Instructors

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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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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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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Brad has dual degrees in Spanish and Political Science from the University of Missouri. While he was there he developed his abiding love for Ballroom dance when he joined the MU Ballroom Dance Team and eventually became Vice President. He also organized the Mizzou Latin Dance Club, which within a year became the biggest student organization on campus. Trained at Twilight Dance Studio in Columbia, MO under the tutelage of legendary coach John Swick. He has taught and competed with his students in Missouri and wants to bring his love of dance to Chicago.

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Merrill specializes in social & standard ballroom dancing.

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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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 has been dancing for 13 years. Originally from Alabama, she moved to Indianapolis to earn her B.A. degree in Theatre from Butler University. While living there, she performed two seasons with Motus Dance Theatre and participated in company class with Dance Kaleidoscope. In 2006, she created and led the Jazz Program for the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana and taught technique classes for Pike High School Dance Teams. She also choreographed the competition pieces for the award-winning Pike High School Spectacular Dancers. Katie is excited to bring her years of experience and passion for dance to Chicago Dance!

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Jenn 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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Cassaundra has been a professional ballroom dance instructor since 1999. She has competed in International Standard & Latin and is certified through Silver in American Style. Previous to coming to Chicago, she lived in the San Francisco Bay area where she did most of her training. Most recently, she lived, taught and competed in Sydney, Australia for 2 years. Cassaundra is a very patient teacher and loves to make technique accessible to everyone, including beginners.

"Cassaundra has a way of making even the most inexperienced dancers feel at ease and that they can master the pattern/skill by translatting the required movement into something they may do in day to day life. She also has a depth of knowledge in different dance styles and skill levels so that their progression in different dances can be varied based on the students frustration with certain dances until they can get the hang of a similar pattern in a different dance and then switch the pattern/skill across dances styles. She thinks of each student and a friend who she is passing on knowledge to so isn't too concerned if you are having a bad dance day."

"1. You have the ability to identify clearly and precisely those areas of our dance that prevent us advancing. It is a trouble shooting skill which you managed to pin point our pitfalls. 2. Having identified these areas to improve you manage to convey them to the student in a clear and easy to understand yet encouraging manner. 3. You have a lovely, happy disposition, which is motivating and makes dancing and learning from you, fun 4 You have excellent planning, recording and monitoring skills supported by an excellent system."

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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.

Book an appointment with Meredith.