Jennifer Lehaney

Jennifer Lehaney

Title: Assistant Lecturer, Dance
Dept/Program: School of Dance, Theatre, and Arts Administration


Biography

Jennifer grew up dancing and performing in Northeast Ohio and beyond. She received a B.A. in Dance Studies with a Business Cognate from The University of Akron along with a B.S. in Business from Kent State University. In addition to her collegiate training, she has trained with Broadway Dance Center Teacher Education. Much of her recent dance endeavors are in educating students in Jazz, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Pointe, Musical Theater, Choreography, as well as designing dance conditioning programs for different ages to increase strength and flexibility for all ages of dancers. She continues to be on guest staff at Weathervane Playhouse, teaching summer camps for musical theater students. Most recently, Jennifer’s choreography, “Vibes,” was showcased in the University of Akron Dance Company spring presentation. She has also choreographed for The University of Akron School of Music’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

In addition to collegiate choreography, she has received several awards at competitions for her choreography, as well as her students achieving overall placements at regional and national competitions including Youth America Grand Prix. She has been this year’s director for The University of Akron’s Dance Company concerts. Jennifer has been teaching and choreographing for over twenty-five years in Northeast Ohio and beyond at college dance programs, private dance studios, cheerleading camps, and ballet academies. She has served the dance profession as an adjudicator at auditions and competitions and creates dance education programs for elementary schools. She has completed her certification in the Youth Protective Advocates in Dance Organization which promotes healthy instruction for developing up and coming dancers in the industry.