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 ballet and tumbling at the age of eight and quickly developed a deep passion for dance, eventually expanding her training to include modern, jazz, tap, and pointe. Leah remained committed to her home studio throughout her dance journey, where she gained valuable experience as a teacher’s assistant starting at age 13, performed in annual Memorial Day parades, and participated in masterclasses with groups like the Radio City Rockettes and Ballet Magnificat.

In addition to dance, Leah has a strong background in the performing arts, including singing and acting. She was part of her high school’s auditioned A Capella choir and the Melodymen & Melodettes show choir. During her competitive dance years, she was honored twice in one season with the “Best Performer” award. In her senior year, Leah performed in her school’s production of Once Upon a Mattress as both a chorus member and dance captain. She also brought her skills to cheerleading and was a member of the Varsity Dance team throughout high school.

Leah’s choreography experience includes church productions such as Uncle Phil’s Diner and the role of “Clarisse” in Baggage Claim, which she portrayed twice, most recently in 2019. A passionate lifelong learner, she regularly attends workshops and studies dance history to deepen her knowledge and enhance her students' experience.

Leah joined the Cleveland City Ballet faculty in 2012 and currently teaches creative movement, ballet, jazz, tap, and acro—with a special emphasis on tap and acro. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in helping students connect with music through rhythm and encouraging them to “try YOUR best,” celebrating individuality over perfection.

Outside the studio, Leah homeschools her four children alongside her husband, Lanny, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Devan Green (Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary and Ballet)

Devan, a mother of two from West Virginia, began her dance journey at the age of nine with 3rd Day Anointing Dance Ministry. Her love for dance quickly deepened, leading her to pursue additional training at Bloom Dance Studio in Maryland. At 16, she successfully auditioned for Neshema Dance Company, where she performed modern and contemporary works at various venues. She later returned as a part-time member for the 2020–2021 season.

Since 2010, Devan has been actively involved in teaching and attending numerous dance intensives. In 2012, she moved to Tennessee to attend Lee University, earning her B.A. in Anthropology in 2015. That same year, she began teaching Hip Hop at Cleveland City Ballet. In 2016, she married her best friend, Will.

With a strong foundation in both Contemporary and Hip Hop, Devan brings a dynamic and expressive style to her classes. Her deep passion for the arts fuels her teaching, and she is committed to inspiring her students through creativity, movement, and a love for dance.

Sarah Trippeer (Ballet)

Sarah Jane Trippeer, a native of Asheville, NC, is a classically trained ballerina and dedicated instructor known for her strong emphasis on technique and foundational training.

She began dancing at just two years old and quickly excelled in jazz, contemporary, and tap—earning numerous awards—before discovering her true passion for ballet, which she considers the foundation of all dance styles.

Sarah’s training spans several of the nation’s most prestigious ballet institutions, including The Rock School for Dance Education, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, where she studied under the legendary Marcia Dale Weary.

Throughout her performance career, Sarah has danced en pointe in a wide range of soloist and corps de ballet roles in productions such as The Nutcracker, Giselle, Coppélia, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Swan Lake. Her repertoire includes classical variations like the Fairy of the Golden Vine from Sleeping Beauty, as well as contemporary pieces such as George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, Heather Maloy’s Le Suil Go (3rd movement), and Run Ragged.

Motivated by the belief that “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” Sarah credits her success to determination and the steadfast support of her parents. She is passionate about instilling that same drive in her students and inspiring them to reach their fullest potential through the art of ballet.

Amy Kolbenschlag (Ballet & Jazz)

Amy Kolbenschlag earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Nova Southeastern University in 2012, after beginning her collegiate dance studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Her dance journey began in 2007 at the University Center for the Performing Arts, where she trained with esteemed instructors such as Eileen Hebron, Jin Young Lee, Kathleen Klein, Gaynelle Gosselin, Elana Lanczi, Katie Sopoci Drake, Daniela Wancier, Augusto Soledade, and choreographer Heather Maloney.

In 2011, Amy was selected to participate in Florida’s inaugural Waterways Dance Project and attended the final Merce Cunningham Summer Intensive in New York City. She also completed an internship with the University School under the mentorship of dance department head Toranika Washington. A recipient of both a scholarship grant for dance and Dean’s List honors, Amy thrived in Nova’s dynamic and enriching environment.

Amy’s performance experience includes three seasons with the Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant, collaborating with Christy and Jeff Crevier. She has taught at several studios across the country, including Broward Dance Academy, Owasso Dance Company, KE Dance and Tumble, Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio, Kern’s Dance Studio, and Sloan’s Dance and Gymnastics.

Since relocating to Illinois, Amy has served as the Dance Director at Gateway Legacy Christian Academy. She recently completed her first dance film, Weathered, which premiered on April 12, 2025, and is currently working on her second project, Child of God. Amy is excited for the journey ahead and all the places her passion for dance will lead her.

Sean Steigerwald (Ballet)

Sean Steigerwald began his dance training at the Academy of Ballet Arts and the Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance in the Atlanta area. He went on to receive full scholarships to prestigious institutions, including the Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts, Houston Ballet School, and Orlando Ballet School. Throughout his training, Sean had the privilege of studying under acclaimed artists such as Fernando Bujones, Eleanore Dentuano, Wes Chapman, Claudio Muñiz, Laura Alonso, and many others.

In 2009, Sean earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where he worked with renowned faculty including Melissa Hayden, Susan McCullough, Ethan Stiefel, and Warren Conover, as well as guest choreographers like Alonzo King.

Sean joined The Georgia Ballet in 2010 and has since performed in numerous classical and neoclassical works under the direction of Gina Hyatt-Mazon and Janusz Mazon, as well as with Alexandre Proia, Fiona Fairrie, and Daet Rodriguez and Margit Peguero. Some of his favorite roles include Bluebird in Sleeping Beauty, Alain in La Fille Mal Gardée, Rothbart in Swan Lake, Hilarion in Giselle, and Zuniga in Carmen. He has also performed as a guest artist with Carolina Ballet Theater and was featured in Wahzhazhe: An Osage Ballet, an original production performed at the Smithsonian Institution in 2013 and archived by the Library of Congress.

Sean has been teaching in the Atlanta area since 2010, choreographing numerous works including The Nutcracker, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Snow Queen, and excerpts from Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Paquita, Giselle, and Raymonda. Over the past four years, he has coached students from Dalton Ballet for the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), choreographing ensemble pieces and witnessing firsthand the tremendous growth in his dancers through competition. Inspired by these results, he implemented similar programs at other schools with equally transformative outcomes.

Now based in the Chattanooga area, Sean is thrilled to bring his experience and passion to the students of Cleveland City Ballet.

Lydia Bonanno-Campbell (Ballet)

Originally from New Jersey, Lydia discovered her love for dance after moving to Wisconsin at the age of seven. By fourteen, she began assisting classes under the guidance of Kristen Reynoso, where she developed a deep passion for both choreography and teaching. Following high school, Lydia continued to support and choreograph for annual spring performances, further honing her creative expression.

In 2015, she relocated to Cumming, Georgia to join the award-winning Cumming Dance Academy. Over the next eight years, Lydia taught and choreographed for students ages 2–18 and played a vital role in planning and producing the academy’s winter and spring productions, which served nearly 900 students annually. She was also instrumental in expanding the studio’s Pointe and Recreational Dance programs.

In 2023, Lydia moved to Chattanooga with her husband and their two dogs. Since then, she has continued to share her passion for dance, teaching at studios throughout the city. Lydia brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and enthusiasm to every class she leads.

Makenzi Gibson

Makenzi began her dance journey with Cleveland City Ballet at the age of 7 and has spent the past 15 years training in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. She was a dedicated member of the CCB Performing Company for eight years, performing in numerous productions—including The Nutcracker, where she was featured as Coffee—as well as annual recitals and a variety of community festivals and events.

While still a student, Makenzi served as a class assistant for Ballet 2, Ballet 3, and Hip Hop 1, where her love for teaching began to blossom. Today, that passion continues to grow as she shares her joy for dance with the next generation of performers.

Rachael Bice (0ffice Manager)

Rachael, a proud Ooltewah native and 2008 graduate of Ooltewah High School, has been immersed in the world of dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading for most of her life. She and her husband, Ian, are the proud parents of two wonderful daughters. Rachael is an invaluable member of the studio team, offering a wealth of knowledge in managing the studio store and creating a warm, friendly atmosphere in the front office.