Dancenter North Staff

**DANCENTER NORTH STAFF BIOGRAPHIES**
SUSAN ANDERSON (Fitness Specialist) studied dance at the Evanston School of Ballet, Campbell's of Lincolnshire and Dancenter North. She has performed with Heritage Dance Theatre and in The Magic of the Nutcracker and Cinderella. A graduate of Mundelein College, Susan has been teaching dance and fitness on the North Shore and in Chicago for over twenty years. As a nationally certified fitness specialist, she has lectured and taught nationally and internationally at studios and spas. Susan also actively judges for the NAC on a national and international basis at elite athletic competitions.
	VICTORIA BARLOW (Ballet) completed her BA in Dance Education at Columbia College. She was a principal member of the Rockford Dance Company from 1987 to 1993, training with Kenneth Von Heideke of the Lyric Opera and Joy Xu, former principal dancer of the Shanghai Ballet of China. During 1992 and 1994, Victoria toured China attending two international dance festivals. She was a member of the Bryant Ballet from 1996 to 2001 and has been seen in numerous Chicagoland productions of The Nutcracker. They include the Chicago Tribune Charities and the Dancenter North production, in which she was The Sugar Plum Fairy. She has danced the title roles in Dancenter North's Cinderella and Schaumburg Dance Ensemble's Snow White. She is currently performing with the Chicago Ballet under the direction of Paul Abrahamson. Ms. Barlow joined the Dancenter North staff in 1995.
GREG BEGLEY (Ballet) is a native of Flint, Michigan where he began his dance career with the Flint Ballet Theatre. He attended Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on a full dance scholarship and spent his summers performing in stock productions of many Broadway shows. Greg became a principal dancer with the Chicago Ballet under the direction of Ruth Page and Frederick Franklin, where he performed many traditional classical pas de deux including the grand pas in Ruth Page's production of The Nutcracker. He also danced the role of Johnny in Page's public television production of Frankie and Johnny, which Greg has recently set for the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. In 1980 Greg became an original member of the world famous Hubbard Street Dance Company where he served as a principal dancer and the company dance master.
	LISA BISHOFF (Piano) has a M.A. in Performing Arts from DePaul University and a B.A. in Music Performance from Vassar College. She is the recipient of Francis A. Walker Prize for Piano Excellence and is a former faculty member of the Music Institute of Chicago and the Music Arts School in Highland Park. Lisa is the former contest director of the Society of American Musicians and studied with Todd Crow and received her Suzuki teacher training at American Suzuki Institute. She serves as adjudicator for area competitions and is the pianist for Ivanhoe Congregational Church. She has taught at the Lake Forest Symphony Music School for 20 years and teaches at her home in Mundelein.
ALLISON BUCHWEITZ (Ballet, Jazz, Funk & Tap) had her early training at Dancenter North and continued her jazz training with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and The Joel Hall Dancers. She furthered her ballet studies with Melissa Lowe of Pacific Northwest Ballet, James Clouser with Houston Ballet and through summer programs with Milwaukee Ballet and Joffrey Ballet. A versatile dancer, she has performed everything from Balanchines' Concerto Barocco to Jon Lehrer's Super Zeros. Since receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree from the University of Arizona, she has been teaching in Arizona and the Chicago area.
	JENNIFER CALLAGHAN (Ballet) began studies at Judith Lee Johnson's Dance Studio in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. She attended Pinellas County Center for the Arts and received additional dance training at Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet schools. In 1994 Ms. Callaghan left the University of Utah to pursue a professional ballet career. Professionally she danced with Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Tulsa Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet companies in addition to guest performances with several regional companies throughout the U.S. Her favorite roles included Myrtha in Giselle and Polyhymnia in Apollo. Ms. Callaghan joined the DCN staff in 2003 and recently graduated from the University of Milwaukee with a B.S. in Conservation and Environmental Sciences and minors in Biology and Geography.
JULIE CARTIER (Tap & Jazz) has an extensive background in performing and teaching. Julie was a founding member of Chi Town Jazz Dance, and served as assistant to the artistic director. She has also performed with River North Dance Company, The Lynda Martha Dance Company, and has done a great deal of work in both the commercial and industrial aspects of dance. She is an original member and now the Artistic Director and Principal Performer with Chicago’s Especially Tap Company. This company was the first tap company to perform at the prestigious Kuopio Dance festival in Finland. Julie has taught master classes in ballet, jazz and tap throughout the United States and Germany and is the director of Chicago’s National Tap Day. She also choreographs and stages productions for Celebrity Cruise Lines.
	CARISSA CASBON (Vocal) received her Bachelors degree in Voice Performance from Northwestern University and her Masters degree at Indiana University in Bloomington. A captivating performer, Carissa Casbon has appeared in principal roles nationwide with the Minnesota Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Sarasota Opera and the Light Opera Works in Evanston. Carissa portrayed such diverse roles as Madame Angele in Kurt Weil's The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken and Princess Ninetta in Prokofiev's The Love for Three Oranges. She has extensive teaching experience and has conducted master classes and led workshops on singing and acting. Carissa was a Regional Finalist in the 2000 Metropolitan Opera Auditions, she is the recipient of the Judith Raskin Memorial Award for Singers presented by the Santa Fe Opera, the Gina Monastero Award presented by the Bel Canto Association and the Northwestern University Award for Excellence in the Arts.
OLGA CHUDAIKINA (Ballet) a native of Russia, graduated with a Masters degree with Honors from the prestigious GITIS Institute of the Arts in Moscow. Trained in the Vaganova method, her co-students were such famous dancers as Sergey Radchenko & Maris Liepa (partners of Maya Plisetskya). Olga performed with the world famous Bolshoi Ballet in both classical & modern roles. She received her PhD in Art Criticism & worked as a Professor of Choreography at the University of Culture and has also been a master teacher in Russia & Belarus. Olga came to the U.S. in 2001, joining the DCN staff in 2003.
	LAURA CHIUVE (Tap) grew up dancing in the Boston area and attended Point Park College as a jazz dance major. She relocated to Chicago in 2000, after receiving a Merit Scholarship to continue training at the Giordano Dance Center. She is one of the founding members of Chicago Tap Theatre. Other performing opportunities have included Thodos Dance Chicago's New Dances in both 2004 and 2005. Laura has also appeared in works by Jon Lehrer (Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago) and Jay Franke ( Hubbard Street). She currently teaches throughout the Chicago suburbs. We welcome her to our staff.
ELIJAH GIBSON (Jazz, Funk) a native of San Diego, California began tap dancing when he was eight years old. He was a student at the San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts and also attended Sam Houston State University. His choreography earned him a finalist position in the Jazz Dance World Congress Competitive Event and an invitation to move to Chicago as an apprentice with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Since that move, he can be seen in the Paramount Pictures Film, "Save the Last Dance". Elijah is currently performing in his 8th season with Gus Giordano’s Jazz Dance Chicago. His choreography has received recognition in the Dance Chicago series and other Chicago dance venues.
	MICHAEL KAPLAN (Yoga) received recognition as a Yoga Instructor by the Yoga Alliance Organization. Michael has been a yoga practitioner for over 30 years. He believes that yoga should flow like dance and teaches a style of yoga that is gentle but invigorating. Michael can be seen in Dancenter North's, "The Magic of the Nutcracker", and in "Cinderella".
LINDSEY KATSETOS (Jazz) acting substitute for Elijah Gibson this spring Lindsey received her early training in ballet, jazz, and tap while growing up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She has been a scholarship recipient from many workshops including L.A. Dance Force, Showbiz, Chicago Dance Connection and Starpower where she traveled with Power Pak for two summers. Lindsey has trained alongside the following choreographers: Mia Michaels, Nick Bass, Tabitha and Napoleon Dîumo, Brian Friedman and Dee Caspary. She teaches hip-hop classes to inner city students as part of the D.A.R.E. program. She is a sought after Liturgal dancer, teacher and choreographer and has taught and choreographed for numerous studios in the midwest as well as Boston. Lindsey continues to train and teach at the Lou Conte Dance Studio.
	COURTNEY KRAMER (Ballet) received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Arizona. Her early training was with Judith Svalander School of Ballet and as a trainee with the Milwaukee Ballet. Ms Kramer has taught ballet for all ages at the Milwaukee Ballet School and at the Judith Svalander School in Crystal Lake, Illinois. She presently is a member of the Milwaukee Ballet performing in a variety of works including Romeo and Juliet, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Nutcracker and Conservatoire.
VALERIE LINDH(Ballet, Tap, Jazz) has trained in the Chicago area and most recently studied dance at Barat College in Lake Forest. She is currently a member of DCN’s Soul-2-Soles Tap Company and has performed with Especially Tap Chicago, all under the direction of Julie Cartier. Her most recent achievements include performing with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, corporate events at the Lincoln Park Zoo, guest appearances with Motivity at Links Hall, dancing at Six Flags Great America, and local performances of The Magic of the Nutcracker.
	CHERI LINDELL, MDE (School Director) Dancenter North's founder, studied with the Stone-Camryn Ballet School and was a triple major in theatre, voice and dance at the University of Kansas. She performed on stage and television throughout Europe and the United States. Cheri worked as a choreographer with the Petite Ballet Company, Lake Shore Dance Theatre and served as Artistic Director for Heritage Dance Theatre. Formerly a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, she has also been active in the National Association for Regional Ballet and the Chicago Dance Coalition. Her choreography has been seen at the month-long Dance Chicago Festival at the Athenaum Theatre in Chicago. She is a lecturer and master teacher and has served on the Board of Directors of Main Street Libertyville. She is the proud producer, director and choreographer of The Magic of the Nutcracker and Cinderella.
SARA CAMERON MAY, PHD (Vocal) will serve as the advisor to our new Vocal Department. Ms. May has a long string of credits as a musical director, vocal coach, actress and keyboardist. She has be the musical director for many musicals, has worked as the keyboardist with the Music Corporation Orchestra and has accompanied and coached many prominent vocal artists.	(no photo available)
	KELLY MCDONALD (Ballet, Jazz, Tap) graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Dance and an Entrepreneurship certificate. She has performed works by renowned choreographers such as Alan Sener, Armando Duarte and Charlotte Adams. Kelly was trained by her mother, Linda Daniels McDonald, and a variety of teachers including Cheri Lindell. She has attended special workshops at Western Michigan University and Texas Christian University. Since her graduation, she has been teaching in area dance studios including, McDonal Dance Academy in Arlington Heights.
TERRANCE MC ENROE (Disney Tour Director) a graduate of the University of Illinois, is a splendid character actor and singer. His performances of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Drosselmeyer in The Magic of the Nutcracker, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls have shown his diversity and captivated audiences throughout the Chicago area. He has performed with the Actor's Theatre of Glencoe, the Glenview Theatre Guild, Anchangel Productions, the Winnetka Theatre and the Highland Park Players. We are thrilled to have him join the Dancenter North staff where he will direct our Disney Tour singers.	(no photo available)
	JANINE NEWMAN (Ballet, Pilates) trained in ballet at the Ellis Duboulay School and continued at the Ruth Page Center. She studied with such ballet greats as Richard Ellis, Larry Long, Dolores Lipinski, Warren Conover and Daniel Duell. For six years, Janine performed in the Chicago Tribune Charities production of The Nutcracker. She also performed in Paquita, Coppèlia and Graduation Ball. Most recently, Janine has performed in the Dancenter North productions of The Magic of the Nutcracker and Cinderella. In addition to her teaching of ballet, Janine is a certified Pilates instructor teaching in the Chicagoland area.
JULIE NOWAK (Ballet) began her early ballet training with Anida Sedala, Pirkko Lawlor and Alan Baker. She danced with The Petite Ballet in Lake Forest, the Forth Worth Ballet and as a soloist with Heritage Dance Theatre. Julie has appeared in works choreographed by Marcus Alford and James Clouser, as well as in Dancenter North’s The Magic of the Nutcracker. She has served on the board of directors of Heritage Dance Theatre and TJ & Company Dance Theatre. Julie holds certification in the Zena Rommett Floor-Barre Technique® and has a Masters degree from the University of Michigan. She continues to broaden her dance experience by attending classes at the Ruth Page School and elsewhere as the opportunity arises!
	CASSANDRA PORTER (Jazz) acting substitute for Elijah Gibson through May, 2008 she began her dance training at Bonnie Ardelean's Dance Studio. After graduating from West Aurora High she was accepted into Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago's second company where she worked with choreographers such as Nan Giordano, Eddy Ocampo, Elijah Gibson, Nick Pupillo and Randy Duncan. Cassandra joined the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines performing in large scale production shows all over the world created by Harrison McEldowney, Sherry Zunker, Frank Chavez and Jeremy Plummer. She is recently an apprentice with River North Dance Chicago and has been a guest performer in the Chicago Symphony Orhestra's Welcome Yule concert for the past five years.
MOLLY ROSEN (Vocal) studied at the Boston Conservatory and graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, where she performed as well as directed in both mainstage and chamber operas. She has participated in vocal master classes with bass-baritone Alan Held of the Metropolitan Opera and soprano Lorna Haywood of the Royal Opera. Molly has also spent a summer of vocal study in Urbania, Italy with the La Musica Lirica program where she worked with vocal coaches from the Rossini Opera Festival. Prior to Dancenter North, she taught private voice to singers of all ages and levels at the Schaumburg Academy of Music. Molly also holds a Master of Science degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University, and is currently the Executive Director of the Chicago Dance and Music Alliance.
	RUTH SHERMAN (tap, jazz) studied and performed with the Strand Theatre in Boston. Ruth has received numerous scholarships and awards for tap, jazz, and ballet. She was a member of the World Champion USA Tap Team; winners of the 1999 World title in Berlin, Germany. Ruth was an apprentice of Chicago Tap Theatre and has extensive choreography and teaching experience. She is on the teaching staff of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and is currently a company member touring with them throughout the globe and locally at such theatres as the Harris Theatre of Music and Dance at Millenium Park, Chicago.
PHYLLIS WARRENDER (Ballet & Tap) received her BFA in Theatre and Dance from Barat College where she was a soloist with the Barat Repertory Company. While attending Barat College she performed in several musical productions. Professionally, she danced at Marriott's Great America, Spectrum Theatre, Dance & Co., and as a soloist with Heritage Dance Theatre. She also performed with Northstage Theatre Company productions of Bye Bye Birdie and Brigadoon and in Dancenter North's The Magic of the Nutcracker and Cinderella. Phyllis has taught dance at Dancenter North since 1983.
	KRISTY WHITE (Ballet, Jazz, Funk) has been dancing in Chicago since the age of six. She began her training at Dancenter North and has since studied with Laura Wade, Jeff Hancock, Eduardo Villaro, Wilfredo Rivera and Nancy Turrano, as well as CNADM and Dupree Jazz Forum. Kristy has performed in Dance Explosion and has taken part in the Dance for Dreams Benefit. She was a member of Luna Negra Dance Ensemble of Chicago and choreographer for Lake Forest High School’s musical productions. Kristy’s choreography has also been seen on local high school competitive pom pon squads and local dance ensembles. She has also participated in the “Who’s That Girl” benefit for AIDS.
NIKKI WHITE (Ballet, Funk, Jazz) Nikki is a graduate of Rollins College. Performing with the college’s dance company, she was named Rollins Outstanding Dancer in 1995, and received her BA in English with a minor in Education and Dance in 1998. She recently received her MA in teaching and leadership. Nikki studied at Dancenter North, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Dupree Jazz Forum, as well as under Homer Bryant, Robert Sherry, Pam Boling and Russel Sultzbach of American Ballet Theatre. She perfomed in the 1993 World Cup Opening Ceremonies and also starred as the lead role in an Ameritech phone commercial. Nikki has been the coach of the Carmel High School Dance Team and Libertyville High School Pom Squad and is a popular master teacher for CNADM and Dance Masters of Wisconsin.
	HEATHER YATES (Ballet & Pilates) graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She studied ballet, jazz and tap in Albuquerque, New Mexico and at Dancenter North. Since 1999, Heather has been involved in early childhood education on the North Shore, and completed her Pilates Certification in 2004.

DANCENTER NORTH STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

SUSAN ANDERSON (Fitness Specialist) studied dance at the Evanston School of Ballet, Campbell's of Lincolnshire and Dancenter North. She has performed with Heritage Dance Theatre and in The Magic of the Nutcracker and Cinderella. A graduate of Mundelein College, Susan has been teaching dance and fitness on the North Shore and in Chicago for over twenty years. As a nationally certified fitness specialist, she has lectured and taught nationally and internationally at studios and spas. Susan also actively judges for the NAC on a national and international basis at elite athletic competitions.

VICTORIA BARLOW (Ballet) completed her BA in Dance Education at Columbia College. She was a principal member of the Rockford Dance Company from 1987 to 1993, training with Kenneth Von Heideke of the Lyric Opera and Joy Xu, former principal dancer of the Shanghai Ballet of China. During 1992 and 1994, Victoria toured China attending two international dance festivals. She was a member of the Bryant Ballet from 1996 to 2001 and has been seen in numerous Chicagoland productions of The Nutcracker. They include the Chicago Tribune Charities and the Dancenter North production, in which she was The Sugar Plum Fairy. She has danced the title roles in Dancenter North's Cinderella and Schaumburg Dance Ensemble's Snow White. She is currently performing with the Chicago Ballet under the direction of Paul Abrahamson. Ms. Barlow joined the Dancenter North staff in 1995.

GREG BEGLEY (Ballet) is a native of Flint, Michigan where he began his dance career with the Flint Ballet Theatre. He attended Point Park College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on a full dance scholarship and spent his summers performing in stock productions of many Broadway shows. Greg became a principal dancer with the Chicago Ballet under the direction of Ruth Page and Frederick Franklin, where he performed many traditional classical pas de deux including the grand pas in Ruth Page's production of The Nutcracker. He also danced the role of Johnny in Page's public television production of Frankie and Johnny, which Greg has recently set for the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. In 1980 Greg became an original member of the world famous Hubbard Street Dance Company where he served as a principal dancer and the company dance master.

LISA BISHOFF (Piano) has a M.A. in Performing Arts from DePaul University and a B.A. in Music Performance from Vassar College. She is the recipient of Francis A. Walker Prize for Piano Excellence and is a former faculty member of the Music Institute of Chicago and the Music Arts School in Highland Park. Lisa is the former contest director of the Society of American Musicians and studied with Todd Crow and received her Suzuki teacher training at American Suzuki Institute. She serves as adjudicator for area competitions and is the pianist for Ivanhoe Congregational Church. She has taught at the Lake Forest Symphony Music School for 20 years and teaches at her home in Mundelein.

ALLISON BUCHWEITZ (Ballet, Jazz, Funk & Tap) had her early training at Dancenter North and continued her jazz training with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and The Joel Hall Dancers. She furthered her ballet studies with Melissa Lowe of Pacific Northwest Ballet, James Clouser with Houston Ballet and through summer programs with Milwaukee Ballet and Joffrey Ballet. A versatile dancer, she has performed everything from Balanchines' Concerto Barocco to Jon Lehrer's Super Zeros. Since receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance degree from the University of Arizona, she has been teaching in Arizona and the Chicago area.

JENNIFER CALLAGHAN (Ballet) began studies at Judith Lee Johnson's Dance Studio in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. She attended Pinellas County Center for the Arts and received additional dance training at Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet schools. In 1994 Ms. Callaghan left the University of Utah to pursue a professional ballet career. Professionally she danced with Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Tulsa Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet companies in addition to guest performances with several regional companies throughout the U.S. Her favorite roles included Myrtha in Giselle and Polyhymnia in Apollo. Ms. Callaghan joined the DCN staff in 2003 and recently graduated from the University of Milwaukee with a B.S. in Conservation and Environmental Sciences and minors in Biology and Geography.

JULIE CARTIER (Tap & Jazz) has an extensive background in performing and teaching. Julie was a founding member of Chi Town Jazz Dance, and served as assistant to the artistic director. She has also performed with River North Dance Company, The Lynda Martha Dance Company, and has done a great deal of work in both the commercial and industrial aspects of dance. She is an original member and now the Artistic Director and Principal Performer with Chicago’s Especially Tap Company. This company was the first tap company to perform at the prestigious Kuopio Dance festival in Finland. Julie has taught master classes in ballet, jazz and tap throughout the United States and Germany and is the director of Chicago’s National Tap Day. She also choreographs and stages productions for Celebrity Cruise Lines.

CARISSA CASBON (Vocal) received her Bachelors degree in Voice Performance from Northwestern University and her Masters degree at Indiana University in Bloomington. A captivating performer, Carissa Casbon has appeared in principal roles nationwide with the Minnesota Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Sarasota Opera and the Light Opera Works in Evanston. Carissa portrayed such diverse roles as Madame Angele in Kurt Weil's The Tsar Has His Photograph Taken and Princess Ninetta in Prokofiev's The Love for Three Oranges. She has extensive teaching experience and has conducted master classes and led workshops on singing and acting. Carissa was a Regional Finalist in the 2000 Metropolitan Opera Auditions, she is the recipient of the Judith Raskin Memorial Award for Singers presented by the Santa Fe Opera, the Gina Monastero Award presented by the Bel Canto Association and the Northwestern University Award for Excellence in the Arts.

OLGA CHUDAIKINA (Ballet) a native of Russia, graduated with a Masters degree with Honors from the prestigious GITIS Institute of the Arts in Moscow. Trained in the Vaganova method, her co-students were such famous dancers as Sergey Radchenko & Maris Liepa (partners of Maya Plisetskya). Olga performed with the world famous Bolshoi Ballet in both classical & modern roles. She received her PhD in Art Criticism & worked as a Professor of Choreography at the University of Culture and has also been a master teacher in Russia & Belarus. Olga came to the U.S. in 2001, joining the DCN staff in 2003.

LAURA CHIUVE (Tap) grew up dancing in the Boston area and attended Point Park College as a jazz dance major. She relocated to Chicago in 2000, after receiving a Merit Scholarship to continue training at the Giordano Dance Center. She is one of the founding members of Chicago Tap Theatre. Other performing opportunities have included Thodos Dance Chicago's New Dances in both 2004 and 2005. Laura has also appeared in works by Jon Lehrer (Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago) and Jay Franke ( Hubbard Street). She currently teaches throughout the Chicago suburbs. We welcome her to our staff.

ELIJAH GIBSON (Jazz, Funk) a native of San Diego, California began tap dancing when he was eight years old. He was a student at the San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts and also attended Sam Houston State University. His choreography earned him a finalist position in the Jazz Dance World Congress Competitive Event and an invitation to move to Chicago as an apprentice with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Since that move, he can be seen in the Paramount Pictures Film, "Save the Last Dance". Elijah is currently performing in his 8th season with Gus Giordano’s Jazz Dance Chicago. His choreography has received recognition in the Dance Chicago series and other Chicago dance venues.

MICHAEL KAPLAN (Yoga) received recognition as a Yoga Instructor by the Yoga Alliance Organization. Michael has been a yoga practitioner for over 30 years. He believes that yoga should flow like dance and teaches a style of yoga that is gentle but invigorating. Michael can be seen in Dancenter North's, "The Magic of the Nutcracker", and in "Cinderella".

LINDSEY KATSETOS (Jazz) acting substitute for Elijah Gibson this spring Lindsey received her early training in ballet, jazz, and tap while growing up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She has been a scholarship recipient from many workshops including L.A. Dance Force, Showbiz, Chicago Dance Connection and Starpower where she traveled with Power Pak for two summers. Lindsey has trained alongside the following choreographers: Mia Michaels, Nick Bass, Tabitha and Napoleon Dîumo, Brian Friedman and Dee Caspary. She teaches hip-hop classes to inner city students as part of the D.A.R.E. program. She is a sought after Liturgal dancer, teacher and choreographer and has taught and choreographed for numerous studios in the midwest as well as Boston. Lindsey continues to train and teach at the Lou Conte Dance Studio.

COURTNEY KRAMER (Ballet) received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Arizona. Her early training was with Judith Svalander School of Ballet and as a trainee with the Milwaukee Ballet. Ms Kramer has taught ballet for all ages at the Milwaukee Ballet School and at the Judith Svalander School in Crystal Lake, Illinois. She presently is a member of the Milwaukee Ballet performing in a variety of works including Romeo and Juliet, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Nutcracker and Conservatoire.

VALERIE LINDH(Ballet, Tap, Jazz) has trained in the Chicago area and most recently studied dance at Barat College in Lake Forest. She is currently a member of DCN’s Soul-2-Soles Tap Company and has performed with Especially Tap Chicago, all under the direction of Julie Cartier. Her most recent achievements include performing with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, corporate events at the Lincoln Park Zoo, guest appearances with Motivity at Links Hall, dancing at Six Flags Great America, and local performances of The Magic of the Nutcracker.

CHERI LINDELL, MDE (School Director) Dancenter North's founder, studied with the Stone-Camryn Ballet School and was a triple major in theatre, voice and dance at the University of Kansas. She performed on stage and television throughout Europe and the United States. Cheri worked as a choreographer with the Petite Ballet Company, Lake Shore Dance Theatre and served as Artistic Director for Heritage Dance Theatre. Formerly a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, she has also been active in the National Association for Regional Ballet and the Chicago Dance Coalition. Her choreography has been seen at the month-long Dance Chicago Festival at the Athenaum Theatre in Chicago. She is a lecturer and master teacher and has served on the Board of Directors of Main Street Libertyville. She is the proud producer, director and choreographer of The Magic of the Nutcracker and Cinderella.

SARA CAMERON MAY, PHD (Vocal) will serve as the advisor to our new Vocal Department. Ms. May has a long string of credits as a musical director, vocal coach, actress and keyboardist. She has be the musical director for many musicals, has worked as the keyboardist with the Music Corporation Orchestra and has accompanied and coached many prominent vocal artists.

(no photo available)

KELLY MCDONALD (Ballet, Jazz, Tap) graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Dance and an Entrepreneurship certificate. She has performed works by renowned choreographers such as Alan Sener, Armando Duarte and Charlotte Adams. Kelly was trained by her mother, Linda Daniels McDonald, and a variety of teachers including Cheri Lindell. She has attended special workshops at Western Michigan University and Texas Christian University. Since her graduation, she has been teaching in area dance studios including, McDonal Dance Academy in Arlington Heights.

TERRANCE MC ENROE (Disney Tour Director) a graduate of the University of Illinois, is a splendid character actor and singer. His performances of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Drosselmeyer in The Magic of the Nutcracker, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls have shown his diversity and captivated audiences throughout the Chicago area. He has performed with the Actor's Theatre of Glencoe, the Glenview Theatre Guild, Anchangel Productions, the Winnetka Theatre and the Highland Park Players. We are thrilled to have him join the Dancenter North staff where he will direct our Disney Tour singers.

(no photo available)

JANINE NEWMAN (Ballet, Pilates) trained in ballet at the Ellis Duboulay School and continued at the Ruth Page Center. She studied with such ballet greats as Richard Ellis, Larry Long, Dolores Lipinski, Warren Conover and Daniel Duell. For six years, Janine performed in the Chicago Tribune Charities production of The Nutcracker. She also performed in Paquita, Coppèlia and Graduation Ball. Most recently, Janine has performed in the Dancenter North productions of The Magic of the Nutcracker and Cinderella. In addition to her teaching of ballet, Janine is a certified Pilates instructor teaching in the Chicagoland area.

JULIE NOWAK (Ballet) began her early ballet training with Anida Sedala, Pirkko Lawlor and Alan Baker. She danced with The Petite Ballet in Lake Forest, the Forth Worth Ballet and as a soloist with Heritage Dance Theatre. Julie has appeared in works choreographed by Marcus Alford and James Clouser, as well as in Dancenter North’s The Magic of the Nutcracker. She has served on the board of directors of Heritage Dance Theatre and TJ & Company Dance Theatre. Julie holds certification in the Zena Rommett Floor-Barre Technique® and has a Masters degree from the University of Michigan. She continues to broaden her dance experience by attending classes at the Ruth Page School and elsewhere as the opportunity arises!

CASSANDRA PORTER (Jazz) acting substitute for Elijah Gibson through May, 2008 she began her dance training at Bonnie Ardelean's Dance Studio. After graduating from West Aurora High she was accepted into Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago's second company where she worked with choreographers such as Nan Giordano, Eddy Ocampo, Elijah Gibson, Nick Pupillo and Randy Duncan. Cassandra joined the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines performing in large scale production shows all over the world created by Harrison McEldowney, Sherry Zunker, Frank Chavez and Jeremy Plummer. She is recently an apprentice with River North Dance Chicago and has been a guest performer in the Chicago Symphony Orhestra's Welcome Yule concert for the past five years.

MOLLY ROSEN (Vocal) studied at the Boston Conservatory and graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, where she performed as well as directed in both mainstage and chamber operas. She has participated in vocal master classes with bass-baritone Alan Held of the Metropolitan Opera and soprano Lorna Haywood of the Royal Opera. Molly has also spent a summer of vocal study in Urbania, Italy with the La Musica Lirica program where she worked with vocal coaches from the Rossini Opera Festival. Prior to Dancenter North, she taught private voice to singers of all ages and levels at the Schaumburg Academy of Music. Molly also holds a Master of Science degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University, and is currently the Executive Director of the Chicago Dance and Music Alliance.

RUTH SHERMAN (tap, jazz) studied and performed with the Strand Theatre in Boston. Ruth has received numerous scholarships and awards for tap, jazz, and ballet. She was a member of the World Champion USA Tap Team; winners of the 1999 World title in Berlin, Germany. Ruth was an apprentice of Chicago Tap Theatre and has extensive choreography and teaching experience. She is on the teaching staff of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and is currently a company member touring with them throughout the globe and locally at such theatres as the Harris Theatre of Music and Dance at Millenium Park, Chicago.

PHYLLIS WARRENDER (Ballet & Tap) received her BFA in Theatre and Dance from Barat College where she was a soloist with the Barat Repertory Company. While attending Barat College she performed in several musical productions. Professionally, she danced at Marriott's Great America, Spectrum Theatre, Dance & Co., and as a soloist with Heritage Dance Theatre. She also performed with Northstage Theatre Company productions of Bye Bye Birdie and Brigadoon and in Dancenter North's The Magic of the Nutcracker and Cinderella. Phyllis has taught dance at Dancenter North since 1983.

KRISTY WHITE (Ballet, Jazz, Funk) has been dancing in Chicago since the age of six. She began her training at Dancenter North and has since studied with Laura Wade, Jeff Hancock, Eduardo Villaro, Wilfredo Rivera and Nancy Turrano, as well as CNADM and Dupree Jazz Forum. Kristy has performed in Dance Explosion and has taken part in the Dance for Dreams Benefit. She was a member of Luna Negra Dance Ensemble of Chicago and choreographer for Lake Forest High School’s musical productions. Kristy’s choreography has also been seen on local high school competitive pom pon squads and local dance ensembles. She has also participated in the “Who’s That Girl” benefit for AIDS.

NIKKI WHITE (Ballet, Funk, Jazz) Nikki is a graduate of Rollins College. Performing with the college’s dance company, she was named Rollins Outstanding Dancer in 1995, and received her BA in English with a minor in Education and Dance in 1998. She recently received her MA in teaching and leadership. Nikki studied at Dancenter North, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Dupree Jazz Forum, as well as under Homer Bryant, Robert Sherry, Pam Boling and Russel Sultzbach of American Ballet Theatre. She perfomed in the 1993 World Cup Opening Ceremonies and also starred as the lead role in an Ameritech phone commercial. Nikki has been the coach of the Carmel High School Dance Team and Libertyville High School Pom Squad and is a popular master teacher for CNADM and Dance Masters of Wisconsin.

HEATHER YATES (Ballet & Pilates) graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She studied ballet, jazz and tap in Albuquerque, New Mexico and at Dancenter North. Since 1999, Heather has been involved in early childhood education on the North Shore, and completed her Pilates Certification in 2004.