History of ODM

The organization began in 1936 as Cleveland & Ohio Dance Masters. It was connected with Chicago National Organization of Dance Teachers. Clem Brown & several other members from the Cleveland area eventually changed affiliation to Dance Masters of America. In 2011 we returned to our roots as Ohio Dance Masters. Today we have approximately 125 members from four states

Early pioneers were Clem Brown, Bess Newton Brown, LaRue Hope, Mary Louise Megert, Eleanor Buckholzer, Bill Franklin, Betty Adelman, Marie Miller, Cecelia Corley, Charles Boyd, Muriel Kelleher, Arita Lee Blair, Mary Pollock Graham. LaRue Hope was the stronghold of the group and ensured that we adhered to the principles of the National Organization setting the standards for dance education. The first Secretary/Treasurers was Clem Brown, followed by Joyce Keegan Flynn then Noreen Rhode, Secretary & Rennie Davis, Treasurer.

You will always find an ODM member volunteering their services on the National Board. The Ohio Chapter is proud to have had four members serve as President on the National Board: LaRue Hope (1950), Joan Wine (1982), Angela Freese (1988), and Butch Theisen (2009). Rennie Davis served as National Treasurer.

Our members have received National Recognition…
Zee Brown Award: Noreen Rhode, Kathi Halbert
Member of the Year: Marjorie Sellers, Butch Theisen, Noreen Rhode, Kathi Halbert (2015) & Colleen Rhode (2018).