Our Team

Jennifer Muselin

Artistic Director, JAM Dance Academy

Former Ohio Dance Theatre Principle and Soloist, Jennifer Muselin, studied under the direction of Denise Gula for 15 years, thus perfecting her techniques in ballet, contemporary and jazz.  Her love of dance was solidified, when as a child, she performed in BalletMet’s The Nutcracker ballet as a mouse. In her teens, Jennifer trained with and danced works choreographed by former Cleveland Ballet affiliates, Cynthia Graham, Anne Owen and Joseph Glowick, with whom she credits her love for partnering and petit allegro.  Ms. Muselin attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where she danced under the direction of James Martin and Cherylyn Lavagnino, where she was granted a scholarship for her Sophomore year.  At only 19 years old, Jennifer was awarded an apprenticeship at Chicago's famed Hubbard Street Dance Company and selected to instruct summer intensives with the National Cheerleading Association.  Ms. Muselin became a founding member of Phenix Dance Theatre, which then became Ohio Dance Theatre in the early 90’s. While with ODT, Ms. Muselin's credits include Clara and Sugarplum, Dew Drop, Chinese and Arabian in The Nutcracker, as well as various principal roles that were choreographed for her exclusively.  Jennifer has had the pleasure of being partnered by members of the former Ohio Ballet such as Blas Cerda and Luc Vanier and Joffrey Ballet’s Sam Meredith, as well as performed works choreographed by Mr. Vanier and Amy Miller, co-founders of GroundWorks Dance Theatre.  Jennifer has also had the pleasure of dancing various roles choreographed for her in the Ohio Light Opera. Ms. Muselin is trained in the Pilates technique, which is instrumental in her teachings of both children and adults.  She has choreographed shows to include Flower Drum Song, The King and I, Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, Cinderella and instructed summer youth programs at Oberlin College for at risk youths.  After she retired as a professional dancer, Jennifer became an event coordinator for the Rock and Rolle Hall of Fame, planning such events as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, “Riot Girls and Rebels”, a celebration event for Joan Jett, and Food Network’s Dinner Impossible, to name few. She then went on to Director of Event and Catering for various Cleveland organizations. In 2013 Jennifer began a new chapter in her life and opened JAM Dance Academy in her home-town of North Ridgeville, a dance studio focusing on the disciplined fundamentals of ballet technique.  While with JAM, Ms. Muselin produced community-wide fundraisers as “Biking for Ballerinas” and produced productions of The Nutcracker ballet, choreographing on some of Cleveland’s most talented dancers. In 2019, Jennifer embarked on her new venture as Executive and Artistic Director of her newly formed professional contemporary ballet company, Ballet Legato and also collaborates with the DEA and YMCA, providing after-school dance programs to children while instilling a drug-free life-style through her company.  Ms. Muselin is also certified as a level 1 instructor of Progressing Ballet Technique, which she implements into her teaching focusing on core strength to trigger muscle memory.  Jennifer is extremely thankful to bring JAM Dance Academy training to the community of Lakewood and is excited for the future of dance. She currently resides in North Ridgeville with her husband, Ryan and their four children.

Isabella Muselin

Ballet

Julie Garswood

Tap

Julie Garswood brings over 20 years of dance, teaching, and competition experience in jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary to JAM. She has won numerous awards for her performances including a special stage presence award during her competition years. Miss Julie has a strong background not only in dance, but cheer and theater as well. Miss Julie coached a competition hip hop crew, and several tap soloists, helping them win many top awards at local competitions She graduated Cum Laude from The Ohio State University with a B. A. in History, while also obtaining minors in Dance, Spanish, and Economics. Julie moved home to her native Cleveland in 2011 to attend law school at Cleveland Marshall where she graduated Cum Laude in 2014. Upon returning to the Cleveland area, she began teaching tap at JAM North Ridgeville during their first full season. She is grateful to be able to share her love of dance with the students at JAM Dance Academy.