Ballet Tap Jazz Lyrical Pointe TheatreDance HipHop



ROUTE 42 DANCE ACADEMY INSTRUCTORS



nancy hightower



OWNER AND DIRECTOR





Ms. Nancy teaches Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Adult Tap, young childrens' program, & The Route 42 Dance Company. Ms. Hightower was a New York based performer and instructor for 13 years. She performed professionally in National and International Tours, Industrials, Musicals, and New York Showcases. Nancy appeared on the famous morning show "Live with Regis and Kathy Lee" in a segment she choreographed. She has also traveled Internationally with a Salsa Trio and danced on the Internationally Televised Show "Siempre en Domingo" live from Mexico City.


Her tours have taken her across the United States as well as to England, Ireland, Scotland, Whales, the Dominican Republic, and Japan. Over the years Nancy has assisted and danced for many well-known New York and L.A. choreographers and teachers and is a protege of the Broadway Choreographer Randy Skinner. Nancy taught at the two major dance studios in New York City, "Steps on Broadway" and "Broadway Dance Center" and was a guest Tap Instructor at New York University.


Nancy can be seen in Bob Rizzo's Instructional Dance Videos as well as the Instructional Tap Videos produced by New York City Tap Instructor Charles Goddertz. Upon her return to Ohio Nancy has been a guest instructor in Tap and Jazz at the Universty of Akron and taught Professional Jazz classes to the Cleveland Contemporary Theatre Dance Company. She continues teaching Master Classes in Tap, Jazz, and Ballet throughout the state of Ohio and is a judge for Midwest Starz Dance Competition.


In 2017 Nancy taught Professional and Student level classes as a faculty member of the Alabama Dance Festival in Birmingham. Nancy is a member of AEA (Actors Equity Association) and has her B.A. in dance from Butler University in Indianapolis, where she graduated with honors.



Katherine dignan





Katherine Dignan - Ms. Dignan teaches Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet and Dance Company. Ms Dignan has over 20 years of dance training and experience.


Ms. Katherine has training in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, modern, contemporary and theater dance, and has been teaching dance for over seven years to young students. She attended The University of Akron, studied dance and received her minor in dance in 2008. She was a member of the University of Akron Dance Team, The University of Akron Dance Company and performed in the student workshop on a yearly basis while a student at a University.


Ms Dignan received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Akron in 2008 and received a Masters of Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University in 2009.


Along with being a dance instructor, Ms. Dignan practices as a Registered Dietitian. Ms. Katherine currently teaches ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop and dance company at Route 42 Dance Academy



Christina Galletti



BALLET





Christina Galletti started her dance journey at Charlotte Braun Dance Studio in Parma Heights at age 3 years old, and has continued on since that beginning to craft an extensive performance and teaching career. During her early years of training, she participated in many performances and honed her choreography skills while working as an apprentice. Ms. Galletti attended prestigious Butler University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Shortly after graduating, Christina opened Cleveland Dance Academy in 1987. Ms. Galletti has studied a plethora of dance forms and has choreographed many classical ballets- from full length ballets, annual Nutcracker productions, and has World Premiered three original ballets.


While serving as Artistic Director of Cleveland Dance Academy, Ms. Galletti became renowned for working with children of all ages and abilities, and was highly sought for those skills. Teaching and working with young dancers to perfect their skills is a passion Christina has turned into a career and craft. Ballet and Pointe are her specialty, and dancers that have trained under her have continued on in the dance world to perform professionally at the Met, Martha’s Vineyard, and in many prestigious Dance Companies.


Ms. Galletti is very excited to bring her knowledge to Route 42 Dance Academy and is always looking forward to sharing her love of Ballet with current and future students.



bobby ford



HIP HOP





Bobby Ford holds a Multidisciplinary Fine Arts Degree from Lake Erie College. He specializes in Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Bobby has fifteen years of dance experience performing and competing. Party Centers, Clubs, and colleges, such as Borelli’s, La Mafia, Lake Catholic High School, Lake Erie College, The Great Lakes Mall,and Rhythm Room are just a few performance spots he has sang or danced.
Choreographers and teachers such as J.J Graham, Lisa De Cato, Chris Dicello,and Howard Washington have shaped his dance style. Although skilled with a variety of dance (jazz, swing, rhythm tap, ballroom, and line dancing), Bobby focuses on Hip hop.
His inspirations like Mike Song, Marty Kudelka, Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Michael Jackson, continue to challenge his creativity to push for more. As a college Intership student, Bobby has interned in Hollywood California working for Capitol Films and Sennett Entertainment. After Interning and learning the ropes of production, Bobby made the professional leap as choreographer.
Mr. Ford Began at Keehoe Music and dance. Here he choreographed and became performance co-ordinator, planning, directing, and staging their concert. He also taught at Cuyahoga Community College, Lake Catholic High School, Leap of Faith Dance Academy, and most recently Savellis Dance, and Fairport Dance Academy.
Now as an instructor at Route 42, Bobby brings his angular style of dance to shape the students for the future of hip hop. He believes in creative freedom and expression.
“If one student walks away inspired, I’ve done my job and that’s success.” - Bobby Ford.




SEE YOU SOON...



Tel: 440-886-2667