Mariah Layne French
FOUNDER/ DIRECTOR & CEO
CHOREOGRAPHER INSTRUCTOR: JAZZ & TAP COSTUME & LIGHTING DESIGNER OUTREACH COORDINATOR Mariah earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from The Ohio State University in 2005, where she was awarded the Undergraduate Research Grant for her Honors Thesis, "Forging New Territory in Artistic Expression." Before attending OSU she majored in dance on scholarship at Ball State University, and performed as a member of the Ball State Dance Theater from 2001-2003. Mariah also studied Spanish, African, and Caribbean dance at Florida International University in Miami. She received her primary training from the Fort Wayne (IN) Ballet with Judy Jacob, and from Northeast School of Dance with Beth Schiebel, where she performed as a member of its nationally recognized Jazz and Tap Companies. |
Mariah has worked closely with many distinguished masters and choreographers, including: Jeff Shade, Diego Salterini, Gregg Russell, Bebe Miller, Gary Lund, David Reuille, Lori Belilove, Freddie Moore, David Covey, Susan Hadley, Rosiland Pierson and Yvonne Peters. She continues to cultivate her craft as an active member of the Columbus Dance Community.
Mariah began instructing at Charisma Centre for the Arts in 2004, under the direction of Daryse Osborne. She also served as administrator and creative director.for CCA until 2019, when she was appointed executive director. In 2020 the school made a move and changed names to more fully unite with Xclaim. Mariah continues to share her love of dance with the students through jazz and tap movement.
In 2022 Mariah was the recipient of the Greater Columbus Arts Council's prestigious "Artist Elevated Award". Her award winning choreography has been performed in Indiana, Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania and in Ohio. It has been featured at many community events throughout central Ohio including performances at The Columbus Arts Festival, The Columbus Dance Theater, BalletMet Columbus, The Columbus Commons, The Bluestone (formerly BoMA), King Arts Complex, Columbus Performing Arts Center, in the Columbus Dances Series, in 60x60 produced by New York based Vox Novus, in the City Dance Showcases, and at The Ohio State University's Sullivant Hall.
In 2007 Mariah and her husband Philip founded Xclaim. They reside in Columbus, Ohio with their nine vivacious children. Mariah thanks God for the overwhelming provision and opportunity she's been given to share and pursue work she loves.
Mariah began instructing at Charisma Centre for the Arts in 2004, under the direction of Daryse Osborne. She also served as administrator and creative director.for CCA until 2019, when she was appointed executive director. In 2020 the school made a move and changed names to more fully unite with Xclaim. Mariah continues to share her love of dance with the students through jazz and tap movement.
In 2022 Mariah was the recipient of the Greater Columbus Arts Council's prestigious "Artist Elevated Award". Her award winning choreography has been performed in Indiana, Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania and in Ohio. It has been featured at many community events throughout central Ohio including performances at The Columbus Arts Festival, The Columbus Dance Theater, BalletMet Columbus, The Columbus Commons, The Bluestone (formerly BoMA), King Arts Complex, Columbus Performing Arts Center, in the Columbus Dances Series, in 60x60 produced by New York based Vox Novus, in the City Dance Showcases, and at The Ohio State University's Sullivant Hall.
In 2007 Mariah and her husband Philip founded Xclaim. They reside in Columbus, Ohio with their nine vivacious children. Mariah thanks God for the overwhelming provision and opportunity she's been given to share and pursue work she loves.