Abbey

Abbey started dancing at Ambition Dance and Performing Arts in South Elgin at the age of two.  When she was four, she began competitive dance and continued it for four years, winning numerous overalls and judge's special awards. Abbey participated in State Street Dance Studio’s performance of The Nutcracker in 2010, where she is was chosen for three different roles. In her free time, Abbey plays guitar, softball and tennis. Abbey is so lucky to have this opportunity to be trained by Nick and she is having so much fun with her new dance company.

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Alison

Alison began dancing when she was three years old. She joined the Ambition Dance Company Competition Team when she was five years old and danced for them for two years. Alison continued her dance training at Aspire Dance Co. from Center Stage and danced for their award winning competition teams for another two years. While at Aspire, she also trained under the direction of Nick Pupillo for ballet and technique. Alison earned many awards such as Rainbow Connection 2010 regional mascot, Rainbow Connection 2010 Most Adorable, Applause Talent 2010 Rising Star winner, Showbiz Talent 2010 Miss Showbiz winner, Starbound  New York scholarship winner and overall high point winner at many competitions. Alison is thrilled to be a member of the Visceral Dance Company. A big thank you goes out to Nick Pupillo for training and encouraging her. He has inspired her to work hard in her ballet training.

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Alyse

Alyse began her dance training at the Academy of Dance Arts at the age of six.  Two years later she joined the award winning Steppin’ Out Dance Company and performed with them for six years.  Alyse competed nationally in jazz, hip-hop contemporary, tap and lyrical winning numerous awards.  Alyse would like to acknowledge her teachers Carly Brandl, Kristin Catalano, Jory Bowling and Dylan Noe for their time and commitment to teaching her the art of dance. In addition to dance, Alyse also enjoys the sport of power tumbling and has trained in it since the age of seven. Alyse would like to thank Nick Pupillo for the incredible opportunity to dance with his company.  She is excited to work with such a talented group of individuals who share her passion for dance.

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Aubrey

Aubrey began her dance training at the age of two at Tolbert Yilmaz in Atlanta, where she participated in their professional Nutcracker performance for three years. After moving to Chicago eight years ago, Aubrey expanded her dance studies by dancing competitively and back-up dancing for artists like Patti LaBelle and Kristine W. She has spent her summers at various locations such as Millennium Dance Complex and The Edge in Los Angeles, Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center in New York City, River North Workshops in Chicago, and Point Park University’s International Summer Dance Intensive in Pittsburg. Aubrey continues her professional training in the Chicagoland area under the direction of many talented artists including Nick Pupillo, Lizzie MacKenzie, Laura Wade, and Ricky Ruiz.  Special thanks goes out to Nick Pupillo for encouraging her, demanding more, and for getting those needed results out of her.  His passion for instructing his students with enthusiasm and exhilarating choreography truly inspired Aubrey to study dance in college and to pursue a professional dance career.

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Carolyn

Carolyn began dancing at the age of three. She started to dance competitively at the age of eight for Impact Dance Studio and continued at Beyond Words Dance Company. She has competed and performed at various conventions and competitions, including national competitions in Las Vegas and New York. When Carolyn isn't dancing she enjoys swimming, skiing and spending time with her friends, family and her dog Cosmo. Carolyn is very excited to continue her dance training with Nick Pupillo and be a part of the Visceral Studio Company. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her in her passion for dance. 

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Crystal

Crystal began dancing at the age of eight. She started at the American Dance Center in Orland Park and received her dance training mainly from Kathleen Villari, Maria Villari, Olga Ravassi, Jon Sloven, and Valerie Bishop. Here she studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, and hip-hop. She was a part of the American Dance Center’s Excel performance company, which gave her the opportunity to perform around the Chicagoland area at the Miss Illinois pageant, Six Flags, Chicago Bulls games, Dance Olympus, and the American Dance Center’s production of Holiday Fantasy. Going into high school, she made the Varsity Pom and Dance team of Nazareth Academy as a freshman. In 2009, her team won first place at the Team Dance Illinois State Competition. At the National Dance Alliance summer camps, her team won several awards for choreography and performance. Crystal also received individual awards, such as an All-American Team nomination and was the Top-Gun Kick winner. Over the years Crystal grew as a leader on the team. During that time, Valerie Bishop, one of Crystal’s most influential dance instructors, gave her the opportunity to assistant teach with her at multiple master classes. Crystal would like to thank Valerie for pushing her to step up her dancing abilities and making her aspire to achieve bigger, better things with dance, which led her to Visceral Dance Center. At Visceral, she is continuing her dance training with Nick Pupillo, Lizzie MacKenzie, Laura Wade, Peff Modelski, and Ricky Ruiz. As a senior and a new member of Visceral Studio Company, Crystal is so excited for the upcoming year and all the growth and opportunities it holds for her. She would also like to give a huge thank you to Nick Pupillo for giving her the chance to be on the company and for challenging her to be a better dancer and person. Crystal is so grateful to be a part of Visceral and for the family and close friends that have supported her journey to get here.

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Gianna

Gianna began dancing at the age of three for the internationally recognized Trinity Academy of Irish Dance.  While at Trinity, she performed at a Navy Pier production and participated in many St. Patrick’s Day festivals and parades. Gianna joined Impact Dance Studio at the age of five and was part of their award winning team for nearly five years.  Over the years, Gianna has participated in numerous dance workshops, including Jazz Dance World Congress and INTENSITY.  Gianna has received many top honor awards including first overall for her solo in 2011.  This dance season will mark Gianna’s third year dancing with Visceral Studio Company and training under the direction of Nick Pupillo.  She is so excited to strengthen her skills and be the best she can be for Nick and her fellow dance company members.  Gianna would especially like to thank her family and everyone that has guided her to be the person and dancer she is today.

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Haley

Haley is excited to be entering her second season with the Visceral Studio Company. Prior to joining VSC, Haley trained for six years at Dance and Music Academy under the direction and inspiration of Krissie Odegard Geye, Jenna Jozefowski and Christal Post. As a member of their Allegro Performance Company, she performed at Disney World, area competitions and community benefits. Thank you to “Miss Christal“ for her continued love and support and for instilling in Haley a love and respect for dance based on solid technique and a strong work ethic. As a former competitive gymnast, Haley was a five year member of the Leaning Tower YMCA's Gems Gymnastic Team under Coach Lindsey Kestler. Haley has participated in numerous dance conventions, workshops and Master Classes, led by many talented artists. Her training continues, in earnest, with the fine faculty at Visceral Dance Center. She would like to express her gratitude to Laura Wade, Mme Peff Modelski and Lizzie Mackenzie, who along with Nick Pupillo, have been instrumental in her growth this past year. Haley is so thankful to Nick for giving his best and expecting hers in return, and for giving her the opportunity of being part of his artistic vision and working with such a talented group of dancers.

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Hana

Hana started dancing at age of three at the School of Performing Arts in Naperville, IL. She began competing with the School of Performing Arts Dance Ensemble when she was eight. She competed with the Dance Ensemble for five years. She has worked with teachers such as Becky Cooper, Stacey Jameson, and Jessica Young. Since joining Visceral Studio Company, under the direction of Nick Pupillo, in 2007, she has participated in a variety of events in the Chicago area. She has done workshops such as Care To Dance, River North, and Monsters of Contemporary, and many Master Classes at Visceral Dance Center. In these workshops, she has worked with Christian Denice, Kate Jablonski, Harrison McEldowney, Ricky Ruiz, and Wes Veldink. Last summer she was able to participate in INTENSITY, under the direction of Nick Pupillo, Lizzie MacKenzie, and Eddy Ocampo. She has also attended the Alonzo King Lines Ballet Summer Program in San Francisco, California. Since first coming to the Visceral Dance Center, she has been able to train with a renowned faculty. She has trained with Nick Pupillo, Lizzie MacKenzie, Laura Wade, Fabrice Calmels, Peff Modelski, Kate Jablonski and Ricky Ruiz. In entering her 5th year on the company, she is extremely excited to further her passion for dance. She would like to thank Nick Pupillo for having extremely high expectations and pushing her to be the best she can. She would also like to thank her family for supporting her and her desire to dance in the future.

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Jayne

Jayne began dancing at the age of three at Fusion Dance Company in Austin Texas under the direction of Gay Pollock and Cinnamon Barton. At the age of seven she began competing with Fusion Performance Company. After moving to Chicago area in 2008, Jayne danced with Impact Performance Company, where she studied with Diane Fotino and Kate Jablonski. Jayne has participated in various competitions and conventions, winning several scholarships. She has also participated in INTENSITY at Visceral this past summer, under the direction of Nick Pupillo, Lizzie MacKenzie and Eddy Ocampo. Jayne is excited for her second year with Visceral Studio Company and to continue her training with Nick Pupillo.

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Jenni

Jenni began her dance training at the Dance Gallery, where she studied ballet under the direction of Amy White Hanas and Laura Brand, and Jazz under the direction of Nick Pupillo.  She was captain of her middle school dance team, winning state championships in Jazz and Pom.  Jenni has participated in workshops with River North Chicago, NUVO, and INTENSITY, under the direction of Nick Pupillo, Lizzie Mackenzie and Eddy Ocampo, and has attended master classes with Randy Duncan, Harrison McEldowney, Wes Veldink, and many other distinguished artists.   She has also performed in the Schaumburg Dance Ensemble’s production of Aladdin.  Last year, Jenni performed in New York City, in Kate Jablonski’s production, “Beyond Words”, at the Capezio A.C.E. awards show.  This summer, she had the honor of being selected for the River North Chicago Summer Intensive, under the direction of Frank Chavez.   Jenni continues her dance training at Visceral Dance Center and the Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago.   As an original member of Visceral Studio Company, Jenni looks forward to continuing her dance training with Nick Pupillo. His passion for instructing his students with enthusiasm and exhilarating choreography has truly been an inspiration.

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Jillian

Jillian began dancing when she was only two years old. She danced at a few places, until she discovered the competition world when she was ten years old. The competition world opened new opportunities for her. Wishing to expand, she joined the Rockford Dance Company in Rockford, IL to further her knowledge of ballet. There she did various parts in the Nutcracker and Cinderella. Jillian also joined Turning Point Dance Company and continued into the competition world of dance winning many awards and scholarships with her solo performances. Jillian continued her ballet training by auditioning for the Beth Fowlers Ballet Company becoming a full company member. There she performed soloist parts, including Angel in the Nutcracker and the Midnight Fairy in Cinderella. Jillian received wonderful training, direction and encouragement from Krista Paulsen. Without Krista’s training and encouragement Jillian never would be experiencing the privilege of working with Nick Pupillo. She feels it is a great honor to be trained by Nick and his amazing choreography inspires her to reach for greater things. She loves her family and thanks them for all their encouragement. To inspire younger dancers is a mission she has taken on in her life.

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Julianne

Julianne started dancing at the age of three at Impact Dance Studio and was a member of their nationally recognized and award winning performance company. Julianne has participated in numerous dance conventions and workshops, including Jazz Dance World Congress (Summer of 2009) and Intensity in the summer of 2010 under the direction of Nick Pupillo, Lizzie Machenzie, and Eddy Ocampo. This is Julianne's third season on Visceral Studio Company. When she is not dancing, Julianne enjoys swimming,skiing , and spending time with her family, friends and dog Culver. Julianne would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her in dance.

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Lauren

Lauren started dancing at the age of three. At five she joined Impact Dance Company under the direction of Diane Fotino, Amber Alonzo, and Kate Jablonski. She then danced for Beyond Words Dance Company under the direction of Kate Jablonski in 2009-2010. In the summer of 2009, Lauren was given the amazing opportunity to dance off Broadway for the Capezio A.C.E Awards, performing Jablonski's award winning Twilight. She has won numerous scholarships from conventions like Jump, Nuvo, L.A Dance Magic, and Monsters of Contemporary. Lauren aspires to become a teacher or a dermatologist, and of course to continue to dance. Other activities she enjoys is being with friends and listening to music. Lauren is so excited to start dancing at Visceral Studio Company and would like to thank Nick Pupillo for giving her this opportunity to grow as a dancer and a person. She is also thankful for her previous dance teachers for helping her become who she is today, and her loving family for all their guidance and support.

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Stephanie

At the age of three, Stephanie Kies began studying dance at The Bataille Academy in Barrington, Illinois. The Prospect High School sophomore entered the competitive world of dance at the age of eight.  During the 2007-2010 dance season, she performed with Midwest Dance Collective (MDC) under the direction of Ellen Werksman. Stephanie competed independently earning top scores and various judges' awards in the areas of Contemporary and Jazz while at MDC. She also worked with Deborah Nanni, Jon Lehrer, Sarah Ford, and Zachary Heller while studying with Midwest Dance Collective. The Arlington Heights native spent the past year taking class at the Gus Giordano Dance School under the guidance of Fury Gold, Craig Kaufman, Cesar Salinas, and Homer Bryant. The fifteen year-old has earned numerous scholarships to camps and conventions such as Chicago Dance Connection. Stephanie would like to thank Nick Pupillo for mentoring her and providing an amazing opportunity to work with the Visceral Studio Company. She would also like to thank her parents for their support in everything she does.

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Trinity

Trinity has been dancing since she was three years old, performing her first solo at the age of four. Since then, she has been on the stage earning many awards, scholarships and titles. Trinity began studying ballet and contemporary dance under Kristin Paulson and jazz under Joey Hernandez. She has been blessed to have such great instructors encouraging and challenging her. She also is a State Champion Tumbler and a National winner in trampoline.  She performed in the Worlds Championship Dance Competition in Dallas, Texas in August.  Being with Visceral will be a journey of learning, challenges, and unbelievable instruction.  Working under Nick Pupillo is an exciting privilege. 

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