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History

North Shore School of Dance Timeline

Faculty

Lisa Gold, Director holds a B.A. in Dance from Barat College. She performed with the Mesa Community Dance Theatre, Zephyr Dance Ensemble, Emergence Dance Theatre, Rockford Ballet and the Barat Repertory Dance Company. Lisa trained with Eileen Cropley, Randy Duncan, Rory Foster, Rick Moyano, and Marcus Alford. She has studied at the Carol Walker Dance Studio, Joseph Holmes, Gus Giordano Dance Center, and Ellis-DuBoulay School in Chicago, and the Graham School in New York. Lisa was on the faculty of the Barat Conservatory of Dance for sixteen years teaching ballet and modern dance, assisting in teaching pedagogy, and served on the Dance Search Committee.

Tonya Wibbenmeyer, Assistant Director, received her B.F.A in Dance from Stephens College in Missouri. She has been a company member of Kalapriya, Dances of India, and Motivity. Tonya has taught at Stephens College, University of Chicago, and Urban Gateways.  She is extremely diverse in her talents as her training includes Eastern Indian dance, West African dance, and Flamenco, in addition to Ballet, Modern and Jazz. 

Greg Begley, Department Head-Ballet was born in Flint, Michigan and began his professional career while still in high school. He spent four years as a member of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre while also obtaining a college business degree on a full dance scholarship. Personally solicited by Ruth Page, Greg moved to Chicago to become a principal dancer with the Chicago Ballet. Greg performed many of the traditional classical ballets and has worked with some of the most notable and legendary dancer/choreographers that we have known. His title role of Johnny, in Ruth Page's famed "Frankie and Johnny" was filmed by Chicago's WTTW bringing universal recognition to his career. By invitation of Lou Conte, founder of the company Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Greg became an original member, a featured performer, and the company's ballet master. His background in classical ballet, musical theater, modern, jazz and tap created a natural fit with the company.

He has made numerous guest appearances with various dance companies to stage new choreography and traditional classical ballets. He has been enlisted on two occasions to set the ballet "Frankie and Johnny" on the Joffrey Ballet and Kansas City companies. Greg today is a prominent and distinguished teacher having worked with most of the professional dance companies in Chicago. He has been on staff at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, Ruth Page School of Dance, and the Gus Giordano Dance Center, along with many of the professional schools in the area. Recently, hosted by the Chinese Foreign Affairs Office, he traveled in China teaching in the cities of Beijing and Suzhou, at the Guangxi Arts Institute in Nanning, and working with a performance group in Shanghai at the World Expo.
Meghan McDermott, Department Head-Jazz Meghan began her dance training in Madison, WI, where she was a part of the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble and other performing groups in the area. Meghan decided to further her dance education by attending Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2001, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in dance, with an emphasis in jazz dance. After college Meghan was awarded a scholarship to study at the Giordano Dance Center, from there she became an apprentice with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and then a company member. While dancing with Giordano she had the opportunity to perform works by Randy Duncan, Tony Powell, Jon Lehrer, Mia Michaels, Davis Robertson, Ron de Jesus, Christopher Huggins, Gus Giordano, Nan Giordano and more. She also had the honor of being on the cover of the August 2008 issue of Dance Magazine. Meghan completed her 5th and final season with GJDC in 2009. After leaving Giordano Meghan became the rehearsal director and dancer for Piel Morena Contemporary Dance. She also teaches dance at North Shore School of Dance, where she is the head of the jazz department and director of the North Shore Repertory Dance Ensemble. Meghan feels very fortunate to be able to share dance through both her performing and teaching.
Chris Rosales, Department Head-Hip Hop Originally a break-dancer, Chris has been performing and choreographing hip hop for 9 years.  He has been a dancer/choreographer of Culture Shock Chicago, AASIA, and currently with Dance 2XS Chicago.  He has taught Hip Hop classes around the Chicagoland area and suburbs, UIC, and the North Shore.  Chris recently signed with the dance agency Lily's Talent/Clear Talent Group..
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.
Brandon DiCriscio grew up in Wilmington, Delaware receiving his initial training from Anna Marie and Sonny Leo. He then went on to pursue a B.A. in Dance at Point Park University. While in school he was apprenticing at River North Dance Chicago, and then became a company member in 2007. Different choreographers he has worked with include, Lauri Stallings, Robert Battle, Frank Chaves, Sherry Zunker, Sidra Bell, Edgar Zendajas, Ron De Jesus, Doug Varone, Shannon Gillen, Harrison McEldowney and Gustavo Ramirez Sansano. While at Springboard Danse Montreal he worked with BJM Danse Montreal under the direction of Louis Robitaille. In 2011, he did an apprenticeship with Luna Negra Dance Theater. Brandon also enjoys teaching at Lou Conte Dance Studio (Chicago), Visceral Dance Center (Chicago), and The Edge Dance Academy (Palatine IL).
Victoria Dutton received a B.S. in Dance from Texas Woman's University and a M.F.A from Boston Conservatory.  She is a former company member of Atlanta Ballet and has also danced with Portland Ballet Company, Houston Ballet and Moving Theater Images of Sean Murphy.  She has taught at Loyola University, Walnut Hill, Festival Ballet of N.C. Texas and Boston Conservatory.  She is also a recipient of the Leaman Award for Artistic Excellence.
Kate Goddard Kate Goddard received the majority of her early training at the Academy of Russian Ballet under the direction of Elizabeth Shipiatsky in her hometown of Denver, Colorado. Before attending college, she was a trainee with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. She received a scholarship to attend Point Park University where she graduated Magna cum Laude with a B.A. in Dance. Since then, Kate has had the pleasure of working with the Staycee Pearl Dance Project (Pittsburgh, PA) and Thodos Dance Chicago's production of New Dances. Kate is currently performing with Giordano II.
Anne Gollenberg originally from New York, graduated from Point Park University with a B.A. in Dance.  Directly following graduation she traveled to Chicago to study at the Giordano Dance Center within the Scholarship program, as well as with River North. Ms. Gollenberg is the Associate Artistic Director, Business Manager, and Company Member for Inaside Chicago Dance.
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. She is happy to start her second year at NSSD. 
Zachary Heller started his training in ballet and jazz in Alexandria VA. During his early training he performed with the American Dance Company under the direction of Mark Marino. He accompanied ADC on several tours to Europe and Central America. While dancing with ADC he was recognized as the Grishko outstanding male dancer at the Prague International Dance Festival in 2003. His choreography of the musicals A Chorus Line and The Boyfriend received the Cappies Awards for outstanding musical theater choreography in 2003 and 2004. He attended the University of Arizona and in 2008 he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor of fine arts in dance, he also fulfilled all the requirements for Pre Med. At the U of A he performed works choreographed by Susan Quinn, Michael Williams, Sam Watson, Douglas Nielsen, Frank Chaves, James Clouser, and George Balanchine. This is currently his fourth season performing with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago under the direction of Nan Giordano. With GJDC he has performed works by choreographers Ron De Jesus, Randy Duncan, Jon Lehrer, Gus Giordano, Nan Giordano, Davis Robertson, Mia Michaels and many more. He hold a position as the resident choreographer and associate director for Midwest Dance Collective in Barrington IL. He also teaches and choreographs for studios and youth companies in the Chicago land area and around the U.S.
Martell Jackson began dancing at the age of 7 when his grandmother enrolled him into tap, jazz, and tumbling lessons at D/D Productions. He danced at the school for 12 years and was a member of their competition team. After graduating at the top of his class, he enrolled and received a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has been a member of Dance2xs International Dance, Dance2xs UIUC, and Dance2xs Caliente. He has also appeared as a Monsters of Hip Hop finalist and show cast member in the Inspirations show at the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, CA. Since then he's gone to multiple cities assisting choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo, Marty Kudelka, Chonique Sneed, Kevin Maher, Rhapsody James, and many others. Currently residing in Chicago, IL he dances with Redefinition Dance and Puzzle League.
Kasper K Fresh off his teachings on the east coast at both Broadway Dance Center in New York, as well as ICON Dance Complex in New Jersey, Kasper is making his rounds throughout the country teaching various master classes, and choreographing, leaving his unique mark where ever he goes. Kasper was featured on the first season of the FOX smash hit "So You Think You Can Dance." He was asked to appear on MTV's "The Wade Robson Project," performed on "Dance Fever" on the ABC Family Channel, and was chosen to be an alternate for the BRAVO show, “Step It Up and Dance”. Having let the reality tv shows run their course, Kasper now teaches and choreographs for many different dance teams, high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the U.S. His dance credits include dancing for Manheim Steamroller, as well as Bad Boy Bill at the B96 Summer Bash taking the stage right after Shakira, and just before P. Diddy. He's danced for Nike, Hip Hop ConnXion, and Dance 2XS Chicago. Currently, he is choreographing for the Jump Smokers, and he's been dancing for Ty Taylor (Rockstar INXS) in Los Angeles and in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, as well as choreographing and performing with Dezmond Meeks from American Idol (Season 4). Having taught on faculty at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Kasper is currently a resident faculty at the Joffrey Ballet Dance Center in Chicago. Kasper loves, and continues to spread his knowledge of dance throughout the country, inspiring students where ever he goes.

Stacy Joy Keller has danced with The Joffrey Ballet for the past twelve seasons. She has enjoyed many roles with the company including: Clara in The Nutcracker, American Girl in Parade, Chorito in Joffrey's Pas de Deeses, and the fast pas de deux in Mr. Arpino's Suite Saens Sans to name a few. Prior to joining The Joffrey Ballet, Mrs. Keller was a member of the Sarasota Ballet of Florida where she performed roles including: The Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, the title role in Cinderella, the pas de trios in Swan Lake, Calliope in Balanchine's Apollo, and the Peasant Pas in Giselle.

Mrs. Keller has taught in many programs and schools throughout Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida which include: Joffrey's ECE outreach program, CNADM(Chicago's National Association of Dance Masters), Whitney Young High School, Melissa Thodos' Company, Chicago Ballet Arts, North Shore School of Dance, Ballroom and Dance School of Deer Park, Dancenter North, Sarasota Ballet School's Venice program and the Classical Ballet Center of Tampa.

Mrs. Keller began her ballet training at the Classical Ballet Center of Tampa with Haydee Gutierrez. In addition, she also studied with The San Francisco Ballet, The School of American Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Oregon Ballet Theatre on full scholarships. Mrs. Keller received the Ruth Eckerd Hall youth's scholarship, presented by David Parson's and was also a part of Robert Altman's film, The Company.
Caroline Kuhl graduated from Illinois State University, and has performed with Zephyr Dance Ensemble, The Funny Firm, Pheasant Run Dinner Theatre, Flamingo Hilton Boardwalk Casino (Las Vegas), a tour of Tokyo with magician Luna Shemada, Ameba, and Motivity. She currently takes classes with Julie Cartier.
Joshua Manculich, who hails from Windber, PA, began dance study under the direction of Sharon Wissinger at the age of fourteen. He is 2009 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Point Park University with a Bachelor's degree in Dance and minor in Psychology. While there he had the opportunity to perform works by Jennifer Keller, Caroline Skjorshammer, Kiesha Lalama-White, Peter LeBreton Merz, Douglas Bentz, and Whitney Moncrief. Joshua's performance credits include The Pillow Project, an innovative Pittsburgh-based company under the direction of Pearl Ann Porter, and JMT-JLS Productions, under the direction of A.W.A.R.D show winners Jacqueline Stewart and Jessica Miller Tomlinson. Josh is going into his third season with Thodos Dance Chicago and enjoys teaching and choreographing throughout the Chicagoland area.
Olga Meyer (Ballet Accompanist) graduated from the Azerbajian State College in Baku and earned her Masters in Music and Teaching from the State Conservatory. She taught and concertized in Russia before coming to the United States in 1981. She has been an accompanist for Maria Tallchief at the Chicago City Ballet, the Ruth Page Foundation School of Ballet, and the Salt Creek Ballet Company. For over 20 years, Olga has played at Columbia College and the Chicago Academy for the Arts. Olga worked with the late Anna Paskevska on Music for Ballet Class, a cd with selections arranged and played by Olga.  She was also an accompanist for ballet class in the movie Save the Last Dance.
Tysh Nelson received her Bachelor of Performing Arts degree from Oklahoma City University. She was selected Outstanding Dance Major and was also a Cum Laude Graduate. Tysh has performed in hundreds of musical productions including Broadway and National Touring Companies. Chicago credits include The Goodman Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire, and Drury Lane Oakbrook. She has a diverse background in dance as can be witnessed by her appearance in a Kentucky Fried Chicken Commercial as a hip hop dancer. Locally, she has taught dance at Lou Conte's Dance Studio as well as Giordano's. She is currently a member of the Mature Dance Project, started by River North founder, Sherry Zunker. Tysh is currently the director of Kipling Theatre Workshop in Deerfield.
Pamela Johnson Tanis is a former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet (New York City) and also danced with American Ballet Theatre, Maria Tallchief's Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Illinois Ballet. She was coached in principal roles by Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino, George Balanchine, Leonide Massine, Danilova, Bronislava Nijinska, Jerome Robbins, Rudolf Nureyev, Todd Bolender, and Alvin Ailey, among others. She trained with Richard Ellis & Christine Du Boulay, Robert Joffrey, Hector Zaraspe, and Basil Thompson, and taken classes with Finis Jhung, David Howard, and Maggie Black. She has taught at Gus Giordano's Dance Studio and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and served on the faculties of Northern Illinois University (co-director), Columbia College Dance Center, Barat College Dance Conservatory (Lake Forest), and the Joel Hall Dance Center. She is a biographee in the Marquis Who's Who in Entertainment. Pam is currently on the faculties of Barrington Dance Academy (Barrington, Ill.) and North Shore School of Dance (Highland Park, Ill.). She has taught master classes in ballet and character at Dartmouth College, Ballet Folk of Moscow (Idaho), Rockford Dance Academy (Rockford, Ill.), Southold Dance Theater (South Bend, Ind.), and this July for the Cecchetti Council of America at Hope College (Holland, Mich.).
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 Dancer/Executive Director for Piel Morena.
Samantha Wood graduated from UW Parkside with a BA in Fitness Management in 2002 and then went on to coach recreation as well as competitive gymnastics for four years. She now spends her time teaching an after school hip hop program through the Boys and Girls Club, teaches at various studios and is the hip hop instructor at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Sam also is a former member of the internationally recognized group Dance 2XS and currently dances for Chicago group Redefinition where she currently resides. She has performed with Neil Diamond, Milwaukee artist Cincere, and has performed on Oprah twice with the Black Eyed Peas. Sam continues to further her dance training by attending Monsters of Hip Hop conventions, where she was a finalist for their end of the year show.