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President of Jam-Jer Inc. and Long's School of Dance, is the Director of the adagio team and master flight engineer and flight choreographer. Jay began dancing at age 3, fencing at age 5, martial arts and boxing at age 10. He studied Adagio under the direction of Aubrey Hitchens and Ben Hassen. Jay retired from fencing with an undefeated record, having studied under Jim Long (his father) and world class fencer, George Santelli. Jay Long received his Sifu rating in 1975 and became Master Sifu in 1985.

Jay is certified by the Chinese Martial Arts Association and by the National Quigong Association. He holds a Bachelors in Communication, and in 2005, Jay completed training in performance rigging at Northern Illinois University.

Dance Director of Long's School of Dance, Lee Ann began dancing at the age of 3 at the Jean Vaugh School of Dance in Nashville, Tennessee. She continued dancing at the Jan Lauffer School, and at the Nashville Contemporary Ballet Company. During her professional career she traveled and performed throughout Europe and the South with the Tennessee Festival Ballet Company. Lee Ann also attended Western Kentucky University where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts.

Lee Ann is certified as a dance educator by DEA, SADM, CNADM, and TAD. As Dance Director at Long's School of Dance, Lee Ann introduced Long's School of Dance, Inc. to the popular summer dance opportunities of Summer Dance Intensive, Kid's Creative Dance Camp, and is also responsible for bringing Masters of the Arts to the summer program. In her free time, 'Miss Lee Ann' enjoys reading, beading and jewelry making, riding horses, falconry, photography, and riding in the Jeep with Jay.

Vice President of Long's School of Dance, Jamie started training in Martial Arts at the age of 2, and in Fencing at the age of 6. Currently, Jamie has over 20 years experience, and over 30 years of training in Martial Arts and Fencing. Jamie is heading the External Martial Arts Division of Long's Combative Arts School as well as Long's Acrobatic Department.

He has been teaching Acrobatics for nearly 20 years and Martial Arts for 14 years. He is currently instructing classes in Junior Kung Fu, Senior Kung Fu and Acrobatics. Jamie is also a member of Long's Performing Arts Team, LLC.

Tiffany has been dancing with the Long's family for over twenty years and continues to study ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, acrobatics, silk, lyra, and spanish web.  During the summers, Tiffany also attends master classes with instructors such as Marcus Alford, Annie Day, Bobby Ziegler, Henry Danton, and Beverly and Ron Veenker.  She has also had the privilege of taking private aerial lessons for five years under master instructors such as Laura Witwer and Angela Jones training on silk and lyra.

This is Tiffany's eighth year of instructing and she is so thankful to be able to share her love of dance with so many wonderful children.  She teaches at the Selinger, Fairview, Girard, Bird Drive, Mill Village, and Union City locations during the year and continually looks forward to teaching at Summer Dance Intensive and Kid's Creative Dance Camps.  Tiffany has been a part of the Long’s Performing Arts Team, LLC. for twelve years, having traveled to Walt Disney World in 2002 and then again in 2005 for an encore performance.

Tiffany loves performing in Long's shows as a dancer and aerialist and is thrilled to be sharing the stage with her husband Anthony, sister Samantha, mother Chris, friends, students, and all the fabulous talent at the school!

Maria has been dancing for sixteen years and continues her dance studies in ballet, pointe, jazz tap and acrobatics.  She is also a member of the Long’s Performing Arts Team, LLC. and has performed in Disney with the team.  For the past four summers she has attended master classes with Bobby Zeigler, Henry Danton, Annie Day, Marcus Alford, and Beverly and Ron Veenker.  Maria has been an instructor at Long’s for six years and has had the privilege to teach at Summer Dance Intensive as well as Kid’s Creative Camp.  She has been teaching yoga for the past three years and plans to continue to do so each year.

Maria is currently employed at the Barber National Institute where she is a Community Based Program Aide in the Adult Day Program.

Maria has been seen locally on stage at the Erie Playhouse where she has performed in such shows as Fame, The Sound of Music, and West Side Story.  She is very pleased to be performing on stage while her parents Karen and Michael, perform as vocalists.

With 19 years of dance experience, Tad is in his 8th year on Long’s Faculty serving as both an instructor and Long’s Corporate Safety Director. Tad has trained under the direction of Jay and Lee Ann Long, Ron and Beverly Veenker, Bobby Ziegler, Henry Danton, as well as the late Marge Long. In addition to studying with Marge, Tad feels extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to teach alongside her for the 2004-2005 season. Tad is currently studying tap under the direction of Karen Prunzik and was a guest instructor for Prunzik’s Broadway Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.

Tad has studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acrobatics, modern, and ballroom, as well as kung-fu, where he is a Si-dai, fencing, and Qi-gong. He is also a member of several performing arts organizations, such as ITA, ITS, and NTE. This is Tad’s 10th year as a member of Long’s Performing Arts Team L.L.C. and has traveled with the Team twice to Walt Disney World. He is currently an artistic consultant for Fairview High School, his alma mater, where he student-directed and choreographed several plays and musicals.

Katie has been dancing at Long’s for 16 years.  She has taken classes in tap, ballet, pointe, acrobatics, jazz, modern, and hip hop.  She has also had the opportunity to attend Master Classes instructed by Marcus Alford, Annie Day, Bobby Ziegler, Henry Danton, and Beverly and Ron Veenker.  

Katie has been instructing for seven years and has enjoyed teaching all of her students.  She has taught at several of the Long’s Dance Studios, most recently at Bird Drive and Mill Village locations.  Katie has been a member of the Long’s Performing Arts Team, LLC., for eight years and has traveled to Walt Disney World in 2005 to perform.  

In addition to teaching, Katie has just graduated from Penn State Behrend with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, as well as a minor in management. 

Jamie has been dancing for the past twenty years and continues to take classes regularly. She is also an eleven year member of the Long’s Performing Arts Team LLC and has enjoyed performing with them in Disney World. Jamie has been training on aerial silks, as well as lyra and Spanish web, for the past five years and is delighted to perform with the Aerial Arts Team once again. Over the summer she continued dancing weekly, training with master instructors such as Henry Danton, Bobby Ziegler, Marcus Alford, Laura Witwer, Angela Jones, and Beverly and Ron Veenker.  Jamie has also helped with events such as the annual Christmas Dinner Dance, Glee Flash Mob, Erie Bayhawks Performances, Summer Dance Intensive, and open house events.

A 2011 graduate of Gannon University, Jamie obtained her Bachelors in Political Science with a minor in Pre Law and a Legal Studies Certificate. She currently attends the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.  Jamie would like to thank everyone at Longs and her family for always being so supportive, especially over the past year.

Haldis has been dancing since the age of four and continues to study tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, modern, and acrobatics. She is a member of the Long's Performing Arts Team, LLC and is also in her third year of studying aerial arts which includes lyra, silks, and spanish web. Haldis has participated in summer master classes with Henry Danton, Bobby Ziegler, Beverley and Ron Veenker, Laura Witwer, Angela Jones, Annie Day, and Marcus Alford.  In addition to dancing Haldis is excited to perform as a vocalist in the show.

Haldis currently teaches freshman English courses at Gannon University while working on a Master's degree in English.

Vanessa has studied dance since the age of three, taking classes in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop and modern, spending 10 years participating in competition squads. In addition, Vanessa holds a minor in dance from Ohio University Dance Program where she participated in the school's performing group. Vanessa is also a member of the Long's Performing Arts Team, LLC. Vanessa has taken several hip hop and jazz master dance classes in New York at Broadway Dance Center with such artists as Manwe, Chio, Jermaine Brown, Jimmy Tate and Frank Hatchett.

Vanessa graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and has also obtained her MSW from Edinboro University. She is currently employed as a Master's level Social Worker in Hospice care, working with individuals and families.

Karen has been dancing at Long’s for fourteen years.  She takes classes in tap, ballet, pointe, and jazz.  Karen has been a member of the Long’s Performing Arts Team, LLC since 2005 and is very excited to have joined the aerial arts team in 2011.  In addition to performing Karen has enjoyed teaching for the past four years.  For the past four summers she has attended master classes with Bobby Zeigler, Henry Danton, Annie Day, Marcus Alford, Beverly and Ron Veenker and Laura Witwer.

Karen has just completed her freshman year at Penn State Behrend as a chemical engineering major.  She is looking forward to another great show and her debut on aerial lyra!

Janice has studied dance for 19 years and continues to study ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip hop, aerial silk and lyra.  She has had the privilege of taking master classes from Bev Veenker, Ronald Veenker, and Bobby Ziegler.  She has also had the privilege of taking private aerial lessons under master insturctors Laura Witwer and Angela Jones training in silk, lyra, and spanish web.  Janice is also a member of Long’s Performing Arts Team, LLC.

In addition to instructing and dancing at Long’s, Janice is employed at the Baber National Institute as a Therapeutic Support Staff.  She is also in the process of earning her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Mercyhurst University.

Janice is honored to be a part of such elite talent at Long’s and wishes all of her students and colleagues luck this weekend and always.

Ellie has been dancing at Long’s for fourteen years, continuing to study ballet, pointe, jazz, acrobatics, modern and hip hop.  This is also her seventh year as a member of Long’s Performing Arts Team, LLC.  Ellie has participated in the summer classes with Master instructors Henry Danton, and Ron and Beverly Veenker for 7 years.  Ellie is excited to have completed her second year of instructing at Long’s, and plans to continue teaching and training throughout her college career.

In addition to training and teaching at Long’s, Ellie is also a freshman at Gannon University where she majors in Middle Level Reading/Language Arts and Special Education.  She also volunteers with the Erie County Special Olympics program where she hopes to become more involved over the summer.  In the future, Ellie hopes to move on and receive a Master’s Degree in Education or Reading Specialization from California State University at Berkeley and become either a Special Education teacher or Reading Specialist.

Hayley has been dancing at Long’s for the past thirteen years and continues to take classes in ballet, tap, pointe, modern, acro, hip hop, and jazz.  She is also a seven year member of Long’s Performing Arts Team, LLC.  This is Hayley’s first year as an instructor and currently teaches at the Selinger Avenue location.  Hayley has had the opportunity to take Master Classes with Annie Day, Marcus Alford, Bobby Ziegler, Henry Danton, Ronald and Beverly Veenker.  Hayley has also helped the Girl Scouts earn dance badges, participated in Bayhawks performances, assists with summer dance classes and works open house events.

Besides dancing, Hayley is an accomplished Level 10 gymnast.  She’s been training for the past ten years at Lakettes Gymnastics Academy.  In 2007, she was the Level 7 Western PA Vault and Floor Champion, as well as the PA State Floor Champion and the Level 9 Regional Floor Champion in 2009 and 2010.  Hayley just completed her sophomore year at Villa Maria Academy and would like to wish all her students the best of luck.

Carla Fleming comes from a music and arts-oriented family and has been teaching piano since high school.  She holds her BA in Music from Binghamton University, NY, and shortly after her move to Erie, founded The Fleming School of the Arts to further promote the arts in the West County area. 

Carla discovered her passion for dance as a cheerleading captain, and in 2009, founded Lake Erie Belly Dance (LEBD), Erie’s professional bellydance troupe, earning performances on the Celebrate Erie mainstage and other major events.  LEBD travels frequently to headline tri-state area workshops and shows. 

Carla maintains her certifications with Carolena Nericcio, and with the Suhaila Salimpour School of Bellydance, the most respected international bellydance format available, offering both “Tribal” and “Cabaret” classes at Long’s.  Bellydance class information can be found at www.TheFlemingSchool.com.  Carla’s troupe has earned the distinction of “Sister Studio” status through FCBD, and brings master instructors to Long’s each year to broaden students’ abilities in the many styles of bellydance. 

Crystal studied dance under the direction of Marge Long for more than 15 years and currently teaches Long's adult tap classes. She spent four years dancing, teaching, and performing in St. Petersburg, FL at Cheryl Lee's School of Dance. Crystal has competed nationally with Bonnie Gray Productions in St. Petersburg.

In addition to dance, Crystal has enjoyed experience as an actress and choreographer for such organizations as Mercyhurst College, Gannon University, the Erie Playhouse, the Village Dinner Theater with Ben Agresti and Carnival Cruise Lines.

Cheri has been with Long's as the ballroom and Latin rhythm dance instructor since 2003. She came to Erie from Pittsburgh where she trained under coaches such as Rozanna Sweeney and Bill Graner. She is currently working under the supervision of PJ Navarro, who is both a judge and a coach.

Cheri is a member of the USABDA (United States Amateur Ballroom Dance Association), and she and her partner placed among the top six in the Amateur Couples Division of American Smooth at the Ohio Star Ball in 2002.

Professional aerialist Laura Witwer began her dangling career in New York City, training with nationally acclaimed trapeze artist Tanya Gagne. After many flips, twirls, and bruises on the static trapeze, Laura high-tailed it to Circus Arts and Acrobatics in California to study with instructors Vladimir Chvalbo (Cirque du Soleil), Tony Steele (circus veteran), and Karlene Griggs (Ringling). A little flying trapeze, a little trampoline, and a lot of hoop and rope later, she was strong enough to pursue her dream. In search of the ultimate in aerial silk training, Laura dug out her French dictionary and packed her bags for Montreal, home of the famous Cirque du Soleil. A full year of daily private coaching and grueling rehearsals yielded her dynamic solo on the aerial fabric, which has astounded audiences from Vegas to Buffalo with its phenomenal blend of beauty and acrobatics.

Having performed with Cirque le Masque, Sea World, Bindlestiff Family Circus, Circus Nexus, and countless others, she wondered if perhaps there was room for a partner. Angela Jones became Ms. Witwer’s partners and together the two joined forces and became Luminosity, performing everywhere from the Olympic Stadium in Greece, to Bangkok, to the Krystal Palace in Germany. They have also been interviewed on CNN radio and seen on the WB Morning News, as well as in Talent in Motion Magazine. But soon they realized that they had an eye for talent and began working with other amazing and versatile artists and formed ImaginAerial.

A native of England, Mr. Danton is an internationally known dancer, choreographer, artistic director and teacher. He began his performing career with the International Ballet of London and then transferred to Sadler Wells Ballet, where he danced for three and a half years as First Soloist. He also appeared with the Paris Opera Ballet and the Ballet des Champs Elysees before coming to the United States where he toured as First Classic Dancer in Roland Petit's Ballet de Paris on its first US national tour.

He then performed on the South American tour and later as a guest artist with the Australian National Ballet. His European engagements include performing in France, Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, and Spain. During his dancing career he has partnered such ballerinas as Moira Shearer of Sadler Wells, Lycette Darsonval of Paris Opera and Mia Slavenska. Mr. Danton returned to Australia as a guest artist and artistic director of the Australian National Ballet. After performing as a guest artist in Venezuela¸ he formed the Venezuelan National Ballet. In South America he also founded Ballet National de Columbia, was Artist Director of Ballet National de Panama, and served as teacher and choreographer to Danzas Venezuela, Ballet International Caracas, and Ballet Metropolitano de Caracas.

While in the United States he taught at Carnegie Hall, Sarah Lawrence College, Julliard School of Music, and held the position of first ballet instructor with Martha Graham's School and Company. He has choreographed classical ballets for the Washington Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Garden State Ballet, and Ballet Theatre of Scranton. During his more than twenty years association with Ballet Theatre, he has choreographed numerous ballets including "Giselle", "Swan Lake", "Don Quixote", "Coppela", "La Bayadere", "La Fille Mal Gardee", "Carmen", "La Esmeralda" and "Firebird".

Mr. Danton served as Director of the Dance Educators of America Training Course for teachers for over 10 years, and freelances as a guest teacher and choreographer. Mr. Danton directed the annual Russian Ballet Seminar from 1991 to 1996. In 1998, Mr. Henry Danton was honored for his outstanding artistic contributions to Ballet Theatre of Scranton.

Tap great Bobby Ziegler holds a Masters degree from The Chicago National Association of Dance, and has studied in Canada and the United States. His training includes; character and modern dance, acrobatics, voice, pantomime, ballet, jazz and tap. Before opening his own school Mr. Ziegler trained dance teachers for 10 years through Dance Educators of America in New York City.

He went on to open his own dance school in 1968 after performing on stages in Korea, Canada and the United States. He has taught notables in the dance world that read like a who’s who list on the red carpet. Two of his former students Leroy Reams and Ula are currently performing on “The Producers” and Leroy has performed for many seasons in 42nd Street on Broadway.

Ron grew up in Sioux Falls, SD where he studied oboe, English horn and percussion. As a member of the American Federation of Musicians, he played in the pit orchestra for traveling Broadway shows and with the Sioux Falls Municipal Band. At Bethel University, St. Paul, MN, he received a BA in music theory and composition. He has worked in choral music, solo voice instruction and solo bistro piano performance. Currently, he sings at St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church in Shallotte, NC and performs regularly with the Brunswick Jazz Band on keyboard.

Bev has 35 years experience as director of the Western Kentucky University dance program. While there, she developed a four-year syllabus for preparing dancers for professional careers. Most of the dance majors from this program have been successful on Broadway, off-Broadway, in movies and on television.

Past students have been in (on Broadway) "Chorus Line", "Merrily We Roll Along", "Dream Girls", "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", "Les Mis", (in films) "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", "Two Weeks Notice", and many others. Currently, her students are appearing on Broadway in "42nd Street", "Cats", " Chicago", "Wicked", and in the film "Ghost Riders" and on the popular television series " Smallville" (Lex Luther). Bev's formative training was entirely through Margie Long.

Annie Day holds a B.A. degree in Dance from Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana.  Among her teaching credits are private and public schools, universities, dance camps and arts schools across the US and Germany.  Annie teaches for major dance organizations each year during D.M.A, D.E.A., Dance Olympus, Boston Dance Teachers Club, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Southern Association of Dance Masters and others.  Her innovative and demanding classes have also challenged students at the North Carolina School of  the Arts, Lexington School for the Deaf and Alabama School of Fine Arts.

Along with her husband Marcus Alford, Day was awarded the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2003.  Together, they produce “Jazz on Tap”, “BalletFest Atlanta”, “The Nutcraker of Cherokee County” and “Jazz on Tap on Tour” summer dance camps.  As construction manager for JazzHand, LLC, Annie supervises dance studio design and construction projects in the Atlanta area and throughout the southeast.

Marcus R. Alford attended the University of Alabama where he earned a B.A. Degree in Dance and Business.  He choreographed, taught, danced and toured with the legendary Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago for a decade.

Mr. Alford has been on the faculty of every major dance organization including D.M.A., D.E.A., Internationale Tanz Wekstatt, Southeastern Regional Ballet Association, Boston Dance Teachers Club, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and many others.  Marcus’ high energy jazz classes have also inspired students at the Festival of the World in Hungary, The American College Dance Festival, The International Ballet Competition, Jackson, MS, Hubbard Street Dance Studio, Chicago and the North Carolina School of the Arts.

Marcus is the founder and artistic director of “JAZZ ON TAP” (the Metro Atlanta Jazz and Tap Dance Festival) and “BalletFest Atlanta”.  In 1991, he authored Jazz Danceology, now a standard in the libraries of jazz dancers, teachers and universities everywhere.  Marcus Alford has performed in and/or choreographed many award winning industrials and TV/video projects for clients including Kohler Corporation, Sprint, I.B.M., Milliken Carpets and N.F.L. Commissioners.  His concert choreography can be seen on companies throughout the dance world.

Mr. Alford currently serves on the faculty of the Kennesaw State University Department of Dance.  Along with his wife, Annie Day, Mr Alford serves as Owner/Artistic Director of Dancentre South, Inc. in metro Atlanta.  They were the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.