Articles
Faculty
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Faculty MembersBallet
Jazz
TapHip HopModern
LyricalKung Fu & Tai ChiGuest / Adjunct
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Prima Ballerina Sherry Moray had an international career dancing for the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany. Her career continued as Principal Ballerina for the Chicago City Ballet, Ballet Chicago, as well as guest artist with various ballet companies throughout the United States and Europe. At the age of 12, in a master class given by Ballet Mistress Anne Woolliams, the legendary choreographer, John Cranko, noticed Ms. Moray. She was then invited to come to Stuttgart, Germany where she was offered a full scholarship to train at the internationally renowned School of the Stuttgart Ballet (Cranko Schule) and became a member of the company at the age of 16. Upon returning to the United States, she joined the Chicago City Ballet as Principal Ballerina and was coached extensively by legendary Prima Ballerina Assoluta, Maria Tallchief over an 11 year period. Throughout Ms. Moray’s distinguished career, she has triumphed with rave reviews for many of her poignant portrayals. Among the most significant roles from the repertoire she has performed include: the title role of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, as Rosalinda in Ruth Page’s Die Fledermaus, the lead in Allegro Brillante, 1st violin in Concerto Barocco, the Sanguinic section from The Four Temperaments, the role of Terpsichore in Apollo, and numerous other Balanchine works. Dancing the title role of Cinderella, she was described as “Exquisite… when she is on stage, all eyes focus on Sherry Moray as Cinderella. Her physical build is fragile enough to convey the constitution of a Princess, but her control allows each wilting collapse of a limb to be artistically achieved.” In her partnership with International Varna Gold Medalist, Maximilianno Guerro, they were hailed for their performances in both Don Quixote and Le Corsaire. For the Famed Edinburgh Festival, the world premiere of the ballet Les Sirens was created for Ms. Moray. London critics declared Ms. Moray… “An enchanting Ballerina” and dubbed her as a “Star that was introduced to the Edinburgh Festival.” As Director of The Academy of Dance Arts, Ms. Moray firmly believes in the value of dance education in all the dance arts. Already in Ms. Moray’s 22 years of teaching and private coaching, she is producing dancers who are making careers as professionals. Her students have been offered full scholarships to attend summer programs to such major dance schools as: Pacific Northwest, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Alabama Ballet, Harid Conservatory, the Royal Ballet School in England, the Cranko Schule (school of the famous Stuttgart Ballet), and School of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. Ms. Moray’s career has extended to choreographic pursuits. In September of 1996, her choreography credits were recognized. She won 1st place in the International Sarasota Ballet choreography Competition for her ballet Under the Shroud of Heaven. In 1999, Ms. Moray’s ballet Delibes Variations was chosen as the closing ballet for the Regional Dance America Festival and was performed by the highly acclaimed Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet to a standing ovation. One of Ms. Moray’s most recent works to start the millennium was Echoes of Romance, commissioned by the Sarasota Ballet of Florida. In June of 2000, Ms. Moray’s first story ballet Once Upon a Dream was given its’ premiere in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at the Whitaker Performing Arts Center. Reviewed as “an appropriately featured mid-length story ballet, Once Upon a Dream is charming, imaginative and an excellent multi-layered catalyst for some remarkable dancing and effects.” In 2001, Ms. Moray founded Illinois Ballet Theatre and presented its’ inaugural performances featuring her newest story ballet La Boutique Fantasque and the dynamic and sensual Pas de Deux All My Love to standing ovations. 2002 brought the newest larger work from Moray – the soaring Concerto Grosso that premiered at the Regional Dance America Gala in Dayton, Ohio. Currently, as Artistic Director for Illinois Ballet Theatre, Miss Moray re-staged the outstanding Echoes of Romance and premiered her award-winning work English String Suite in Chicago. Recent work receiving accolades for their creativity have been Marché Militaire and Ancient Airs and Dances in 2008/2009. Miss Moray is proud to also be the Artistic Director of the National Award winning Academy Dance Alliance Competing & Performance Company, creating exciting and innovative choreography for the Alliance dancers of all ages.
~ Miss Moray has consistently had her Dancers place in the top 12 - Regional and National Division from 2000 to 2013. |
Ballet Instructors
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Ariel Cisneros Ariel Cisneros is a professional ballet dancer with a long and diversified career to his distinguished credit. Mr. Cisneros was born in Cuba where he received his training at the Professional School of Arts in Havana and Camaguey the second most important art school in Cuba. His education as a dancer was rigorous and comprehensive, with world class training in Russian, French, Italian and Latin styles. He began performing at the age of 10 and, upon graduation from the Professional School of Arts, started his professional career with Ballet Camaguey and the internationally acclaimed National Ballet of Cuba, which is recognized as one of the world's premier ballet companies. In 1992, he was invited to perform, as part of a very select group of dancers, with the leading Brazilian ballet company, Teatro Municipal of Rio de Janiero, where a one-week appearance led to a four year engagement as a principal dancer. In 1996, he joined Cleveland Ballet and has subsequently danced with Kentucky Ballet Theater and San Jose Ballet. In 2004, he made his debut as a soloist with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in Aida and Carmen,and is a former member of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, where he last appeared in 2006. Mr. Cisneros is frequently invited to appear as a guest artist and has danced guest roles throughout the United States, Brazil and Europe. His extensive repertoire includes principal roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Fille mal Gardee, La Sylphide, Esmeralda and others. Also he had the honor to work personally with choreographer and directors like Alicia Alonso, Roland Petit, Hans Van Manen, Ray Barra, Denis Nahat, Jorge Lefevre, Gerard Arpino. Mr. Cisneros is a dedicated, committed and artistic dance professional and he brings those same qualities to his work as a teacher. He is an established ballet and salsa teacher in Chicago and the surrounding area, working extensively with professional companies and ballet academies, including the Joffrey Ballet, Luna Negra, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and Giordano Dance. Mr. Cisneros is a faculty teacher at Columbia College and North Shore School of Dance. His teaching experience also includes children, adults and community outreach programs such as the Joffrey Education and Community Engagement Outreach Program. He is an incredibly supportive teacher at all levels of dance experience, from professionals to young dancers. His mission is to share his expertise with his students, assist them in achieving their highest potential, and experience with them the joy and passion inherent in dance. The Academy is delighted to have Mr. Cisneros as part of the Academy's Master Instructors team for our students. |
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Kim Craigie Kim Craigie grew up in Maryland and received her first 10 years of pre-professional dance training at The Washington School of Ballet, with supplemental studies at The Central Maryland School of Ballet, and summer studies at Boston Ballet and The North Carolina School of the Arts, in the Modern dance program. After high school, Kim moved to New York City to attend The Juilliard School, where she was the first Dance Division student to graduate with both a B.F.A. in Dance and Scholastic Distinction for her research in developmental movement studies impacting young children’s dance education. While in New York, she had the pleasure of dancing with The Juilliard Dance Ensemble, Sue Bernhard and Dancers, Aynsley Vandenbroucke Movement Group, Mary Seidman and Dancers, and Michael Mao Dance-China Tour. As a company member of Michael Mao Dance, Kim worked as a teaching artist, participating in teaching English as a second language in the New York City public school system. As a choreographer, she has collaborated with composer Philip Rothman on two works entitled You’re It, and How Long Lost, both premiered in Lincoln Center, and with composer Theresa Wimmer on a dance theater work entitled Good Morning Emily which premiered at the Brooklyn Music School. During her time as a professional performer, Kim continued to work closely with her teaching mentor Deborah Bailay in a Manhattan-based children’s dance program, In Grandma’s Attic, later becoming assistant director. She also enjoyed the pleasure of being on faculty at The School at the Mark Morris Center from 2003-2005. Kim is proud to direct one of the leading Young Children’s Dance Programs in the Chicago area at The Academy of Dance Arts. In addition to her group classes in creative dance and pre-professional ballet, she also trains dance students privately. As a private lesson coach, she specializes in training older students recovering from injuries, actors, and students new to ballet in addition to the advanced dancer. She also mentors aspiring young teachers and choreographers. Kim is pleased to be entering her 8th year on faculty at The Academy of Dance Arts. The Academy is honored to have this outstanding and distinguished instructor as part of the Academy professional staff. |
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Lindsay Pekny Lindsay Pekny is a native of Houston, Texas and began her performing career at the age of 4 in the national revival of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, under dance captain Patsy Swayze. She continued her studies in ballet, tap, and jazz and was accepted into the Houston Ballet Academy at the age of 9. When Lindsay started high school, her family moved to Los Angeles where she had many performance opportunities, including appearances with Toni Tenille and for the Sultan of Brunei. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Southern California and spent 3 years as a Song Leader there. During that time, Lindsay choreographed for a squad and performed regularly on national television and around the world, most notably in the Monday Night Football opening theme with Hank Williams Jr. and dancing at the U.S. Pavilion at Expo ’98 in Lisbon, Portugal. After suffering knee and foot injuries, she was unable to pursue a performing career; however she welcomed the opportunity to hone her teaching and choreographic skills. A particular highlight for her was to be the resident choreographer for the Long Beach Shakespeare Company. She moved to Glen Ellyn in 2003 and gave birth to her second child the following year. While her kids were younger, she took a break from the dance world but is overjoyed to be “home” teaching students the art of dance. In addition to her work at The Academy, Lindsay is a registered Music Together Teacher. |
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Irina Starovoitova Irina Starovoitova is a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer with a degree from the State of Belarus College of Choreography, one of a few schools in the world that still treasure and preserve great traditions of Vaganova’s classic dance teaching methodology. As a young dancer, Irina worked directly with world-renowned choreographer Valentin Elizaiev, the head of the ballet troupe of the Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet in Minsk, Belarus. During her years as a soloist of the Belarussian State Dance Ensemble, Irina earned standing ovations from spectators in Spain, Italy, Germany, India, France and the USA. Irina is an experienced and skillful instructor of classical ballet and character dancing. Irina also continues to perform as a soloist of “Zabava” Folk Dance Company. Miss Starovoitova is a Master Instructor that the Academy truly treasures having on staff. |
Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Modern and Lyrical Instructors
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Martin Bronson Martin Bronson, began his dance training at his family’s dance school in St. Louis. He has continued to train and perform in St. Louis, New York, and Chicago. Martin has been fortunate to study under some of the greatest tap dancers of our time including Dianne Walker, Derrick Grant, Jason Samuels Smith, Brenda Bufalino, and Dormeisha Sumbry-Edwards. In St. Louis, Martin performed with Diva La Tap, and participated in Duets For My Valentine, where he performed “Begin The Beguine”, made famous by Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell. Upon relocating to Chicago, Martin has worked with Chicago Tap Theater, under the direction of Mark Yonally, and currently performs with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s BAM! under the the direction of Lane Alexander. Martin currently performs with The Tapmen, a tap company he co-founded in 2010. In addition to being a performer and student, Martin is also a passionate teacher. Martin teaches at several Chicago area dance schools, and also enjoys teaching master classes across the country. His most recent teaching credits include teaching at Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World, the largest and oldest tap festival in the world. He is currently the Director of Education for Audible Odyssey, a tap dance organization. Martin feels very fortunate to be a part of the tap community and greatly enjoys his role in sharing this great American art form. The Academy is also very fortunate to have Mr. Bronson on staff, sharing his love for the art of Tap. |
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Tristan Bruns Additionally, Tristan is also performing his original vaudeville-style production of Tapman and Friends, a unique superhero themed song and dance show, at such venues as the Uncommon Ground nightclub and the Lakeshore Theatre. Tristan can also be seen performing with two other Chicago based Tap Companies: MADD Rhythms under the direction of Brill Barret and the Cartier Collective under the direction of Julie Cartier. Tristan shares his passion for Tap Dancing with his students and we are thrilled to have him on staff. |
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Brian Hare Brian Hare is originally from Bloomfield Hills, MI. He is a graduate with honors of Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Arts Entertainment Media Management and Dance. Brian has performed as a company member with Chicago Dance Crash and Corpo dance Company, as a gues artist with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, and in independent projects for Dance Chicago. He teaches students of all ages and disciplines at several Chicago dance studios and has studied under teachers including Judy rice and Lorraine Susa at Dance Masters of America Teachers Training Program. Brian's work "Temporary Proof", which premiered at New Dances 2010, has been selected for the Thodos Dance Chicago 2010-2011 season repertoire. Brian joined Thodos Dance Chicago in 2008. |
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Chris Marosi |
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Justin Tyda The Academy is excited to have this fresh and dynamic Hip Hop Instructor as part of our team. |
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Carrie Nicastro Carrie Nicastro, a native of Northbrook, IL, received her initial training under Cheri Rose, studying the Cecchetti Method of Ballet. Carrie continued her education at the University of Iowa, graduating with honors in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in both Dance and Psychology. After graduation, Carrie trained on scholarship at the Lou Conte Dance Studio and with Thodos Dance Chicago. She has also had the privilege of performing in Dance for Life, with Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre, Hedwig Dances, and was most recently a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago's second company, Giordano II. Carrie is also a passionate and enthusiastic teacher throughout the Chicagoland area. In addition to being on faculty at Trilogy School of Performing Arts in Lake Zurich, she is currently the coach of Pom Connection, a non-profit competitive youth All-Star Pom and dance team program. The Academy is fortunate to have this outstanding teacher on staff. |
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Tracy Pearson Tracy is originally from the city of Detroit, where she received a BFA in Dance Theatre performance from Marygrove College. She proudly graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 grade point average. Tracy’s performance credits include: Marygrove Dance Company, Livonia Civic Ballet Company, and the Detroit Dance Collective. She has worked with renowned choreographers from Urban Ballet Theatre, Dayton Ballet, and River North Chicago Dance Company. Tracy has danced and choreographed nationally including the gala performance for the American College Dance Festival. In addition to her dance skills, Tracy is an accomplished gymnast. Prior to her college career, she was a nationally ranked rhythmic gymnast being honored with a position on the Olympic Developmental Team. Tracy is a member of Dance Masters of America, the Cecchetti Council of America, and USA Gymnastics. As a choreographer, Ms. Pearson’s innovative style has won numerous choreography awards. Her students have won both regional and national titles and Ms. Pearson’s ensemble numbers have consistently placed 1st overall at National competitions. The Academy is honored to have this dynamic instructor & choreographer as part of the Academy staff. |
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Ricky Ruiz Ricky received his initial dance training in Miami, Florida and was a graduate of Miami’s Coral Reef Senior High Magnet Dance. He attended the University of South Florida on academic and talent scholarships and graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance. While in college, he was an apprentice at Ann Reinking’s Broadway Theatre Project for two consecutive summers. Since moving to Chicago Ricky danced for four seasons with River North Dance Chicago, and has also danced with Elements Contemporary Ballet. Ricky is also a remarkable teacher and choreographer. Among the many teams and schools he has worked with are Coral Reef High, Chicago Academy for the Arts, Roosevelt University, Jacksonville University Dance Department, The University of Wisconsin, FSU, GSU, and OU. He is a guest teacher throughout the U.S. and works at Focal Point Dance Studio in Miami as well as Visceral Dance Chicago. He is guest teacher for Chicago based companies Danceworks Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago and River North. He is also on faculty for VIP Dance, teaching workshops and judging their national conventions. In 2013 he was chosen as the Emerging Choreographer of the Year by Houston Metropolitan Dance Company where he set an original work. Ricky was recently voted in the Top 5 of Chicago's leading dance teachers. The Academy is honored to have this creative professional master teacher & choreographer as part of our staff. |
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Troy Walzak Troy Walzak is the founder of Heritage Tai Chi & Kung Fu and a certified Master in Chinese Martial Arts with over 35 years of experience. His journey in the martial arts continues as he devotes himself to furthering his own education and skill as well as that of his students. His goal is to bring a better balance to the lives of his students whether their emphasis is on learning the martial arts aspects of Kung Fu or on the health benefits found in Tai Chi. Master Troy views himself as a coach, guiding his students on a path of self-discovery as they pursue their own martial arts journey. His Kung Fu for Kids troop performed ‘Kung Fu Beginnings’ in the Academy’s 2012 Recital and he joins the Academy with both Tai Chi and Kung Fu for Kids in September 2012. He also currently teaches at both the Naperville and Fox Valley Park Districts and the Edward Fitness Centers. You can find additional information on Heritage Tai Chi and Kung Fu for Kids Facebook Pages: TAI CHI: https://www.facebook.com/HeritageTaiChi KUNG FU for KIDS: https://www.facebook.com/HeritageTaijiandKungFu |
Guest Teachers and Adjunct Faculty
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Homer Bryant A native of St. Thomas, V.I., Homer Hans Bryant has over 25 – years teaching experience, instructing students of all ages in the idioms of classical ballet, modern, and ethnic. Mr. Bryant has had an international career as principal dancer with the world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Chicago City Ballet. His training has been under such luminaries as George Balanchine, Maria Tallchief, Tanaquil Le Clerq, Ted Shawn, John Taras and Geoffrey Holder to name just a few. Mr. Bryant is the Founder and Artistic Director of Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center, home of Bryant Ballet. He is highly respected for his very popular “Body alignment” (floor barre) classes. Homer also guest teaches regularly in Canada and was coach at the First International Ballet and Modern Competition in Nagoya, Japan in January 1993. The Academy is honored to have Mr. Bryant as a master guest teacher. |
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Tre Dumas Martin “Tre’” Dumas III is a tap dancer and choreographer hailing from Chicago, IL. Mr. Dumas received most of his early dance (tap & jazz) training and his first teaching experience (at age 16) at Tommy Sutton’s Mayfair Academy of fine Arts on Chicago’s south side. He graduated from (HBC) Clark Atlanta University with a B.A. in Mass Media Arts with a concentration in Speech and Theatre Arts. In 1995 he had his first tap festival teaching experience at the Chicago Human Rhythm Project as a representative of Mayfair and Mr. Sutton’s tap legacy. This led to Mr. Dumas being offered and accepting an opportunity to reprise the role of Daddy Bates in a national touring revival of Broadway's The Tap Dance Kid where he first encountered Bril Barrett. Later on, together as two thirds of Steppin’ Out, they performed and taught at the St. Louis Tap Festival, Detroit Tap Festival, and (performed at) The Democratic National Convention among many other performance opportunities. Mr. Dumas was featured in the North American, and European tours of Riverdance for three years. Mr. Dumas rejoined Bril Barrett in January 2001, helping him develop his vision (of a lasting institution to train and create work for tap dancers in Chicago) into the internationally renowned company, M.A.D.D Rhythms. He also co-founded the M.A.D.D. Rhythms Tap Academy (in residence at the South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago) later that year. From September 2001-February 2002 Mr. Dumas lived in Stuutgart Germany during which time he conceived and implemented a complete teen through senior citizen tap program teaching five days a week at the New York City Dance School and performing and sitting in with live musicians at several Stuutgart jazz and R&B clubs by night. Together over the past six years, Bril & Tre’ have trained a formidable crew of young dancers who are all individually beginning to make their own marks in “the dance.” They also built a thriving young (tap specific) dance school at a beautiful facility in inner city Chicago. In 2005, Mr. Dumas (along with Bril Barrett and Lisa LaTouche)co-founded The Chicago Tap Summit. Recently, Mr. Dumas has stepped down from his position as M.A.D.D. Rhythms co-artistic and technical director. In the summer of 2006, He was a featured soloist portraying a fiery tap dancing preacher in David Danced in director/choreographer Derick Grant’s tap musical extravaganza, Imagine Tap. Most recently, he was honored to become the newest “extended member” of Jason Samuels Smith’s ACGI performing in London at Sadler’s Wells. Mr. Dumas has taught and performed extensively throughout the continental U.S., Canada and Germany as well as other parts of Europe, and South America. Aside from his beautiful daughter, Lauren, his greatest joy lies in dancing and sharing his love and knowledge of “the art-form” with others and receiving the same from his elders, peers and yes his students as well. |
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Rachel Kuhr Rachel Kuhr, also known as Sabah, is a current member of the world touring belly dance company, “The Bellydance Superstars”. Her main mentors in her critical training years were award winning instructors and choreographers, Sherry Moray and Homer Bryant. Rachel has attended Summer Intensive Programs for Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and ABT. Rachel began her professional career performing in numerous productions of “The Nutcracker”, working her way to professional roles. She has also danced professionally with The Ruth Page Dance Foundation, Ballet Chicago, Chicago Festival Ballet, Momenta, and The Alabama Ballet. She attended the American University in Cairo and joined their folkloric troupe, which performed locally and in the International Folkloric Festival of France. Combining her belly dance and Pointe technique, Miss Kuhr worked with Hallah Moustaf, and became a solo belly dancer for the cruise ship, “The Nile and Pharoah.” She has taught all over the world including China, Iceland, England, Belgium, and Morocco. She is the reining queen of applying ballet technique and belly dance and was filmed for the BDSS in 2009. Rachel has appeared in several “Belly Dance Superstars” DVDs, and you can also find her on the cover of several CD’s. Rachel is grateful for every opportunity she has had to study, perform, and pass on to others her passion and obsession for dance. |
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Rebecca Lemme Rebecca Lemme holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University in English and Theater with a concentration in Theater and Dance, where upon graduation she was the recipient of the Francis LeMoyne Page Theater Award. Becca has performed with Luna Negra Dance Theater, River North Chicago, Hedwig Dances, Instruments of Movement, RTG Dance, and Thodos' New Dances. She is currently on faculty at Columbia College Chicago, Roosevelt University, The University of Chicago, The Lou Conte Dance Studio, The Joffrey School and Visceral Dance Center. Becca was a finalist chosen to present work for The A.W.A.R.D. Show! 2010: Chicago, and has also choreographed for The Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival, Dance Chance and Instruments of Movement. |
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Suzanne Lopez Suzanne Lopez is a retired Principal Ballerina of The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago where lead roles included the pas de duex from Arpino’s Birthday Variations, Kettentanz, and L’Air d’Esprit, The Suparplum Fairy in Joffrey’s Nutcracker, Marie Taglioni in Joffrey’s Pas de Deeses, Juliet in Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet, Desdemona in Limon’s the Morr’s Pavane, Cinderella in Ashton’s Cinderella, as well as principal roles in Tudor’s Lilac Garden, Robbins’ In the Night and Lubovitch’s Smile with my Heart and Othello. Miss Lopez appeared in a featured role in Robert Altman’s movie, The Company. Miss Lopez worked directly with Gerald Arpino in staging and rehearsing his ballets including Suite Saint- Saens, Light Rain, and The Joffrey Nutcracker. The Academy is honored to have Suzanne Lopez as a member of The Academy Family. |
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Ashley Lynn A native of Warrenville, IL, Ashley Lynn received her formal training from Sherry Moray. At 17, she joined the Alabama Ballet under the direction of Wes Chapman and Roger Van Fleteren. She has performed solo roles in Balanchine’s Divertimento #15, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker (Snow Queen and Dew Drop), Cinderella (Winter Fairy), Sleeping Beauty (Lilac Fairy), as well as many modern and jazz works by Teri Wexsler, Margi Cole, and Kim Wolfe. Ashley has the distinction of being chosen by the Balanchine Trust Repertoire, Darla Hoover, to dance the principal role in Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliante and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. In the summer of 2002, Miss Lynn joined the Ballet Austin under the direction of Stephen Mills. Ashley was featured in Mills’ world premier of Touch, as well a performing leading roles in The Nutcracker, Giselle,A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, & Swan Lake. The Academy is extremely proud of Miss Lynn’s accomplishments in the world stage of ballet. Currently, Miss Lynn is a Principal Dancer with the Austin Ballet performing major roles in both the classical and contemporary repertoire. |
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Nick Pupillo After an extensive career as a dancer, teacher and choreographer, Nick Pupillo decided that his main priority would be to nurture young talent by establishing Visceral Studio Company. Nick attended Indiana University on full scholarship, where he studied with Jacques and Virginia Cesbron, as well as Leslie Peck and Violette Verdy. He graduated with a B.S. in ballet, concentrating in teaching and choreography. A former member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Nick toured with the company throughout the United States and internationally for three years. He has worked with many esteemed choreographers, including Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Ron DeJesus, Randy Duncan, Mark Godden, Jon Lehrer, Eddy Ocampo, Tony Powell, and Davis Robertson. Additional performance credits include various roles with the Ruth Page Foundation Nutcracker, Brass Theater featuring the Star of Indiana, Dance Chicago, Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Stars of Dance Chicago, and Dance for Life. Nick has worked with the Pride of Cincinnati, a world class winter guard, and The Cavaliers, an award-winning DCI champion drum corps, as a choreographer and instructor. He has set pieces for Inaside Chicago Dance, Terpsichore Dance Company, Webster University, University of North Carolina, Greenville, The Chicago Academy of the Arts, and numerous Chicago area high schools. He has received various awards for his choreography, including a Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreography Award in 2005. Nick teaches across the country, providing master classes for companies, institutions, and universities. He has also taught for the Chicago Dance Connection and the Jazz Dance World Congress. Nick has a strong connection with his students and dancers who, in turn, are dedicated to him and to the discipline of dance. |
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Susan Skrzymowski Susan Skrzymowski is currently a student at Columbia College Chicago as a dance major, training in ballet and modern dance. Susan has trained in gymnastics, hip-hop, jazz funk, house, isolations, and contemporary. Born and raised in Illinois, Susan has studied and trained intensely with Nick Gonzalez and Trae Turner. She is a member of the BoomCrack Dance Company where she has collaborated many pieces with founder and director Trae Turner. Susan has also taught workshops around the suburbs to help spread her unique style, and love for dance with the world. The Academy is pleased to have Susan as a member of the team directing our youngest members and "putting them on the right foot"!! |
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Richard Smith Richard Smith is currently on faculty at Joel Hall Dance Center and The Giordano Dance Center as well as being a jazz instructor for Cerqua Rivera Dance Company. He has been on Faculty at the Giordano Dance Center in years past and is still affiliated with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago as well as River North Chicago Dance Company. He attended East Carolina University in North Carolina where he worked with Mia Michaels, Mark Dendy, Katiti King and Frank Chaves, Alan Arnett and Tommi Overcash-Galaska. After college Smith moved to Chicago to train with GJDC. He has since had the opportunity to work with great teachers and choreographers including the late Gus Giordano, Randy Duncan, Sherry Zunker, Elijah Gibson and Eddy Ocampo. He has had the privilege to perform in Dance For Life and Dance Chicago multiple times as well as numerous other performance venues including the Goodman Theater and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Smith has appeared in the commercials for “The Wedding Singer” National Tour and Phillips Magnavox. He has performed on stage with pop artists Kim English, Pat Hodge, Barbara Moran and Byron Stingly. He had the privilege of working with Sir Elton John on this last tour to Chicago. Smith is a teacher of all ages for several workshops and private studios in the Chicagoland area. He is a regional and national adjudicator and teacher for Applause Talent Presentations in addition to teaching and choreographing for workshops and companies across the country. Smith is the Assistant Director of Forum Jazz Dance Theatre, winner of the 2007 Leo’s Gold Shoe Award at Jazz Dance World Congress. He is overly excited and proud to be the new Artistic Director of Inaside Chicago Dance Company! |
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Victoria Vargas Victoria is originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela. Victoria began her 20 years of professional dance with Ballet National of Caracas. Her impressive resume of performing includes Dancing with the San Francisco Opera Ballet, Dallas Opera Ballet and the Lyric Opera Ballet of Chicago. She is a former dancer with Luna Negra Dance Theatre in Chicago. The media review of her recent performance as Frida was hailed as “An emotional and lush interpretation of Frida”. Currently, Miss Vargas is on staff as an instructor at the Joffrey Ballet School of Chicago. Victoria’s hometown has been Chicago for the past 10 years and the Academy is honored to have this outstanding instructor as part of our Master staff. |
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Stephanie Wisner - BIO COMING SOON |
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Joanna Wozniak Joanna Wozniak is looking forward to her fifth season as a member of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Former private student of Sherry Moray, Joanna received a full scholarship to Florida’s Harrid Conservatory. At age 16, she became an apprentice with Alabama Ballet. A year later, she started dancing with Joffrey Ballet performing in Nutcracker, Taming of the Shrew, and the lead in La Sacred du Printemps. Currently, Miss Wozniak is a soloist with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. She fully credits Sherry Moray for her accomplishments as a ballet dancer. Academy students are always thrilled when Miss Wozniak comes home to teach and share her love of ballet with them. |
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Gianna Zaccaro Gianna Zaccaro was born in Addison, IL. Gianna started her dance career with Perseverance Dance Company, working closely with Missy Ridgeway and Lizzie MacKinzie. She also traveled regionally and nationally receiving 2008 and 2009 Starpower Victory Cup with Xtreme Dance Force under the direction of Sam Renzetti, JC Renzetti, Alvin Ramirez, Sarah Burney, and Gia Mata. Her skills in dance have allowed her to work with top choreographers Jesse Lee Santos, Kevin Maher, Matt Cady, Chris Jacobson, Leslie Scott, Sonya Tayeh, and David Moore. Zaccaro’s distinctive style has been seen in local hip hop, jazz, and lyrical classes and competition routines. She currently choreographs for both recreational and competitive dancers and continues to share her passion of dance through teaching. Along with teaching Zaccaro continues her own training in the city of Chicago where she earned a wonderful opportunity to be in her first professional show for Kate Jablonski in New York City, July 2010. |