmed from my early years with Nan and the CVYB. I have many fond memories of that time in my life and I want to thank Nan, her family, and the CVYB for giving me such a strong beginning to a wonderful and very full life, which now includes a six-week-old baby. My greatest accomplishment to date!” 

“I am incredibly lucky to be dancing professionally.  I truly believe that starting my dance training at Nan Klinger’s gave me the foundation and work ethic I needed to succeed.  Their level of training is unmatched in this area. Not only is Miss Mia an excellent teacher, but she has a strong staff of dedicated instructors.  Getting the chance to grow up in this studio I made lifelong friends and learned skills that are applicable to more than dance. The yearly recital was a great way to experience the joy of performing.  As students are older they are able to audition for Ballet Excel Ohio which offers many more opportunities to perform and grow as artists.  I would highly recommend Nan Klinger’s to anyone interested in experiencing all that dance has to offer.”

“When first I began my pursuit of becoming a ballet dancer, my mother was told if I wanted quality training, I was to go to Nan Klinger’s Excellence in Dance. To anyone who knew, Nan Klinger was synonymous with serious ballet training. “Miss Nan”, as we reverently called her, equipped me with the strength of technique, discipline, grace, and direction to chart out my dreams of becoming a ballerina. In my almost 10 years of professional dance with companies such as; Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet as a principal, Ballet Met, overseas and guest appearances with Fernando Bujones. I have Nan Klinger and the CVYB to thank for helping to mold me into the dancer and person that I am today. She was in the business of training not only dancers, but competent and confident individuals. CVYB became a second “family” to me and out of that, grew close bonds of friendship, and an ability to work together, which is an essential tool in any professional scene. My path has evolved into becoming a teacher at the New Albany Ballet Company. For the past 6 years, my students are getting accepted into prestigious schools across country, and are striving for the excellence that was instilled in me. I am modeling our pre-professional company off of the concept of CVYB, and continuing the legacy Nan Klinger began with a new generation of dancers. My accomplishments are reflective of the solid foundation I was given by Nan Klinger and the CVYB. “Miss Nan” still lives in spirit through my teaching, and her voice resonates within me.” 

“The Nan Klinger School of Dance instilled in me a great work ethic and discipline that has served me well in all areas of my life. It provided a strong foundation from which the success of my career was built.”