Instructors

Daniel

25 years teaching all styles, US Professional Rising Star Silver Medalist, 4x Fred Astaire Regional Professional Theatrical Champion, US Pro/Am Junior American Ballroom & Open Theatrical Champion. Daniel’s first passion was musical theatre, studying music & voice for eight years, along with five years of musical theatre experience. By the age of 18 Daniel had discovered Ballroom & Latin dancing which have now become an integral part in his career for over 25 years. But early on in his carrer Ballet and Jazz were the focus of his studies when he began at the Academie of Movement and Music in Oak Park, Illinois. In 1981, Daniel was blessed with almost immediate success in winning the Fred Astaire Regional Professional Theatrical Championship and then continuing to hold the title for four years in a row. As this Chicago native’s career continued to unfold, he had the great fortune to be trained by some of the legends in Latin & Ballroom. Including: Vernon Brock, Bob Mederos, Chris Morris, Rufus Dustin, Forrest Vance, Enrique Ramon, Perri Adair. Daniel’s accolades include more recently the United States Professional Rising Star Silver Medalist, the United States Pro/Am Junior American Ballroom Champion and most recently, in 2001, the United States Pro/Am Open Theatrical Champion. Also included in several television features including 1 year on PBS Championship Ballroom Dancing with Juliet Prowse. While Daniel went on to win many titles both professionally traveling coast to coast, Daniel has dedicated his career to teach people who didn’t think they could dance and taking them so much further than they could have ever hoped or expected to go. “I get the greatest fulfillment out of watching my students start from the beginning and grow over time into beautiful dancers and confident people”, comments Daniel. This dedication has proved to be fruitful for both Daniel and his pro-am students, leading them to become Champions and Finalists.

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Gregory

Born in Oakland, California, Gregory grew up swimming and playing soccer and volleyball. He also learned to figure skate with his father and grandfather. Originally trained in ballet and many forms of modern dance, particularly Graham and Cunningham, he danced with the San Francisco Ballet, the Milwaukee Ballet, the American Folk Ballet, and many other smaller ballet and modern dance companies. Being also a French and British citizen, he had the opportunity to live and dance in Paris and in Lyon. While living in the San Francisco Bay Area he also studied Flamenco and African Dance. In ballet he was trained in both the Ceccheti style and the Vaganova style.Gregory is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, which he attended on scholarship. In college he also studied acting and singing in addition to dance and technical stage craft.Gregory Day and Tommye Giacchino started their partnership in 1996 and were almost immediately succesful as two time United States Champions (defeating the then US & World Champions) and capturing the World Invitational Exhibition title at the British Open (Blackpool).

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Chris

Chris is certified in all styles, and has a background in musical theatre. He has competition students in all styles and levels. Chris and his pro partner currently compete in Smooth. Chris is a native of Virginia, where he graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory. He recently relocated to Chicago after performing in a variety of productions all over the country as an Actor, Singer, Dancer and Choreographer. His dance training includes Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Latin and Ballroom. Since working with Chicago Dance, Chris has competed and performed with his students in all styles, as well as competing in the Professional American Smooth Division. He has earned certifications in all styles and strives constantly to better his students through his continued education and experience. He has worked extensively in Virginia Beach City Public School system to instill his love of theatre, dance and music in children of varying ages and experience levels in order to keep art programs alive in Middle and High Schools. He is an active member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, National Men’s Music Fraternity.

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Anthony

Anthony Wolfe founded L.I.F.E in 1997. - A multi-media production company focusing on spiritual and socially relevant issues through original interpretive dance, poetry and music compositions. 1993 Anthony begin his studies with the Joel Hall dance center and has performed in workshops showcasing jazz, hip hop, ballet and modern dance. He has danced and Choreographed with Culture Shock for the past four years, performed with Elaine McLarine in Dance Chicago, Big Jam 3 107.5 WGCI – Syleena Johnson “Save the last dance,” Hoodlums, Best years of my life Baha Man Video Happy People R Kelly Video Kid Sista And Kanya West Video and Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In the summer of 2000 Anthony/L.I.F.E choreographed and assisted in production for The Voices of Chicago for Channel 19. In 1999 Anthony performed with Culture Shock Chicago on a segment for WGN channel 9. The summer of 2003 Anthony lunched Nextlevel LLC A talent angance that elevates the standard creatively cultivating sophistication and talent. His other choreography accomplishments include B.M.G. Records Company for D.U.I., Art Safari hip-hop for kids Channel 11 WTTW/PBS and Kids Can Dance, sponsored by the Evanston Township. Anthony goal is to unite all people through the use of the artistic process. His belief is that we are all one world united in one love- the love of creative expression shared in a positive L.I.F.E.

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Jacob

Jacob is certified at the Bronze level in all styles of dance. He began teaching dance in 2002. He competes with his pro partner in American Rhythm and competes in the West Coast circuit. Jacob moved to Chicago from Virginia Beach where he had taught for the past five years. Competing with his students and professional partner, he is very familiar with dance performance and style. Besides performing in the U.S., he has danced in Germany, Scotland and England. He choreographed and performed a Waltz with Virginia Beach’s Mayor Meyera Oberndorf that was televised on “Dancing with the Hampton Road Stars”. Jacob is excited to be part of the staff of Chicago Dance and help to inspire new students in the joys of Ballroom dancing.

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Merrill

Merrill specializes in social and standard ballroom dancing. He loves to emphasize good partner connection and believes anyone can dance. He's fun and has 10 years of competitive experience to share. He competed for ten years & continues to social dance. He studied ballroom dancing at his college in Utah. He loves to emphasize a good partner connection & bring out your natural ability; he believes anyone can dance. He’s got a fun personality, so you’ll have a good time.

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Carlos

Carlos Diaz is a native Chicagoan who has been ballroom dancing for the past 32 years. He started his dance training with Fred Astaire & Arthur Murray Dance Studios and has also studied with world-renowned teachers such as Sam Sodano, John Kimmins, Cher Rutherford, Linda Dean, & Toni Redpath to name a few. He has won numerous ballroom championships and has also been the recipient of countless Top Teacher Awards. He has been featured as a guest artist/teacher for numerous ballroom dance residencies throughout the United States. He is excited to be part of Chicago Dance where he utilizes his expertise in training new, inexperienced students to advanced levels of dance in a fun and relaxed manner.

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Jesus

Jesus Aguilera started dancing in a high school salsa team and after graduation was personally invited to train and perform as a principal dancer with Descarga Caribe, one of the Nations Top Mambo Companies.

He soon discovered a love for Ballet and Jazz and was fortunate enought to train intensely in Modern with Van Collins of Rasa Dance Company. Jesus intends to inspire, educate, and entertain students and audiences with his energenic personality and unique style in dance.

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Trevor

Trevor has been studying Latin and ballroom dancing at Chicago Dance since he was just in grade school. He is a certified instructor thru Ballroom University, a nationally recognized teacher certification program for ballroom instructors. Trevor successfully has competed and performed accross the midwest with his partner and cousin Krystal, a teacher trainee at Chicago Dance. Trevor is excited to take the next step in his dancing- to share all he has learned with his new students.

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Tommye

On any given day you can find Tommye training teachers, dance studio managers as well as top amateur and professional dancers.

She travels the country as one of the top competing Pro/Am females and as a judge for National dance competitions. She is sought after to train staff and students in other schools throughout the U.S. She is also a DVIDA examiner for amateur students wanting to pass graded examinations and professionals wanting to earn a teacher’s certification. She has been honored with numerous Top Teacher awards, as a highly recognized Pro/Am teacher at numerous competitions, and holds 5 NADTA championship Certifications. She tirelessly works to make Latin and ballroom dance accessible to everyone in the Chicagoland area by advising schools, festivals, and dance programs on curriculum as well as by offering expert commentary at public events and on television. Tommye Giacchino began her career in her mother’s dance studio in Chicago, where taking class every day was a way of life. In her younger years, baton twirling and modeling were Tommye’s serious hobbies, becoming a National Twirling Champion at 12 years old, then coaching two teams and one individual to State Championships by the ripe age of 15. In addition to twirling, Tommye’s modeling career took off with more than 100 television and radio commercials, national print and placements, professional theatre performance and numerous beauty pageant titles. Tommye’s ballroom dance technique is supported by a foundation of 26 years of training in ballet and other forms of dance. After seeing a live ballroom dance competition, she was hooked. She soon began competing in Amateur Standard and then, after turning professional, had numerous Rising Star successes in American Smooth. This was followed by a partnership with Gregory Day in 1996. In just three short years, the two were “United States Rising Star Champions,” US Open Cabaret Champions and winners of “The British Open Invitational Exhibition Championship” known to most as Blackpool. Gregory and Tommye have since traveled the world to perform and coach, taking them throughout Asia, Europe and almost every state in the USA. In addition to working for world-renowned jazz and ballet companies such as Gus Giordano, River North Dance Company and The Joffrey they have also performed extensively with major symphonies such as The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Elgin Symphony. They have been featured artists and have provided expert commentary on television programs around the world: PBS’s Championship Ballroom Dancing, “America’s Ballroom Challenge,” Eurosport, ESPN, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and WGN. Tommye’s business career started in marketing for the Marriott’s, which turned into traveling the country and covering projects for Hanna-Barbera, Hallmark Cards, United Artists, and special events at the White House. That training gave her an edge to take over and grow a family manufacturing business. The family business was not her passion but working the company for years and making it grow allowed Tommye to sell the company and follow her passion for ballroom dancing. Eventually she co- created one of the area’s most successful ballroom competitions, Chicago’s Crystal Ball, and then her most rewarding and successful business adventure yet -Chicago’s most popular Latin and Ballroom dance schools, Chicago Dance. Now she continues to follow her passion for sharing her love of dance by launching the Ballroom University.

Book an appointment with Tommye.

Kelly

Kelly is the Studio Dance Manager of the River North location. She is certified through DVIDA in both the American and International styles of Ballroom and Latin. Kelly is from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and has been with Chicago Dance since 2006. She holds a triple undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in Theatre (Acting/Directing), Dance (Movement and Composition) and Broadcast Journalism/Mass Media Studies. She also attended the University of Iowa's graduate program in Theatre and pursued her MFA in Acting Performance. She has performed all across the country acting, dancing, and choreographing. In 2002, she was titled the "United States Top Collegiate Actor" and awarded the Irene Ryan National Scholarship from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. She comes to Chicago Dance with an extensive background in not only Latin and Ballroom, but Modern, Tap, Ballet, Jazz, and Improvisation as well. She competes professionally with her partner Christopher in the American Smooth category. Kelly also competes with her students in Ballroom as well as Country Western competitions all over the US. She is the Studio Dance Manager of River North and most of the time, you can find her teaching her students in private lessons and group classes. Her greatest accomplishment is helping her students find strength and a greater sense of confidence through their dancing

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Katie

Katie is a DVIDA certified dance instructor; has an extensive background in ballet, jazz & contemporary dance. She competes in both professionally and pro/am. She has a Theatre Performance degree. Kathryn has been with Chicago Dance since 2007. She started dancing at age 8 at a small ballet school in Pelham, Alabama. Kathryn graduated from Butler University with a B.A. in Theatre Performance and, while in Indianapolis, danced with such modern companies as Dance Kaleidoscope and Motus Dance Theatre. She then went on to coach the Pike High School Spectacular Dancers and created the Jazz program for the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana. Kathryn brings a wealth of technical knowledge not only in the ballroom and Latin styles, but also in ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary styles to Chicago Dance. She competes professionally with her partner Jacob Jennings in the American Rhythm category and competes pro/am in all categories of ballroom and Latin dance. Kathryn is the Manager of the Irving Park school and enjoys teaching social and competitive students in private lessons and group classes alike. Kathryn's ambition is to share her own love of dancing, and to instill in every student she meets a sense of confidence and grace.

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Jenn

Jennifer Gage has been dancing professionally in Chicago for 15 years and teaching for almost as long. enn has been dancing professionally in Chicago for 15 years with numerous companies throughout the Chicagoland are. Most recently she has appeared with the Joel Hall Dancers where she has been a member since 1999. Several other companies she has been long affiliated with are Ballet Entre Nous, Tyego, Ballet North, Five Star Boogie and Evolution – the Next Level. Jennifer’s own company, GI Alliance, has pursued a multitude of different types of movement including Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Modern and Pointe. It was created to give opportunities to dancers, emerging choreographers and other artistic affiliates. During her training, Jennifer has studied with the Joel Hall Dance Center, Joffrey Ballet School, Ellis-DuBoulay School of Ballet, Studio Two, Burlington Ballet Theatre and Ballet Tennessee.

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Meredith

Meredith is a pro/am competitive ballroom dance instructor who is trained in DVIDA and teaches both American and International styles of dance. She began dancing at the age of 3 and competed with Juliana's Academy of Dance in jazz, ballet, and contemporary styles of dance until she was 18 years old. Some notable credits include: Platinum Medal song and dance, Access Broadway competition (2001) and four Firsts in category awards and 1st place overall award at Showbiz National Dance Competition (2002). Meredith danced for Western Michigan University while in college and began her full time teaching career shortly after graduation. Recent professional achievements include her students receiving numerous 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards at Michigan Dance Challenge 2008/2009 and a 3rd place award at Ohio Star Ball 2008. Meredith enjoys working with dancers of all ages and skill levels. She loves to teach others to dance because dance has been her long time passion, and she cannot imagine doing anything else. Meredith's greatest joy as a teacher is watching her students fall in love with their own dancing. She believes there is nothing more rewarding than watching even the most "dance-challenged" individual turn into a winner on the dance floor, whose newfound confidence and style can light up the entire room.

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Gina

Gina began ballet dancing at age four and later moved into competitive gymnastics. At Indiana University-Indianapolis she was a principal jazz dancer with The Moving Company and also earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education/Exercise Science. Her minor studies included dance and psychology. She is a former Fred Astaire National Professional Open Rhythm finalist and has competed professionally in all major national ballroom competitions. Gina loves to meet new people and is very happy to be bringing her teaching experience to Chicago.

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Carole

Carole Conn-Abbinanti has performed nationally and abroad. She is a certified dance educator with a background of over 25 hears of awarded experience throughout Chicago and the Midwest. Carole has taught students ranging in ages from toddler to senior, customizing her classes to fit the needs of each individual in them. She has created a comprehensive and holistic program that is the foundation of her unique approach to fitness- pursuit of total body awareness, conditioning, sculpting, and strength.

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Malika

When I started dancing at three the only thing I ever wanted was to wear a tutu and perform for my family, well what can I say, if you have an opportunity, take it. I started dancing when I performed at beauty pageants in 1992. My mom who was my right hand man saw potential in my dance skills and enrolled me at Joel Hall Dance Studio with a ballet class. Shortly after, I ended up taking almost every style of dance. Modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, musical theater and Latin. Anything you threw at me I could do or either learn how. After dancing for many years with Joel Hall I got old enough to pick my own studio to dance at. So I decided to try a few and see which one fits me best. I traveled from Homer Bryant, Urban Beat Dance to Xtreme Dance Force. Dancing with each team I learned different techniques and styles which helped with my own style today. Fourth year in high school I was given the opportunity to be the poms captain, which gave me a years work with teaching and creating dances with my own style of dance for girls my age or younger. I also taught three to five year olds dances for graduations, that my aunt had for her day care every year. Throughout my years I have performed in various shows, including Opra’s big block party and upcoming artists. I am now at the point where I just one to be able to teach kids, teens and adults to have fun by just dancing. This is just the beginning of my dancing career and years, and there will be many more.

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Maha

Maha has been performing and teaching Belly Dance for over 20 years. She worked at Disneyworld's Epcot Center in Florida, performing and teaching for three years. She also taught in California in a variety of fitness centers, including Ladies First Gym and 24 hr. Fitness, as well as performing in shows, hotels, studios, and weddings.

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Teresa

Teresa has a BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University as well as a BA in Film from Columbia College. She has been teaching ballroom dancing since 1995. Teresa' s encouraging spirit, enthusiasm and passion of dance is what she loves about teaching.

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Heidi

Heidi Landgraf was born and raised in Illinois and grew up with classical ballet and jazz training. She migrated to California where she completed an MFA in Dance at CalArts and then further studied Expressive Arts Therapy with Anna and Daria Halprin at the Tamalpa Institute. She has recently returned to Chicago to further her studies in Columbia College's Dance/Movement Therapy masters program on a Follett Fellowship. She is excited to join the staff at Chicago Dance and to share the joy of dancing with all of you!

Book an appointment with Heidi.