Instructors & Staff

Janice Blum

Janice Blum graduated Summa Cum Laude from Barat College in Lake Forest with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Dance. She has been teaching Ballet to children and adults throughout the suburbs of Chicago for many years. Her love of teaching and positive attitude are an inspiration to students of any age. Janice believes that every student has the potential to be a great dancer and uses her instruction to help them reach their ultimate potential.

Shannon Brodie

Shannon Bodie received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University training under Randall Newsom, Judith Chitwood, Paula Frasz, and Karen Williamson. During her training at N.I.U., Shannon performed soloist roles in numerous ballets, including “Sleeping Beauty,” “Paquita,” and “Giselle.”   Shannon joined Nomi LaMad Dance Company in 2007 as a founding member, where she has had the honor of working with choreographers such as Paul Christiano, Lizzie MacKenzie, Nick Pupillo, and Autumn Eckman.  Shannon has always had a passion for dance and currently teaches dancers of all ages throughout the Chicago area.

Monty Buckley

Monty Buckley has been performing and choreographing since 1995 and has been breaking and pop-locking since 1999. He is the Co-Artistic Director of Stick and Move, a multi faceted hip hop dance company incorporating choreography, breakdancing, martial arts, and acrobatics. Monty has years of teaching experience getting his start instructing with the University of Hip Hop. He instructs hip hop, street funk, and breakdance. He has taught students of all levels and ages ranging from 5 year olds to adults. While attending Eastern Illinois University, Monty started the only co-ed hip hop dance company in the University’s history, Rhythm and X-tacy. Founded in 2003 Rhythm and Xtacy is still going strong today.

Maliwan Diemer

Maliwan Diemer has a MA in Arts Administration and a BSOF in Ballet and Political Science, magna cum laude from Indiana University. She began her dance training in Columbus, Ohio at the age of three. Ballet became her passion and by the age of thirteen, she had been invited to study and perform with Indiana University’s Ballet Theater where she trained with notable guest choreographers and directors. At this time, Maliwan was also an instructor for the University’s Pre-College Ballet Program. Since moving to Chicago in 2005, Maliwan is on faculty at the Lou Conte Dance Studio and the Joffrey Ballet’s Academy of Dance, serves as Performance Project Director and faculty member for Chicago Ballet Arts, works with the University of Chicago’s UBallet and has taught company class for DanceWorks Chicago.

Perry Denton

Perry Denton is currently the assistant director of Gifted Souls Dance Group. In addition, he has danced for many stars including Brooke Hogan and Ce Ce Pension. Perry received his dance training from Columbia College in Chicago where he studied all forms of dance, including ballet, jazz and modern. Perry has taught throughout the Chicagoland area and is eager to pass along his gift and love of dance to all his students.

Gretchen Duncan

Gretchen Duncan is well-trained in all styles of dance, including hip hop and jazz. She received her training under some of the most respected names in the dance industry — Tracie Marcineak, Justin Giles, Chris Judd, Tabitha & Napoleon D’umo to name a few. Gretchen was a featured dancer on MTVs Wade Robson Project and has choreographed for Luvabulls auditions and she has also worked alongside the main director for the NBA Half-time shows.

Erin Fleck

Erin Fleck is a graduate of Indiana University with a BS in Kinesiology and an emphasis in modern dance where she studied the styles of ballet, modern and jazz under Elizabeth Shea, Laura Poole, and Gwendolyn Hamm to name a few. Erin also rehearsed with the Ben Munisteri Dance Company and Connie Donapoli, former member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. In addition, Erin was a Corps Member at Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and a Company Member for the Abigail Alyn Dance Projects. Erin has taught dance at The Academy of Dance Arts in Fishers, Indiana and brings with her a love for dance and a passion to teach children.

Lauren Garner

Lauren Garner was born and raised in Louisiana, where she started dancing at the age of three. She went on to pursue her dance education at Louisiana State University, where she was also a member of the LSU Tiger Girls. While pursuing her dance education at LSU, she was also a member of the Jean Leigh Dance Company. She has worked with renowned choreographers; including Paul Christiano, Jason Parson, Jen Ballard, J.T. Hornstein, Mia Michaels, Ray Leeper. Lauren has studied at Broadway Dance Center in New York, and at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. She has also toured Europe with the Tanzommer Dance Festival opening for Alvin Ailey. Lauren’s most recent performance was Art for Heart’s Sake, a benefit for the Make A Wish foundation. While pursuing her dance education, Lauren also taught at numerous studios throughout the State of Louisiana. She has a great amount of experience teaching classical ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop.

Angelica Garza

Angelica received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Ailey/Fordham University where she studied Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Horton and Graham techniques and more.  Angelica has extensive training from the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance, Boston Ballet School, and the Houston Ballet School.  Angelica assisted and taught at The Ailey School in New York and the First Steps Junior Division Program. She was a Company Apprentice at Ballet Hispanico (New York, N.Y.) and is a freelance dancer at The Civic Ballet of Chicago.

Alissa Levine

Alissa Levine has been teaching dance for the past ten years in and around the Chicagoland area and has previously studied dance at Gus Giordano Dance Center, Joel Hall Dance Center, and Lou Conte’s Dance Studio. Alissa’s performance experience includes work with the University of Illinois Dance Team, recording artist Javante Monet, and alternative rock group, The Love Hammers, and Dance 2xs, Chicago. She currently dances for Culture Shock Dance Troupe Chicago. Alissa has taught and choreographed for several high schools and camps in and around the Chicagoland area and CDA Dance Conventions during the summers. Alissa has experience in all forms of dance, but specializes in hip hop and hip hop choreography. She founded FUSION Dance Company in 2001 and the company has been growing and improving ever since.

Sarah Murphy

Sarah Murphy is a graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Psychology and a concentration in Dance. Sarah was a performing member of both the UIUC Department of Dance and 3Spot Dance Troupe, where she was also troupe choreographer. Dancing since a young age, Sarah is highly trained in hip hop, jazz, modern, and aerial acrobatics. Currently, Sarah is a Guest Artist at Chicago Dance Crash, performing under Artistic Director Mark Hackman and a Company Member of ology dance, performing under Artistic Director Melissa Mallinson. Sarah trained at Lou Conte Dance Studio, Columbia College, UIUC, and Ameba Acrobatic and Aerial Dance.

Amanda Newman

Amanda Newman received her B.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Columbia College in Chicago. She has continued to study dance, and takes classes at Lou Conte Dance Studio and Joe Hall. She studied with Anna Paskevska, Natalie Rast, Emily Stein, Christie Kerr, Erika Wilson-Perkins, and Nana Shineflug. Currently, Amanda trains with RASA Dance Chicago, and performs with From the Hip Dance Project and Tikvah Company of Artists. Amanda has spent many years performing at regional and national competitions and was dance captain of her high school Musical Theater program.

Evelyn Rice

Evelyn Rice started dancing professionally as a member of the UIC dance team, and she eventually became captain/choreographer for the group. Alongside, she modeled and performed with the Chicago Honey Bear Dance Company. Since then, Evelyn has ventured onto dance stages with recording artists including, Universal’s Alfonso Hunter, Do or Die, Twista, and local artists, Javante Monet and Kim Keller. She has performed at convention centers and sports arenas nationwide. As a freelance choreographer, she works with many local high schools and colleges that compete at State and National competitions. Evelyn is also an instructor/choreographer for the Cheer and Dance Association (CDA). Other recent credits include: Dance 2XS (an international hip hop company), Glamour Magazine April 2007 issue, NIKE Rockstar Workout Winner 2006, and featured in a music video with Atlantic recording artist, Bayje.

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