Our Instructors
Leah Green (Tap and Acro)
Leah Green grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and moved to Cleveland in 2004 to attend Lee University. She began dancing ballet and tumbling at the age of eight. She immediately was hooked and quickly added training in modern, jazz, tap, and later, pointe. She would go on to spend her whole dance career at this facility which afforded many opportunities including being a teacher’s assistant from age 13, dancing in annual Memorial Day parades, and masterclasses with the Radio City Rockettes, and Ballet Magnificat. She enjoys performing in its many facets including singing and acting. She was a member of her high school’s auditioned A Capella choir and the Melodymen & Melodettes show choir. While competing, she won the title of “Best Performer” in her group twice in the same season. As a senior, she was in her school’s production of “Once Upon a Mattress,” serving as both a chorus member and dance captain. She later used her skills learned in dance and tumbling to become a football cheerleader her junior and senior years. She was a member of her school’s Varsity Dance team all four years. She has choreographed dances for her church’s production of “Uncle Phil’s Diner” and played “Clarisse” twice for their production of “Baggage Claim,” most recently in 2019. Leah considers herself a lifelong learner, and attends workshops as well as engaging with dance history whenever possible to enhance her students’ dance education. She joined the CCB staff in 2012, and has taught creative movement, ballet, jazz, tap, and acro throughout the years, primarily focusing on tap and acro. She loves giving her students a better understanding of music so they can make their own music through the art of tap. Her class motto is to “try YOUR best,” without comparison, and without expectation of perfection. She incorporates her knowledge of psychology and her experience as a mother to truly understand her students, love them on their best days and their worst, and encourage them to reach their full potential. When she’s not teaching, she’s homeschooling the four children she shares with her husband, Lanny, and working on a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Dani Clark (Ballet, Jazz and Company)
Dani Clark, a Decatur, Georgia native, has been dancing since the age of three. She has over 17 years of dance teaching experience as well as extensive choreography and performance experience. Her training began at Cathedral Dance Studio in Decatur, where she was trained in ballet, modern, jazz and tap. She attended high school at DeKalb School of the Arts, where she focused on dance and technical theater. In 2010, she graduated from the University of Georgia with an A.B. in Dance and Religion. During her time at UGA, she received comprehensive training in ballet and contemporary and was the president of the Young Choreographers Series, a student organization that organized and showcased performances of student choreography, from 2007-2010. For the past 25 years, she has been a member of performance companies where she has had many opportunities to choreograph and perform throughout the southeastern United States. Since graduating from the University of Georgia, she has been teaching dancers of all ages throughout the Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, and Chattanooga Areas.
Sarah Trippeer (Ballet)
Sarah Jane Trippeer, a native of Asheville, NC, is a classically trained ballerina and teacher with an emphasis on fundamentals and strong technique.
She’s been dancing and performing since the age of two. After several years of being an award-winning performing company dancer and soloist, in jazz, contemporary and tap, Sarah found her heart's true calling in ballet; which she regards as the foundation for all dance.
Sarah has trained with some of the most prestigious ballet schools in the nation. Those include The Rock School of Dance Education, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under the tutelage of Marcia Dale Weary.
She has had a variety of performing roles en pointe as a soloist and many ballet corps roles. She has performed in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Coppelia, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Swan Lake. Additionally, she has taken on classical variations such as Sleeping Beauty’s, Fairy of the Golden Vine and contemporary works including George Balanchine’s Four Temperaments, Heather Maloy’s Le Suil Go, 3rd movement, and Run Ragged.
One of Sarah’s favorite quotes is, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. Sarah feels she was just an ordinary dancer, but learned to thrive through hard work and dedication. She also credits her success to her parents that constantly believed in her and supported her love of dance and training.
Sarah is passionate about passing her lifelong love for ballet onto others and pushing her students to reach their full potential.
Devan Green (Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet)
Devan is a 26 year old, mother of two originally from West Virginia. She started dancing at the age of 9 with 3rd Day Anointing Dance Ministry, fell in love, and started taking classes. Her home studio is Bloom Dance Studio in Maryland. At 16, Devan auditioned for Neshema Dance Company and traveled to perform modern and contemporary at different venues. She has rejoined their 2020-2021 as a part-time member. Devan has taught and been involved in several dance intensives since 2010. She moved to Tennessee in 2012 to attend Lee University, graduating in 2015 with a B.A. in Anthropology in 2015. In 2013, Devan started working for Cleveland City Ballet as a Hip Hop teacher, and, in 2016, married her best friend, Will. Devan’s technique is broad, but primary her focus is Contemporary and Hip Hop. She enjoys art as a passion and wants to bring that to all her students.
Hailey Johnston (Pre-Ballet)
Hailey Johnston was born and raised in Chattanooga, but has called Cleveland home for the past 15 years. She studied under Lively School of Dance and has 25 years of dance experience with an emphasis in ballet, tap, and jazz. She has taught dance for many years in the Cleveland area. Her favorite part about teaching? The families she has grown to know and love over the years. Hailey is married to Steven, and together, they have two daughters - Kate & Ellie. Hailey is also Founder & CEO of local nonprofit, Project Free 2 Fly.
Rachel Bice (0ffice Manager)
Racheal is a native of Ooltewah and a 2008 graduate of Ooltewah High School. She has always been involved in dance, gymnastics and cheerleading. Racheal is married to Ian and they have two beautiful girls. Rachael is a valuable piece to the puzzle here at the studio and offers a vast knowledge in the studio store and a smiling face in the office.
Casey Brock (Studio Mother Hen)
Casey is a life-long resident of Cleveland and 1995 graduate of Bradley Central High School and 1999 graduate of Lee University. She has always been involved in sports and is very exited to branch out and explore the genre of dance. Casey has been married to her husband, Brian for 25 years and they have three beautiful girls. She is always willing to help where she is needed and be a positive light for all the dancers that pass through the studio.