​​                                                Donald L. Gardner III 216-288-4901
                       Thelma Williams 216-401-8440
                       email: detroit2cleve@yahoo.com

ABOUT THE DETROIT TO CLEVEAND CONNECTION DANCE INSTITUTE

Donald L. Gardner, III, a North 2 South Dance Connection Certified Master Instructor and founder of The Detroit To Cleveland Connection Dance Institute, or "D2CC". Gardner, along with partner and Certified Ballroom Instructor Thelma Williams, form the core of "D2CC". Assisting them are Warren Biles, Jamaal Birkett, Donna Collins, Brian Gates, Will Harper, Courtney Leslie, Cassandra "Cookie" Proctor, Rachel Redcross, LaMont Reid, Jerry Rhodes, CJ Starr, Marcus Brent, Velena Sharp,  Velorie Stephens and Dwayne Perkins.  The Akron to Cleveland Connection Ballroom Affiliate  Associates are Priscilla Boutte, Tabaka Osonduagwuike, Trina Dunson.  Antoinette Chappell heads the Savannah, GA link of D2CC as well as many of the students who have learned from Donald-past and present.  Honorary members of  D2CC are Joe Thomas, Marsha Thomas, David Jackson, Cliff Callahan, Diane Callahan, Bill Thomas, and Linda Sams. 

"D2CC's" mission is to bring the fine art of New Ballroom and Chicago Stepping to Cleveland, Ohio, as well as surrounding communities and states.  In doing so, "D2CC" has developed a rich family network of alliances in the cities of Detroit, Southfield and Flint, MI, Chicago, IL, Akron and Dayton, OH, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA and Baltimore, MD.  

In keeping with its' mission, "D2CC's" motto is: "Advance the Dance!".  "D2CC" emphasizes the basic styling steps of the dance along with proper technique, footwork, body positioning, and floor etiquette.  The belief is that by giving a student a good basic foundation of the dance, the student will be able to gain confidence as well as exhibit style, creativity, and grace while enjoying the dance. 

As Gardner explains, "In Detroit there were the classic old-school dances-Bop, Chop, and Graystone, Social, Cha-Cha Line Dance, Latin Hustle and Chicago Stepping-all expressions of ballroom dancing.  Dancers began combining moves from The Social, Bop, and Cha-Cha Line, which evolved into what is known today as the "New Ballroom Dance". 

Gardner became aware of these dances, while working on assignment in Detroit.  He took lessons from nine different instructors to learn how to properly execute the various dance styles.  As a result of his hard work and commitment, Gardner was awarded a Certificate of Completion in Advanced Ballroom Dance.  His smooth and elegant style of dancing at Cleveland-area clubs and parties attracted many requests for instruction, and so, The Detroit to Cleveland Connection was born.  Donald L. Gardner, III started Cleveland's first New Ballroom dance class on September 10, 2000.  He also started Cleveland's first Chicago Step class in 2003. Donald Gardner III is currently the only New Ballroom Certified Master Instructor in Cleveland, Ohio. 

In the 10 years of its' existence, "D2CC" has successfully instructed many who now exhibit and teach these dances all over the city of Cleveland; and, they are the most sought after instructors for classes and workshops in Ohio.  From the meager beginning of one dance class, interested individuals now have access to a different ballroom and Chicago Stepping dance classes seven days a week in the greater Cleveland area, as well as a solid "connection" and major support from the premier dance instructors in Detroit and Chicago. 

The Detroit To Cleveland Connection Ballroom Dance Institute has been serving the Cleveland area for over 10 years and our membership keeps growing.  The Club has trained hundreds of individuals young and old from various walks of life.  Anyone is welcome to take Ballroom Dancing and Chicago Steppin' classes with us, so call us today and let the fun begin! 

-Tuesday 7-9pm Ballroom Dance Class
 Granada Party Center 4340 Clarkwood Parkway Warrensvile Heights, Ohio 44128
 Contact Cookie 216-255-8679 or Marcus 216-326-4692

-Wednesday 7-9pm-Chicago Stepping Class
 Kings & Queens Lounge, 20840 Southgate Park Boulevard, Maple Heights, Ohio 44137
 Contact Cookie 216-225-8679 or Jerry 216-509-3208

-Thursday 7-9pm- Ballroom Dance & Chicago Stepping Class
 First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland, 3630 Fairmount Boulevard, Shaker Heights,Ohio 44118   
 Stay for The Big Dance at 9pm.  Contact Donald 216-288-4901 or Thelma 216-401-8440

-Every 2nd 3rd & 4th Friday 7-9- Ballroom Dance Class
 Goodyear YMCA, 110 Goodyear Boulevard, Akron Ohio 44305  
 Contact Tabaka 330-6315299
DETROIT TO CLEVELAND CONNECTION DANCE INSTITUTE MEMBER PROFILES

Donald "Mr. Ballroom" Gardner III

Donald is the founder and Master Instructor of The Detroit to Cleveland Connection Dance Institute, or “D2CC” as it is commonly referred. He became aware of the many styles of social dance while working on assignment in Detroit. He took lessons from nine different instructors to learn how to properly execute the various dance styles. He was awarded a Certificate of Completion in Advanced Ballroom Dance and is a North 2 South Dance Connection Certified Master New Ballroom instructor in Cleveland, OH.  Donald started Cleveland’s first New Ballroom dance class on September 10, 2000, and the city’s first Chicago Steppin' class in 2003.

​Jamaal Malik Birkett

Jamaal a retired Golfer from Cleveland, Oh., has been involved in ballroom dancing for the past 6 years. When he retired from his job with the City of Cleveland learning to Ballroom dance was one of the first things he wanted to do. After his first year of instruction, he was recruited by D2CCDI to become a member and has since received completion certificates for Modules1-4. He currently teaches 25-30 students weekly at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland, Bobby Dee’s Night Club and the Bedford Community Center. He is also one of the founding members of the Smooth Cha Cha’s Dance Organization. Jamaal loves that he is able to instruct and loves what he is doing. He passes on to his students that once you are committed to learning the dance, your qualified instructor will give you competent structured teaching to properly learn new ballroom style dancing. He tries to interject humor when handling challenges in dancing, advises to always dance to the song of the music, and stay on the dance floor as much as possible.
Velorie L. Stephens

Velorie a Tax Accountant started new ballroom dancing 4 years because of the elegance, intimacy and beauty of the dance movements. Her favorite styling steps are walking the lady variations. The most influential person in starting her dance career was her mom when she first became interested in modern dance as a child. Currently special dance masters that have most influenced her are D2CCDI’s own Donald, Thelma, Velena, Donna and Jerry. Dance experience includes the 2007/2008 Tri-C’s Annual Holiday Event and considers her accomplishments continuous work in progress. She has taught dance at the Kinsman Square Party Center, currently teaches at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland, considers patience one of the best qualities of a good instructor and loves connecting with other dancers. She passes on to her students that dancing is truly an art, quotes advice for dancing are “You can do it”, words of wisdom are “Be yourself because you can’t please everyone, and quotes to live by are “Trust God and leave the consequences to Him☺!”


Jerry Rhodes

Jerry Rhodes a Financial Advisor from Pittsburgh, Pa., has been dancing since 1998 and is an accomplished dancer in New Ballroom, Swing Dance, and Chicago Steppin’. His wife Debbie had the most influence in starting his current dance career. Dance masters that have most influenced Jerry are Donald L. Gardner III, Keith Hubbard, and Tykman.  He started teaching with D2CCDI and currently teaches 20-30 students weekly at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland and Kings and Queens Lounge. His favorite dance style is “romancing the dance!”. 

Marcus Brent

Marcus, a Banker with 5/3 Bank from East Cleveland, Oh has been dancing for 1 year. He states “Just seeing it made me want to learn and learning it made me want to teach”. His cousin Mary and Kristi Copez had the most influence in starting his dance career. Honorable mentions in influencing his dance career include Terry Bass, Donald L. Gardner III, Kevin Collins and Demetrius Jones. Marcus and his wife Traci won 1st place in the Beginner Level Category 2011 Gentlemen of Ballroom Dance Contest. His favorite style of dance is the Greystone Social. Other dance related interests include Tango, Bop and Latin Hustle. He currently teaches 10-20 students weekly at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland and Granada Gardens Party Center. He continues to pass on to students to be patient with the dance, master the techniques, and learn from different classes.  

Thelma Williams

Thelma from Cleveland, Oh., is a D2CCDI partner, lead instructor and North 2 South Dance Connection Certified Ballroom Instructor. Although she has been involved in other types of dance for years prior, she became interested in new ballroom dance after attending Donald L. Gardner III’s class in September, 2000. She enjoyed Donald’s class, loved new ballroom dancing and was soon recruited to teach with D2CCDI.  Even though Donald has had the most influence in starting her new ballroom dance career, there is a list of honorable mentions that have had a great influence over the years- they include Demetrius Jones, Angela Scott, Bishop Ford, Virgil Allen, Bobby “Cool” Williams, Ed Anderson, Larry Collins, Donald L. Gardner III, Keith Hubbard, Angie Faine, Shorty Smooth. There are also more than 50 other masters whom have influenced her over the years. Her best dance experience is dancing with gentlemen that have influenced her dance over the years. She has received the Spirit of Detroit Award-Certified Instructor from North 2 South dance Connection as well as many other awards and certificates from D2CCDI. She currently teaches at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland and encourages her students to first and foremost have fun with the dance. She also suggests before one decides to teach, to make a special effort to learn how to teach from qualified and experienced instructors. Thelma quotes, “Dance is music made visible” by George Balanchine.  

Cassandra “Cookie” Proctor

Cookie has been an associate member of the D2CCDI since 2005. She is a New Ballroom & Chicago Stepping Instructor for the beginner and intermediate levels, dances on the Performance team, and is a grace and style coach.

Brian Gates
Warren Biles

Warren has been an associate member of the D2CCDI since 2005.   He is a New Ballroom Instructor for the beginner and intermediate levels.


Trina Dunson 

Trina is in the field of advance customer service from Akron, Ohio. She is the newest associate member of the D2CCDI. She first became interested in ballroom dance as another one of her hobbies, fell in love with it and was recruited as a new student teacher after one year of being a ballroom student in Akron. Now involved in ballroom dance for a little over 2 years she teaches 5-8 students weekly at the Canton Community Center YMCA and the Akron Goodyear YMCA. What she loves about teaching is the simple fact that she is able to instruct and loves what she does. She passes on to her students always remember to count, practice, commit and enjoy the dance. Her personal quotes on the dance floor are, “when you dance, feel the music and don’t be afraid to ask someone to dance”.
Donna Collins Neely

Donna from Cleveland, Oh has been an associate member of D2CCDI since 2007.  She first became interested in New Ballroom dance after attending a class reunion and noticed one of her friends dancing.  From that moment, she knew this style of dance was "a wrap" for her.  She is a former member of Just Us Rhythm N Motion Dance Organization and credits Linda Sams, John Adams, Marilyn McKenzie, Solomon Numan and C.J. Starr for giving her a strong foundation as a student and introducing her into the art of teaching New Ballroom.  As part of her commitment to teaching she also remains a protege of master instructors because she believes that knowledge is ongoing.  In addition to an instructor knowing their craft, she feels it is equally important to know your students individual level of progress.  This allows the instructor to give them the best teaching experience based on their individual needs.  She recently became a  North 2 South Dance Connection Certified Instructor and passes on to her students to first research and choose qualified dance organizations after deciding to commit to learning any forms of dance.  Her list of Dance masters who have had the most influence in advancing her dance include Donald L. Gardner III, Demetrius Jones, Angela Ireland, Darrell Brown, Al McClinton, Bishop Ford, Martin Hall, Ed Anderson, Larry Collins, Erika Little, Jennifer Toles, Janee and Kenny Moss, Rick Weatherspoon, and Sheryl Powe.  Donna quotes in teaching dance, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”- by Charles M. Dickinson.