Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Glynias.
Hi Heidi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began dancing when I was just three years old. My mother signed me up for dance class because I was incredibly shy and didn’t talk much. It turned out to be the best thing she could have done for me. From that very first class, dance became a constant in my life.
As I got older, I found a passion not only for performing but for choreographing. I started working with show choirs, eventually expanding my work across several states. I also advised high school poms and flags, and choreographed musicals for school and community theater productions. Each opportunity deepened my love for storytelling through movement and confirmed that teaching was something I wanted to pursue long term.
In 1989, at the age of 22, I opened my own dance studio. I rented a classroom by the hour in a former elementary school. At that time, there was no internet and no social media, so I was thrilled to begin my first season with 14 students. By the end of that first year, we had grown to 68 dancers, and the numbers continued to climb in the years that followed.
During my seventh season as a studio owner (and also as a wife and mother of two young sons), I auditioned for the Cleveland Cavaliers Dance Team. I danced with the team for four seasons, serving as captain and choreographer for three of those years, and coaching during my final season. That experience added a whole new dimension to my perspective as both a performer and an educator.
Eight years into owning the business, we moved into our own building. We eventually expanded from 2 to 3 dance rooms and served close to 500 students during our busiest seasons. Through my youth performance company, we gained attention from competition scouts and were honored to be voted one of the 50 Top Studios in North America by Dance Spirit and featured in their magazine!
Along the way, I had the opportunity to choreograph and direct shows for major events and organizations including the opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland’s televised Lighting of the Square Christmas specials, fashion shows for the Mid-American Boat Show at the IX Center and a Beauté Craft Convention in Detroit. I also choreographed for the Return of the Cleveland Browns concert with Michael Stanley. I’ve had the honor of working with artists like CeCe Peniston, Sister Sledge, and 98 Degrees. One of my favorite projects remains a unique rendition of Thriller created for the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall, with incredible individually designed costumes.
From 2014 to 2020, I served as an adjunct professor of dance at Baldwin Wallace University, where I taught hip hop, tap, jazz technique, and movement for actors. During that time, I developed the university’s first hip hop dance program ~ one of the earliest collegiate programs of its kind in the country. It was a meaningful extension of my work, bridging academic and studio environments, and helping to broaden the scope of what dance education could look like in higher education.
After selling my dance studio, I continued to stay deeply connected to dance, teaching private lessons in a wide range of genres, choreographing wedding dances, and launching a brand new venture. It’s called Tap Artistry Project (tapartistryproject.com), which fills a niche in the dance world and offers classes and performance opportunities focused on tap, exploring its traditions and techniques in creative and innovative ways. I also guest teach both locally and out of state, and serve on the board of DANCECleveland, an organization I greatly admire. In recent years, I’ve been involved in team selection and choreography for the Cavs Dance Team, which is now led by two of my former students, and I’m honored to adjudicate the Dazzle Awards for Playhouse Square.
Throughout my journey, my husband and sons have been my biggest supporters. Their love and encouragement made this path possible, and I’m deeply grateful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Challenges are part of building a career. From a business perspective, the most difficult seasons were during the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic. Both brought uncertainty, but the pandemic forced a total reimagining of how we operated. With social distancing a top priority for many families, I had to adapt quickly. I turned our smallest studio room into an expanded waiting area to give people more space and peace of mind. I also rented a large warehouse just around the corner from the studio, which became our third dance space. Additionally, I figured out how to run classes on Zoom simultaneously from three different studios to accommodate those who chose to stay at home ~ some for nearly two years.
The warehouse had an industrial fan and a wide overhead door, and many parents were relieved to see the size and ventilation it offered. It became a creative solution not only for classes but also for hosting small performances while traditional theaters remained closed. While it served us well in many ways, the financial and emotional toll was significant. Enrollment dropped dramatically, and taking on the extra rent and costs during such an uncertain time was incredibly stressful. Still, I was committed to providing a safe and steady environment for students who needed the joy and structure of dance more than ever.
On a personal level, my biggest challenge has always been finding balance between work and family. Running a studio means wearing a lot of hats ~ teaching, choreographing, directing, mentoring, scheduling, marketing, producing performances, and managing a team. The changes and responsibilities came slowly over time, often feeling like just one more thing to take on. I didn’t fully realize how much I was doing on my own until much later. Like many people who run small businesses, I was so focused on the work that I didn’t always stop to measure the weight of it. That said, I’m proud of what I built, and I’m grateful for the love and support of my family.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Being shy by nature, I was never great at networking. While I didn’t connect with large numbers of people, the small group of contacts I did build over time was strong and meaningful. So many of the people I connected with, whether hired as teachers or collaborators, have remained important in my life. Nowadays, it’s easier for someone to look up a studio’s teachers online and reach out directly through social media. For me, it was different. It took more time, effort, and personal development to build those relationships, but I believe the connections I made are more genuine and lasting because of it.
I do wish I had had a mentor specifically for running a dance studio. I think having one could have made the journey easier. But at the same time, I’ve come to see that those tough learning curves helped me develop resilience and strength.
Throughout it all, my husband, my costume designer, and a few close friends have been my most trusted confidants and sounding boards. Their support and honest feedback have been invaluable in navigating both the challenges and triumphs of my career.
If I were to offer advice for finding a mentor today, I’d say start by identifying people you admire and respect in your field and don’t be afraid to reach out. Many people are willing to share their experience if you approach with genuine curiosity and respect for their time. Mentorship doesn’t always have to be formal. Sometimes it’s the small conversations and consistent encouragement that make the biggest difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heidiglynias.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tapartistryproject
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tapartistryproject
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-glynias5678
Image Credits:
Shelby Griswold
Kent Klodnick
Dawn Ulm
