Who we are and What we do

With a noncompetitive, family friendly atmosphere, MovementWorks will provide opportunities for growth of the body, mind, spirit through many mediums; the art of Dance, yoga, Acro, & cheer, as well as early childhood education. MovementWorks Dance and Fitness is ideal for everyone with our developmentally appropriate classes geared towards children and adults ages 6 months and up.  

Jess Widener-Pruitt, Director/Choreographer/Dance Teacher/Pre-K Teacher/ RYT 500

Mrs. Pruitt began her dance training at a local dance studio where she studied with Paul Wilson and Linda Adolphi of the Cleveland Ballet and Rachael Palermo. Mrs. Pruitt performed with the school’s Chamber Ballet and participated in local outreach programs. Jess was also an active member and Captain of Firelands High School Dance Team where she toured nationally in competitions. She also studying in New York City with acclaimed Master Teachers such as Frank Hatchett and performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Mike Miller Dance Team. She holds many awards including 2-time All-American Dancer and 3-time UDA All-Star. She also has had additional training with U.D.A., E.D.A., Cheerleaders of America Dance Division, Urban Jamm, Show Stoppers and L.A.D.F. She attended LCCC (Elyria, OH), where she graduated with her Associates of Arts and then continued into Early Childhood Education. Additionally, Jess continued her education with Oaksmont Montessori Teacher trainings as well as completing certifications in Yoga teaching, Mindfulness Coaching, & Meditation guidance through My Vinyasa Practice. She has taught for many local studios, public elementary schools, and choreographed for American Heart Association’s Day of Dance, Erie Shores Girls Scouts, Horizon Activities Center, numerous churches, wedding parties, and many local high schools.

Ginny Blystone, Dance & Pre-K Teacher

Ginny is a teacher at heart and has always had a passion for dance too! She began ballet classes/training at 3 years old and continued at the same dance studio until she was 18. After that, she attended Bowling Green State University and minored in dance education. This included taking modern, jazz, ballet, a variety of other cultural dance classes, etc. and taking many classes on the history of dance and how to teach dance. She graduated from BGSU with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (Pre-K-3). Then Ginny also went back and got her Masters degree in Curriculum and Development with a reading endorsement Prek-12. She has taught a variety of age groups including preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd grade and has taught in multiple types of settings including preschool, daycare, subbing, charter schools, and public schools for over 10 years. Ginny is currently staying home to take care of her two young children and is so excited to join the MovementWorks family! 

Katherine Averill, Dancer Teacher & Yoga Teacher

Katherine is a recent graduate of the University in Wyoming where she completed a BS in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Dietetics and a BFA in Theatre and Dance with an emphasis in dance science. After graduation she completed a dietetic internship and was certified as a registered dietitian as well as completing her Yoga Teacher Training RYT-200. Katherine has experience teaching and dancing throughout Wyoming and Montana and has also had the honor of performing on stages across the US included in Kennedy Center. She moved to Ohio to complete her Masters degree in dance at Case Western Reserve.

Lilly Pruitt, Dance Teacher

Let’s give a huge warm welcome to Miss Lilly Pruitt! She’s been dancing since she was 7 years old in ballet, jazz, Hiphop, lyrical, tumbling and also did gymnastics in her teens! She works full time as a nanny during the day and is so excited to continue to share her love of dance and working with children as she joins us at MovementWorks! And…yes if you caught that last name, she is family too. Miss Jess is so thrilled to have her bonus daughter with her at the studio 🥰

Rylan Hefner, Dance Teacher

Rylan is a student at Oberlin College, where they are planning to major in Musical Studies and Theater. Originally from Minneapolis, MN, they are an avid theater and dance performer, most recently performing tap, swing, and jazz dance styles in Oberlin's Student Dance Showcase. Rylan loves teaching, having worked as a middle school choir and orchestra teacher during a gap year, as well as running a mobile tap dance studio in Minneapolis. They are very excited to join the MovementWorks team!