CBA Faculty

Biographies

Leslie Saunders
Co-Director – Chicago Ballet Arts
Ballet 2/Intermediate and Advanced Ballet/Pointe/Repertoire
Leslie is from Columbia, S.C., where she received her early training. She continued her training in New York at George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Harkness House and at Melissa Hayden’s Studio. Leslie danced with the Richmond Ballet where she performed featured roles in many of the classics and in other ballets by contemporary choreographers, as well as in Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliante and Concerto Barocco. In 1991, Leslie began teaching with Clare Carmichael in Chicago at the Montay College ballet program and over the next fifteen years worked as Artistic Associate to build and develop the school into Chicago Ballet Arts. She became Co-Director of CBA in 2005.

Patti S. Eylar
Co-Director – Chicago Ballet Arts
Intermediate and Advanced Ballet/Pointe/Repertoire
Patti received her early training in California, Maryland, and on full scholarship at the American Ballet Theatre School in New York. She performed with the Lyric Opera Ballet and was a founding member of the Chicago City Ballet, directed by Maria Tallchief and Paul Mejia. She danced with Ballet Chicago, directed by Daniel Duell, from its inception in 1987 until 1993, performing in George Balanchine's Square Dance, Concerto Barocco, Allegro Brillante, and Rubies. She has danced principal roles in Balanchine's Steadfast Tin Soldier and Stuart Sebastian's Rodin, and she was featured in Daniel Duell's Seven Poetic Waltzes, Verdi Divertimenti, and Octet à Tête, which was televised on WTTW/Channel 11. She was also a featured soloist in the Ruth Page Foundation's production of the The Nutcracker, dancing the roles of lead Marzipan and Doll. Patti was on the faculty of the School of Ballet Chicago from 1995 to 2001, and served on the Board of the Chicago Dance and Music Alliance. She currently serves on the board of the Civic Ballet of Chicago, Joffrey Ballet's Women's Board, and as co-chair of the Joffrey Circle. She became co-director of Chicago Ballet Arts in 2005 after teaching at the school for two years.

Calvin Kitten
Advanced Ballet/ Pointe
Calvin is a native of San Diego where he received his early training at the California Ballet School. In 1989-199o, he was an exchange student at the Tbilisi Choreographic Institute in Soviet Georgia, and in 1992, he was invited to join the Joffrey Ballet. Known for his superb technique, Calvin’s role as Snow Prince in Joffrey’s annual Nutcracker has become a signature piece. His wide repertoire ranges from principal roles in Arpino ballets to Kurt Jooss’ Green Table, Massine’s Les Présages, and Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring. Calvin was presented with the Ruth Page Award in 1997 for his performance in Massine’s Parade, and again in 2000 for Prodigal Son. Calvin has been teaching at Chicago Ballet Arts since September 2000.

Amy Rose
Advanced Ballet/Pointe/Repertoire
Amy is a native of Chicago who trained at the Ruth Page School and the Lyric Opera School. She joined American Ballet Theatre at the age of 16. In 1982 she was chosen by Baryshnikov to dance in Spoleto, Italy, and was promoted to the rank of soloist at ABT in 1987. Amy has danced a wide range of classical and contemporary works with renowned choreographers, including Agnes De Mille’s The Informer, Balanchine’s Bourée Fantastique, Ashton’s The Rendezvous, and Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto. Amy can be seen in several Dance in America and Live from the Met television specials. She performed with Patrick Bissell at Jacob’s Pillow, and with The Universal Ballet in Korea, Japan, and China. In 1992 she joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as a soloist and danced leading roles in Tudor’s Jardin aux Lilas, Tetley’s Voluntaries, and Lynn Taylor-Corbett’s Mercury and Tunes. She was a featured dancer in Kent Stowell’s Carmina Burana, and Paul Taylor’s Company B when PNB toured Australia. Before retiring from the stage, she performed with DanceWest, the Civic Ballet of Chicago, and with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Amy has been on the faculty at Chicago Ballet Arts for the past six years.

Evie Peña Shives
Ballet 1/Ballet 2
Evie began her training in Edinburg, Texas, with Danish-born ballerina, Grethe Sullivan. At age 13, she received the first of many dance scholarships for Harkness Ballet School in New York City, and by age 18, she marked the start of her professional career.

In 1986 Evie was invited to join Tulsa Ballet Theatre, a regional ballet company with an extensive touring season . By 1989, Ms. Shives was promoted from soloist to principal dancer. inspiring audiences for six years. Some of her most memorable roles include the Gloveseller in Gaîte Parisienne, the Cowgirl from Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo, Swanhilda in Coppelia, and the role of the Doll in Balanchine’s Steadfast Tin Soldier. Evie went on to make several guest appearances with the Minnesota Dance Theatre, recreating the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Loyce Houlton’s The Nutcracker Fantasy, and the role of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet. Evie has danced with Milwaukee Ballet, Des Moines Ballet, Ballet Austin and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (Dancers’ Trust Fund).

Following her stage career, Ms. Shives earned a B.A. in Communications from Chatham College in Pittsburgh in 1997. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from DePaul University and is a third grade teacher at the Walt Disney Magnet School in Chicago. She has has been on numerous dance faculties, including: Carnegie Museum (Pittsburgh), Dance Alloy, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Point Park College (Pittsburgh), Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and School of Ballet Chicago. She considers herself a passionate advocate for educating children through the arts, allowing them to explore, dream, and design their potential. Ms. Shives is married to Willy Shives, a principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet. Evie joined the faculty at Chicago Ballet Arts in 2006.

Lauren Schultz
Advanced Ballet/ Pointe/Repertoire
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Lauren spent twelve years dancing professionally with Cleveland Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and the Nationaltheater Ballet in Mannheim, Germany. She has enjoyed leading roles in classical ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, and several Balanchine pieces as well as featured roles in more contemporary works by Glen Tetley, Jiri Kylian, Choo San Goh, and Paul Taylor. She has also had the privilege of working with and originating roles in the ballets of Kevin O'Day Dwight Rhoden, Lynne Taylor- Corbett, Alonso King, and Matjash Mrozewski. In 2005, Lauren joined the faculty of Chicago Ballet Arts. In addition to teaching ballet, she is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University.

Terence Marling
Advanced Ballet, Repertoire
A native of Chicago, Terry began his ballet training in 1982 at the Ruth Page School of Dance under the direction of Larry Long. In 1994 he joined the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, directed by Patricia Wilde, where he performed leading roles in Don Quixote, Glen Tetley’s Le Sacre du Printemps, George Balanchine’s Rubies, Ohad Naharin’s Tabula Rasa, Paul Taylor’s Airs, and Jiri Kylián’s Return to the Strange Land. Marling also originated roles in ballets by Kevin O’Day, Dwight Rhoden, Ib Andersen, Lynne Taylor-Corbett and Robert Hill. Directors Kevin O’Day and Dominique Dumais invited him to join the Nationaltheater Mannheim in Germany in 2003 where he participated in the creation of ten works. Marling joined Hubbard Street Dance Company in April 2006 and is continuing to choreograph and teach in his spare time.

Karen Brettschneider
Beginning Ballet
Karen Brettschneider, a native of Illinois, started her training at the Lisa Boehm School of Ballet in Elgin, IL. Karen attended Barat College in Lake Forest and earned a BA in Performing Arts/Dance. In 1997, she joined the faculty of Chicago Ballet Arts. For the past 17 years she has also taught in the greater Chicago metropolitan area including the North Suburban School of Dance in Northbrook where she is the Coordinator of the Performing Arts Department for the YMCA. Karen also teaches at the North Shore School of Dance in Highland Park and the Dance Academy of Libertyville. She has performed the roles of Governess, Snowflake, Waltz, Spanish and Rose in the North Shore Nutcracker in addition to coaching and choreographing for that production. Karen has also performed as a guest artist in two Chicago Ballet Arts benefit productions, Ancient Airs and Dances (2004) and Anniversary Collage (2006).

Maribel Babao
Pre-Ballet, Beginning Ballet
Maribel is a native of Chicago and has been associated with Chicago Ballet Arts for 17 years as a student, teacher, performer and choreographer. She began her ballet studies with Clare Carmichael, the founder of CBA, and continued with Leslie Saunders. Amy Rose, and Calvin Kitten of the Joffrey Ballet.

During her years of training, Maribel performed in both the Ruth Page and Joffrey Ballet productions of The Nutcracker and Ballet Chicago’s Coppelia as well as studying at American Ballet Theatre summer intensive. Her natural rapport with students and understanding of classical technique were evident early, and she became a teacher for Chicago Ballet Arts in 2003.

Maribel obtained her degree from DePaul University in Elementary Education in 2005 and she now teaches 1st grade at Sauganash Elementary School. During the summers, she works with special needs children at Camp Starfish in Rindge, New
Hampshire.

Ami Isett
Creative Movement
Ami studied ballet, jazz and Modern Dance as a child and through her teens. She attended the University of Wisconsin School of Dance in Madison and later studied at the Gus Giordano and Lou Conte studios. Ami is currently teaching Creative Movement for Children, World Dance, Tai Chi and Meditation and is studying to be a Core Energetics Practitioner, specializing in body--centered therapy. She began teaching her popular children’s classes at Chicago Ballet Arts in 2002.

Jason Hortin
Jazz
Mr. Hortin is a native of Olympia, WA, and is currently a member of River North Chicago Dance Company. Jason graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. While attending university, Mr. Hortin performed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and at Lincoln Center in New York City. Jason has performed with Moving People Dance Theatre in Santa Fe, NM, and the Erick Hawkins Dance Company in New York City. Jason began teaching jazz at Chicago Ballet Arts in 2005.

Sarah Schafer
Flexibility/Stretch
Sarah Schafer began her professional career at the age of 17 with Ballet Omaha. Since then she has danced with many companies such as Ruth Page's Chicago Nutcracker, Omaha Theater Ballet, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has been teaching ballet for over ten years at various schools including Omaha Theater Ballet School, the Ruth Page Foundation, the Irina Makkai School of Classical Ballet, and has been on the staff of the Jillana School Summer Intensive in Taos, NM since 2005. Sarah is also a certified Pilates instructor. Sarah joined the faculty at Chicago Ballet Arts in 2006.

Melanie Damiano
Pilates
Melanie is a native of Oswego, New York, currently in her fourth season as a member of River North Chicago Dance Company, and is a certified Pilates instructor. She attended S.U.N.Y. Buffalo where she received her B.A. in dance and was a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company. Melanie has worked with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Disney on Stage, and in the movie Just Visiting, starring Christina Applegate. She has taught for Dance Masters of America and Giordano Dance Center and currently teaches throughout the Chicago area. She joined the faculty of Chicago Ballet Arts as a Pilates instructor in 2005.



Faculty and Staff Co-Directors Leslie Saunders & Patti Eylar Founder and Director Emerita Clare Carmichael Creative Movement Ami Isett Pre-Ballet, Beginning Ballet Maribel Babao Beginning Ballet Karen Brettschneider Ballet 1 and 2 Evie Peña-Shives, formerly of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Ballet 2 through Advanced Leslie Saunders, formerly of Richmond Ballet Intermediate and Advanced Patti Eylar, formerly of Ballet Chicago Advanced Calvin Kitten of the Joffrey Ballet Advanced Terence Marling of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Advanced Amy Rose, formerly of American Ballet Theatre Advanced: Lauren Schultz, formerly of Nationaltheater Mannheim Ballet Flexibility Sarah Schafer Pilates Melanie Damiano of River North Dance Chicago Jazz Jason Hortin of River North Dance Chicago Accompanists Dan Dausch · Diana Felistovich · Jennifer Hemken Tamara Kreimer · Tatyana Petrosova Rebecca Segal · Vera Vasilenko Studio Manager Chris Burke	Board of Directors President Dennis Hammer Senior Vice-President North Shore Community Bank & Trust Company Vice President Steve Schildwachter Senior Vice President · Foote Cone & Belding Treasurer Maureen Brewer Secretary Maribel Babao Faculty · Chicago Ballet Arts Peter F. Bialek Principal American Energy Risk Management Clare Carmichael Founder · Chicago Ballet Arts S.R. Carmichael Professor Emeritus The Theatre School · DePaul University Patti Eylar Co-Director Chicago Ballet Arts Judith Gleason Partner · Gleason & Shroeder Randy Johnson Art Director · Booz Allen Hamilton Jeannie Petkewicz General Manager · Gorilla Tango Theatre Valerie Samutin Leslie Saunders Co-Director Chicago Ballet Arts Lynne Turner-Slivka ALT Consulting Joseph Wisniewski Partner · Deloitte & Touche Sandra Wisniewski CBA is a member of Chicago Dance and Music Alliance.
Biographies Leslie Saunders Co-Director – Chicago Ballet Arts Ballet 2/Intermediate and Advanced Ballet/Pointe/Repertoire Leslie is from Columbia, S.C., where she received her early training. She continued her training in New York at George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Harkness House and at Melissa Hayden’s Studio. Leslie danced with the Richmond Ballet where she performed featured roles in many of the classics and in other ballets by contemporary choreographers, as well as in Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliante and Concerto Barocco. In 1991, Leslie began teaching with Clare Carmichael in Chicago at the Montay College ballet program and over the next fifteen years worked as Artistic Associate to build and develop the school into Chicago Ballet Arts. She became Co-Director of CBA in 2005. Patti S. Eylar Co-Director – Chicago Ballet Arts Intermediate and Advanced Ballet/Pointe/Repertoire Patti received her early training in California, Maryland, and on full scholarship at the American Ballet Theatre School in New York. She performed with the Lyric Opera Ballet and was a founding member of the Chicago City Ballet, directed by Maria Tallchief and Paul Mejia. She danced with Ballet Chicago, directed by Daniel Duell, from its inception in 1987 until 1993, performing in George Balanchine's Square Dance, Concerto Barocco, Allegro Brillante, and Rubies. She has danced principal roles in Balanchine's Steadfast Tin Soldier and Stuart Sebastian's Rodin, and she was featured in Daniel Duell's Seven Poetic Waltzes, Verdi Divertimenti, and Octet à Tête, which was televised on WTTW/Channel 11. She was also a featured soloist in the Ruth Page Foundation's production of the The Nutcracker, dancing the roles of lead Marzipan and Doll. Patti was on the faculty of the School of Ballet Chicago from 1995 to 2001, and served on the Board of the Chicago Dance and Music Alliance. She currently serves on the board of the Civic Ballet of Chicago, Joffrey Ballet's Women's Board, and as co-chair of the Joffrey Circle. She became co-director of Chicago Ballet Arts in 2005 after teaching at the school for two years. Calvin Kitten *Advanced Ballet/ Pointe* Calvin is a native of San Diego where he received his early training at the California Ballet School. In 1989-199o, he was an exchange student at the Tbilisi Choreographic Institute in Soviet Georgia, and in 1992, he was invited to join the Joffrey Ballet. Known for his superb technique, Calvin’s role as Snow Prince in Joffrey’s annual Nutcracker has become a signature piece. His wide repertoire ranges from principal roles in Arpino ballets to Kurt Jooss’ Green Table, Massine’s Les Présages, and Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring. Calvin was presented with the Ruth Page Award in 1997 for his performance in Massine’s Parade, and again in 2000 for Prodigal Son. Calvin has been teaching at Chicago Ballet Arts since September 2000. Amy Rose Advanced Ballet/Pointe/Repertoire Amy is a native of Chicago who trained at the Ruth Page School and the Lyric Opera School. She joined American Ballet Theatre at the age of 16. In 1982 she was chosen by Baryshnikov to dance in Spoleto, Italy, and was promoted to the rank of soloist at ABT in 1987. Amy has danced a wide range of classical and contemporary works with renowned choreographers, including Agnes De Mille’s The Informer, Balanchine’s Bourée Fantastique, Ashton’s The Rendezvous, and Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto. Amy can be seen in several Dance in America and Live from the Met television specials. She performed with Patrick Bissell at Jacob’s Pillow, and with The Universal Ballet in Korea, Japan, and China. In 1992 she joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as a soloist and danced leading roles in Tudor’s Jardin aux Lilas, Tetley’s Voluntaries, and Lynn Taylor-Corbett’s Mercury and Tunes. She was a featured dancer in Kent Stowell’s Carmina Burana, and Paul Taylor’s Company B when PNB toured Australia. Before retiring from the stage, she performed with DanceWest, the Civic Ballet of Chicago, and with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Amy has been on the faculty at Chicago Ballet Arts for the past six years. Evie Peña Shives Ballet 1/Ballet 2 Evie began her training in Edinburg, Texas, with Danish-born ballerina, Grethe Sullivan. At age 13, she received the first of many dance scholarships for Harkness Ballet School in New York City, and by age 18, she marked the start of her professional career. In 1986 Evie was invited to join Tulsa Ballet Theatre, a regional ballet company with an extensive touring season . By 1989, Ms. Shives was promoted from soloist to principal dancer. inspiring audiences for six years. Some of her most memorable roles include the Gloveseller in Gaîte Parisienne, the Cowgirl from Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo, Swanhilda in Coppelia, and the role of the Doll in Balanchine’s Steadfast Tin Soldier. Evie went on to make several guest appearances with the Minnesota Dance Theatre, recreating the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Loyce Houlton’s The Nutcracker Fantasy, and the role of Juliet from Romeo and Juliet. Evie has danced with Milwaukee Ballet, Des Moines Ballet, Ballet Austin and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (Dancers’ Trust Fund). Following her stage career, Ms. Shives earned a B.A. in Communications from Chatham College in Pittsburgh in 1997. She holds a Master’s degree in Education from DePaul University and is a third grade teacher at the Walt Disney Magnet School in Chicago. She has has been on numerous dance faculties, including: Carnegie Museum (Pittsburgh), Dance Alloy, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Point Park College (Pittsburgh), Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and School of Ballet Chicago. She considers herself a passionate advocate for educating children through the arts, allowing them to explore, dream, and design their potential. Ms. Shives is married to Willy Shives, a principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet. Evie joined the faculty at Chicago Ballet Arts in 2006. Lauren Schultz Advanced Ballet/ Pointe/Repertoire A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Lauren spent twelve years dancing professionally with Cleveland Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and the Nationaltheater Ballet in Mannheim, Germany. She has enjoyed leading roles in classical ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, and several Balanchine pieces as well as featured roles in more contemporary works by Glen Tetley, Jiri Kylian, Choo San Goh, and Paul Taylor. She has also had the privilege of working with and originating roles in the ballets of Kevin O'Day Dwight Rhoden, Lynne Taylor- Corbett, Alonso King, and Matjash Mrozewski. In 2005, Lauren joined the faculty of Chicago Ballet Arts. In addition to teaching ballet, she is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University. Terence Marling Advanced Ballet, Repertoire A native of Chicago, Terry began his ballet training in 1982 at the Ruth Page School of Dance under the direction of Larry Long. In 1994 he joined the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, directed by Patricia Wilde, where he performed leading roles in Don Quixote, Glen Tetley’s Le Sacre du Printemps, George Balanchine’s Rubies, Ohad Naharin’s Tabula Rasa, Paul Taylor’s Airs, and Jiri Kylián’s Return to the Strange Land. Marling also originated roles in ballets by Kevin O’Day, Dwight Rhoden, Ib Andersen, Lynne Taylor-Corbett and Robert Hill. Directors Kevin O’Day and Dominique Dumais invited him to join the Nationaltheater Mannheim in Germany in 2003 where he participated in the creation of ten works. Marling joined Hubbard Street Dance Company in April 2006 and is continuing to choreograph and teach in his spare time. Karen Brettschneider Beginning Ballet Karen Brettschneider, a native of Illinois, started her training at the Lisa Boehm School of Ballet in Elgin, IL. Karen attended Barat College in Lake Forest and earned a BA in Performing Arts/Dance. In 1997, she joined the faculty of Chicago Ballet Arts. For the past 17 years she has also taught in the greater Chicago metropolitan area including the North Suburban School of Dance in Northbrook where she is the Coordinator of the Performing Arts Department for the YMCA. Karen also teaches at the North Shore School of Dance in Highland Park and the Dance Academy of Libertyville. She has performed the roles of Governess, Snowflake, Waltz, Spanish and Rose in the North Shore Nutcracker in addition to coaching and choreographing for that production. Karen has also performed as a guest artist in two Chicago Ballet Arts benefit productions, Ancient Airs and Dances (2004) and Anniversary Collage (2006). Maribel Babao Pre-Ballet, Beginning Ballet Maribel is a native of Chicago and has been associated with Chicago Ballet Arts for 17 years as a student, teacher, performer and choreographer. She began her ballet studies with Clare Carmichael, the founder of CBA, and continued with Leslie Saunders. Amy Rose, and Calvin Kitten of the Joffrey Ballet. During her years of training, Maribel performed in both the Ruth Page and Joffrey Ballet productions of The Nutcracker and Ballet Chicago’s Coppelia as well as studying at American Ballet Theatre summer intensive. Her natural rapport with students and understanding of classical technique were evident early, and she became a teacher for Chicago Ballet Arts in 2003. Maribel obtained her degree from DePaul University in Elementary Education in 2005 and she now teaches 1st grade at Sauganash Elementary School. During the summers, she works with special needs children at Camp Starfish in Rindge, New Hampshire. Ami Isett Creative Movement Ami studied ballet, jazz and Modern Dance as a child and through her teens. She attended the University of Wisconsin School of Dance in Madison and later studied at the Gus Giordano and Lou Conte studios. Ami is currently teaching Creative Movement for Children, World Dance, Tai Chi and Meditation and is studying to be a Core Energetics Practitioner, specializing in body--centered therapy. She began teaching her popular children’s classes at Chicago Ballet Arts in 2002. Jason Hortin Jazz Mr. Hortin is a native of Olympia, WA, and is currently a member of River North Chicago Dance Company. Jason graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. While attending university, Mr. Hortin performed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and at Lincoln Center in New York City. Jason has performed with Moving People Dance Theatre in Santa Fe, NM, and the Erick Hawkins Dance Company in New York City. Jason began teaching jazz at Chicago Ballet Arts in 2005. Sarah Schafer Flexibility/Stretch Sarah Schafer began her professional career at the age of 17 with Ballet Omaha. Since then she has danced with many companies such as Ruth Page's Chicago Nutcracker, Omaha Theater Ballet, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has been teaching ballet for over ten years at various schools including Omaha Theater Ballet School, the Ruth Page Foundation, the Irina Makkai School of Classical Ballet, and has been on the staff of the Jillana School Summer Intensive in Taos, NM since 2005. Sarah is also a certified Pilates instructor. Sarah joined the faculty at Chicago Ballet Arts in 2006. Melanie Damiano Pilates Melanie is a native of Oswego, New York, currently in her fourth season as a member of River North Chicago Dance Company, and is a certified Pilates instructor. She attended S.U.N.Y. Buffalo where she received her B.A. in dance and was a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company. Melanie has worked with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Disney on Stage, and in the movie Just Visiting, starring Christina Applegate. She has taught for Dance Masters of America and Giordano Dance Center and currently teaches throughout the Chicago area. She joined the faculty of Chicago Ballet Arts as a Pilates instructor in 2005.