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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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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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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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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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 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 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 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 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.

Book an appointment with Carole.