Our faculty shares a common philosophy: to bring each student the benefits of performing arts training - healthy lifestyles, alert minds, self-discipline, the spirit of team work and a love for the arts.
- Stacey Bowden
- Shannon Hritz
- Anne Kasdorf
- Loren LoMastro Specht
- Krissie Odegard Geye
- Holly Pace
- Christina Rodriguez
- Meredith Seeley
- Lindsay Shepherd
- Loralee Van Vleet
STACEY BOWDEN began her training in Virginia where she danced and performed competitively with Encore Performers in jazz, ballet, and tap under the direction of Raynor van de Merwe. After moving to the Chicago area in 1998 she began training at the Dance Academy of Libertyville with Paula Young- David, Lisa Sheppard, and Isabelle Melo-Elefson. Stacey continued her training at the University of Arizona studying with Susan Quinn, Sam Watson, Melissa Lowe, and Michael Williams. She there performed as a soloist in Clifton Brown’s, “Serpente”, Amy Earnst’s award winning, “Songs of Sanctuary”, as well as many other contemporary and ballet works. Since returning to Chicago, Stacey has danced professionally with TJ & Company Dance Theatre in “The Cracked Nut,” as well as Terpsichore Dance Company in “La Fille Mal Gardee.” Stacey holds her Associate I Teaching Certificate from the Cecchetti Council of America and is currently on faculty of various dance studios in the Chicagoland area.
SHANNON HRITZ a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, began her early dance training at the Laurel Youth Ballet in Greensburg, PA as well as the Johnstown Concert Ballet in Johnstown, PA. In 2002, she furthered her training at BalletMet’s intensive summer program in Columbus, Ohio and then returned to Pittsburgh. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Hritz joined Bodiography Contemporary Ballet in 2002 as an apprentice and was soon promoted to soloist in 2004. That same year she earned her Bachelor of Arts in biology with a minor in psychology, graduating Summa Cum Laude from La Roche College in Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Hritz finished her last season with Bodiography in 2007 and will begin a short-term apprenticeship with River North Chicago Dance Company. She is a certified Pilates instructor and also does therapy for children with autism.
ANNE KASDORF is a graduate of Ohio University with a BFA in dance performance and choreography. While at OU, she performed in several student, faculty and guest artist works touring throughout Ohio. In 2004 she studied and performed in Prague, Czech Republic with Lynn Barr Dance Company. Currently, Anne performs with Zephyr Dance, Chicago’s only all-female modern dance company and The Space/Movement Project, a collective of dance artists sharing resources to create work. This spring she performed in ecnDanceworks’ inaugural concert, Loop Detail at Links Hall. In addition to performing, she also teaches throughout the Chicago area both in the city’s public school system and at various suburban dance studios.
LOREN LOMASTRO SPECHT has worked as an instructor and choreographer throughout Illinois and Indiana since 1997. In addition to 10 years of teaching experience, she is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America from which she holds her Associate IV Teaching Certificate, a member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, a graduate of the NFHS Coaches Education Program and a graduate of the American Tap Dance Institute’s Teacher Training and Certification Program, the world’s foremost training program for professional tap dance teachers. During the 2001- 02 season she attended company classes and trained with River North Chicago Dance Company. She has performed at Dance Chicago, Disney’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Center, Dance For Dreams, Ela Festival of the Arts and Tango 21 (Ravinia Festival). She has danced in works by renowned choreographers Claire Bataille, Frank Chaves, Jeff Hancock and others. Since 2001 she has served as dance instructor/coach to the Lake Forest H.S. Dance Team leading them to win 4 consecutive State Championships and 2nd place at UDA Nationals. From 2002-2007 She was the director of Euphony Tap Ensemble and Prelude Dance Theatre. Loren has choreographed works for many chicago area dance companies, CenterStage Theatre and Lake Forest H.S. She has received choreography awards from the Chicago Dance Connection and Dupree Enterprises. Loren actively serves as Regional Director for the National Dance Week Committee and was a guest faculty member of the National Tap Ensemble's "Spirit of Tap"Conference. In addition to being the director/founder of LoMastro Performing Arts Academy, Loren continues her studies through master classes, seminars and festivals.
KRISSIE ODEGARD GEYE graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with degrees in Vocal Performance, Public Relations and International Studies, was “Tapadictorian” at the American Tap Dance Institute (ATDI), and is certified as a Grade II teacher through the Cecchetti Council of America (CCA). She has been on staff for Goliard Concerts in New York City, The Ethnic Dance Theatre in St. Paul, MN, Barbi Lee Dance Arts Center in Minneapolis, MN, and the Arts Alliance of Greater La Crosse. She also served as a clinician at the ATDI “Spirit of Tap” Conference, faculty member for the New York City Public School system, and Director of Dance at Island Lake Summer Arts Camp. Her choreography has received honorable recognition from LA Dance Force, Tremaine Dance Competition, Talent On Parade Competition, and American Dance Awards. Her students have received scholarships from Hollywood Vibe Conventions, the Minnesota Ballet, and The Edge Performing Arts Center. She is currently Recording Secretary of the Midwest Council of the CCA and on the Executive Board the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
HOLLY PACE began her dance training at the age of three with Lisa Sheppard, and continued her professional training at the Milwaukee Ballet School, Ruth Page Center for the Arts and Lou Conte Dance Studio. She was a performing member of Terpsichore Dance Company from 1998-2004. Holly also performed professionally at Six Flags Great America and with Especially Tap Company, where she was awarded a full scholarship for the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. Holly has been teaching for 5 years and currently serves on faculty at several studios throughout Chicagoland area. In addition to her performing and teaching, Holly continues her training at various professional schools in Chicago.
CHRISTINA RODRIGUEZ, a native Chicagoan, is a high energy hip-hop dancer, teacher and choreographer. Christina is an active member of Chicago Onyx Dance Alliance, C.O.D.A, a highly reputable professional hip-hop company in Chicago and has danced with Urban Beat Dance Elite hip-hop Company for over two years. Christina can been seen performing at many local Chicago shows such as HYPE, dancing with local vocal artists as a back up dancer, and competing in Los Angeles. In addition to performing and teaching Christina serves as director/choreographer for Urban Beat Dance Junior and Senior Hip-Hop Companies. She is also attending Northeastern University as a Business major with a minor in Dance.
MEREDITH ANN SEELEY began her dance training in Rochester, NY at the Orcutt/Botsford School of Dance. Her advanced training came from the Draper Center for Dance Education, school of the Rochester City Ballet. As a member of RCB, she performed many leading roles in a variety of productions such as “The Nutcracker”, “Firebird”, “Don Quixote”, and “Cinderella”. Meredith later danced with the Saint Louis Ballet under director Gen Horiuchi who created the leading role for her in his original production of Beauty and the Beast. She also danced several ballets including “Black Forest Carousel” and “A Tribute to Astaire” under choreographer Francis Patrelle. In Chicago, Meredith guest performs with many companies including Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, Chicago Ballet, and Civic Ballet of Chicago. She enjoys taking daily classes at the Ruth Page Foundation. Meredith is a certified pilates instructor through Core Dynamics Pilates. She holds her Associate II Teaching certificate from the CCA.
LINDSAY SHEPHERD is originally from Fairfax, VA, and has been teaching for 8 years. She graduated from East Carolina University with a B.F.A in Dance Performance, concentration in Jazz. During her time in North Carolina, she started the tap program at an all ballet school, Dance Academy East, at which the students have since created their own performing tap company. She has danced with Joel Hall Dancers II jazz company, just recently finished performing on Holland America Cruise Lines, and is currently a member of the professional tap company, Especially Tap Chicago. Her choreography has been showcased in Dance Chicago's "Best of New Dances" 2005, and was the American College Dance Festival Association National Gala winner in 2003. She continues to train and perform while teaching, and loves to inspire others through dance.
LORALEE VAN VLEET is a fitness instructor and personal trainer with nine years of intense education and fitness instruction. Her Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), Madd Dogg Spinning, and Body Training Systems certifications have led her to teach classes including Body Pump, Group Power, Spin, Total Body Conditioning, Aqua Aerobics, and Strength Training in numerous clubs on the North Shore. Over the past 5 years, her focus has been centered toward Mind/Body instruction. Certifications in SCW Pilates Matwork, AFAA Mat Science I and II, and most recently, Body Training Systems Group Centery. "Studying the works of Joseph Pilates has changed my outlook on fitness, and the true importance of a healthy core."
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