Ashley

Ashley began dancing when she was 3 years old. She joined the Denise Sabala Dance Competition Team when she was 6 years old and danced for them for 4 years. Ashley continued her dance trainng at JEM Studios and danced for their award winning competition teams for 5 years. While at JEM Studios, she trained under the direction of Nick Pupillo, Lizzie Mackenzie, Eugene Peabody, and Mary Cromer. Ashley's competition group traveled to Rhode Island and qualified to participate in the dance finals in Germany under the direction of Nick Pupillo. She has competed award winning solos under the direction of Nick Pupillo for JEM Studios and Visceral Studio Company and Lizzie Mackenzie for JEM Studios. Ashley has also been awarded invitations to join dance teams that perform at numerous competition nationals. She danced in the Northwest Ballet Ensemble's Nutcracker at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. Last summer, Ashley was invited to participate in a Summer Dance Intensive at Lou Conte Dance Studio under the direction of Nick Pupillo. She continues her dance training at various locations throughout the Chicago area and competes at dance competitions as a member of Visceral Studio Company under the direction of Nick Pupillo. Ashley aspires to become a professional dancer. Special thanks goes out to Nick Pupillo for training her, for demanding more, and for getting those results out of her.

^ Back to Top

Courtney

Courtney started dancing at the age of 8 at the Dance Factory. There, she joined their award winning competition dance teams at the age of 10 and danced with their teams for 2 years. At the age of 12 Courtney continued her dance training at JEM Studios and danced with their award winning competition dance teams until the age of 14. Under the direction of the Dance Factory and JEM Studios, Courtney trained with Nick Pupillo, Eugene Peabody, Lizzie MacKenzie, Mandy Skinner, and Mary Cromer. She is currently a member of the Visceral Studio Company and continues to train at various dance locations throughout the Chicago area. Courtney likes to hang out with dance friends, dye her hair, listen to music, and be punk. Special thanks goes out to Courtney's mom, Jennifer, who is always there for her.

^ Back to Top

Daniel

Daniel has competitively danced since he was 7, and performed at Disney World with his dance team. As a member of Aspire of Center Stage he danced competitively for 3 years, and won National Awards as a soloist. At the age of 11 he was cast in a singing and dancing theater production of "Oliver" as Oliver by Overshadowed Productions. He participated in the 2008 production of Legere's, "The Nutcracker" as the Prince. Daniel attended the 2009 "Summer Dance Intensity" at Lou Conte Dance Studio and was offered a scholarship. Daniel has taken numerous workshops under Sonya Teyah, Mia Michaels, Toyko, Eddie Ocampo, Ricky Ruiz, Lizzie MacKenzie, Adrian Lee and attended numerous conventions as Chicago Dance Connection and The Pulse. Daniel participates in cross country, track and volleyball on his school team. He is looking forward to being part of Visceral and training under the direction of Nick Pupillo.

^ Back to Top

Gianna

Gianna began dancing at the age of three when she joined the internationally recognized Trinity Academy of Irish Dance. While at Trinity, Gianna performed in Dance Chicago, a Trinity production at Navy Pier and several St Patrick’s Day festivals and parades. Gianna joined Impact Dance Studio when she was five years old and was part of their award winning Performance Company for nearly five years. Gianna's dance highlights over the past few years include: winning individual dance scholarships for regional workshops; attending numerous dance conventions, including Jazz Dance World Congress; and being awarded top honors with her dance team at Nationals in New York. Gianna is excited to be a part of Visceral and looks forward to strengthening her dance skills under the direction of Nick Pupillo. In her free time, Gianna enjoys being with her friends, swimming, tumbling, snowboarding, relaxing at the beach with her family and spending time with her dogs, Max and Tebow.

^ Back to Top

Hana

Hana started dancing at age of 3 at the School of Performing Arts in Naperville, IL. She began competing with the School of Performing Arts Dance Ensemble when she was 8. She has worked with teachers such as Becky Cooper, Stacey Jameson, and Jessica Young. She is currently a member of Visceral Studio Company. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her and Nick Pupilo for making her the best dancer she can be.

^ Back to Top

Jayne

Jayne began dancing at the age of 3 at Fusion Dance Company in Austin, Texas, under the direction of Gay Pollock and Cinnamon Barton. At the age of 7 she began competing with Fusion Performance Company. After moving to the Chicago area in 2008, Jayne danced with Impact Performance Company, where she studied with Diane Fotino and Kate Jablonski. She is excited to be a part of the Visceral Studio Company and continuing her dance education with Nick Pupillo.

^ Back to Top

Jenni

Jenni began her dance training at the age of 3 at The Dance Gallery. She continues her study of ballet there under the direction of Amy White Hanas and Laura Brand, and Jazz under the direction of Nick Pupillo. For 2 years, Jenni was a member of the award-winning competitive dance team, Danzforce All-Stars, under the direction of Kevin Mathis. She is also a member of her middle school dance team, winning state championships in Jazz and Pom, and earning state recognition in the small ensemble category. Jenni has participated in workshops with River North Chicago, and this summer with INTENSITY, under the direction of Nick Pupillo, Lizzie Mackenzie and Eddy Ocampo. As a 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.

^ Back to Top

Julianne

Julianne started dancing when she was three years old. Over the past five years, she was a member of Impact Dance Studio's nationally recognized and award winning Performance Company, which performed and competed at various regional competitions in the Chicago area as well as NUVO New York Nationals in 2008. Julianne has participated in many dance conventions, most recently Jazz Dance World Congress in the Summer of 2009. Julianne is thrilled to be joining Visceral and to continue her dance training under Nick Pupillo. When she's not dancing, Julianne enjoys swimming, skiing, tumbling and spending time with family, friends and her puppy Culver. Julianne would like to thank her parents for supporting her passion for dance.

^ Back to Top

Katie

Katie began her dance training at the age of 3 at the Dance Gallery in Munster, Indiana under the direction of Amy White-Hanas. Her instructors included Amy White-Hanas, Laura Brand, Miranda Zambo-Panos, and Nick Pupillo. She now trains throughout the various dance studios in Chicago. Katie has attended classes and/or dance seminars at Ruth Page, River North, Lou Conte and Joel Hall. She recently completed the Intensity Dance Workshop under the direction of Nick Pupillo, Lizzie MacKenzie and Eddy Ocampo. She is excited to be studying at the newly opened Visceral Dance Studio and is looking forward to the dance challenges that this will provide. Katie has performed with the Joffrey Ballet as a member of the children’s cast for the annual Nutcracker production. Also, she has performed with the Schaumburg Dance Ensemble’s production of Beauty and the Beast. In addition to that, she has been a member of her middle school and high school dance teams, consistently winning first place IHSDTA awards at the State level in Poms, Jazz, and Ensemble. She is currently a member of the award winning Visceral Studio Company under the very talented and supportive direction of Nick Pupillo. Katie is pursuing her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Special thanks to Nick Pupillo for constantly pushing her to her highest potential. Also, many thanks to her family for always supporting her.

^ Back to Top

Kelsey

Kelsey began dancing when she was three years old at La Dance Academy in Mokena, Illinois. After two years, Kelsey moved to the American Dance Center in Orland Park, Illinois where she began her formal training under Kathleen and Maria Villari, Olga Ravasi and Jennifer Garcia. Kelsey danced as a company member at American Dance Center from August 2005 until June 2008. During her training at the American Dance Center she also performed in a variety of shows in the Chicagoland area. In 2003, she performed in the Chicago Festival Ballet Nutcracker, under the direction of Ken VonHeidecke. From 2004 until 2007, Kelsey performed in the Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker along with their International Summer Intensives in Chicago where she trained under the direction of Charthel Arthur, Willy Shives, Grasa Sales, and Calvin Kitten. This past summer, Kelsey traveled to Orlando, Florida where she performed at Disney World as Cinderella and Snow White. In her free time, Kelsey danced at The Center for Contemporary Dance in Winter Park, Florida with Nao Dance Collective, under the direction of Linda Eve Elchak, and was a guest artist in their summer production. Currently, Kelsey trains in the Chicagoland area under the direction of many talented artists including Nick Pupillo, Lizzie Mckenzie, Fabrice Calmels and Ricky Ruiz. Kelsey is ecstatic to be a part of the Visceral Studio Company for the second year and would like to thank Nick Pupillo, Founding Director, and her family for all of their support, love, and guidance.

^ Back to Top

Kristina

Kristina started dancing at the age of 4 at the Donna Brum School of Dance. After two years, she began her training at the Dance Gallery where she studied under Amy White Hahas, Laura Brand, Taytum Bultema, and Nick Pupillo. She was a member of an award winning junior high dance team where she competed in jazz, pom, and as a junior soloist. She was awarded second place in the junior solo division at the 2009 IHSDTA state competition. Kristina has had special parts in the Dance Gallery's annual story ballets and also performed in the Indiana Youth Ballet's production of Peter Pan. She has also attended several River North Dance Company workshops to broaden her skills. Most recently, Kristina has become passionate about taking classes from the talented instructors at Visceral Dance Studio. She would like to thank Nick Pupillo for giving her the opportunity to dance with Visceral Studio Company and is looking forward to continuing her training under such an inspiring artist.

^ Back to Top

Lauren

Lauren began her dance training when she was 3 years old in St. Charles, IL at Copeland Dance Academy. Under the direction of Ashley James and Kelly Ann Vitacca she enjoyed four successful years performing and competing with the company. In 2004 and 2005 she performed with the children’s cast in the Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker in the roles of mouse and polichinelle. Lauren spent three years training exclusively in ballet at the Faubourg School of Ballet with Watmora Casey, Tatyana Mazur, and Ernesto Quenedit. She has performed lead roles at the Schaumburg Prairie Arts Center in the Nutcracker and had an amazing experience when she got to partner with Nick Pupillo in Beauty and the Beast. Lauren has spent the past five summers training at ballet intensives: Cecchetti Ballet in Holland MI, Interlochen Fine Arts Camp, Ballet Camp Illinois, Houston Ballet, and this past summer she was an elite dance recipient at the Boston Ballet. She is currently training at the Joffrey Ballet with Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev. Lauren is thrilled to be dancing with the Visceral Studio Company, and looks forward to the challenges and rewards of expanding her skills as she continues her journey to a career in dance.

^ Back to Top

Lindsay

Lindsay began her dance training at age 3 under the direction of Jane Bukowski at Dance 4 All. While there, she started an intensive program in the Vaganova method of ballet with Elise Bukowski (former company member and instructor of the Salt Creek Ballet), and studied the Arve technique of modern with Ann Pifko. She was also a member of their Rolling Trunk Performance Troupe, performing in many story ballets. Lindsay also took classes at Dance Gallery with Amy White Hanas, Laura Brand and Nick Pupillo; and Indiana Youth Ballet with Elizabeth Bathurst and Andrea Reed. In middle school, she was a member of the state championship dance team. Last year, Lindsay performed the role of Clara in Indiana Youth Ballet's the Nutcracker and the role of Wendy in IYB's Peter Pan. Lindsay also attended summer workshops with River North Chicago and Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. This summer she was awarded the Ballet Forum III Scholarship at CNADM, where she studied under the direction of Laura Gates, Melissa Anderson, Jeremy Plummer and Mari Jo Irbe. Lindsay thanks her Aunt Jane and Cousin Elise for teaching proper ballet technique and its importance in other dance styles. She is excited to be a part of Visceral Studio Company and looks forward to performing Nick Pupillo's amazing choreography.

^ Back to Top

Renae

Renae began dancing at the age of 5 at The Dance Gallery under the direction of Amy White Hanas, Laura Gallardo Brand, Miranda Zambo-Panos, and Nick Pupillo. She competed for 1 year with the Munster High Dance Team winning a state championship in pom. She continues her dance training at The Dance Gallery in Munster, Indiana and has taken numerous workshops throughout the Chicago area. She has performed at nursing homes, schools, and churches. Special thanks goes out to Amy White Hanas and Laura Gallardo Brand for teaching her proper ballet technique. She is excited to work with Nick Pupillo and to be a member of Visceral Studio Company.

^ Back to Top

Stephanie

Stephanie started dancing at the age of 3 at Denise Sabala Dance Studio. She joined the Denise Sabala Competition Team at the age of 8. Stephanie continued her dance training at JEM Studios and for 4 years danced on their award winning dance competition teams. At JEM Studios, she trained under the direction of Nick Pupillo, Eugene Peabody, Lizzie Mackenzie, Mandy Skinner, and Mary Cromer. Stephanie also joined the award winning JEM Studio Tumbling Competition Team under the direction of Eugene Peabody. She continues to tumble under the direction of Kathy LaJoie and has trained with Eugene Peabody. Stephanie is now a member of the Visceral Studio Company, which competes at various dance competitions. She plays the violin, likes to sleep, and hangout with her friends. Stephanie continues to train at various dance locations throughout the Chicago area. Special thanks goes out to Nick Pupillo for setting the bar high and getting the changes he so desires.

^ Back to Top

Tess

Tess started dancing when she was 3 years old. She took ballet, jazz, tap, and pointe with Bataille Academie of the Danse as well as competing with the company until 8th grade. Tess continued her training with Midwest Dance Collective in Barrington under the direction of Ellen Werksman, a semi professional modern dance company, and danced with them for 5 years. She was fortunate enough to work with Jon Lehrer, Rosemary Doolas, Debra Nanni, Sarah Ford, and Sinead Gildea with MDC. Tess is a four year member of the Prospect High School Varsity Poms squad and is Head Choreographer this year, and she is Student Director this year for Prospect's Orchesis. Her favorite workshop is the Chicago Dance Connection in July and January each year where she met Nick Pupillo. She is currently a member of Visceral Studio Company under the direction of Nick Pupillo and continues to train at various locations throughout the Chicagoland area. Tess would like to thank her mom, dad, and brothers who continually support her dance education, Terese Quarino, Kristin Burlinski, and Nick Pupillo for giving her the amazing opportunity to dance with his company.

^ Back to Top