TOLEDO'S MODERN DANCE COMPANY
about us
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THE Modern Dance Company was created to celebrate professionally trained dancers in Toledo and the Northwest Ohio region in all forms of dance as it relates to the human experience. OUR MISSION is to serve the community by providing a place for the professional and developing artist as well as connecting other like-minded organizations to bring professional movement art and continuing dance education to Northwest Ohio. THE Modern Dance Company includes seasonal performances and classes/workshops that celebrate diverse cultures and dance styles.
meet the company
dom glover
Dom Glover began his dance career in Atlanta, GA with the Spelman Dance Theater student company, studying ballet, modern, and contemporary. After returning home to Toledo, he has taught at numerous dance studios from the Toledo area to Cleveland. Dom has choreographed local performances, including Hairspray, Ragtime, and West Side Story. He spent several years as a principal company member with the Toledo Ballet, and performed on stage at the Stranahan, the Valentine Theater, the Toledo Rep, the Ohio Theater, Maumee Indoor, the Croswell (Adrian, MI), the Fillmore (Detroit, MI), and the Knight Theatre (Charlotte, NC). Dom is excited to teach and choreograph for THE Modern Dance Company.
lisa edwards
Lisa stepped foot into the dance world at four years old, taking classes at Marie McCullough’s Dance Studio in Richmond, TX, The Dance Centre in Wapakoneta, OH, and then Wittenberg University in Springfield,Ohio. She has studied several different styles of dance extensively. These styles include tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, modern, and contemporary. Lisa was extremely involved in the world of competitive dance from 9-17 years of age, where her love for the stage and performing truly blossomed. She received multiple scholarships and awards, and held several leadership roles throughout the years. Lisa was the president and treasurer of the Wittenberg Student Dance Company and graduated with two degrees. She earned a bachelor's degree in dance and theater as well as a bachelor's degree in physics. She currently is employed as the Administrative Assistant for The University of Toledo’s Departments of Art, Theatre & Film, and Music. While not at work, she enjoys going to the gym, playing roller hockey and volleyball, travelling, and snuggling her four cats. Dance is her passion and she is thrilled to be involved with THE Modern Dance Company. She enjoys expanding and improving her skills while being actively involved in the arts community in Toledo!
victoria merchant
Victoria Merchant grew up dancing at The Dance Company Conservatory (DCC) in Port Huron, MI where she trained under the direction of Mary Mervich, Juliana Sadowski, Brandon Harneck, as well as many other remarkable instructors. It was there that she found a fierce passion for performing on stage. For most of her life, Victoria has studied ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, and musical theatre. Victoria spent many years performing with the Nutcracker Ballet Theatre Company portraying such roles as Flower, Snow, Chinese, and Friend. She was also a featured dancer with Bluewater Dance Theatre performing the roles of the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland and the French Princess and Lead Fairy in Cinderella. Victoria then went on to become a member of MUse Dance Ensemble (MUse) in Livonia, MI. It was with MUse that Victoria had the opportunity to perform in Brian Hare’s work turn over and Alan Obuzor’s work Reshifting Time. Victoria also had the honor of performing in the American College Dance Association East-Central Conference Gala at the John Legend Theatre along with dancing in Madonna University’s Performing Arts Showcases and working in collaboration with Madonna University’s Lyric Theatre. MUse also gave her the chance to choreograph an original piece, je suis le deluge, on a high school dance program at Churchill High School as well as an original, …if one only remembers to turn on the light, on fellow MUse company members. While attending Madonna University Victoria studied under Stephan Hadala, Tracy Halloran, Susan Panek, and Zandria Lucas. Victoria completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Madonna University in 2021.
Leslie Madaras
*Dancer • Yoga Teacher • Registered Nurse • Urban Zen Integrative Therapist* Leslie’s love for dance began in high school, sparked by a childhood admiration for Michael Jackson and the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein. She entered the world of movement through a school-based dance program led by Bonnie Amburgy, where her passion first took shape. She went on to study Modern and Ballet techniques in college under Tara Stepenberg and served as co-convener of Dance Alloy, a student-run dance company that offered valuable experience in both choreography and performance. After college, she furthered her education at Laura Glenn’s White Mountain Dance Festival, diving into Laban Notation and Bartenieff Fundamentals. In Philadelphia, Leslie immersed herself in the local dance community—earning her Pilates Matwork certification from the Physical Mind Institute (NYC), interning with Rennie Harris Puremovement, volunteering at the Painted Bride Theater, and attending the Illadelph Legends Dance Festival. Returning to the Midwest, she joined the Fort Wayne Dance Collective as Outreach Director and company member. During this time, she discovered yoga as a powerful tool for healing after personal loss. This led to her 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training with Kathie Jakaski at Still Waters Yoga, followed by a 300-hour certification through Yoga on High (YOHI). Inspired by YOHI’s founding director Marcia Miller, Leslie completed certification in Urban Zen Integrative Therapy, blending yoga-based healing modalities to support hospital patients—beautifully merging her passions for movement and medicine. Today, Leslie balances her work as a Registered Nurse with her life as a dancer in THE Modern Dance Company. She is deeply committed to spreading dance awareness and appreciation. Her favorite kind of dance? *All of it.* These days, she’s especially inspired by the work of THE Modern Dance Company and the LA Dance Project.
The board of directors
President: Dom Glover
Treasurer: Lisa Edwards
Treasurer: Leslie Madaras
Secretary: Victoria Merchant