TEAMS
Gymnastics
Above the Barre Dance & Gymnastics is the home of both boys and girls Competitive Gymnastics Teams, including many state, regional and national champions. You will not find better coaches anywhere in any sport, as our coaches are selected for their genuine love of children as well as their technical expertise. All coaches are professional USAG members and all team coaches are required to participate in the continuing education training program. Fundamental to the ATB program is providing a safe and successful experience for each athlete.
Competitive Levels
USAG Girls Competitive Teams compete in Compulsory Level 3 – 5, Optionals Level 6-10, Xcel Silver – Diamond. Boys Competitive Teams (USAG and AAU) compete Level 4 – 10. The program is structured to develop athletes through systematic progressions and strength development. All athletes are evaluated and advanced at their own pace based on both physical and emotional readiness.
Developmental Team
The focus of our developmental team is for gymnasts ages 5 to 8-year-olds to enter into our Team’s program without travel competing. They will be developing strength training, flexibility, and fundamental skills that will advance their following years onto our traveling teams.
Getting started is easy
Team tryouts are held annually each April. Our tryouts are not structured to eliminate children, but structured to place children on teams at levels where they will be successful. If a child is not ready for a certain team one year, he or she might be ready the following year. We can often offer other options and various strategies to get every child placed on the team of their choice. In addition, we offer pre-team opportunities for young children who do not fulfill the general requirements listed below. Our season runs June through May.
Interested in joining our Gymnastics Team? Please fill out the following information and we will get back to you with next steps!
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![Congratulations to all our competitive gymnasts that received their 2026 Awards! Every year we celebrate our season with an award party to honor our gymnasts achievements! ??????
#BeginHereGoAnywhere #atbfamily #oneteamonedream]()
Congratulations to all our competitive gymnasts that received their 2026 Awards! Every year we celebrate our season with an award party to honor our gymnasts achievements! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #BeginHereGoAnywhere #atbfamily #oneteamonedreamButton -
![Congratulations to Connor & Blake that got the opportunity to compete at Nationals in Oklahoma City last week! We are so proud of your achievements this year! ?????
#atbfamily #beginheregoanywhere #oneteamonedream nedream]()
Congratulations to Connor & Blake that got the opportunity to compete at Nationals in Oklahoma City last week! We are so proud of your achievements this year! 👏🏻💪🏻🤩 #atbfamily #beginheregoanywhere #oneteamonedream nedreamButton -
![Help us wish Connor & Blake Good Luck at Nationals this weekend in Oklahoma City! You got this! ?????
#atbfamily #BeginHereGoAnywhere #oneteamonedream]()
Help us wish Connor & Blake Good Luck at Nationals this weekend in Oklahoma City! You got this! 💪🏻👏🏻🤩 #atbfamily #BeginHereGoAnywhere #oneteamonedreamButton -
![LAST CALL! ??
Our LAST Gymnastics team try-outs is this SUNDAY! You are able to register in person, over the phone, or online! It’s a fun experience to challenge your abilities and join an encouraging team! ☺️
Click the link in our bio to register and more information!
#atbfamily #BeginHereGoAnywhere #oneteamonedream]()
LAST CALL! 📞📞 Our LAST Gymnastics team try-outs is this SUNDAY! You are able to register in person, over the phone, or online! It’s a fun experience to challenge your abilities and join an encouraging team! ☺️ Click the link in our bio to register and more information! #atbfamily #BeginHereGoAnywhere #oneteamonedreamButton
Dance Company
Above the Barre Dance Company is an intensive dance training program committed to providing dancers with the technical tools and performance opportunities that offer rewarding experiences through the art of dance. ATB is unique in that it has a faculty of nationally recognized certified teachers. Our professional teaching staff is recognized across the industry for their contribution in the areas of performance, dance education, and choreography. In addition to our regular faculty, we have several adjunct faculty members who come in several times per year to provide our program with even more diversity. As a team, the Dance Company attends three to four regional competitions and one national competition every season. We are proud of our many awards, most notably, 2008-2022 National Champions. We believe that dance competition provides a valuable training tool to hone performance skills, learn from judges’ critiques, and dance among peers from other studios.
Our Training System
Our company dancers range in age from 5 to 18 years old. Dancers train two to four days per week. The dance company program’s goal is to develop the whole dancer and to create a versatile, well-rounded dancer. This proven program requires dancers to study ballet, tap, jazz, leaps and turns, and acro. Additional subjects are available in Pointe, Cecchetti, Contemporary, Stretch and Strength, Musical Theater, Improvisational Skills, Aerial Arts and Hip Hop. All of our choreography is learned and rehearsed at times scheduled outside of regular technique classes. At ATB we pride ourselves in helping our dancers set and achieve personal goals. Classes are administered with a focus on technique in a fun, challenging, non-competitive environment. Dancers gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment through this system. Through this process, they will gain a love for dance.
Getting started is easy
Company auditions are held annually each June. Our auditions are not structured to eliminate children. They are structured in order to place children in Training Groups at levels where they will be successful. If a child is not ready for a certain Training Group one year, he or she might well be ready the following year. We can often offer other options and various strategies to get every child placed in the Training Group of his or her choice. Our season runs July through June. If you are interested in more information regarding our Dance Company program, moving to the area, or have questions regarding tuition and fees, call 440-625-0000 to speak to our dance company manager, or send an email to ATBcustomerservice@live.com. We would love to have you on our team!
General Competition Requirements
- 5 to 18 years old with previous dance experience
- Required technique classes are ballet, tap, jazz, and acro (number of hours differ based on age and level)
- Must take additional technique classes in the styles that they have group dances
- Attend all scheduled regional and national competitions
- Attend at least one dance convention/workshop every year
Interested in joining our Dance Company? Please fill out the following information and we will get back to you with next steps!
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![SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ?❤️
Lily Norris @lilyjnorris
Lily graduated from Olmsted Falls High School. Academically, she was recognized as being in the top 5% of her class. Her favorite school activity was spending 6 years as a Bulldog football cheerleader. She was twice named captain, and senior year was awarded the SWC Scholar Athlete award. Lily is also a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honors Society and Science Honors Society.
This fall Lily will attend The Ohio State University as part of their Honors Program and major in Nutrition and Dietetics.
For the past 15 years, Above the Barre has played an enormous role in Lily’s life. The last 5 of those years she was part of the Elite Dance Company. In 2024 Lily was inducted into the National Honors Society for Dance Arts. Additionally, the past 3 seasons she has served as a Student Leader at ATB, where she has had the joy of teaching the younger dancers. Her time at Above the Barre has been full of countless friendships, hard work, life lessons and fulfillment. Lily is eternally grateful for everybody that has been a part of her dance journey. She would like to thank Mrs Barr for creating the space she has considered her second home for as long as she can remember. Also, the teachers who have taught Lily to love dance and encouraged her along her journey. Finally, Octet, who she can’t imagine doing life without. Although Lily is looking forward to her next chapter, she will forever cherish these memories and greatly miss her ATB FAMILY.]()
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT 🌟❤️ Lily Norris @lilyjnorris Lily graduated from Olmsted Falls High School. Academically, she was recognized as being in the top 5% of her class. Her favorite school activity was spending 6 years as a Bulldog football cheerleader. She was twice named captain, and senior year was awarded the SWC Scholar Athlete award. Lily is also a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honors Society and Science Honors Society. This fall Lily will attend The Ohio State University as part of their Honors Program and major in Nutrition and Dietetics. For the past 15 years, Above the Barre has played an enormous role in Lily’s life. The last 5 of those years she was part of the Elite Dance Company. In 2024 Lily was inducted into the National Honors Society for Dance Arts. Additionally, the past 3 seasons she has served as a Student Leader at ATB, where she has had the joy of teaching the younger dancers. Her time at Above the Barre has been full of countless friendships, hard work, life lessons and fulfillment. Lily is eternally grateful for everybody that has been a part of her dance journey. She would like to thank Mrs Barr for creating the space she has considered her second home for as long as she can remember. Also, the teachers who have taught Lily to love dance and encouraged her along her journey. Finally, Octet, who she can’t imagine doing life without. Although Lily is looking forward to her next chapter, she will forever cherish these memories and greatly miss her ATB FAMILY.Button -
![SENIOR SPOTLIGHT?❤️
Lily Yoakam @lily.yoakam
Lily Yoakam is a senior at Berea-Midpark High School and has been dancing for 14 years. At school, she is involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society for Dance Arts, Student Executive Board, and Link Crew. Throughout her high school career, Lily has remained dedicated to both her academics and her school community, and she will be graduating with an honors diploma.
In addition to her involvement at school, Lily is also a student leader at her dance studio, where she has grown tremendously over the years. Being a student leader has allowed her to mentor younger dancers and give back to a place that has given her so much. Dance has shaped Lily not only as a performer, but as a person, teaching her confidence, discipline, and how to push herself beyond what she thought was possible.
This fall, Lily will be attending the University of Toledo to pursue a career in pediatric nursing. She is excited to begin this next chapter, while carrying everything she has learned with her.
Throughout her time at her studio, Lily has grown into the dancer and person she is today. Dance has always been such an important part of her life, and something that she will always hold close to her heart. From long competition weekends to everyday classes, she would not trade her time at ATB for anything. Leaving is not easy. Friendships, memories, and support she has found there mean so much to her. Lily is incredibly grateful for her teachers and training group, who have supported her through everything. She would especially like to thank her friends, who have made her time at the ATB unforgettable and who she knows will be there for her whenever!]()
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT🌟❤️ Lily Yoakam @lily.yoakam Lily Yoakam is a senior at Berea-Midpark High School and has been dancing for 14 years. At school, she is involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society for Dance Arts, Student Executive Board, and Link Crew. Throughout her high school career, Lily has remained dedicated to both her academics and her school community, and she will be graduating with an honors diploma. In addition to her involvement at school, Lily is also a student leader at her dance studio, where she has grown tremendously over the years. Being a student leader has allowed her to mentor younger dancers and give back to a place that has given her so much. Dance has shaped Lily not only as a performer, but as a person, teaching her confidence, discipline, and how to push herself beyond what she thought was possible. This fall, Lily will be attending the University of Toledo to pursue a career in pediatric nursing. She is excited to begin this next chapter, while carrying everything she has learned with her. Throughout her time at her studio, Lily has grown into the dancer and person she is today. Dance has always been such an important part of her life, and something that she will always hold close to her heart. From long competition weekends to everyday classes, she would not trade her time at ATB for anything. Leaving is not easy. Friendships, memories, and support she has found there mean so much to her. Lily is incredibly grateful for her teachers and training group, who have supported her through everything. She would especially like to thank her friends, who have made her time at the ATB unforgettable and who she knows will be there for her whenever!Button -
![SENIOR SPOTLIGHT ?❤️
Kristiana Recko @kristiana_grace_
Kristiana is a graduate of Olmsted Falls High School, where she was an active member of Masquers, a varsity football cheerleader, a member of SADD, the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and served as a student ambassador.
She has trained at Above the Barre for 16 years, spending 13 years as a competitive company dancer and performing in over a dozen productions of The Nutcracker. A dedicated student leader, she studies the Cecchetti Method of Ballet and has completed Grade IV. Over the past two years, she has also begun teaching and choreographing, sharing her passion with the next generation. Raised at the studio she calls her second home, Kristiana has grown up alongside her teammates, forming lifelong friendships and unbreakable bonds. She is deeply grateful for the mentorship and lasting relationships she has built with the staff, who have shaped her both as a dancer and as a person. She has shared this journey alongside her mom and had the special opportunity to be taught by her grandmother, her very first teacher. Her accomplishments include Petite Miss Dance of Ohio 2018, Petite Miss Dance of America 2019, and she is the current Miss Dance of Ohio 2026.
After graduation, Kristiana will attend the STEPS on Broadway Conservatory in New York City, training in dance, voice, and acting as she pursues a career in live entertainment. While she is excited for what’s ahead, she will deeply miss her studio, the people in it, and the relationships that mean so much to her.
She would like to thank her teachers for their support, love, and dedication. She wouldn’t be the dancer or person she is without them. A special thank you to her dad, her bonus parents, her two brothers, her grandparents, and all of her friends and family for their constant love and support. And to her mom, thank you for being her home, her strength, and her constant. Every step, every sacrifice, every moment, this dream was built side by side, and it means more than words could ever hold.]()
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT 🌟❤️ Kristiana Recko @kristiana_grace_ Kristiana is a graduate of Olmsted Falls High School, where she was an active member of Masquers, a varsity football cheerleader, a member of SADD, the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, and served as a student ambassador. She has trained at Above the Barre for 16 years, spending 13 years as a competitive company dancer and performing in over a dozen productions of The Nutcracker. A dedicated student leader, she studies the Cecchetti Method of Ballet and has completed Grade IV. Over the past two years, she has also begun teaching and choreographing, sharing her passion with the next generation. Raised at the studio she calls her second home, Kristiana has grown up alongside her teammates, forming lifelong friendships and unbreakable bonds. She is deeply grateful for the mentorship and lasting relationships she has built with the staff, who have shaped her both as a dancer and as a person. She has shared this journey alongside her mom and had the special opportunity to be taught by her grandmother, her very first teacher. Her accomplishments include Petite Miss Dance of Ohio 2018, Petite Miss Dance of America 2019, and she is the current Miss Dance of Ohio 2026. After graduation, Kristiana will attend the STEPS on Broadway Conservatory in New York City, training in dance, voice, and acting as she pursues a career in live entertainment. While she is excited for what’s ahead, she will deeply miss her studio, the people in it, and the relationships that mean so much to her. She would like to thank her teachers for their support, love, and dedication. She wouldn’t be the dancer or person she is without them. A special thank you to her dad, her bonus parents, her two brothers, her grandparents, and all of her friends and family for their constant love and support. And to her mom, thank you for being her home, her strength, and her constant. Every step, every sacrifice, every moment, this dream was built side by side, and it means more than words could ever hold.Button -
![Reminder! Dance Company Auditions are this week! ✨
We can’t wait to see all of the talent and hard work you bring into the room. Good luck to everyone auditioning, we’re excited to see you shine! ?]()
Reminder! Dance Company Auditions are this week! ✨ We can’t wait to see all of the talent and hard work you bring into the room. Good luck to everyone auditioning, we’re excited to see you shine! 💙Button
REC League
Above the Barre's Rec League is great way to experience being on a gymnastics team and informal competition that can easily fit into your busy schedule.
Our Training System
Our Rec League gymnasts range in age from 5 to 12 years old and practice one to two days per week. The goal of the Rec League program is to develop strength, coordination and to prepare gymnasts for competition. Students learn a routine in floor, vault, bars, and beam. The girls are placed on teams according to skill level. Each team has a personalized ATB leotard of a different color. The girls participate in three in-house competitions.
Getting started is easy
The Rec League program does not require students to try out; our qualified coaches place gymnasts in groups in which they will be successful. Students can join a class at any time and there are specific classes that automatically become a Rec League class in January. If you are interested or would like more information, you can call us at
(440) 625-0000 and ask to speak to the Gymnastics director or email us at
atbcustomerservice@live.com.
REC Dance Company
If you are looking for a dance program with less of a time commitment but still affords all the excitement and fun of learning dance, our newest program is for you! The Rec Dance Company gives students the chance to step into the spotlight at one outside dance performance, as well as at our Christmas Dance Concert and Summer Dance Concert.
Dancers will train in Cecchetti ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Choreography—with the option to add an acro class for even more fun and skill-building.
Our Training System
RC 1 (at least 1 year of dance experience) Ages 5-8
1 day a week – 30-minute classes totaling 2 hours
Students will learn one dance to take to an outside performance, and one additional dance for the Summer Dance Concert, as well as dances at the Christmas Show
RC 2 (at least 1 year of dance experience) Ages 5-8 & 9-12
1 day a week – 45-minute classes totaling 2 hours 45 min
Students will learn one dance to take to an outside performance, and one additional dance for the Summer Dance Concert, as well as dances at the Christmas Show
RC 3 (at least 2 years of dance experience —teacher recommended) Ages 9-12
2 days a week – 55-minute classes totaling 2 hours a day, 2 days a week
Students will learn two dances to perform at an outside event, and one additional dance for the Summer Dance Concert, as well as dances for the Christmas Show.
Getting started is easy
No pressure, no tryouts—just dance! The Rec Dance Company welcomes all students. We place dancers in age-appropriate groups and match them by skill level to ensure they feel confident, have fun and thrive as they learn.
If you are interested or would like more information, call us at (440) 625-0000 or email us at atbcustomerservice@live.com.
