The Dancer by Gina
“Inspiring young minds to be the best they can be!”
Faculty
GINA WILEY – STUDIO OWNER/DANCE INSTRUCTOR
• • Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, The Ohio State University.
• Choreographer for ONU’s Annual Holiday Spectacular 2003 – present.
• Assistant choreographer to Sean McNight ‘Footloose’ (2014).
• Dance faculty at Ohio Northern University 1995 – 2013.
• Choreographed for Downtown Lima Inc. marketing commercials,
Jazz, Blues, and Dance II, Ohio State Dance Team, Bowling Green
Dance Team, and Associate Choreographer for 42nd Street. Also
served as Rehearsal Director for ONU Dance Company.
• Performed in residencies with Rhythm-In-Shoes, Especially Tap
Chicago, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and Los Angeles
Jazz Tap Ensemble. Featured dancer in The Contours “Dirty
Dancing” concert, Matrix and Goldwell industrials, and Captain
of the Ohio State Dance Team.
• Studied with Jazz Met at Ballet Met (Columbus), Broadway Dance
Center (NYC), and attends dance conventions annually including Nuvo,
Co Dance, Tremaine Dance, KAR conventions, The Pulse, and 24 Seven.
• Member of Ohio Dance, Ohio Citizens for the Arts, Ohio Alliance
for Arts Education, and is a theatre honorary in Theta Alpha Phi.
• Adjudicator for many regional and national dance, cheer, show choir, and talent competitions.
• Her students can be seen dancing in National Broadway Tours, at Busch Gardens, Kings Island, Cedar Point, Cleveland Cavalier Dance Team, Cruise Lines, Universal Studios, and many college dance & cheer teams. She has taken her studio to perform on Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines, at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,
Cleveland Cavalier’s Halftime Show (2006 – 2020), Cleveland Gladiators, Toledo Walleye, Toledo Mudhens, Disney World, ESPN televised events, and Mexico for a Cultural Exchange Program.
PHYLLIS “PHUD” CALVELAGE – OFFICE MANAGER
• Helped Gina start the Dancer By Gina in 1993.
• 27 years as a dedicated full-time office manager for The Dancer by Gina.
• Over 50 years of experience in advertising, sales, business, and public relations.
• Her friendliness, patience, organization, and business skills have been an asset to our studio.
• Gives a tremendous amount of time, encouragement, love, and support to our students, teachers, and parents.
• Dancers’ #1 fan and truly believes in all of them. We are very lucky to have her!
• Gina’s Mom! 🙂
VIRGINIA KORTE-SHAW – BALLET TECHNIQUE INSTRUCTOR
• 24 Years as a DBG dance instructor.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, University of Akron.
• Master of Arts in Education, University of Findlay.
• Currently a Kindergarten teacher at Shawnee Elmwood.
• Professional dancer with Dance Image Dance Company.
• Performed in residencies with Tom Everett Dance Company, Gus Giordano Jazz Chicago, Estonian Ballet, Especially Tap Chicago, and Ballet Memphis. Performed internationally at The Edinburgh Festival of Arts in Scotland.
Julie (Markward) Eickholt- Dance Instructor
- 11 years as a DBG dance instructor, over 20 years dance experience.
- Bachelor of Science in Education, Ohio State University.
- Masters in Early Childhood Education.
- Former DBG Competition Member and DBG dance assistant.
- Continually studies at dance conventions and master classes. throughout the United States.
- Currently a Kindergarten teacher at Ottoville.
ASHLEY (ULM) ETZKORN – DANCE INSTRUCTOR
• 10 years as a DBG dance instructor, over 20 years dance experience.
• Bachelor Degree in Tourism Administration & Event Planning.
• Dance Minor, Bowling Green State University.
• Owner of Ivy Hutch Flowers and Gifts in Delphos.
• Former member of the Findlay Oilers Dance Team.
• Former DBG Competition Member for 10 years and DBG dance assistant.
• Performed at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Cleveland Cavalier’s Halftime Show.
• Studies at dance conventions and master classes throughout the United States.
• Proud new Mom to twins, Kara & Emmitt!
KAYLA (WARNECKE) KRUSE – DANCE INSTRUCTOR
• 7 years as a DBG dance instructor, over 15 years dance experience.
• Graduate of The University of Northwestern Ohio for Medical Assistant.
• Works for Northwest Dental Center in Elida.
• Former member of DBG Competition Team for 7 years and DBG dance assistant for 6 years.
• Performed in the Cleveland Cavalier’s Halftime Shows and on a Carnival Cruise Line.
• Former Delphos Jefferson Cheerleader for 7 years.
• Attended dance convention classes around Ohio for 6 years.
• Proud new Mom to baby girl, Brayla!
SAMANTHA MILLER – TUMBLING AND CHEER INSTRUCTOR
• 7 years as a DBG instructor, 19 years dance and tumbling experience.
• Bachelors in Accounting and Dance Minor from Ohio Northern University.
• Accountant at Wright Consolidated.
• Former member of the DBG Competition Team for 10 years.
• Performed with DBG in the Cleveland Cavaliers Halftime Show, Cleveland Gladiators,
Carnival Cruise Line, Mexico Cultural Exchange Program, other benefits and parades.
• Performed in the ONU Holiday Spectacular for three years.
• Attended master classes and performed with Taylor II, Alvin Ailey, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and many more.
• Proud new Mom to baby boy, Carson!
Jamie Baldauf – Tumbling Instructor
• Jamie holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science from
The Ohio State University.
• Jamie has an extensive coaching background and has been teaching tumbling for over 20 years. She has coached beginner level gymnastics and beginner through advanced tumbling classes. She was an Assistant Coach and later became the Head Coach and Program Director of the Lima Rebels All-Star Cheerleaders from 1995-2008.
• Jamie danced from second grade through high school with most of those years being dedicated to competitive dance.
• Past JV and Varsity Cheerleading Coach at Lima Central Catholic where she coached for 13 years.
• Jamie is excited to use her talents here at DBG, teaching tumbling through safe and fun progressions.
ANGIE BONIFAS – DANCE INSTRUCTOR
• Graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance,
where she performed with the Kent Dance Collective and in numerous university performances.
• Has experience with choreography of several high school musicals, and has taught ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and hip-pop for ages PK – grade 12, including taking several student groups to competition.
• Certified Zumba & Zumba Sentao Instructor, as well as Country Heat Live!
• Although her day job is an occupational therapist working in the schools, she is excited to be at the studio and continue sharing the love of dance!
Abbey Acerro – DANCE INSTRUCTOR
• 2nd year as a DBG instructor, 2 years serving as a substitute teacher, 19 years dance experience.
• Bachelors Degree in Communications and Minor in Dance, Bowling Green State University.
• Masters in Business Administration, Bowling Green State University.
• Member and choreographer for BGSU’s University Dance Alliance.
• Former DBG Competition Member for 9 years and DBG dance assistant.
• Performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 7 Cleveland Cavalier’s Halftime performances, and several other local performances.
• Performed in the ONU Holiday Spectacular for 2 years.
Kyrstin Warnecke – DANCE INSTRUCTOR
• 1st year as a DBG instructor, 5 years as a dance assistant, 12 years dance experience.
• Attending Rhodes State College in Lima, majoring in Executive Administrative Assistance.
• Former member of DBG competition team for 10 years
• Performed 7 Cleveland Cavaliers Halftime shows and 2 Toledo Walleye Hockey games
• Performed on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and other performances around the community.
• Delphos Jefferson alumni class of 2019, Cheerleader for 7 years
• Attended many dance conventions around around Ohio for 8 years
Molly Van Gorp- Barre Technique and Pointe Instructor
- 1st year at DBG as technique instructor for Teen and Senior competition teams.
- Pursuing a Nursing Major at Ohio Northern University with a Minor in Dance.
- Previously taught and privately coached Ballet competition students at Columbus City Ballet School.
- Studied classical ballet under the direction of Ms Shirlee Wu, through Columbus City Ballet school and conservatory, where she performed principle roles in The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, and various restaged Balanchine pieces.
- Competed in the Youth American Grand Prix as a soloist and attended the finals.
- Studied at Cincinnati Ballet and Columbus City Ballet School Summer Intensives 2015-2019.
- Performed in ONU’s Chroeographer Showcase and Spring Dance Concerts.
Email: gwiley@woh.rr.com
10996 Elida Rd.
Delphos, OH 45833
Phone: 419-692-6809