Melinda is a Cleveland artist, educator, and arts administrator. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Cleveland Institute of Art, and Master of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a focus on public and collaborative art. For over 15 years, she served as a teaching artist in the Cleveland area, partnering with Art House, Boys and Girls Club, and the Center for Arts Inspired Learning while creating collaborative murals in many of Cleveland’s schools and libraries. She was senior faculty with the Cleveland Print Room, and managed a city-wide photo mentoring program for teens. She currently maintains her studio at the Hildebrandt Artist Collective in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood, where she paints and plays piano. She knows creative outlets save lives, and takes great pride in encouraging creativity in her hometown.

Sarah is a native Clevelander who holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Dance from Baldwin Wallace University and is currently working towards her Master's as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy at Lesley University. Sarah has been trained in multiple dance forms for the past seventeen years and loves to share her passion with others. Sarah also choreographs at local community theaters and well as St. Edward High School, while still finding time to perform for herself.

Melissa Yarur taught ballet technique and pointe for 15 years at North Carolina Dance Institute, a non-recital, non-competition studio. She also choreographed and produced several ballet concerts with Carolyn Ghezzi (PA Ballet, Geneva Ballet, NC Dance Theater). She moved to Cleveland in 2022.

Melissa studied ballet at the Academy of the Dance in Wilmington, DE, with Arthur Hutchinson, Victor Wesley, and Susan Lawrence. She performed various roles in the Nutcracker, including the Snow Queen, Chocolate, Candy Cane, Marzipan, the Toy Soldier, and Waltz of the Flowers. She has also performed in Les Sylphide, as the White Cat from Sleeping Beauty, and the Polovtsian maiden in the ballet from Prince Igor. Melissa went on to dance with Margot Parsons while getting her degree in Education at Boston University.

Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree in Dramatic Arts from Cleveland State University with an emphasis on performance and directing. In addition she has a RESA teaching license in Integrated Language Arts for grades 7-12. In addition to her role at Beck Center for the Arts, Sarah the resident choreographer and co-director for Rocky River Middle School’s spring musical. She has worked throughout the Cleveland area as a performer, director, choreographer, costumer, and teacher.

Kelsey Heichel earned her Bachelor Degree in Arts Management with a Minor in Theater from Baldwin Wallace University. In addition to administrative duties in expanding in expanding Beck Center’s reach into the community, she has served as a choreographer as well as a faculty member in dance and theater. Prior to her time at Beck Center she completed internships at Academy for Dramatic Arts, Lutheran Memorial School, and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Dance Marathon. Through these roles, she has developed and honed her skills in arts education, event planning, and community engagement. In the community, she has served as choreographer for Lakewood Congregational Church musicals including Shrek the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Godspell, and Wizard of OZ as well as serving in a leadership position with WE Lakewood