Gus Giordano Dance School | 5230 North Clark St.

GUS GIORDANO DANCE SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF

Tiffany Alastanos

Stephanie Azzaretto

Greg Begley

Tiffany graduated from Ohio University in 2009 with a BFA in Dance Choreography and Performance and a BS in Actuarial Science. Ms. Alastanos is currently in her second season as an apprentice with Piel Morena Contemporary Dance and also teaches Pilates at various locations in Chicago. During 2009-2010, she was Interim Artistic Director at Momentum Center for the Arts in Clarksburg, WV, where she taught modern and ballet and was director of the senior company.

Stephanie Azzaretto received her B.F.A. in dance in the spring of 2010 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While at U of I she was awarded the Talented Student Tuition Scholarship and was also a recipient of the Mark Morris Shadow Program. Azzaretto participated as a scholarship student in both Giordano Dance Center and River North Dance Chicago. Stephanie is so excited to begin her second season with Piel Morena Contemporary Dance

Is the former ballet master and featured dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Company. He was a principal dancer with Ruth Page Chicago Ballet, and solist with the Pittsburgh Ballet. Greg is a faculty member at Lou Conte Dance Center, Ruth Page Foundation, Gus Giordano Dance Center, and the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, where he was the 1996 recipient of the Artistic Achievement Award.

Nicole Belanger

Homer Bryant

Cara Carper

Graduating in 2010 with honors Nicole received a bachelors in both Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Nicole specializes in teaching young children yet enjoys teaching students of all ages. Her warm and caring demeanor creates a safe and welcoming environment for all to thrive and excel. Her classes introduce the children to the wonderful world of dance while emphasizing developmental milestones with a focus on gross motor skills. Nicole has been twice recognized as “Young Choreographer of the Year” and has been a part of the Gus Giordano Scholarship program since Summer 2010.

Homer Bryant is famously known as the founder of School of Bryant Ballet and Bryant’s Floor Ballet classes. Homer Hans Bryant is a former principal dancer with the world renowned Dance Theater of Harlem. His professional credits span from a command performance for the Royal Families of Norway and England to Timbuktu, with the Legendary Eartha Kitt and the motion picture The Wiz with Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Homer was a former member of Prima Ballerina Maria Tallchief's Chicago City Ballet. His teaching and training experience include working with Canada's mesmerizing Cirque Du Soleil productions of Mystere, Alegria, Quidam and Saltimbanco.

Cara is a compassionate and energetic instructor who grew up dancing and teaching at her mother's studio in Pittsburgh, PA. After several years in the commercial industry working with corporations such as the Walt Disney Company, Jean Ann Ryan Productions and affiliations of Cirque du Soleil, she relocated to Chicago to pursue further dance endeavors. Cara founded the Acrobatics Program at the Gus Giordano Dance School which is now offered to all students ranging from ages 5 to 18 who are enrolled in the Youth or Junior Programs. Cara is now in her second season with Thodos Dance Chicago and has performed internationally.

Ariel Cisneros

Drew Coleman

Matthew Crowle

Ariel Cisneros is a professional ballet dancer with a long and diversified career to his distinguished credit. Mr. Cisneros was born in Cuba where he received his training at the Professional School of Arts in Havana and Santiago de Cuba. He began performing at the age of 10 and, upon graduation from the Professional School of Arts, started his career with Ballet Camaguey and National Ballet of Cuba. He has been a member of Teatro Municipal of Rio de Janiero, Cleveland Ballet Kentucky Ballet Theater, and San Jose Ballet. Locally, he has performed as a soloist with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and is a former member of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Mr. Cisneros is a dedicated, committed and artistic dance professional and he brings those same qualities to his work as a teacher.

Drew is known for his fun, energetic, and playful hip hop style and choreography. He prides himself on incorporating all levels and styles of hip hop into his classes making everyone feel welcome. Drew uses popular music that his dancers can relate to while motivating all students to be the best that they can be. Drew strongly believes that anyone can dance!!! He credits his mentor Kirby Reed for making his passion of dance come alive. Drew not only studied with Kirby Reed but also became his main assistant in all of Kirby's teaching endeavors. Drew is now happy to pass on the tradition in helping other young artists grow and make connections throughout the dance world.

Matthew is a Jeff Award nominated Chicago actor whose local credits include Drury Lane Oakbrook, Marriott Lincolnshire, and Northlight Theatre. For many years, he lived and worked in New York City, performing on and off Broadway, and spent a year touring the country, tap dancing with Tommy Tune. He has taught on the Roosevelt University Theatre Conservatory's dance faculty and was a private tap instructor for many of the young performers in the Chicago production of Billy Elliot - The Musical. Matthew's Theatre Tap Class is geared towards sharpening technique and articulation, building speed, and refining performance quality. It's an excellent class for experienced local tappers looking for a fun challenge, and for professional performers looking to successfully and confidently hoof their way through a tap call.

Ricardo Garcia

Amy Paul Giordano

Fury Gold

Ricardo J. Garcia (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico) began his training at Point Park University, Pittsburgh, where he earned a BA in Dance. Upon graduating, he joined the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, where he had the honor to work with acclaimed choreographers Bill T. Jones, Doug Verone, Donald McKayle, Ronald K. Brown and Dwight Rhoden to name a few. He has also performed with Walt Disney World, Illinois Ballet, Peoria Ballet, Rhythm in Shoes and most recently with Luna Negra Dance Theater. He has conducted classes throughout the US and Russia and is part of the dance faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Garcia was the recipient of the Josie Award for Outstanding Male Dancer of the Year in 2002.

Amy received her BA from Tulane University after graduating from New Trier East High School. While working for her mother and father, she was an Account Executive at Grey Advertising and then an Account Supervisor at DMB&B. After her mother passed away in 1993, she became her father's personal assistant handling all the jobs her mother had done previously. Amy is now the director of Gus Giordano Dance School. Amy's mission is to continue what her father, Gus Giordano, started long ago with his love and passion of dance. She is the proud mother of three children, Lauren, Edward, and Sarah.

Fury has an exceptional knowledge of Ballet technique and shares it with her students in every class, educating and challenging them to continually improve their technique and abilities. She teaches a room full of individuals, providing detailed feedback and guidance to her students. She has twenty years experience as a featured soloist, dancer, and teacher in both New York and Chicago. Aug. 2001 Dance Magazine listed Fury as "one of the best in their field" and her students have gone to dance in major companies in the United States and Europe. In addition, she works regularly with figure skaters on the National and Olympic teams. Fury is honored that she had known both Gus and Peg as a student before going to New York and as a member of the faculty, sitting next to Gus adjudicating at Company auditions.

Alejandra González

Mike Gosney

Caitlin Hargett

Alejandra González began her training at Le Jazz-Ballet Studio (Monterrey, México). She performed for three years in Le Jazz Groupe, working with such choreographers as Patricia Villarreal, Rosario Murillo, Brisa Escobedo and Vanessa Pletel. In 2004 she graduated from Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey, with a major in dance teaching. In 2005 González joined Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago´s second Company, Where she performed works from such acclaimed choreographers as Tony Powell, Jon Lehrer, Randy Duncan and Davis Robertson. She joined Luna Negra Dance Theatre in 2007. Alejandra co-founded Piel Morena Contemporary Dance in 2009, and is a dancer and Director for Piel Morena.

Mike Gosney, the founder and Artistic Director of Elements Contemporary Ballet, has been teaching and privately coaching ballet for 20 years. His students have been accepted into prestigious companies, programs, and schools such as the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, LINES Ballet, Tisch School of the Arts, The Juilliard School, and many others. Mr. Gosney studied with the Von Heideke School of Ballet while performing with companies such as Chicago Festival Ballet, Instruments of Movement, Tyego Dance Project, Giordano II, and The Chicago Ballet. As a choreographer, his work has appeared in The A.W.A.R.D. Show! 2010 as well as in many other Chicago area festivals and dance performances.

Caitlin is originally from Ithaca, NY where she started dancing at 8 years old. As a teenager Caitlin worked at her dance studio where she led summer camps, assisted classes, and taught some of her own classes. Caitlin was also a part of a competitive dance team throughout high school. She graduated from Ithaca College in 2008 with a B.A. in Health Policy Studies and Health Care Administration and now has been living in Chicago for over 3 years. Caitlin absolutely loves working at Gus' with all of the amazing faculty, staff and students!

Craig Kaufman

Lindsey Leduc

Stephanie Martinez

Craig has bachelor’s degree in Dance from Point Park University and is a motivating teacher who is great with all ages. His friendly and approachable demeanor makes each student comfortable to explore new personal limits. Craig is an innovative choreographer who is gifted in many dance styles. Throughout Craig’s classes and choreography he stresses the importance of body awareness, athleticism, and proper form.

Lindsey holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Hofstra University and has always shown a passion for dance since a young age. She inspires her students to be honest and versatile dancers and is widely respected for her Lyrical choreography. Lindsey's students particularly enjoy her classes for their focus on exploration and personal growth. Lindsey is a longtime company member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and is an excellent instructor in the revered Giordano Jazz technique.

Stephanie is an encouraging and warm instructor who is wonderful with children of all ages. She emphasizes the importance of technique and strength in all of her classes and expects a lot from her students, while maintaining a friendly and approachable demeanor. Stephanie was a principal dancer and choreographer with River North Dance Chicago for over 15 years and has also taught extensively at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts.

Kirby Reed

Molly Shanahan

Richard Smith

Kirby Reed is the Artistic Director of Ascension/The Kirby Reed Project and founder of House of Ascension. Kirby was picked twice for the Top Jazz Classes in Chicago out of ten must-take classes in the city in Dance Spirit Magazine Jan. 2005 and was also voted Best Hip Hop teacher by Chicago Magazine (Best of Chicago) Aug. 2003. He has worked in various capacities in the dance community, as a dancer, choreographer and instructor and is widely respected and loved throughout Chicagoland.

Molly is the Founder and Artistic Director of Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak Dance Company. She is on faculty at Northwestern University and Columbia College and is widely respected in the Chicago dance community. Molly teaches students to dance with integrity and work with, not against, their bodies. Molly is the recipient of two National Performance Network Creation Fund Awards, a Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist Award, and an Illinois Arts Council fellowship for choreography, among other honors.

Richard Smith is the Artistic Director of Inaside Chicago Dance. Richard’s approach to teaching and directing is focused on alignment, manipulation of the body, strength and origination of movement. He believes that only truth the constant work to master technique and the understanding of fundamentals of jazz that the dancer begins to tap into the emotional connection of dance. Only then can the dancer generate performance from a vulnerable place of truth, making the dancers’ connection to the audience real and pure. It is this philosophy that keeps his fire burning for teaching and helping dancers reach their highest artistic level.

Laura Thurston

Natalie Tursi

Mark Yonally

Laura Thurston studied dance at Northern Dance Theatre of Northern Illinois University and at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago where she graduated with a BA in dance performance in 2005. She has developed dance programs and curriculum for dance schools in the Chicago land area at various dance schools, and has been on faculty for Dance Masters of Wisconsin in 2009 and 2010. She began performing professionally in Chicago in 2004, and has performed with Chicago Dance Crash, Corpo Dance Company, Inc., and Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. Laura co-founded Piel Morena Contemporary Dance in 2009, and is a dancer and Executive Director for Piel Morena.

Natalie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Hofstra University and is a current company member of Aerial Dance Chicago. Natalie is an engaging and friendly instructor with abounding patience and warmth. She is a creative choreographer who enjoys working with all age groups. During her time in Chicago, Natalie has danced with the second company of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, as well as Thodos Dance Chicago, and has also been featured on the cover of Dance Spirit magazine.

Mark Yonally is currently the Artistic Director of Chicago Tap Theatre. Mark has performed at such prestigious festivals as the St. Louis Tap Festival, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance World Congress and at the Royal Opera House in Finland. Mark is sought after for his multidisciplinary approach to tap teaching, which includes history, basic music theory, and an emphasis on jazz music.

Catherine Lewan

NOW IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Rachel Weeks

Catherine’s dance training earned her a scholarship to Wake Forest University in 1997— and a series of dance-related injuries provided good motivation for the Doctorate of Physical Therapy she earned in 2010 at UIC. Between undergraduate and graduate schooling, Catherine was a professional dancer, dance instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, and a certified STOTT Pilates Instructor. She was the sole owner and lead instructor of Equability Pilates studio in Forest Park and continues to use her yoga, fitness, and Pilates training at Andersonville Physical Therapy where she works as a full-time Physical Therapist.

Rachel is a certified STOTT Pilates Instructor. She encourages her clients to understand the fundamentals behind the exercises while offering challenging and creative variations. She incorporates clear imagery and positive feedback to help her students boost their confidence, increase their mobility, and improve movement awareness. She also teaches at Sirron Pilates Studio and Cheetah Gyms in addition to APT. Rachel was first exposed to the benefit of STOTT Pilates as a ballet student in her hometown of Memphis. She earned a BA in Communication from Northwestern University with an emphasis in theater performance and a minor in dance.Rachel is an avid arts enthusiast who enjoys seeing theater, dance, visual art, and music performances in Chicago.

Our phenomenal Guest Faculty include:

Jeremy Blair	Frank Chaves	Randy Duncan	Melissa Thodos	Lindsey LaFountain	Kate Jablonski	Christopher Perricelli	Michael Williams

Jeremy Blair : Dancer, Thodos Dance Chicago
Frank Chaves : Artistic Director, River North Dance Chicago
Ariel Cisneros : Ballet Master, originally from Professional School of the Arts in Havana, Cuba
Randy Duncan : Chairman of Dance Dept., Chicago Academy for the Arts
Richard Havey : Professor at UNLV
Kate Jablonski : Founder & Director, Beyond Words Dance Company
Lindsey LaFountain : Dancer, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago
Carrie Nicastro : Dancer, Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre
Christopher Perricelli : Dance Faculty, Joffrey Ballet and Columbia College
Susan Quinn : Professor at U of A
Ricky Ruiz : Dancer, River North Dance Chicago
Richard Smith : Artistic Director of Inaside Chicago
Melissa Thodos : Founder & Artistic Director, Thodos Dance Chicago
Michael Williams : Professor at U of A

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