Wellness Workshop & Self Care Day 2026

Ages 16+, all abilities welcome

Sunday January 11, 2026
11:30am-3:30pm
Cleveland Dance Project Studios in Independence

Full day attendance with all classes: $80
Early bird rate before 12/31: $65
OR join us for just one class for $20
Puppy yoga only - $45 (50% proceeds to Geauga Mama Dogs & Pups)


Need-based scholarships available
Email us for group rates for 8 or more dancers CDPCompany501c3@gmail.com

Register
Scholarship

Want to sponsor this event? Email us at cdpcompany501c3@gmail.com for details on how you can support healthy dancers in Cleveland and gain exposure in the dance community, starting at rates of $50

Big thanks to our sponsors thus far: Cleveland Dance Project, Ohio Arts Council, and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture

11:30-11:40 Welcome & Mindful Meditation/Intention Setting with Molly Weiss

Molly Weiss is President of the CDP Company Board. She is a dancer and choreographer based in the Cleveland area whose passionate and vibrant attitude helps her to succeed as a performer and a teacher. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 2017 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Creative Writing; her passions lie in the arts. She began competitively dancing at age six and hasn't stopped since, trained in the styles of jazz, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, tap, musical theatre, and acrobatics. During her time at University of Michigan she was a member and choreographer of a hip-hop dance crew, as well as performed in music videos and took classes through the U of M dance department. After graduating, Molly taught at various dance studios and choreographed for high school show choir and musicals. During this time she also trained on Cleveland's elite hip-hop dance crew, Elevāted, which led her to performance opportunities such as World of Dance and the Cleveland Cavaliers game. In 2018, Molly became the founding Artistic Director of Cleveland Dance Project Company, a 501c3 contemporary fusion dance company committed to promoting wellness for dancers and exploring the benefits of movement for physical and mental health. She furthered her choreography and performance experience by getting involved with Cedar Fair Entertainment as the Park Choreographer at Valleyfair Amusement Park, and had the opportunity to serve as Associate Choreographer for two of their immersive festival events, ‘Grand Carnivale’ and ‘Tricks and Treats.’ Molly is excited by the opportunity to embrace the athleticism, beauty, and art of dance.

11:40-12:20 Stress Management with Jessica “DiBa” Bennett

Class description

Jessica Bennett’s dance career led to her curiosity in Yoga, because many choreographers were using the practice to warm up the mind and body for rehearsals and performances. Her yoga practice became a priority, for not just physical benefits, but for emotional and spiritual health as well. In 2014, she completed her 200 hr RYT at Yoga Vida NYC, a program grounded in Vinyasa with influences of Ashtanga. Jessica completed the Yoga intensive at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, where she was able to sharpen her skills and knowledge of yoga philosophy, pranayama, meditation, and chanting. Learning from lifelong yogis in the homeland of the practice was incredibly influential on her teaching. In 2017, she completed her Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training certificate through Blooma Yoga at Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health in Massachusetts. Her interest and passion for breath work was deepened because of its benefits for pregnancy, labor, and childbirth. She is currently completing her masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Akron where she hopes to integrate her passion for mindfulness and movement with her focus on mental health and becoming a licensed counselor. Jessica can be found teaching a variety of classes at Yoga Place, Yoga Central, CDP Studios and for private clients.  Jessica's classes are a movement meditation with an emphasis on alignment and breath. When leading a class, she hopes to meet each student where their body, mind, and soul are at! 

12:20-1:05 Conditioning for Dancers with Claire

Class description

Claire’s bio

1:05-1:50 Foundations for Thriving Movement: How to Support Your Body On and Off the Dance Floor with Maura Trombetta, BS, FDNP, EP-C, CHWC

Dancers and movers ask a lot of their bodies, but the true secret to longevity isn’t just in movement alone; it’s in how we recover, fuel, and care for ourselves day-to-day. In this session, we’ll break down the key foundations that keep the body strong, resilient, and energized: nutrition, stress support, sleep, and simple recovery strategies. You’ll walk away with practical, sustainable tools you can start using right away to feel your best both on and off the dance floor. Attendees will also receive a special discount code to purchase the RWC Foundations Guide for continued support after the workshop.

Maura Trombetta, BS, FDNP, EP-C, CHWC, brings nearly a decade of experience in the health and wellness field. She specializes in autoimmunity, gut health, chronic stress, and hormone optimization. She is passionate about supporting those who feel unheard by helping them navigate their health with a holistic, personalized approach. Maura also brings a lifelong love of movement to her work. She trained in competitive dance for 18 years, attended a performing arts high school in Pittsburgh, PA, and later minored in dance during her undergraduate studies at Slippery Rock University. This background gives her a unique appreciation for the physical and mental demands that movers place on their bodies and the importance of sustainable self-care to support them. Her passion for root-cause healing was shaped by witnessing loved ones struggle with cancer, autoimmune diseases, and mental health challenges, as well as navigating her own autoimmune journey. Most recently, she worked alongside top Functional Medicine doctors, supporting high-profile clients, including celebrities and politicians from all over the world. These experiences deepened her expertise and reinforced her commitment to empowering others with the knowledge and tools to achieve lasting wellness.

1:50-2:30

This class is designed to empower you with the knowledge and practical skills to reduce pain, release tension, and enhance your overall body awareness. Trigger point release involves targeted techniques to release tightness and restrictions in the fascia and muscles. In this workshop, you'll learn how to use just your hands and tools you have lying around the house, like tennis balls to effectively address muscular imbalances and promote optimal movement patterns for life and dance.

Anna Cerveny, PT, DPT began her dance training under Joanne Morscher at the Royal School of Ballet at the age of 7. She received her BS in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Columbia University. During her 7 years of school, she spent much of her time dancing, choreographing, and directing her university's respective dance organizations and taking dance classes at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and Broadway Dance Center. After graduating in 2013, Anna spent a year traveling internationally as the physical therapist for the Tony-winning Broadway play, "WarHorse", and taking dance classes around the world. Currently she is the founder and director of Cleveland Dance Project and works at University Hospitals as a senior physical therapist and the founder of UH's dance rehabilitation program, where she works with dancers from around the greater Cleveland area, including Cleveland Ballet and the Case Western dance program. Anna developed the pre-season baseline testing for the Cleveland Ballet, and has worked closely with the company in creating a cross-training program to keep the dancers performing at 100%. She also is the physical therapist for CDP Company, where she has taught injury prevention and cross training classes for local studios and dance companies, as well as developed their movement and mindfulness outreach. It’s her passion to help dancers prevent career-ending injuries, as well as give them tools to reduce the daily aches & pains that come with the high demands of dance, making their bodies the most efficient that they can be!

2:30-3:30pm Puppy Yoga Flow with Jen Fiala and the puppies of Geauga Mama Dogs & Pups Rescue.

Join us for Puppy Yoga! Students can expect an all-level vinyasa yoga flow class while enjoying the company of puppies roaming about the room. You will be led through various poses and sequences and end with a relaxing savasana, possibly cuddling a puppy. Jen will offer modifications to meet you where you’re at whether you’re new to yoga or having been practicing for years. Enjoy an additional hour of puppy hang out and social time with participants from 3:30-4:30.

*Email us with any allergies / puppy fears and we will offer a puppy-free alternative!

Jen Fiala was born and raised in North Dakota and has always loved anything that kept her active. She grew up doing gymnastics and dance and moved to New York City in 2015 to dance professionally. Jen has a BA in Communications and a BA in Psychology. She now has her M.A. In Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is working as a therapist.

In 2016, Jen joined a yoga studio in New York City. As a yoga teacher she has been teaching yoga for 6 years. Jen has completed a 500 hour Hatha training in British Columbia, a 200 hour Vinyasa training in Los Angeles and most recently a 200 hour Vinyasa Sequencing in Toronto in 2019. In the summer of 2025, Jen also had the opportunity to lead the sequencing section of a yoga teacher training.

As a teacher, Jen is all about the smooth and steady beat and rhythm of a flow class and the mental and physical challenge that is inside the movement of yoga. You'll see her playlists are meant to match the rise and fall of the speed, intensity and movement of her classes. Jen believes yoga's purpose is to challenge and train yourself to be present, to evolve your self image internally and to learn how to be a better person for yourself and for others. 

The Dancer Wellness Workshop, as a part of our Community Wellness Project, is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.