Hear What People Are Saying...



Ms. Meredith, I have to tell you...I am so impressed with the level of work you are doing with the kids...this is a real Broadway experience for them! Sofie is loving it and sings all the time...the CD plays nonstop in our car. Thank you for the wonderful work you do. You are a gem and I look forward to seeing you in December!
Warmly,
Leslie Watson

Isabel just loved the experience of the show. I have never seen her so happy as she was on stage yesterday. You did an amazing job. Isabel is dying to do the next show. Thank you again for all your wonderful work.
Mindy Duryea

 

I hadn’t tap danced since “two score and seven years ago.” Life and adulthood and taking myself too seriously always seemed more important than making music with my feet. When I finally mustered enough courage to try tap dancing again, I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect teacher than Merrideth Ziesse to catch me when I jumped off this proverbial cliff.First of all, the woman loves to dance and is spectacular to watch. Being witness to her talent is exciting in and of itself. But rather than being intimidated or frustrated that my dance moves
will never look like her dance moves, Merrideth creates an environment that we’re all in this together as tappers – and that includes the good, the bad and the ugly. I have great respect for her work ethic. From the moment class
begins, she is working side by side with us whether to review fundamentals, getting us started across the floor in rhythm or challenging us with a new step. She is encouraging without being patronizing (or is that matronizing?) and always, always takes the time to dissect a complex move into simpler, do-able segments until our feet “get it.”
I LOVE tap dancing again – probably more than I did way back when – and I have Merrideth Ziesse to thank for this gift. I am excited and inspired to rediscover my own percussive rhythm and Merrideth has led the way. In gratitude, Diann Kayah (Tap Student)

 

Jim and I want to thank you so much for making your class so much fun for Leah and the other children. You really
are so terrific and we want you to know how much we appreciate all you do. You have given so much of yourself and our children greatly benefited. Leah is excited about continuing with you. Many thanks and have a wonderful holiday.
Janet Cumming

 
Merrideth is an excellent teacher who can make even the most reserved introvert (like me) give their absolute best in a performance. She made every class an enjoyable one, and every student excelled because of her dedication, saint-like patience, and bubbly enthusiasm. She also has a ready supply of anecdotes regarding her beloved doxies that keep everyone laughing. Merrideth is the ideal teacher, and I guarantee you'll emerge from her class a more confident person.

-Laura Dugan (GPC Student)

 

"Merrideth Ziesse is, without a doubt, one of those rare talents that only come around once in a blue moon. She is a commanding actress and a fierce dancer. Anyone who studies with her will get only the best training possible. Period."

John Tague
Actor
Hollywood, CA

 

I love working with Merrideth! I have enjoyed everyopportunity we've had to work together. Her extensiveand varied background, training and professionalism are examples of what a well-rounded performer should encompass...AND she's a really nice person!

-Michael Malone (Former Dance Partner)

 
Merrideth's enthusiasm is contagious, and working with her has been the most fun I have had in years - while learning a lot at the same time!

-Kristie Krabe (Atlanta Actress)

 
TAP:
"Merrideth Ziesse has an incredible talent for teaching tap. She breaks everything down slowly so you understand where it is all coming from. She incorporates traditional barre work with fun and exciting combinations that make you want to continue! I can now say that I can tap!"

ACTING:
"When it comes to monologue work, Merrideth is very meticulous about every part of the monologue. She helps you with finding the action in each part of the monologue, which in turn gives the actor a stronger base in their presentation of that scene. Her teaching is innovative. She provides images and tools to help you learn more about the monologue and yourself. She is patient and understanding of the actors' challenges and continues to provide support in the actors' decisions."

Natalie Gray
"Christmas Eve", Avenue Q

 

Merredith has been my tap teacher for approximately a year now, I think... time flies when you are having fun lol....
and she does make it fun to learn... she is very patient with us beginners and takes the time to make sure we
understand what we are supposed to be doing with our feet... she tries not to leave any of the slower dancers
behind yet provides challenging material for those of us who catch on a little faster... she brings in a variety of
music and is always coming up with new combinations to keep things interesting.... she teaches with a great sense
of humor and emphasizes that we are there for our enjoyment, since none of us at this point in our lives is
considering a professional dance career.... no point sweating our mistakes!! I am sorry I will be moving out of
town this year and losing my connection with this very good teacher.

Joan (Current Tap Student)

 

I first met Merrideth working on a crazy show called Marietta: the Soap! I was just getting back into acting
after a very long break (20 + years!). Meredith played the lead, and I learned more from working with her
and watching her than I've learned from almost anyone else I've worked with since. She always came to
rehearsal prepared--she did more preparatory work than I've ever personally seen an actor bring to the
job. She was brilliant, fall-down-laughing funny, and extraordinarily generous with the other actors like me
who had the privelege to work with her. When I later took tap-dancing lessons from her, she was every bit
as wonderful with me in her teaching--patient, kind, encouraging, always well-prepared, and extremely
knowledgeable. She never seemed to run out of ideas. When something wasn't working for me, she
would have at hand several other approaches to try. And she always kept it light and fun.

I was lucky to meet Meredith, and very fortunate to be able to work with her and learn from her as a
performer. And to top it all off, I have been blessed to have her in my life as one of my closest and dearest
friends. Everyone should be blessed to have a friend who is so warm, generous, honest, kind, and loving
as Merrideth Ziesse. She's the best!

Claire Brown (Atlanta Actress)

 

I took Tap from Merrideth for approximately 1 year. Starting such a challenging dance style in your
mid-20s could have been discouraging. Merrideth managed to make it loads of fun for everyone in the class, from the newbies like me to those who had years of experience. It was never dull, it was always a good workout, and I learned an immense amount in such a short time. I'm convinced that I learned about 2 years worth of Tap in that one year,
thanks to Merrideth.

-Matthew Cornwell (Actor/Student)

 

Merrideth is an amazing teacher- she can manage any group with ease and never loses patience. One remarkable thing about her style is that she can teach to multiple skill levels within the same class, keeping advanced students challenged while taking the time and energy needed for less advanced students. She can also energize, motivate, and inspire a group of tired adults after a long day at work- not a small task! Merrideth makes dance fun and exciting, and I always look forward to her classes.

-Nicola Russell (Tap Student, Home Depot)

 

I worked with Merrideth in Florida on the production "Boca Grande: The Soap" in April, 2004. She is a tremendosuly funny and versatile performer. She played two entirely different women (one with a Russian accent) flawlessly. She gives of herself and puts others at ease. She is a joy to work with and we hope she will come back.

Charlie Tyler
President Royal Palm Players
MZ Stageworks (404) 444-3208 merrideth@mzstageworks.com