Nick Pupillo
Founder, Director

Nick Pupillo began his dance training in Northwest Indiana under the direction of Amy White Hanas and Laura Gallardo Brand. He later attended Indiana University on full scholarship, where he studied with Jacques and Virginia Cesbron, Leslie Peck, and Violette Verdy.  Nick performed numerous roles with Indiana University Ballet Theater, graduating with a B.S. in Ballet concentrating in teaching and choreography. He has worked with many esteemed choreographers including Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Ron DeJesus, Randy Duncan, Mark Godden, Jon Lehrer, Eddy Ocampo, Tony Powell, and Davis Robertson.  A former member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Nick toured with the company throughout the United States and internationally for three years. Additional performance credits include various roles with the Ruth Page Foundation Nutcracker, Brass Theater featuring the Star of Indiana, Dance Chicago, Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Stars of Dance Chicago, and Dance For Life.

Nick has worked with the Pride of Cincinnati, a world class winter guard, and The Cavaliers, an award-winning DCI champion drum corps, as a choreographer and instructor.  He has set pieces for Inaside Chicago Dance, Terpsichore Dance Company, Webster University, University of North Carolina, Greenville, and numerous Chicago area high schools.  He has received various awards for his choreography, including the Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreography Award in 2005. 

Nick teaches across the country, providing master classes for companies, institutions, and universities. He has also taught for the Chicago Dance Connection and the Jazz Dance World Congress. Nick is currently a continuing artist in residence at Culver Military Academy. In 2006, he founded his youth performance group, Visceral Studio Company, serving as artistic director. NickÂ’s strong connection to his students and their dedication to VSC promotes the growth of the company. In the summer of 2007, he co-founded INTENSITY dance workshop with Lizzie Mackenzie and Eddy Ocampo. Last fall marked the opening of Visceral Dance Chicago.  Nick is living his dream of cultivating a dance studio where a strong faculty and committed students meet in an open environment to promote dance in the Chicagoland area.

Francisco Avina
Jazz

Francisco attended Orange County High School Of The Performing ARTS, where he was fortunate enough to have had the chance to work with Kenny Ortega on the motion picture "NEWSIES". This sparked the beginning of a fortunately fulfilling career in entertainment and the arts. Francisco has been grateful in having the the opportunity to work on projects like Michael Jackson's "SISTERELLA", the "93" Super Bowl half time show, Batman and Robin the movie, Fame L.A., the T.V. Billboard World Music Awards, and an Oprah television special. Additional credits include numerous commercials and industrials for corporations such as ADIDDAS, CANNON, NIKE, REBBOK, ASICKS, NINTENDO and AVEDA. In "98", choosing to learn and have a deeper understanding and knowledge of the craft, Francisco decided to make the transition to the world of contemporary dance. He jumped on the opportunity for the chance to fulfill a scholarship in New York with Alvin Ailey. Francisco moved to Chicago to work for HUBBARD ST. 2 for one amazing season. He then moved on to dance for the main company HUBBARD ST,DANCE Chicago, where he stayed for a total of 3 years. He has performed brilliant roles created by acclaimed choreographers such as Ohad Naharine, Yuri Kyilian, Nacho Duato,Twala Tharp, Danny Esralow,and David Parsons. Francisco performed in Celine Dion's "A New Day" as a principle artist in the five year running, SOLD OUT SHOW in Las Vegas as a principle artist. He has taken advantage of the fortunate free time to to develop skills in becoming a well versed choreographer/director. Having his first taste at creating works at 18, Francisco choreographed a fashion run way show for Gianni Versace in Singapore. He then choreographed two pieces for HUBBARD ST. 2. The first piece premiered in South Africa and was performed for the brilliant, nonconformist Nelson Mandela. The second piece premiered and was performed at the half time show for the Chicago Bulls. Francisco then had the privilege and pleasure of setting his third piece after winning a national choreographic competition in 2006. He has also set a twent five person piece representing Celine Dion's "A New Day" for "GOLDEN RAINBOW" in Las Vegas benefitting artists living with H.I.V. which won best number in 2006 . Francisco choreographed the opening number for the 10th annual AMERICAN CHOREOGRAPHY AWARDS, which Quentin Tarentino was quoted as saying in the L.A Times " that opening number brought tears to my eyes ". Most recently he co-choreographed the opening number with Justin Timberlake for the Kid's Choice Awards and also a piece with Stephanie Martinez for Luna Negra Dance Theater.

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Carlton Bradley
Jazz/Funk

Having trained with the Homer Bryant Dance School and Joel Hall Dance Company, Carlton Bradley is one of Chicago's HOTTEST Hip Hop teachers/ choreographers. His training comes from well known choreographers and teachers such as Michael Rooney, Marty Kudelka, Tina Landon, Wade Robson, Michael Peters, Brian Friedman, Gil Duldulao and Sky Hoffman. Carlton worked with a lot of artists and groups such as Ce Ce Peniston, Common, Ben1, Strong, Dance 2XS Chicago, Dance 2XS UMICH and many others. He has gone on to choreograph dance routines for both television and video for Veronica Lee, Valerie James, Shameless, Lucia and Quest. Carlton teaches at Lou Conte, Elite Dance Co., Dance Elite, North Shore School Of Dance and many others. He is an accomplished choreographer and has a natural charisma and charm when working with his students.

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Fabrice Calmels
Ballet

Fabrice Calmels joined The Joffrey Ballet in 2002. Born in Colombes, France and raised in Paris, Mr. Calmels received his training from the Paris Opera School working with school director Claude Bessy. Prior to joining The Joffrey, he performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Boston Ballet and the School of American Ballet. While in Pennsylvania, Mr. Calmels danced in The Nutcracker and Dracula; in Boston, he had roles in Sleeping Beauty and La Bayad©re. Since joining The Joffrey Ballet, Mr. Calmels has performed in Apollo, The Clowns, Creative Force, I/DNA, Italian Suite, Le Sacre du Printemps, Les Noces, Light Rain, The Nutcracker, N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz!, Parade, Serenade, Suite Saint Sa«ns, Valentine, Viva Vivaldi, and A Wedding Bouquet. His other interests include swimming, biking and reading.

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Valerie Gonzalez
Ballet, Modern, and Creative Movement

Valerie Gonzalez received her MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from NYU -Tisch School of the Arts. She has served on the faculty of several diverse New York and Chicago area studios, where she taught Jazz, Modern, and Ballet. Valerie has trained and performed with notable companies such as Gus Giordano Jazz Dance II, River North Chicago Dance Company, Chicago Arts Project, Joel Hall Dancers, and TJ & Co. Dance Theatre. Valerie's experiences have allowed her to perform across hte country and internationally. She has choreographed for the Second Avenue Dance Company, TJ&Co. Dance Theatre, Terpsichore Dance Company, numerous competitive entries, musicals, and orchesis groups. Valerie shapes her classes as a means to provide an outlet for creative and artistic expression.

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Lizzie MacKenzie
Ballet, Pointe, and Jazz

Lizzie MacKenzie is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen Michigan where she graduated with “High Honors in Dance”. Since graduating she has danced for and toured internationally with such companies as Rivernorth Chicago Dance Company, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Dance Chicago touring company (“Stars Of Dance Chicago”), Lehrer Dance, the Boston Youth Ballet, and the Michigan Classic Ballet. She has worked with many of todays biggest names in choreography including, Randy Duncan, Ron De Jesus, Mia Michaels, Liz Imperio, Davis Robertson, Tony Powell, Frank Chavez, Laurie Stalllings, Keving Iega Jeff, Lynn Taylor Corbit and Harrison Mceldowny. In August of 2002 she was featured on the cover of DANCE magazine and has since been featured in various magazines as a model for Leo’s Dancewear, Illinois Theatrical and various other organizations. Lizzie spends most of her free time teaching and choreographing all over the U.S and her jazz class has been listed in Dancespirit magazine as one of the top 3 dance classes to take in Chicago. She has been given various awards for her choreography, including the “New Voice” honor from Dance Chicago in 2006. Always on the move, Lizzie has recently taken her love of teaching to another level and founded Extensions Dance Company, a Chicago based, Not For Profit dance company for young people dedicated to creating well rounded, free thinking artists, She has also recently co-founded INTENSITY dance workshop with her colleagues and very close friends, Eddy Ocampo and Nick Pupillo in the summer of 2007.

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Peff Modelski
Ballet

Peff Modelski was a former professional dancer with the Royal Ballet, Berlin Opera Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Mme Modelski also has Broadway performance credits that include the original company of Fiddler On The Roof, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and Camelot. She is now a master teacher in Classical Ballet, directs and stages classical pas de deux and coaches for Broadway shows, TV and film. A nationally Registered Dance Educator and qualified Awareness Through Movement (Feldenkrais Method ®) teacher, she teaches professional performers in pure classical ballet technique and style and conducts teacher training and movement process workshops. She has taught ballet at Steps for 20 years. Peff is the author of a monthly technical column on teaching ballet, PeffTalk TechTalk, in Dancer newspaper, is a dance critic for Attitude Magazine and a freelance columnist for Dance Magazine. As author of the only available materials on teaching pointe work, Mme Modelski, in association with David Howard has written a series of notebooks entitled PeffPointe to accompany her CD for Roper records.

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Evelyn Rice
Hip Hop

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 HB 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). She just completed the 2008 Future Vision Tour, which was a traveling production featuring the talents of Nick Arrojo, Kimberly Locke, and Jennifer Holiday, along with many others. Other recent credits include: Dance 2XS (an international hip hop company), Glamour Magazine April 2007 issue, NIKE Rockstar Workout Winner 2006, and featured in Atlantic recording artist, Bayje’s “Jealous of Your Whip” music video.

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Ricky Ruiz
Jazz

Ricky Ruiz received his initial dance training in his hometown of Miami, FL and was a graduate of Coral Reef Senior High Magnet Dance. He attended the University of South Florida on academic and talent scholarships and graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance in the Spring of 2007. While in college, he was an apprentice at Ann Reinking's Broadway Theatre Project for two consecutive summers. Ricky has worked with such choreographers as Dan Karaty, Laurie Stallings, Kiki Lucas and Melissa Thodos among others. He has performed a wide variety of repertory ranging from works by Jos© Lim³n to Bob Fosse. He's had the opportunity to perform and showcase his choreography in numerous regional festivals. As part of a week- long residency in 2006, he presented work in Castano Primo, Italy. Ricky is an enthusiastic and eager instructor and travels the country teaching and setting choreography. Among the many teams and schools he choreographs for are FSU, GSU and OU. He is a guest teacher throughout Florida, and works permanently at Focal Point Dance Studios in Miami. Ricky is currently in his second season dancing with River North Chicago.

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Sarah Schafer
Ballet and Pilates

Sarah Schafer began her professional career at the age of 17 with Ballet Omaha in her home state of Nebraska. Since then she has danced with many companies, including Luna Negra Dance Theatre, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Omaha Theater Ballet, Ruth Page's Nutcracker , Dallas Opera, among others, and as a guest artist with Civic Ballet of Chicago. Most recently, Sarah has been seen performing with the Alma Dance Company, in Chicago. Her favorite roles include corps de ballet in Concerto Barocco, solos in Paquita and Midsummer Night's Dream, and "American Beauty Rose" in Ruth Page's Nutcracker. Sarah is also a Certified Pilates Instructor, teaching ballet and Pilates at several studios in and around Chicago. She is on the staff of the Jillana School Summer Ballet Intensive in Taos Ski Valley, NM, as well as an adjunct faculty member of the Columbia College Dance Department in Chicago.

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Michael Snipe Jr.
Modern/Horton and Jazz

Michael Snipe Jr, was born and raised in Baltimore Maryland. He attended the Baltimore School for the Arts where he studied under Sylvester Campbell and Stephanie Powell. While in high school he guested with the Ballet Theater of Annapolis under Edward Stuart. He moved to New York City to attend the Juilliard school where he earned his B.F.A in dance and graduated with the Hector Zaraspe award for Choreographic honors. He has performed with Ailey 2, The David Parson Dance Company and Robert Battle's Battleworks and Kevin Jeff's, "Deeply Rooted". Throughout his career he has worked with Hinton Battle, Paul Taylor, JiÅ™í Kylián, Hans Van Manon, and Twyla Tharp. He has also performed in Swing! The Musical and Movin' Out. He was original cast for the 1st national tour of Movin' Out. He can be seen in a soon to be released film about the late and great Buddy Bolden. It was directed by Dan Pritzker, and choreographed by Hinton Battle.

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Trae Turner
Hip Hop

Trae realized his passion for dance, choreography and teaching early in life after he began break dancing with the J-Town Breakers. Having grown up in urban America with limited hip-hop classes or instructors, Trae developed an expressive, unfiltered style that reflects his experiences and combines commercial pop with raw Hip-Hop movements such as B-Boy style and California hip hop. Trae has taken master classes from the top Hip-Hop choreographers on the West Coast such as: Theresa Espenosa (Janet Jackson), Wade Robson (‘N SYNC, Britney Spears), Super Dave, Havic, Dante, Jason Wright, Sleepy (You Got Served) and Sky Hoffman (Justin Timberlake) and trained locally with Angela Molsson, Matt Maclenden (The Collective, Lil Brat Ent.) and Lisa Torres (OSU, The Collective). As founder of and choreographer for The Collective Hip Hop, the only multi-cultural, professional, all adult crew in Chicago and the official dance crew for the Midwest chapter of the Ruff Ryders, Trae performs regularly, most recently with The Collective College Tour, The Showcase of Life and with rapper Sasolina, among other benefits, events and competitions. Trae has also performed across the nation with the interactive entertainment company Charizma and Revelation Productions, where he trained dancers and choreographed for clients. He has also taught at Jays Day Camp and Mazur Dance Studio.

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Maia Wilkins
Ballet

During her 18-year history with The Joffrey Ballet, Maia Wilkins danced featured roles that showcased her artistic range and physical versatility. From Balanchine pointe to Pilobolus bare feet; favorite ballerina fairies to flying on a trapeze, she has gotten to work with numerous r©p©titeurs and choreographers including pieces by Tudor, Parsons, Tharp, Kylian, Ashton, and Nijinsky. Maia Wilkins has performed more Joffrey and Arpino ballets than any other ballerina. Wilkins received the Ruth Page Dance Achievement Award in 1999 for her artistry and in 2001 for the role of Kate in CrankoÂ’s The Taming of the Shrew. She has been one of Dance MagazineÂ’s “25 to Watch.” In 2002 the Chicago Tribune named her one of the top ten artists in Chicago. In 2006 Wilkins was named one of the Chicagoans of the year. Wilkins can be seen in the feature films Save the Last Dance and Robert AltmanÂ’s The Company. Maia Wilkins was born and raised in Truckee, California. She began her dance training in tap then later began ballet. Wilkins received her formative training under Maggie Banks in Reno, NV. She has also studied with Stanley Holden, the School of American Ballet, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Luigi, and Tina Bernal. Wilkins performed with Joffrey Concert Group then Joffrey II before joining The Joffrey main company.

Maia Wilkins is currently a freelance artist. She loves dancing both on stage and off with her husband and fellow artist Michael Levine.

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