FACULTY
William Carlos Angulo
William Carlos Angulo is a Chicago based choreographer from Lake Zurich, IL. He began his training at Denise Sabala Dance Studio before participating in Ballet Chicago’s professional program and Hubbard Street Dance Center’s scholarship program. He has performed with The Marriott Theatre, The Paramount Theatre, The Drury Lane Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, The Lyceum Theatre, Stages St Louis, The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, Roundabout Theatre Company, Theatre for The New City, Lincoln Center Theatre, and The McCarter Theatre. Choreography credits include the Chicago regional premier of Far From Heaven at Porchlight Music Theatre, The Full Monty at Penninsula Players, the Chicago premier of A Disappearing Number at Timeline Theatre Company, the world premier of La Havana Madrid at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Ragtime at Griffin Theatre Company, the Chicago regional premier of Bridges of Madison County at The Marriott Theatre, West Side Story (Jeff Award – Best Choreography) and the Chicago regional premier of Mamma Mia at The Paramount Theatre. Read More
Kelly Anderson
Kelly Anderson, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a recent graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. During her time at WMU, Kelly had the privilege of performing professional works by Aszure Barton, Kyle Abraham, Brian Enos, and Rennie Harris. Kelly was a member of the WMU dance touring ensemble Western Dance Project under the direction of Whitney Moncrief in which she toured the Midwest performing and engaging in outreach. She has performed works by faculty members Jeremy Blair and Carolyn Pavlik while also being involved in Monique Haley’s graduate thesis Encounter and 2017 National Choreography Competition winner Brendan Duggan’s work HAUNT. Kelly has attended ADF’s New York Winter Intensive, DanceWorks Chicago’s DanceForce and ChoreoLab, and Houston METdance’s Professional Summer Intensive. Read More
Lauren Blane
Lauren began her training at the Faubourg School of Ballet under Watmora Casey. She attended Grand Valley State University and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance. Upon graduation she was chosen to receive The Outstanding Undergraduate Award in Dance by her professors. Lauren’s choreography was chosen to present at the American College Dance Festival, and was later selected to be featured in the Gala.Professionally, Lauren was accepted into the Lou Conte Dance Studio Scholarship Program under the direction of Claire Bataille. She was also with Giordano Dance Chicago’s Second Company for two seasons. Lauren had the privilege of being a backup dancer for Beyonce on Oprah’s Farewell Episode at the United Center. She has also been featured in many musical productions at the Marriott Theater as well as Drury Lane including Chicago, Evita, The Nutcracker, and Now & Forever and more. Read More
Savannah Enoch
Savannah Enoch is a dancer and choreographer from the Chicagoland area. She has known from a very young age, that dance and the performing arts are her passion. Savannah started in a pre professional dance company at the age of nine and has been trained in a variety of styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, acrobatics, tap, modern, musical theater, advanced partnering, and ballroom. After graduating high school, she continued her training at the prestigious Theater Arts Preparatory School (TAPS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, she was taught by top industry professionals and choreographers from Los Angeles, New York City, and Las Vegas. Savannah has performed in multiple projects from theater to film. She has danced for Holland America Line Cruise ships, American Music Theatre, The Palace Theatre, Hershey Park, RWS Entertainment Group, “Show Dogs” (film), 20th Century Fox, McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and many more. Read More
Jay Fagan
Jay Fagan hails from Chicago and is amongst the most sought after Tap Masters in the industry today. Entering his third decade of international dance experience, his mastery of rhythm tap has been performed, taught, and choreographed worldwide. He’s also known as one of the most fun teachers and entertaining performers of today. Technically, he has been trained by the very best tap dancers in the business including, Lane Alexander, Gregory Hines, Henry LaTang, Sam Weber and Savion Glover. Jay has shared the stage with Dianne Walker, Lane Alexander, Acia Gray, Barbara Phillips, Sarah Savelli, Ayodele Casel, Derick Grant and so many more. His polished performances have been seen by the President of the United States, Kupio Dance Festival in Finland, Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, Canada Windsor Casino Showroom, Las Vegas’ Flamingo, Luxor and Suncoast Hotels, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Third Coast Rhythm Project, Soul To Sole Tap Festival, Scotland B.A.T.D, Germany, Mexico and many more.Read More
Megan Hansen
Megan Hansen grew up in Mundelein, Illinois, where she started her training at the age of three. She found her love for dance at Denise Sabala Dance Studios, in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Here, she trained under the direction of Jamie Cage, Brian Hare, Lauren Blane, Rebecca McLindon, Tiffany Krause, and many more. In April, Megan graduated Western Michigan University earning a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Dance and Bachelors in Business Administration in Marketing. Megan was named the Presidential Scholar in Marketing during her last semester. During her time at WMU, Megan has had the opportunity to perform several student works and work by faculty members Seyong Kim, Monique Haley, and Kelsey Paschich. She was also a part of the touring performance company, Western Dance Project, under the direction of Kelsey Paschich. With WDP, she performed works by Kiki Lucas, Kelsey Paschich, and Ashlie Roth at Detroit Dance City Festival and surrounding Kalamazoo public schools. Read More
Claire Hutchins
Claire Hutchins began her dance training at Denise Sabala Dance Studio in Lake Zurich, Illinois, under the direction of Jamie Farrell, Brian Hare, Lauren Blane, Rebecca McLindon, Sasha Vargas, and many more. While on their competition dance company, she discovered her love for teaching. She graduated in 2023 from the University of Illinois-Chicago with a degree in Business Administration. Currently, she is a head coach and choreographer for Denise Sabala Dance Company and has been since 2019. She is a lead assistant and instructor for Chicago Dance Connection. She has also set choreography for the dance programs at Prospect High School, Rolling Meadows High School, and Buffalo Grove High School. She also worked for Skyline Studios from 2019-2021. Claire has loved dance all her life and is overjoyed to be able to share that passion with students around the Chicagoland area. Read More
Brian Hare
Originally from the Detroit area, Brian graduated with honors from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Arts Entertainment Media Management and Dance. As a performer Brian spent four seasons as a company member with Chicago Dance Crash and five seasons with Thodos Dance Chicago. He has been a part of original processes by Melissa Thodos, Anne Reinking, Ron De Jesus, Brian Enos, Harrison McEldowney, Jeremy Plummer, KT Nelson, Elijah Gibson, Eddy Ocampo, Lizzie Mackenzie, Jessica Deahr and many others. As well as being an original cast member of rare Bob Fosse archival work. He was administrator, costumer and dancer for LEVELDANCE under the direction of Eddy Ocampo. As a choreographer he has presented work in Dance Chicago, Dance in the Parks, set multiple works on Chicago Dance Crash and had work in the rep of Thodos Dance Chicago. He teaches students of all ages and disciplines at several Chicago dance studios. He is the Artistic Director of youth ensemble Denise Sabala Dance Company in Lake Zurich, IL. Read More
Erica Hood
Erica Sowell is a graduate from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing. While attending CSULB she was a part of the award-winning Long Beach State Dance Team. Throughout her college years, she also worked as a dancer/performer at Disneyland in Anaheim. She has been featured in Dance Spirit Magazine for the Future Star Award. Erica works as a freelance choreographer traveling the country throughout the year. Her choreography has received numerous awards and can be seen on dance studios & dance teams in and around California, Texas, Florida, New Mexico, and Illinois. She has been a convention instructor for Dupree Dance, Chicago Dance Connection, and is on-going her 11th year as a choreographer/instructor/judge with MA Dance. Erica has judged dance competitions for numerous companies including USASF Worlds Dance, Jam Brands, DanceXtreme USA, and COP Brands International Championship Puerto Vallarta. Read More
Tiffany Krause
Originally from Dundee, Michigan, Tiffany attended Columbia Chicago College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Teaching and Public Relations. After graduation, she received an internship with Thodos Dance Chicago and made her professional debut performance at the Harris Theater in “A Light In The Dark” choreographed by Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos. After her experience working with Reinking, Tiffany realized her passion for musical theater. Her regional credits include On The Town (Marriott Theater), West Side Story (Paramount Theater), and Wonderful Town (Goodman Theater) where she became a member of the Actor’s Equity Association. As for commercial work, Tiffany was a featured dancer in the Indian Bollywood film Dhoom 3, and has performed with global brands, such as T Mobile and McDonalds. Throughout her training experience, she was fortunate to attend many remarkable programs with Hubbard Street Dance Company, River North Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, and American Ballet Theater. Read More
Lizzie Mackenzie
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Lizzie MacKenzie is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and is the founder and director of Extensions Dance Company and Extensions Dance Center in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to teaching at Extensions, she is on faculty at the Hubbard Street Dance Center and the Chicago Public School for the Arts. Her professional career included 6 years with the River North Dance Company, where she enjoyed touring and sharing the works of many great choreographers with audiences around the world. Prior to River North, Lizzie performed with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago for 5 years. Lizzie has worked with some of the biggest names in contemporary dance including Mia Michaels, Liz Imperio, Randy Duncan, Ron De Jesus, Davis Robertson, Tony Powell, Frank Chaves, Lauri Stallings, Kevin Iega Jeff, Harrison McEldowny, Sidra Bell and Robert Battle. Read More
Ciera Nolan
Jackie Nowicki originates from Chicago, Illinois. She received her BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University, where she graduated summa cum laude and was named Presidential Scholar in April 2008, and she was chosen as the Department of Dance’s Distinguished Alumni for the 2016 school year. She danced for Pilobolus Dance Theater in their PCS company, performing for them all over the world, and is certified to teach for their Educational Outreach Program. Her professional credits also include dancing for Mike Esperanza’s BARE Dance Company, Calen Kurka’s :pushing progress, and Marlena Wolfe’s The Wolfe Project. Jackie worked as a part-time faculty member at Western Michigan University’s Department of Dance, and for ten years taught all over the New York dance scene including being on faculty at Peridance Capezio Center, and guesting at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. Read More
Jackie Nowicki
Jackie Nowicki originates from Chicago, Illinois. She received her BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University, where she graduated summa cum laude and was named Presidential Scholar in April 2008, and she was chosen as the Department of Dance’s Distinguished Alumni for the 2016 school year. She danced for Pilobolus Dance Theater in their PCS company, performing for them all over the world, and is certified to teach for their Educational Outreach Program. Her professional credits also include dancing for Mike Esperanza’s BARE Dance Company, Calen Kurka’s :pushing progress, and Marlena Wolfe’s The Wolfe Project. Jackie worked as a part-time faculty member at Western Michigan University’s Department of Dance, and for ten years taught all over the New York dance scene including being on faculty at Peridance Capezio Center, and guesting at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. In Chicago, she is currently on faculty at Visceral Dance Center, COMMON Conservatory, The Rooted Space, and is the Assistant Director at Extensions Dance Center.Read More
Nick Pupillo
Nick Pupillo, Founder and Artistic Director of Visceral Dance Chicago, graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet. In 2001, Pupillo joined the acclaimed Giordano Dance Chicago where he toured nationally and internationally for three years. Pupillo decided in 2006 to train and mentor young talent by developing the prestigious Visceral Studio Company. In 2007, he founded Visceral Dance Center to provide the Chicago community with a new venue for artistic and technical growth. This facility continues to be a Chicago dance landmark. TimeOut Chicago lists Visceral Dance Center as “A bustling, well-appointed facility…with instructors from top companies and in-demand guest teachers.” Utilized by a number of Chicago-based companies, Visceral Dance Center is home to its resident company, Visceral Dance Chicago. Pupillo founded Visceral Dance Chicago in the fall of 2013. This repertory company presents his daring vision to explore the infinite possibilities of contemporary movement. Read More
Brian Rabenda
Brian Rabenda formally was the Owner/Artistic Director of Award-winning, and nationally recognized B-Discovered Dance Company in Chicago IL. After a decade of owning/developing his own company, he has transitioned into a freelance teaching career. At 15 years teaching experience, Brian continues to strive, share his knowledge, and personal experiences with his students-providing not only exceptional technique fundamentals but also develop a strong work ethic. His choreography/training has won dancers countless awards, including top scores, and many national titles. His students have gone on to the countries top Universities and Conservatories such as USC, Juilliard Summer Program, Boston Conservatory, ChuThis, and the University of Arizona. Along with training dancers, Brian is a master adjudicator for top conventions and competitions around the country. Read More
Tess Renaud
Tess Renaud began dancing at the age of three in the Chicagoland area. She trained at Visceral Dance Center, (VDC), with many influential teachers and was a member of Pupillo’s Visceral Studio Company. She has been a part of VDC’s scholarship program and Luna Negra Dance Theater’s summer intensive. Tess graduated The ensemble performed at venues such as Dance Chicago, Michigan Dance Day, and Oakland Dance Festival. She has had the honor of performing works at WMU choreographed by Monique Haley, Carolyn Pavlik, Jackie Nowicki, and a Loïe Fuller reconstruction of “La Mer.” Tess has performed the works of various Chicago choreographers including Joey Hernandez and Harrison McEldowney. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training and teaches multiple formats for Corepower Yoga. She also works for VIP dance competitions. Read More
Evelyn Rice
Evelyn Rice is the founder and director of The Exposure Movement, Inc., an artist development company that exposes and educates young artists through media and performing arts. She received her MS in Entertainment Business at Full Sail University. She has been working on-camera and behind-the-scenes in the entertainment industry for many years. Evelyn has been fortunate to learn and grow through several arrangements of multimedia events. From choreographing routines for College and High School dance teams, to modeling, performing and directing Arts & Entertainment projects nationwide, venturing onto dance stages with recording artists including, Kimberly Locke, Jennifer Holiday, Alfonso Hunter, Twista, and native Chicago artists, such as K.W.O.E., Drew Sidora, Endiskize, Javante Monet, and Kim Keller. Evelyn was also featured in Atlantic recording artist, Bayje’s music video, “Jealous of Your Whip.” Her passion is constantly being fed from the talented people she has the honor of training with and working alongside. In 2012, Evelyn collaborated with OSIP and Agency EA to direct an extravagant corporate stage production for Ameriprise Financial. Read More
Connie Sweeney
Connie Fagan has been dancing for 28 years. She has advanced level mastery in the art of Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern and Hip Hop. Growing up in LaGrange, IL, with Jo’s Footwork Studio, she trained under Jay Fagan(Tap), Jackie Farina(Ballet), Corey Nagel(Modern), Mari Jo Irbe(Jazz) and Kirby Reed(Hip Hop). She continues her training at Lou Conte’s Studio. In 2001, she was awarded the Regional Presidential Scholar in the ARTS, NFAA, Madison, WI. She received the Plantinum in the category of Dance(Tap), and Honorable Mention for Dance in Jazz. Read More