Mary Kay Finn

Title: Ballet Instructor
Dept/Program: Dance Institute

Biography

Ms. Finn began her dance career as a member of the charter class of Dance Institute housed at Memorial Hall at The University of Akron in 1967.  Under the tutelage of Heinz Poll and Katherine Firestone, she continued her career with Dance Institute, the Ohio Chamber Ballet and, eventually, The Ohio Ballet, as a principal dancer and soloist.  After a career practicing and teaching law in Columbus and Akron, Ohio, she returned to Dance Institute in 1999 as a ballet technique and pointe instructor, receiving the Teacher of the Year Award in 2007.   She currently teaches Beginner III, Intermediate I/II, and Advanced ballet technique and pointe. She has appeared as a featured guest artist in professional productions of Coppelia, Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty, has been a liturgical dance ministry coordinator for local churches and schools, and has set, staged and choreographed ballet and musical theater productions for Dance Institute and other non-profit organizations.  Active in the local arts community, she currently sits on the Board of Trustees of Weathervane Community Playhouse, serving on the Executive Board, and is a member of The University of Akron Fine Arts Council.

Education

• The University of Akron, School of law
• The University of Akron, B.A Mass media communications