Abi Besse began dancing at the age of four with Linda Adolphi and Paul Wilson at Cleveland City Dance. She has trained under Courtney Laves-Mearini, Mark Otloski, Andrea Blankstein-Otloski, and Shannon Sterne. Abi went on to graduate from the professional trainee program of Light of the World Ballet in Syracuse New York in 2012. Over the last six years, she has enjoyed teaching, choreographing, and performing. She has performed multiple soloist and supporting roles as a guest artist for Holmes Center for the Arts and City Ballet of Cleveland including Sleeping Beauty, Paquita and the annual Nutcracker Ballet. She loves working with students of all ages and levels and finds the greatest joy in watching them grow and achieve their goals.

Taryn Grassbaugh is thrilled to return to Holmes County, where her journey in dance first began at the Holmes Center for the Arts. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati in December with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, specializing in Entrepreneurship, she is excited to bring her passion for dance and storytelling back to the community that shaped her. Taryn’s dance education is rooted in classical ballet. Starting dance at the age of three, Taryn’s foundation in classical ballet was laid at the Holmes Center for the Arts, and she considers it a full-circle moment to return as a choreographer for this production of Giselle. Taryn pursued a ballet degree for over 2.5 years at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, under the guidance of renowned instructors such as Deirdre Carberry, Jiang Qi, Tricia Sundbeck, Isabele Elefson, Thomas Bell, Gema Diaz Lommer, and Shauna Steele. Her training was cut short due to an injury, but her love for dance and teaching remains unwavering. When she’s not teaching or choreographing, you might find Taryn horseback riding, crafting, or following her favorite band, Low Gap, around the country to catch their live performances.

Holley Johnson is a ballet instructor and was the founding executive director of the Holmes Center for the Arts.  She has trained in many different dance schools including Dance Arts (Valdosta, Georgia), The Academy of Dance (Hampton, VA), The Ballett Schuller (Oldenburg, Germany), and more.   Holley attended summer dance programs at Joffrey Ballet School (New York), North Carolina School of the Arts, The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet West Conservatory, the Georgia Governor's Honors Program, and Ballet Magnificat.  She continued her education by attending the University of Utah where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Ballet and a performance emphasis.  While there, she received full dance and academic scholarships including the Presidential Scholarship for the arts and was selected to be a member of the Utah Ballet and the Character Dance Ensemble.  After college, she danced professionally with the Atlanta Ballet and the Lexington Ballet.  She performed at such venues as the Royal Festival Hall in London, England, the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, the Olympic Centennial Park in Atlanta, and the Opera House in Lexington, KY.  Holley has taught all levels of ballet for 20 years.  She is currently the executive director for the Holmes County Education and Community Foundation. She and her husband and three children live in Holmes County.

A local to Holmes County, Sophia Beachy began her dance training at the age of 11 at Holmes Center for the Arts under the instruction of Holley Johnson.  She attended multiple summer intensive programs through the University of Utah and Ballet Magnificat! in Mississippi.  In her senior year of high school, Sophia began dancing with a nonprofit ballet company, North Pointe Ballet, out of Cleveland, OH.  With the mission, “to make classical ballet accessible to everyone in our community”, daily outreaches to local schools and nursing homes are part of what inspired Sophia to continue using the arts as an outlet of expression and learning.  Returning to Holmes Center for the Arts as an instructor and working with such talented and lovely students has been an honor!

Shannon Olsen started dancing at age 11 with training in ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, tap, and cheer. She attended what is now known as the Pinellas County Center for the Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida. She co-founded Take A Bow dance studio in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Shannon has coached cheerleading and taught jazz, tap, hip-hop, creative movement, and dance fit. Shannon lives in Holmes County with her husband, Brad, and their four children. Shannon enjoys teaching at Holmes Center for the Arts.

A native of Millersburg and a 2012 graduate of West Holmes High school, Kori began her dance training at 2 years old at a local Millersburg studio for 10 years before moving to a studio in Canton. Kori started competing at age 7 and through dance competitions and convention classes, Kori had the opportunity to compete all over Ohio and various parts of the United States including Nashville, Las Vegas, and Orlando to name a few. Kori’s training and experience in the dance community inspired her to keep taking and teaching classes locally. In her free time, Kori enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Emma Yoder is a beginning ballet and tumbling instructor at Holmes Center for the Arts. Emma trained at Holmes Center for the Arts and performed such roles as "Sugar Plum Fairy", "Snow Queen", "Arabian", and "Dew Drop" in the Nutcracker, as well as "Coppelia" in Coppelia and "Charlie" in Lilly and the Chocolate Factory. Emma performed with the first HCA competition team. She is trained in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tumbling. You may have also seen her as one of the fabulous contestants in Artists and Athletes. She was accepted into and attended the Cincinnati Ballet summer program. Emma is a graduate of Hiland High School and currently works full-time at Killbuck Savings Bank.

Ella Sommers is a Holmes Center for the Arts alumni and currently resides in Millersburg. She danced for 13 years under the instruction of Holley Johnson, Sophia Beachy, Abi Besse, and Ethan Ralston. Ella also attended Ballet Magificant's summer dance intensives multiple years in Jackson, Mississippi. Ella was involved in many HCA programs such as: The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Snow White, Night at the Movies, Little Red Riding Hood, Night at the Art Museum, and the Music Man. Her favorite aspect about teaching is helping kids find the same joy in dance that she has felt and using it as a way to express themselves.

Susie Chaney is the coach of the West Holmes High School Majorettes and twirl instructor for Holmes Center for the Arts.  She has over 20 years of experience in teaching and coaching baton and is excited to offer youth more opportunities for learning, performing, and growing in the art of baton twirling.  She is available for teaching private lessons as well as group lessons.