Beverly Petersen-Fitts

Beverly Petersen-Fitts has enjoyed a long career at Kent State teaching in the Dance Department. Studying dance independently at Rhode Island College lead to an interest in Dance Therapy which culminated in an M.Ed in Rehabilitation Counseling at Kent State University. Notable and inspirational teachers included Sydney Leonard, co-founder of Boston Ballet, Christine Hennessy and Winthrop Corey, former Prima Ballerina and Principal Dancer of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Opera dancing with the Ruffino Opera Company added growth and texture to performances. In addition to an annual Nutcracker and ballet classics, a highlight of performing was Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo and working with Arthur Mitchell in Rythmetron at the Festival Ballet of Rhode Island. Brian Jones, Rhode Island tap choreographer and performer, inspired a love of tap dancing.  Beverly owns and operates the Cuyahoga Falls Dance Center (CFDC) in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.  CFDC partners with the Moscow Ballet for the Great Russian Nutcracker which returns to Cleveland in 2022 as the Magic of Christmas Ballet featuring stars of the Ukraine Ballet with a message of Peace and Harmony.