MEET OUR FACULTY
Stephanie Michalowski
Owner/Instructor/Co-Company Director
Stephanie started dancing at the age of 3. She has studied many styles including: ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, & contemporary. Stephanie attended Illinois State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dance Education. She was a member of the Illinois State Dance Theater where she had the privilege of working with many different choreographers. She has many years experience of preforming but her love for dance brought her to teaching. She has experience teaching ages from 18 months to adults. Since graduating she has taught at different dance studios around the area spreading her passion for dance. From there, she has decided to fulfill a life long dream of hers to open her own dance studio. Stephanie's goal is to share her love and passion for dance to all the students who attend her studio.
Owner/Instructor/Co-Company Director
Stephanie started dancing at the age of 3. She has studied many styles including: ballet, jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, & contemporary. Stephanie attended Illinois State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dance Education. She was a member of the Illinois State Dance Theater where she had the privilege of working with many different choreographers. She has many years experience of preforming but her love for dance brought her to teaching. She has experience teaching ages from 18 months to adults. Since graduating she has taught at different dance studios around the area spreading her passion for dance. From there, she has decided to fulfill a life long dream of hers to open her own dance studio. Stephanie's goal is to share her love and passion for dance to all the students who attend her studio.
Gabby Estes
Instructor
Gabriella Estes is a BFA alumni of the University of Arizona School of Dance. During her time there, she trained at the professional level in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, and commercial dance styles. She was selected as an artist for the University of Arizona Dance Ensemble, where she performed works by Tamara Dyke- Compton, Michael Williams, Cat Cogliandro and Juel D. Lane. Growing up in the Chicago area, she competed across the Midwest, receiving scholarships to study at summer programs throughout the country. Most recently she performed in the Finale of Dance For Life Chicago at Auditorium Theatre in August of 2025. In the past decade, she has had the opportunity to spend her summers training with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Visceral Dance Company, Alonzo Kings Lines Ballet, River North Dance Chicago, and Interlochen Academy for the Arts, to name a few, under partial and full scholarships. Currently she is a freelance professional in Chicago who is excited to be teaching the next generation of dancers.
Instructor
Gabriella Estes is a BFA alumni of the University of Arizona School of Dance. During her time there, she trained at the professional level in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, and commercial dance styles. She was selected as an artist for the University of Arizona Dance Ensemble, where she performed works by Tamara Dyke- Compton, Michael Williams, Cat Cogliandro and Juel D. Lane. Growing up in the Chicago area, she competed across the Midwest, receiving scholarships to study at summer programs throughout the country. Most recently she performed in the Finale of Dance For Life Chicago at Auditorium Theatre in August of 2025. In the past decade, she has had the opportunity to spend her summers training with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Visceral Dance Company, Alonzo Kings Lines Ballet, River North Dance Chicago, and Interlochen Academy for the Arts, to name a few, under partial and full scholarships. Currently she is a freelance professional in Chicago who is excited to be teaching the next generation of dancers.
Analia La Spisa
Instructor
Analia began dancing at Dance Motions when she was just two years old and instantly fell in love with the art form. Over the years, she trained in a variety of styles, building a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for performance and discipline.
Analia continued her dance career at the University of Illinois, where she was a proud member and squad leader of the Illinettes Dance Team. During her time on the team, she performed at major collegiate events and took on a leadership role that allowed her to mentor and support her teammates both on and off the field.
After college, Analia began substitute teaching dance, where she discovered a passion for guiding and encouraging young dancers. She is now excited to return to Dance Motions—not just as an alum, but as an instructor—ready to give back to the studio that shaped her and inspire the next generation of dancers.
Instructor
Analia began dancing at Dance Motions when she was just two years old and instantly fell in love with the art form. Over the years, she trained in a variety of styles, building a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for performance and discipline.
Analia continued her dance career at the University of Illinois, where she was a proud member and squad leader of the Illinettes Dance Team. During her time on the team, she performed at major collegiate events and took on a leadership role that allowed her to mentor and support her teammates both on and off the field.
After college, Analia began substitute teaching dance, where she discovered a passion for guiding and encouraging young dancers. She is now excited to return to Dance Motions—not just as an alum, but as an instructor—ready to give back to the studio that shaped her and inspire the next generation of dancers.
Destiny Barnes
Instructor/Co-Company Director
Miss Destiny started dancing at three years old and has studied Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Tap. After dancing competitively for years, she joined her Orchesis team at Elk Grove High School, where she fell in love with choreography and storytelling. She has now been teaching and choreographing for 8+ years. Miss Destiny has received prestigious awards such “Best Choreographer”, “Best Performer”, “Outstanding Leadership” and other awards that she feels honored to have received. She has taken classes from Mia Michaels, Bobby Newberry, CJ Salvador, Nick Pupillo and many other inspiring choreographers. She trained and performed with Insideout Dance Project in their 2019-2020 season. Today, she furthers her training by taking classes at Visceral Dance Studio, The Rooted Space and other studios in Chicago; as well as trains on and choreographs for professional company, Outlet Dance Company. Miss Destiny works backstage and as an emcee at dance competitions. Her goal is to push her dancers to be the best version of themselves that they can be. She strives to get her students to emote, tell a story and think about movement quality, as she believes artistry is just as important for a dancer to have as technique. She loves sharing her passion of dance and choreography with the next generation of dancers.
Instructor/Co-Company Director
Miss Destiny started dancing at three years old and has studied Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Tap. After dancing competitively for years, she joined her Orchesis team at Elk Grove High School, where she fell in love with choreography and storytelling. She has now been teaching and choreographing for 8+ years. Miss Destiny has received prestigious awards such “Best Choreographer”, “Best Performer”, “Outstanding Leadership” and other awards that she feels honored to have received. She has taken classes from Mia Michaels, Bobby Newberry, CJ Salvador, Nick Pupillo and many other inspiring choreographers. She trained and performed with Insideout Dance Project in their 2019-2020 season. Today, she furthers her training by taking classes at Visceral Dance Studio, The Rooted Space and other studios in Chicago; as well as trains on and choreographs for professional company, Outlet Dance Company. Miss Destiny works backstage and as an emcee at dance competitions. Her goal is to push her dancers to be the best version of themselves that they can be. She strives to get her students to emote, tell a story and think about movement quality, as she believes artistry is just as important for a dancer to have as technique. She loves sharing her passion of dance and choreography with the next generation of dancers.
Lauren Willmann
Instructor
Lauren Willmann is from Dallas, Texas, and she began her serious training with the International Conservatory of Performing Arts Pre-Professional Company under the direction of Geralyn Del Corso Gardner and Jamie Thompson. Her passion led her to attend numerous conventions and classes for all styles of dance all over the DFW area. Lauren continued her higher education at Oklahoma City University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Pedagogy (American Dance Teacher) with a minor in Mass Communications. Since graduating, she became a member of Urban Performing Company based in Dallas TX, under the direction of Stevo McMaryion. Lauren was also the Performance Team director at McKinney Dance Studio. She has taught classes: creative movement, pre combinations, ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theatre to various ages at numerous studios across Texas and Oklahoma. Lauren has also toured as an assistant teacher with the Manhattan Dance Project convention with Bill Hotaling, and the ConnXion Experience convention with Suavé. When teaching, she emphasizes connecting music to feelings to movements. She also integrates teaching life values in the classroom such as respect, inclusivity, courage, love, and open mindedness. Her number one priority is safety in the classroom, followed closely by instilling a love for dance within each and every student. She is very excited to share her passion for dance and be a part of the Dance Motions team!
Instructor
Lauren Willmann is from Dallas, Texas, and she began her serious training with the International Conservatory of Performing Arts Pre-Professional Company under the direction of Geralyn Del Corso Gardner and Jamie Thompson. Her passion led her to attend numerous conventions and classes for all styles of dance all over the DFW area. Lauren continued her higher education at Oklahoma City University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Pedagogy (American Dance Teacher) with a minor in Mass Communications. Since graduating, she became a member of Urban Performing Company based in Dallas TX, under the direction of Stevo McMaryion. Lauren was also the Performance Team director at McKinney Dance Studio. She has taught classes: creative movement, pre combinations, ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theatre to various ages at numerous studios across Texas and Oklahoma. Lauren has also toured as an assistant teacher with the Manhattan Dance Project convention with Bill Hotaling, and the ConnXion Experience convention with Suavé. When teaching, she emphasizes connecting music to feelings to movements. She also integrates teaching life values in the classroom such as respect, inclusivity, courage, love, and open mindedness. Her number one priority is safety in the classroom, followed closely by instilling a love for dance within each and every student. She is very excited to share her passion for dance and be a part of the Dance Motions team!
Sara Wagenmaker
Instructor
Sara Wagenmaker is a movement artist from Chicago’s West Side. She holds a Dance BFA and Arts Entrepreneurship minor from The Ohio State University and are an NASM certified personal trainer. Her own creative work, informed by her training in European and Africanist contemporary forms, has been supported by Chicago DanceMakers Forum, the Croft, Fever Dream Dance Collective, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Sara has performed the choreography of international artists including Jonathan Alsberry, Abby Zbikowski, Dave Covey, and Pau Aran. In herteaching, Sara works to meet each student where they are at and help them take the next step forward--both as dancers and as people.
Instructor
Sara Wagenmaker is a movement artist from Chicago’s West Side. She holds a Dance BFA and Arts Entrepreneurship minor from The Ohio State University and are an NASM certified personal trainer. Her own creative work, informed by her training in European and Africanist contemporary forms, has been supported by Chicago DanceMakers Forum, the Croft, Fever Dream Dance Collective, and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Sara has performed the choreography of international artists including Jonathan Alsberry, Abby Zbikowski, Dave Covey, and Pau Aran. In herteaching, Sara works to meet each student where they are at and help them take the next step forward--both as dancers and as people.
Cece Summers
Instructor
Ms. Cece has been dancing since the age of seven and has been teaching since graduating from Hope College in 2021 with a Bachelors in Dance and Creative Writing. She loves dancing in the styles of Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz and teaching dancers as young as two and up. During her junior and senior year of Hope, she was a company member of StrikeTime Theatre Dance and has performed many choreographic experiments through Dance and storytelling. She has a passion for creating space for the love of dance and expression.
Instructor
Ms. Cece has been dancing since the age of seven and has been teaching since graduating from Hope College in 2021 with a Bachelors in Dance and Creative Writing. She loves dancing in the styles of Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz and teaching dancers as young as two and up. During her junior and senior year of Hope, she was a company member of StrikeTime Theatre Dance and has performed many choreographic experiments through Dance and storytelling. She has a passion for creating space for the love of dance and expression.