Cynthia Merrill has been a successful Fresno businesswoman, entrepreneur of the arts and a teacher in her private dance studio and in the public schools for 29 years.

Every year she produces original ballets, plays, musicals and a cotillion program for the youth of the Valley, teaching manners and social dance.

Coming from a famous East Coast family of dancers, she is continuing her family legacy in California. In her creative style of teaching and in her technical approach to dance, she uses both a classical and contemporary format where manners, respect and gracious behavior are taught in all classrooms.

Merrill and her professional staff have trained many currently performing
professional dancers and dance teachers.

Since the 1970s, Merrill has had an impact on the development of the dance and educational community of Fresno.

She was an instructor of modern dance at Fresno City College, a teacher of educational dance at California State University, Fresno's extension program, a consultant for the Arts and Humanities Program, lecturer and demonstration teacher for Fresno Unified School District as well as a migratory resource teacher for Clovis Unified School District.

Performances continue through March with "Womanspeak" at the Fresno Art Museum and at Fresno State.

The Celtic Dance Ensemble has performed for 10 community events.

Two hundred and fifty students are now in rehearsals for the April 30 to May 3 ballet production of "Peter Pan."