The ML Dance Academy is a family owned Dance Studio in Pickerington Ohio that offers dance lessons in Ballet, Irish Step, Hip Hop and Adult fitness.

Marilyn Brust

Marilyn started dance lessons when she was young at Joan Garrett Wine studio in Newark, Ohio. After 2 years of dance Marilyn began to pursue her love of baton twirling and music, specifically playing the flute. Marilyn’s baton twirling led her to becoming a Majorette in high school and assisting baton teachers at local studios . She become an accomplished flutist, winning awards for solos and ensembles at local music competitions. Her senior year of high school the band director had the majorettes learn the basics of rifle twirling and Marilyn was hooked. She spent the next 12 years teaching various color guard squads and at camps around the state, winning awards at many competitions. She also served as a judge at competitions, focusing on dance teams, color guard and majorettes. She left the world of color guard in 1986 to focus on a management career with Yum Brands, specially Pizza Hut. At her highest level of management she was responsible for 14 restaurants in and around Central Ohio. She retired after 20 years in management and discovered she had time to pursue her dream of returning to dance. She started lessons at Perrow Studio of Dance in Canal Winchester and soon the owner asked her to teach classes. Marilyn has attended many workshops in Columbus and Cincinnati to brush up and expand her dance basics and technique. She attended Columbus Taps workshops where she studied under tappers such as Jimmy Tate and Becky Hoag. She has been teaching dance for 10 years in Canal Winchester, most recently at Dance Works. In 2011 Marilyn’s trio of cloggers were awarded All Star status at a KAR competition and were invited to New York. During their visit, the dancers attended lessons at some of the premier studios in New York and attended a workshop with the Rockettes. Marilyn loves to teach and considers her students extended family. She has a Business Degree from Otterbein and lives in Canal Winchester with her husband, Ty, and son, Kyle. Marilyn is excited to be part of The ML Dance Academy staff and looks forward to sharing her love of dance with the students.

Anna Gavrilova

Anna started dancing at 7 years old. She has trained in many different forms of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and ballroom. She began dancing competitively at the age of 10 at Pinnell Dance Centre in Gahanna until graduating from high school. She then went on to dance in Bowling Green State University’s dance team, performing at every home football and basketball game. After a year at BGSU, Anna transferred to The Ohio State University and joined a student-led organization called, Dance Connection, in which she also choreographed. Anna has much experience in working with kids as well. Graduating with a background in education from OSU, Anna went on to Ashland University to receive her teaching license in Middle Childhood Education. While working on her licensure, she worked at an after school care program at one of the elementary schools in Worthington. She is currently a Middle School Language Arts teacher at Central College Christian Academy in Westerville. Anna is very excited to have dance back in her life, and be teaching here at ML Dance Academy.