Elizabeth Ann McCullough

By BRETT BOGGS
TVSC Superintendent

AKRON — If there’s anything Elizabeth Ann McCullough enjoys more than dancing, it’s teaching others to dance.

By the time she graduated from Tippecanoe Valley High School in 2004, she had spent more than 10 years studying dance with Pamela and Louise, another Rochester studio and Debra Collier in Warsaw, and had performed at Akron United Methodist Church, where she also taught dance to second, third- and fourth-graders.

By that time, McCullough knew she wanted a dance studio of her own. Realizing it would take training, self-discipline and a lot of grit, she attended Ivy Tech Community College and Ball State University, where she majored in business and minored in dance. She continued choreographing and performing dances at Akron United Methodist Church while polishing her own techniques.

In February, 2011, she began teaching dance to children and adults at Rochester Tumbling Express. By September that year, she was able to see her dream become reality when she opened Liz’s Dance Studio LLC in Rochester’s old fire station.

“Starting my own business was a tremendous step out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I’ve had to adjust to working long hours between two jobs plus recently becoming coach for Rochester High School’s dance team. I honestly don’t consider these things obstacles. Everything worthwhile in life takes hard work and dedication.”

In 2012, the Akron Area Arts League presented her its fifth annual award for promoting the arts and her studio received a first-place award at Rochester’s Round Barn Festival.

But as far as Liz is concerned, she receives awards daily. “Teaching dance to children and being able to fulfill my dream is such a huge reward,” she said. “I’m lucky to be able to have a job that I love and that I am so passionate about. Most importantly, I get to share that with others.”