Suzann DeLay

Co-Owner/Founder, Central Indiana Academy of Dance

Founding Director, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble

Suzann Siler DeLay received her early dance training in California with Deane and Barbara Crockett, founders of The Sacramento Ballet. She went on to dance a variety of contemporary and classical roles while a member of The Sacramento Ballet. She also had a brief career with Pacific Northwest Ballet until injury forced her to retire. She has been fortunate to study with some of the master teachers of our time such as Violette Verdy, Robert Barnett, Robert Joffrey, Janet Reed, and David Howard just to name a few. Suzann appeared in several musicals including Princess and the Pea and Lil’ Abner. She has also appeared in several PBS specials in the California area.

Suzann has taught, choreographed and performed throughout the United Sates, including the official School for Sacramento Ballet, and occasionally teaches for the Contemporary Dance Department at Indiana University. She brings with her a vast knowledge of classical ballet and has taught Ballet, Pointe, Variations and Pas de Deux to students six through adult. She also specializes in a creative dance program for children ages three through six. She has been recognized with numerous awards for choreography works in ballet and contemporary.

In 1999, Suzann founded the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, which is successfully celebrating their 19th season. Alumni of Central Indiana Academy of Dance have gone on to professional careers with Ballet West, Dayton Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Nashville Ballet II, Nevada Ballet, Boston Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theatre. In addition many alumni have been accepted with scholarships to top level summer intensives, residencies and universities.

In 2009, she opened Central Indiana Academy of Dance to provide pre-professional training for the resident pre-professional company, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, an honor company with Regional Dance America. In 2012 and 2014 Central Indiana Academy of Dance was awarded the Youth American Grand Prix “Outstanding School” Award.

She has been honored by being on the cover of the December 2008 issue of Indianapolis Woman and was invited and attended the National Teachers Weekend at the School of American Ballet in 2010. She is the former President for the Mid-States Board of Directors of Regional Dance America. Most recently, she was awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award by Carmel Mayor Sue Finkham, and the Distinguished Hoosier Award by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.

Trained in Cecchetti and Russian techniques, she was a student of the Crockett’s for many years and is dedicated to carrying on their teachings. Suzann is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

Ashley Jacobs

Co-Owner/Director of Preschool and Primary Divisions, Central Indiana Academy of Dance

Co-Artistic Director, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble

Ashley has been teaching in the Indianapolis area for over 18 years. She began her formal ballet training at the age of 10 with her mom, Suzann DeLay, and was a founding member of the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. While with CIDE, she performed soloist roles such as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, and Rose in The Nutcracker, Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella in Cinderella, and Wendy in Peter Pan.

While dancing Ashley attended summer programs with The Washington Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Boston Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre.

Ashley attended the University of Utah as a ballet major, and in her sophomore year transferred to Indiana University to study in the Contemporary Dance Program, where she received the Jane Fox Dance Scholarship from the Kinesiology Department. While at IU she danced with The Ben Munisteri Dance Company of New York City, Connie Denapoli from Paul Taylor Dance Company and The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange of Washington D. C.

In addition to performing, she was a featured choreographer in IU’s “Hammer and Nail 2008”. She has choreographed for the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble and was recognized at the Regional Dance America - MidStates Festival held in Indianapolis.

Ashley has taught at many local studios, including Indiana University’s Pre-College Dance Program, and was an assistant teacher for the freshman dance major’s modern class at IU. Ashley is currently a supervising teacher for Butler University’s Ballet Department Pedagogy Major.

Ashley graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Dance Performance.

Ashley is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Ashley is certified in all three levels of Progressing Ballet Technique. In addition, she is certified in the Youth Protection Advocates in Dance Safety and Wellness Program which includes CPR/First Aid, abuse awareness & prevention, injury prevention & response, and safety & emergency preparedness