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Artistic Director Louise Taitz Originally from South Africa Louise trained with R.A.D. (Royal Academy of Dance) major examiner Reina Berman
under whose tutelage Louise obtained her R.A.D Advanced Diploma. After graduating from the Johannesburg School of the Performing Arts
Louise was accepted into the Royal Ballet School London where she was placed into the second year class studying under Kathryn Wade. Louise
was privileged to perform with top principal dancers in The Madam Messerer Gala an event described by Sir Anthony Dowell as The Greatest
collection of Dancers Ever. Louise Joined the Israel Classical Ballet and performed with the company in over 43 cities in the USA and Canada.
Louise has also performed in London, Italy, Israel and South Africa. In 2002 On Your Toes opened. In 2009the studio moved to its current premises
in Buffalo Grove. As Artistic Director Louise continues to teach class and choreograph for On Your Toes Platinum and Overall Winning Dance
Company. In May 2010 Louise was recognized by both Hall Of fame and Sophisticated Productions for her choreography in her modern piece
Contradanza, a dance described by one of the judges as quite brilliant. Louise's ballet choreography has been described as exquisite by judges who
have praisedthe standard of training that she gives to her students. Louises philosophy remains to instill a love of dance in all students and she is
thrilled to welcome back returning students and excited to meet new students this fall.
under whose tutelage Louise obtained her R.A.D Advanced Diploma. After graduating from the Johannesburg School of the Performing Arts
Louise was accepted into the Royal Ballet School London where she was placed into the second year class studying under Kathryn Wade. Louise
was privileged to perform with top principal dancers in The Madam Messerer Gala an event described by Sir Anthony Dowell as The Greatest
collection of Dancers Ever. Louise Joined the Israel Classical Ballet and performed with the company in over 43 cities in the USA and Canada.
Louise has also performed in London, Italy, Israel and South Africa. In 2002 On Your Toes opened. In 2009the studio moved to its current premises
in Buffalo Grove. As Artistic Director Louise continues to teach class and choreograph for On Your Toes Platinum and Overall Winning Dance
Company. In May 2010 Louise was recognized by both Hall Of fame and Sophisticated Productions for her choreography in her modern piece
Contradanza, a dance described by one of the judges as quite brilliant. Louise's ballet choreography has been described as exquisite by judges who
have praisedthe standard of training that she gives to her students. Louises philosophy remains to instill a love of dance in all students and she is
thrilled to welcome back returning students and excited to meet new students this fall.
Pavel Tabutov fell in love with ballet at an early age and has since then through rigorous training with
mind and body perfected his ballet, jazz and ballroom technique. He began his first professional dance
classes at Giordano Dance Studio where he received Ballet and Jazz training from Nan Giordano and
John Lehrer. Pavel began dancing at "The Academy of Ballet and Arts" in Wheeling as part of the
Advanced Ballet and ballroom Companies and participated in performances throughout the City and the
Suburbs. Pavel was also nominated as “The President of Harper College Dance and Poms Company",
where he led classes and choreographed routines for football games, basketball games and the annual
show. Pavel kept developing his technique in contemporary jazz and modern ballet under the watchful
eye of Van Collins as a member of RASA Dance Chicago, and is currently Dancing with Joel Hall
Dancers under a scholarship. Recently, Pavel choreographed his first show "Carnaval" for Victor Hotel.
NBC News Online describes it as "A modern day burlesque show that will make your jaw drop". Then
come the Lights, Shinning on You from above. You are a Performer. You forget all You Learned, the
process of Technique, the Fear!!! The Pain!!! You even forget who you Are, you become One with the
Music. The lights. Indeed One with The DANCE...
mind and body perfected his ballet, jazz and ballroom technique. He began his first professional dance
classes at Giordano Dance Studio where he received Ballet and Jazz training from Nan Giordano and
John Lehrer. Pavel began dancing at "The Academy of Ballet and Arts" in Wheeling as part of the
Advanced Ballet and ballroom Companies and participated in performances throughout the City and the
Suburbs. Pavel was also nominated as “The President of Harper College Dance and Poms Company",
where he led classes and choreographed routines for football games, basketball games and the annual
show. Pavel kept developing his technique in contemporary jazz and modern ballet under the watchful
eye of Van Collins as a member of RASA Dance Chicago, and is currently Dancing with Joel Hall
Dancers under a scholarship. Recently, Pavel choreographed his first show "Carnaval" for Victor Hotel.
NBC News Online describes it as "A modern day burlesque show that will make your jaw drop". Then
come the Lights, Shinning on You from above. You are a Performer. You forget all You Learned, the
process of Technique, the Fear!!! The Pain!!! You even forget who you Are, you become One with the
Music. The lights. Indeed One with The DANCE...
Gustavo Segovia discovered hip hop in his freshman year of high school and has been hooked on it
ever since. From that point till now, he'sdone many performances and projects. From 2008-2009, he
choreographed and danced fora restaurant called Petergrof in Northbrook, IL. This was a dinner
performance theater, which featured multiple styles of dance. Gustavo has been featured in music
videos such as, "Animated," for an up coming artist named Adero and was also featured in the
movie-music video titled Fluffenhouse. From 2004-2009 he danced with Hip Hop ConnXion Elite. He
was also the director of Hip Hop Force, Hip Hop ConnXion's training team, from 2008-2009. While in
Hip Hop ConnXion he danced at a 2009 Chicago Bulls half-time show and was featured in Dance
Chicago. He currently dances for the newly formed company, Design. He teaches Hip Hop throughout
the Chicagoland area and is grateful for any opportunity to showcase his choreography.
ever since. From that point till now, he'sdone many performances and projects. From 2008-2009, he
choreographed and danced fora restaurant called Petergrof in Northbrook, IL. This was a dinner
performance theater, which featured multiple styles of dance. Gustavo has been featured in music
videos such as, "Animated," for an up coming artist named Adero and was also featured in the
movie-music video titled Fluffenhouse. From 2004-2009 he danced with Hip Hop ConnXion Elite. He
was also the director of Hip Hop Force, Hip Hop ConnXion's training team, from 2008-2009. While in
Hip Hop ConnXion he danced at a 2009 Chicago Bulls half-time show and was featured in Dance
Chicago. He currently dances for the newly formed company, Design. He teaches Hip Hop throughout
the Chicagoland area and is grateful for any opportunity to showcase his choreography.
Mary Tarpley began dancing under the tutelage of Frances
nationally and internationally at Interlochen Arts Academy
where she graduated with Honors. Mary did her
undergraduate work at the Rambert School of Ballet and
Contemporary Dance in London, University of Kent. She has
since danced for Compagnia Zappala in Italy, Danse du
Marais in Paris, State Street Ballet, Ballet Santa Barbara,
and Creations Dance Theatre, LA. She most recently moved
from LA where she was a Principle with City Ballet of Los
Angeles and Invertigo Dance Theatre. Here in Chicago she
will be dancing with Chicago Dance Crash and Cerqua
Rivera Dance Theatre at Hubbard Street Dance Co.
nationally and internationally at Interlochen Arts Academy
where she graduated with Honors. Mary did her
undergraduate work at the Rambert School of Ballet and
Contemporary Dance in London, University of Kent. She has
since danced for Compagnia Zappala in Italy, Danse du
Marais in Paris, State Street Ballet, Ballet Santa Barbara,
and Creations Dance Theatre, LA. She most recently moved
from LA where she was a Principle with City Ballet of Los
Angeles and Invertigo Dance Theatre. Here in Chicago she
will be dancing with Chicago Dance Crash and Cerqua
Rivera Dance Theatre at Hubbard Street Dance Co.
Sharon Joyce Kung was born in New York, and grew up in Hong Kong and California. She received
her early of Ballet in Hong Kong. Returning to the States, she continued her RAD training under
Sarah-Jane Measor and Leyla Boissonade at Menlo Park Academy of Dance in California where
she completed her major exams with Honors . In 2008 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the
University of California Irvine with a BFA in Dance Performance and BA s UCI Etude Ensemble,
performed George Balanchine’s Serenade, and premiered Douglas Becker’s Extreme Memory. She
also worked with artists David Allan, Douglas Becker, Evelyn Cisneros, Diane Diefenderfer, Claire
Trevor School of the Arts’ Medici Circle scholarship. Alongside her training, she attended summer
intensives at American Ballet Theater, American Dance Festival, Kirov Academy of Ballet and The
Juilliard School. She also competed and placed and received scholarships from competitions such as
Youth America Grand Prix, International Dance Challenge, Encore and Showstoppers. She is
currently dancing with Thodos Dance Chicago, performing and touring nationally.
her early of Ballet in Hong Kong. Returning to the States, she continued her RAD training under
Sarah-Jane Measor and Leyla Boissonade at Menlo Park Academy of Dance in California where
she completed her major exams with Honors . In 2008 she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the
University of California Irvine with a BFA in Dance Performance and BA s UCI Etude Ensemble,
performed George Balanchine’s Serenade, and premiered Douglas Becker’s Extreme Memory. She
also worked with artists David Allan, Douglas Becker, Evelyn Cisneros, Diane Diefenderfer, Claire
Trevor School of the Arts’ Medici Circle scholarship. Alongside her training, she attended summer
intensives at American Ballet Theater, American Dance Festival, Kirov Academy of Ballet and The
Juilliard School. She also competed and placed and received scholarships from competitions such as
Youth America Grand Prix, International Dance Challenge, Encore and Showstoppers. She is
currently dancing with Thodos Dance Chicago, performing and touring nationally.
Julie Haller is a graduate of Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Performance
with a double-concentration in Ballet and Jazz. She has pursued her passion for dance by embarking on a professional dance career in
her hometown of Chicago. She has performed professionally with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Monocle Eclectic Dance Company,
Matter Dance, Innervation Dance Cooperative,From the Hip Dance Project, Leopold Group, RTG Dance and commercial projects
including fashion shows, modeling, and musical performances and is currently on scholarship at Visceral Dance Center. Julie has also
danced seasons with the Chicago Mustang Dance Team as the Assistant Dance Team Coach/Head Captain, and with the Rockford
Rampage Dance Team. Julie has taught various dance styles at diverse facilities across the Chicagoland area including universities,
public schools, dance schools and park districts. Her choreography has been seen on collegiate dance teams to professional dance teams,
contemporary dance companies, studios, pageants, wedding ballroom routines and auditions. She has taught dance at Northern Illinois
University, was the Head Coach of Women’s Competitive Dance Teams at Robert Morris University, taught ballroom dancing in the
Chicago Public School system through the “Having a Ball” program as well as assisted with the implementation of the dance program
at Woodstock High School. Julie is currently adjunct dance faculty at Harper College and teaches dance at several dance studios in the
Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
with a double-concentration in Ballet and Jazz. She has pursued her passion for dance by embarking on a professional dance career in
her hometown of Chicago. She has performed professionally with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Monocle Eclectic Dance Company,
Matter Dance, Innervation Dance Cooperative,From the Hip Dance Project, Leopold Group, RTG Dance and commercial projects
including fashion shows, modeling, and musical performances and is currently on scholarship at Visceral Dance Center. Julie has also
danced seasons with the Chicago Mustang Dance Team as the Assistant Dance Team Coach/Head Captain, and with the Rockford
Rampage Dance Team. Julie has taught various dance styles at diverse facilities across the Chicagoland area including universities,
public schools, dance schools and park districts. Her choreography has been seen on collegiate dance teams to professional dance teams,
contemporary dance companies, studios, pageants, wedding ballroom routines and auditions. She has taught dance at Northern Illinois
University, was the Head Coach of Women’s Competitive Dance Teams at Robert Morris University, taught ballroom dancing in the
Chicago Public School system through the “Having a Ball” program as well as assisted with the implementation of the dance program
at Woodstock High School. Julie is currently adjunct dance faculty at Harper College and teaches dance at several dance studios in the
Northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Carrie moved to Chicago to train on scholarship at the Lou Conte Dance
Studio in addition to accepting a company position with Same Planet
Different World Dance Theatre.Carrie has also had the privilege of
performing as a guest artist with Hedwig Dances, in Dance for Life and was
most recently a company trainee with Thodos Dance Chicago.
She teaches and choreographs for Chicagoland area high school pom squads
and is the Director of Pom Connection in throughout the Chicago land area
and is currently on faculty at Trilogy School of Performing Arts in Lake
Zurich, IL. Carrie is thrilled to begin her first season with Giordano II!
Studio in addition to accepting a company position with Same Planet
Different World Dance Theatre.Carrie has also had the privilege of
performing as a guest artist with Hedwig Dances, in Dance for Life and was
most recently a company trainee with Thodos Dance Chicago.
She teaches and choreographs for Chicagoland area high school pom squads
and is the Director of Pom Connection in throughout the Chicago land area
and is currently on faculty at Trilogy School of Performing Arts in Lake
Zurich, IL. Carrie is thrilled to begin her first season with Giordano II!
Laural A. Reinhart has a Master Degree in Theatre with a specialty in Children’s Theatre and Creative Dramatics. For over 30
years, Laural has taught theatre classes, directed and performed professionally. Growing up in the Detroit area, Laural performed
and had the unique opportunity early on to teach and direct shows thanks to her mentor Mr. Phillip A. Mark. After graduating
from college and getting married, Laural continued her work in theatre. She has taught theater classes for all ages from
preschoolers to adults, including teaching at the high school and college levels. As Artistic Director of the Carousel Players,
Laural toured children’s theatre shows throughout the Chicago Area performing in schools, summer camps, libraries & senior
citizen centers. After moving to Cedar Rapids, Laural designed a problem-solving theatre program for 4th Youtheatre Artists
program for the Cedar Rapids Public Schools. Both interactive programs brought theatre into the classroom. After moving to
Louisville, Kentucky, Laural performed, directed, and was the Education Director for the Story Station Children’s Theatre. She
also taught classes for the internationally recognized Stage One Children’ s Theatre and developed an educational outreach
program for Actors Theatre of Louisville. Laural and her family moved back to Chicago 8 years ago. For 7 years, Laural worked
with the Northbrook Theatre where she was a member of their professional children’s theater company, taught drama classes, and
directed the Babes on Broadway Summer Workshop program. Besides performing in children’s theatre, she has performed
professionally at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, the Attic Playhouse, and with the N.U.F.A.N. and Chicago Effective Arts
Ensembles. Laural is also a communications consultant for Learned Conversations. She lives in Buffalo Grove with her husband
Craig and has 2 children—Jennifer who is a 4th year Vet Student at the University of Illinois and David who is a sophomore at the
University of Michigan.
years, Laural has taught theatre classes, directed and performed professionally. Growing up in the Detroit area, Laural performed
and had the unique opportunity early on to teach and direct shows thanks to her mentor Mr. Phillip A. Mark. After graduating
from college and getting married, Laural continued her work in theatre. She has taught theater classes for all ages from
preschoolers to adults, including teaching at the high school and college levels. As Artistic Director of the Carousel Players,
Laural toured children’s theatre shows throughout the Chicago Area performing in schools, summer camps, libraries & senior
citizen centers. After moving to Cedar Rapids, Laural designed a problem-solving theatre program for 4th Youtheatre Artists
program for the Cedar Rapids Public Schools. Both interactive programs brought theatre into the classroom. After moving to
Louisville, Kentucky, Laural performed, directed, and was the Education Director for the Story Station Children’s Theatre. She
also taught classes for the internationally recognized Stage One Children’ s Theatre and developed an educational outreach
program for Actors Theatre of Louisville. Laural and her family moved back to Chicago 8 years ago. For 7 years, Laural worked
with the Northbrook Theatre where she was a member of their professional children’s theater company, taught drama classes, and
directed the Babes on Broadway Summer Workshop program. Besides performing in children’s theatre, she has performed
professionally at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, the Attic Playhouse, and with the N.U.F.A.N. and Chicago Effective Arts
Ensembles. Laural is also a communications consultant for Learned Conversations. She lives in Buffalo Grove with her husband
Craig and has 2 children—Jennifer who is a 4th year Vet Student at the University of Illinois and David who is a sophomore at the
University of Michigan.
Lisa Lichtenstein . Lisa thinks that "there is no
pride after creating their work of art. It is so
important for children to be in touch with their
creative side, every child has an artist inside of them
and it is up to me to bring that out."
pride after creating their work of art. It is so
important for children to be in touch with their
creative side, every child has an artist inside of them
and it is up to me to bring that out."
