For Canton Ballet alumnae Cindy Ferguson Free, Carol Hageman, and Rene Street, the journey from the ballet studio led to careers in arts leadership, education, business, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. While their professional lives took very different directions, each woman built a legacy defined by dedication, creativity, perseverance, and service to others.
Canton Ballet celebrated its 60th Anniversary Gala weekend at the Cultural Center for the Arts, hosting its largest alumni gathering ever. More than 70 former dancers traveled from across the country to reconnect, mentor current students, and celebrate the organization’s 60-year legacy.
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Canton Ballet had firmly established itself as a cornerstone of arts education in the region. It was during this time that a young dancer named Henry “Ty” Neading first entered the studios.
1970–1971: Some seasons announce themselves loudly. Others reveal their importance only later, once there is enough distance to understand what was truly taking shape.
From First Company to Lasting Tradition — In Memory of Bessie Vlahos. How Canton Ballet Learned to Stand — and Stay Standing (1965–1969).
The Dream That Started It All: How Two Women Built a Ballet Legacy in a Small Midwestern City. Great legacies often begin with a single belief: that something extraordinary can take root in the most unexpected places.
Canton Ballet is a nonprofit school and pre-professional company that is nationally acclaimed and located in Canton, Ohio.
Whether you’re eager to explore our classes, attend breathtaking performances, or contribute to our nonprofit mission, we invite you to connect with us. Contact us today to embark on a journey of passion, artistry, and community. Let’s dance together!
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Canton Ballet and the Canton Symphony Orchestra will co-present Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. With original choreography from Canton Ballet and the timeless music by Saint-Saëns performed by the Canton Symphony Orchestra.
Assistant Instructor
Mya Frank is a senior at the University of Akron pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Through the collaboration with The University of Akron and The Joffrey Ballet School she has had the opportunity to perform in multiple works with the Joffrey Concert Group. She will be attending the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive on a full scholarship this summer.
Mya began her dance training at the Canton Ballet, where she built a strong technical and artistic foundation in dance. Additionally she has trained at summer intensives with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Boston Ballet. Throughout her training, Mya has performed in numerous productions including The Nutcracker, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Dracula, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland, developing a deep passion for performance and storytelling through movement.
Beyond performing, Mya is committed to dance education and community engagement. At Canton Ballet, she progressed from Assistant Instructor to Jazz Instructor, where she mentors and teaches young dancers while fostering creativity and confidence in the classroom. Additionally, Mya serves as an assistant in the STEPS Program, an outreach initiative that brings dance education to elementary school students. Through this experience, she has worked closely with children, helping introduce movement and artistic expression in an accessible and encouraging environment.
As an emerging artist, Mya is passionate about continuing to grow as both a performer and choreographer. Through her studies, teaching experiences, and creative work, she strives to deepen her artistic voice, expand her movement vocabulary, and create meaningful artistic experiences that inspire and connect with others.
Ballroom
A lifelong dancer with mastery in six distinct styles, Kayla Satava has been a force on the ballroom floor since she was just four years old. Beginning her competitive career alongside her father as her partner, she has since risen to the top of the sport, currently holding over 15 state titles and 10 national titles. Her extensive background includes years of high-level training at the Soul Inspired Dance Complex in Hartville, as well as four dedicated years on her high school dance team. Kayla now channels that lifelong expertise into the next generation of dancers as the co-coach of the Hoover Dance Team in North Canton.
Ballet/Substitute
Madison Campbell started her career with Cleveland Ballet in 2016, where she originated roles in many of Cleveland Ballet’s repertoire. Some of her favorite roles with the ballet have included Iris in Margo Sappington’s "Alice," Dark Angel in George Balanchine’s "Serenade," and Titania in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream." Madison grew up in Des Moines, Iowa where she first started her ballet training with Emery and Melissa Uyehara and performed in numerous productions with Iowa Dance Theatre. She supplemented her training at summer intensives such as Joffrey Midwest, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, School of American Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, and Nashville Ballet. After graduating early from high school, Madison studied with Miami City Ballet School, The School of Philadelphia Ballet, and Nashville Ballet where she performed in various company performances, toured locally and to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and participated in several community outreach events.
In addition to being a dancer in the company, she enjoys teaching the students of the Academy of Cleveland Ballet and helping the next generation achieve their dreams.
Pianist
Beth Herbst holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Mount Union College and a Master of Music from the University of Akron. She dedicated her career to music education, teaching three years with Massillon City Schools, twelve years at Fairless Local Schools, and twenty-five years at St. Michael School, shaping generations of students through her commitment to excellence in the classroom.
Beth joined Canton Ballet’s faculty this year, first serving as pianist for the Ballet’s STEPS outreach program, where she provides live accompaniment for second-grade students in Canton City Schools. She also plays for Canton Ballet’s dance programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Massillon, helping bring enriching experiences through live music and movement to students, many of whom may be engaging with dance for the first time. In addition, she now accompanies ballet classes within the School of Canton Ballet.
She is delighted to support Canton Ballet’s dancers both in the studio and throughout its expanding community impact initiatives.
Pilates
Caroline Kappel is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher® with extensive experience teaching in the area for many years. She earned a BA degree in Sociology from Saint Mary’s College, Indiana, an MFA degree in Dance Performance and Choreography from Mills College, California, and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Arts from Ohio University. Over the years, Caroline has taught a wide range of courses, including Pilates, dance technique, dance composition, dance history, and dance appreciation at Ohio University, Walsh University, and Baldwin Wallace University. She currently teaches at Kent State University, Caroline Kappel Pilates, and Canton Ballet, where she continues to share her passion for dance, movement, and wellness.
Community Education Coordinator/Instructor
Kiahna Saneshige Donchess began her dance training at Canton Ballet in 1999 under Cassandra Crowley, Jennifer Catazaro Hayward, and Angelo Lemmo, and had the privilege of receiving instruction from renowned teacher Laura Alonso. She represented Canton Ballet at Regional Dance America and was featured in gala performances, including the Third National Festival in Montreal, Canada. In 2010, she received the Joshua Carlino Scholarship Award for Outstanding Female Performer.
Kiahna earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she performed roles including the Black Swan from Swan Lake and the Peasant Pas de Deux from Giselle while working with internationally acclaimed choreographers. She received the Suzanne Farrell Scholarship for Excellence and was featured in Pointe Magazine as a representative of the program.
Following graduation, Kiahna performed and choreographed with Columbus Dance Theatre and taught and judged at studios, workshops, conventions, and national dance competitions across the country. In 2020, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she taught at Dance 1 Redondo Ballet and served as co-director and co-founder of its adult performing company.
Upon returning to Canton Ballet, Kiahna continues to teach ballet and contemporary dance, choreograph, and serve as Community Education Coordinator. In 2025, she completed training through the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Teacher Training Program. In 2026, she received the Regional Dance America Northeast Emerging Choreographers Award and a scholarship to attend RDA’s Dance and Choreography Intensive.
Drawing from extensive experience as a performer, choreographer, and educator, Kiahna brings a thoughtful, experience-driven approach to guiding and inspiring her students.
Instructor/Choreographer/Advisor
Angelo Lemmo has been a faculty member with Canton Ballet since 1987. He has taught at several dance festivals within the United States, including Regional Dance America/Pacific and Northeast as well as the Delaware Dance Festival. His works have often been chosen for performances at RDA/Northeast Festivals, are often on the Gala performance and two received the RDA Craft of Choreography Project Tier Award.
Angelo's choreographic range spans classical ballet, modern dance, musical theatre, opera, and more. He has created five original full-length ballets, over 40 short works, and 25 musical theatre productions. His work has been performed across the northeastern U.S., Canada, and Europe. In addition to Canton Ballet, his choreography has been featured by companies such as Ohio Dance Theater, Cleveland Ballet Dancing Wheels, Ohio Light Opera, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Kent State University, Fort Wayne Dance Collective, and many more.
Pianist
Sebastian Anthony Birch, a native of Ohio, was brought up in Italy where he began his musical training. He holds a master’s degree in music from Cleveland State University, studying with Edwin London and Bain Murray, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied composition with Donald Erb.
Dr. Birch has composed numerous works for the stage including the opera Ligeia and the musical, Cricket on the Hearth. He has been commissioned electronic and acoustic works by Cleveland Ballet, The Tom Evert Modern Dance Company, The College of Wooster, and the University of South Florida. Other commissions include The Hidden City, a suite for piano commissioned by the city of Cleveland, premiered by Anita Pontremoli, and Argentum, a work for “flutes and silverware” commissioned by the Cleveland Museum of Art and first performed by Mary Kay Fink and Mel Csicila.
Ballet
Madison Campbell grew up in Des Moines, Iowa where she first started her ballet training with Emery and Melissa Uyehara and performed in numerous productions with Iowa Dance Theatre. She supplemented her training at summer intensives such as; Joffrey Midwest, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, School of American Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, and Nashville Ballet.
After graduating early from high school, Madison studied with Miami City Ballet School, The School of Philadelphia Ballet, and Nashville Ballet where she performed in various company performances, toured locally and to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and participated in several community outreach events. Madison started her professional career with Cleveland Ballet in 2016, and within the same year began teaching. She has worked with all levels of students from 2-22 yrs and loves the challenge each age brings. She has helped children learn roles in the beloved Nutcracker, aided in several school productions, organized outreach performances and programs, and been a guest instructor at various summer intensives. In addition to starting her teaching career; Ms. Campbell is continuing her education in Social Work and Family and Human Development.
Madison loves watching all of her wonderful students grow to become young professionals in all aspects of their lives and believes dance creates a community unlike any other artform.
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Since 1978, Canton Ballet has offered Peter and the Wolf annually to area schools as one of its community outreach programs. A traveling production of Peter and the Wolf and lecture demonstrations for all ages are available for schools along with in-school dance residencies focusing on Preschool age children.
Canton Ballet’s The Nutcracker has enchanted families across Northeast Ohio for generations, becoming a beloved holiday tradition. Bring the magic of this season to your school this year.
Principal Pianist
Sharon Walsh is a pianist and composer with over fourteen years of professional experience playing for the Tulsa Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Canton Ballet, Marymount Manhattan College, Ballet Hispanico & the Juilliard School. She has been a guest pianist for the Aspen Sante Fe Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Arts, American Ballet Theater, Ballet Tech, The French Academie of Ballet and The Nederlands Dans Theater 2. Guest artists she has played for include Jeff Edwards, Francois Perron, Caridad Martinez, Carol Roderick, Jacques Beltrame, William Whitener, Richard Marsden, Dawn Hillen, Kenny Larson and Viviana Durante. Sharon loves to instinctively incorporate jazz, broadway, opera, modern and personal compositions into her repertoire on request.
Ballet
Born in Noci, Italy, Luca Sportelli started his dance education at a local dance studio before moving to Naples, Italy, at the age of eleven to study at the San Carlo Ballet School. He then transferred his studies to Romanian ballet teacher, Sylvia Humaila, where he danced until 2014.
That summer Luca received a full scholarship to study at the San Francisco Ballet School. One year later he started his professional career, dancing with such companies as Columbia Classical Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Moscow Ballet, and Kharkov Ballet, touring in the USA, Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, China, and the Ukraine.
Luca is passionate about sharing his knowledge of dance with the next generation. He has taught at several dance studios, including Milele Academy in Nashville, TN, and Ohio Ballet Theatre, locally.
Master Guest Teacher/Advisor
Zachary Catazaro was born in Canton, Ohio, and began his dance training at Canton Ballet under Cassandra Crowley, Angelo Lemmo and his mother Jennifer Catazaro Hayward, where he also received instruction from Laura Alonso. After graduation, Mr. Catazaro studied at the School of American Ballet the official school of the New York City Ballet in 2006. While at SAB, he was mentored by Jock Soto and Sean Lavery and also received instruction from Andrei Kramarevsky. In October 2007, Peter Martins invited him to become an apprentice with New York City Ballet, and then the Company’s corps de ballet in October 2008. He was promoted to soloist in February 2014 and elevated to Principal dancer in 2017. Notable featured roles at New York City Ballet include the title role in George Balanchine’s Apollo, Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux, Serenade, Diamonds from the full length ballet “Jewels”, La Sonnambula, La Valse, Romeo in Peter Martins’ production of Romeo + Juliet as well as Prince Siegfried in Martins’ full length production Swan Lake, among many others. Mr. Catazaro has also been featured in Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story Suite as Tony and Bernardo and performed in Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering and NY Export: Opus Jazz. In 2018, he was featured in Walt Disney’s film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” dancing with American Ballet Theater’s Misty Copeland and appeared as himself in the Hulu documentary film “Ballet Now.” In 2019, Mr. Catazaro was invited to join the Bayerisches Staatsballett as a Principal Guest dancer by then director Igor Zelensky. There he danced featured roles in John Neumeier’s Lady of the Camellias, Spartacus by Yuri Grigorovich, and John Cranko’s Onegin, among others. Additionally, he appeared as an international guest artist in various galas around the world including YAGP. In 2020, most of his work consisted of principal guest appearances for Rome Opera Ballet in Italy and the Los Angeles Ballet of California. After the Covid pandemic of, Mr. Catazaro danced with the Cleveland Ballet from 2021 until his retirement in April of 2023. In retirement, Mr. Catazaro has been teaching at Canton Ballet while currently an instrument rated, multi-engine, commercial pilot. In 2025, Mr. Catazaro graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation.
Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Jason Exposito is a Physical Therapy Doctor specializing in Differential Diagnosis and Manipulation Therapy at Aultman Massillon Physical Therapy. His journey into dance began as an adult starring in Don Quixote alongside his wife, Kristen, igniting his passion. Since 2019, he’s been a regular adult guest artist at Canton Ballet, performing roles in The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, The Little Mermaid, and The Wizard of Oz.
Assistant to the Director
Allison Campbell Brewer began her ballet training at Canton Ballet in 1989 and joined the Canton Ballet Company in 1996. She trained with the esteemed Laura Alonso in both the U.S. and Cuba, working with notable instructors including Ivan Monreal Alonso, Hector F. Abrantes, Lourdes Alvarez Trigueiro, and Fernando Alonso.
Allison competed in the Paris International Ballet Competition and the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), winning the classical division at the Chicago Regionals and placing 3rd at the Nationals in New York. She earned scholarships to summer intensives at the School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, and other prestigious programs.
Her professional dance career includes performances with the San Francisco Ballet and Virginia Ballet Theatre. Since 2020, Allison has also been a 200-hour Certified Yoga Teacher.
Ballet/Rehearsal Assistant
Anna Spinelli began her ballet studies at Canton Ballet. She has trained with renowned teacher Laura Alonso, as well as studied at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and North Carolina Ballet. Anna went on to study dance at Slippery Rock University where she was selected to perform in multiple pieces. Upon returning to Canton, she joined Canton Ballet as an instructor while attending Kent State University. Anna has performed lead roles for Canton Ballet, including Dewdrop and Marzipan in The Nutcracker and Glinda the Good Witch in Wizard of Oz. Anna obtained a degree in Middle Childhood Education and is currently teaching Mathematics at St. Joan of Arc School. She was married to her partner Erik in November 2023.
Office Manager
Angela (Natale) Ayotte recently joined Canton Ballet as the new Office Manager, but her roots go back to her days as a student, eventually becoming an alumna in ’94. After graduation, she pursued her love for the arts at Wright State University, focusing on dance. Her connection to Canton Ballet extends to her family – both her daughter and grandson are current students at the school. In addition to her work at the ballet, Angela volunteers throughout the community, currently serving as co-president of the Home & School Association at St. Joan of Arc School, a parish council member of St. Joseph Church, & co-administrator of St. Joseph’s Cupboard.
Resident Costume Designer
Mrs. Kaplan earned her Masters Degree in Fashion Design in Ukraine and created costumes for well known Russian dancers at the Odessa Opera House. She brought her Russian technique of costume and tutu design to the United States in the early 1990’s and began designing and creating for Canton Ballet. Mrs. Kaplan’s tutus are truly a work of art and reflect her passion for both the dancer and the role. She says, “a beautiful costume puts power into the dancer. When the dancer wears the perfect tutu the transformation into character is complete.” The challenge of creating a tutu that is not only beautiful and true to character but also comfortable for the dancer and sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of dance is a challenge Mrs. Kaplan enjoys.
Lower School Principal/Early Childhood Specialist
Julie Mizer-Grasse began her dance training at the age of six at Canton Ballet, where she was the youngest member accepted into the Company. She danced in many storybook ballets including the Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel as well as numerous original piece sets on the Company by award winning choreographers. Summer studies include Cleveland Ballet (Now San Jose Ballet) and renowned teachers such as Melissa Hayden and Gus Giordano.
After dancing with the University of Akron Dance Ensemble, she graduated, taught at several studios, came full circle, returned to Canton Ballet and is now the Early Childhood Specialist. Mrs. Grasse was the lead dance provider for ALL in the CCSD preschool department, having written the original curriculum. She was at Westbrook Park Nursery School for 25 years teaching music, movement, and dance. She is certified as an early childhood educator as well as being Playright, Leap & Learn and Youth Protection Advocates in Dance certified.
Executive Artistic Director
Jennifer Catazaro Hayward is a highly accomplished dancer and teacher, whose passion for ballet was ignited during her early years of training at Canton Ballet. Her talent was quickly recognized, and she was awarded scholarships to attend some of the most prestigious ballet schools in the country, including George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Dallas Metropolitan Ballet.
At the School of American Ballet, Jennifer had the privilege of studying under legendary teachers Suki Shorer, Stanley Williams, and Alexandra Danilova, and was the recipient of a full-year scholarship. Her dedication and hard work paid off when she won first place in the Regional National Society of Arts & Letters competition in dance in 1985, which earned her a scholarship from the National Competition.
Jennifer attended the University of Akron and joined the faculty of the School of Canton Ballet in 1990. Her students have danced professionally with prestigious companies, including the New York City Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Dayton Ballet, L.A. Dance Project, and Carolina Ballet. Additionally, some of her students have performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, and Santa Fe Opera. Others have secured starring roles on Broadway and in film and television, including productions that have won Tony and Emmy awards.
Jennifer is married to John C. Hayward, and they are the proud parents of four children. Zachary, the eldest, is an international guest artist and commercial pilot, Cameron is a principal soloist with Miami City Ballet Company, Bella graduated Summa Cum Laude from Capital University and now works for Aultman College, and Max, the youngest, was recently appointed a member of American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in New York City.
