Makenna Zelenak (she/her) has been teaching dance to children and youth throughout her career in both school and outreach settings. For five years, she taught ages 3 through 18 for Ballet Theatre of Ohio and Meneer School of Dance. She has also taught for The University of Akron Dance Institute and Revolutions Dance Academy. Makenna enjoys sharing her love of dance with those who might not otherwise have been exposed to dance or been able to afford it as a Teaching Artist for Art Sparks: Dance and Music Programming (an Associate National Dance Institute Organization) and through Cleveland Ballet’s outreach programs at the Akron Boys and Girls Club. Makenna Zelenak currently teaches dance for the Joffrey Ballet School’s Children and Youth Department and Summer programs.

Makenna dances professionally and is currently freelancing in and around New York City. Her most recent performances include a solo work, “Proteia”, featured in MeenMoves’ International Women’s Day of Dance choreographed by Paige Barnett Kulbeth, as well as “Holy Animals”, an evening length work presented at The Tank in New York City, choreographed by Paige Barnett Kulbeth. 

Makenna graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Child/Family Development, where she was a part of the University of Akron Dance Company and directed shows for the Terpsichore Dance Club. She grew up training at the Meneer School of Dance and performed in pre-professional productions with the Ballet Theatre of Ohio from age four up until high school graduation. She has a lifelong passion for dance and is so excited to join the summer faculty for Joffrey South.