Hip-hop dance team draws women from all parts of Northeast Ohio 

by Emily Canning-Dean 

About a year ago, the adult hip-hop dance team led by Ryan Rosinski had roughly 40 participants, but as the group’s popularity grew, the number of dancers meeting in Hudson each week has doubled. 

“We accept anyone who is 18 or older,” said Rosinski, a professional dancer who has served as choreographer for the team for the last three years. “Our youngest dancer is 18 and the oldest in our class is currently 72. These women come from all different backgrounds. Some have 20 or 30 years of dance experience and some have never danced before in their lives. But they work so well together and there is so much camaraderie between the dancers.” 

The dance team meets for practice in Hudson one hour each week, but Rosinski said some additional rehearsals might take place before a performance. The adult dance team, as well as the newly formed senior dance team, meant for dancers 50 and older, have performed all over Northeast Ohio including local festivals, at Cleveland Cavaliers games and at Akron Rubber Ducks games. The team’s next performance is slated to be in Canton Feb. 25 during a Harlem Globetrotters game. 

“If we do have a performance coming up, I will make sure everyone is well prepared,” Rosinski said, adding that the group performs on average 10 times a year. “But the commitment is pretty lenient. Dancers can pick and choose what performances they will attend.” 

Leah Hartmann of Perry travels an hour each week to attend Rosinski’s class in Hudson. 

“I just started in October,” she said. “I hadn’t danced in 20 years. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly and the hour drive is totally worth it. We spend so much time shuttling kids around that it’s nice to have this time once a week that is just for us.” 

Kristi Reklinski of Strongsville joined the group about a year ago. She said she started taking ballet at the age of 5 and found she missed performing. Joining the class brought back that excitement again. 

“There are women in the class, though, who have never performed before and the Cavaliers game was their first performance,” she said. “Ryan does a great job with the choreography making sure that the movements make sense for everyone.” 

“I’ve met so many wonderful women from all walks of life in this class,” said Laura Dudley who lives in Cuyahoga Falls, but spent many years living in Hudson. “It’s a nice outlet for women to get together and something more unique than a regular exercise class.” 

Nicole Clark, who recently joined the dance team with her daughter, Kaitlyn, said Rosinski is great at working with beginners. 

“I have no rhythm, but Ryan really breaks it down to make sure everyone can understand and he makes it really fun,” she said. 

Clark said the dance team has been an important outlet for her and Kaitlyn after Kaitlyn’s younger sister passed away from cancer in July. 

“This is the thing we look forward to every week,” Clark said. “It is the only thing that makes us laugh.” 

Rosinski said new dancers are always welcome to the group and no audition is necessary. For more details, contact Rosinski at ryansdance@live.com. 

Photo caption: Ryan Rosinski hosts a weekly hip-hop class in Hudson for adults of all ages. Photo submitted.