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.
Kristin Hild
Instructor
Kristin began studying dance at the age of three. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and pointe, and competed on both the state and national levels. Kristin is a graduate of Illinois State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in dance and a minor in accounting. She studied dance under the direction of Laurie Merriman. Kristin was a member of the University Dance Company for four years and received both Outstanding Freshman and Outstanding Senior Dance Member awards in those respective years. As a member of the company, she was privileged to work with a number of renowned choreographers. In Kristin’s senior year, she was honored with merit awards as well a scholarship for dance. After graduating in June of 1994, Kristin ambitiously opened Dance Motions in October of the same year. Dance Motions has been awarded Business of the Year and has been going strong for 19 years. Kristin has directed productions such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Polar Express. She founded the award winning Motions Dance Company in 1996 and has been one of the company directors ever since. Kristin has won numerous choreography awards and scholarships to Chicago dance studios and has had her choreography performed at Dance Chicago in 2009. Kristin is also a member of Chicago’s National Association of Dance Masters. Kristin enjoys working with students, not only through her studio, but through after school enrichment programs, school musicals, variety shows, choir concerts and dance teams throughout the Chicagoland area. Over the years, she has enjoyed watching her studio grow and her students becoming degreed and professional dancers who come back and teach at Dance Motions. Kristin’s passion is dance. Her goal is to instill that passion in every dancer that she teaches.
Instructor
Kristin began studying dance at the age of three. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and pointe, and competed on both the state and national levels. Kristin is a graduate of Illinois State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in dance and a minor in accounting. She studied dance under the direction of Laurie Merriman. Kristin was a member of the University Dance Company for four years and received both Outstanding Freshman and Outstanding Senior Dance Member awards in those respective years. As a member of the company, she was privileged to work with a number of renowned choreographers. In Kristin’s senior year, she was honored with merit awards as well a scholarship for dance. After graduating in June of 1994, Kristin ambitiously opened Dance Motions in October of the same year. Dance Motions has been awarded Business of the Year and has been going strong for 19 years. Kristin has directed productions such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Polar Express. She founded the award winning Motions Dance Company in 1996 and has been one of the company directors ever since. Kristin has won numerous choreography awards and scholarships to Chicago dance studios and has had her choreography performed at Dance Chicago in 2009. Kristin is also a member of Chicago’s National Association of Dance Masters. Kristin enjoys working with students, not only through her studio, but through after school enrichment programs, school musicals, variety shows, choir concerts and dance teams throughout the Chicagoland area. Over the years, she has enjoyed watching her studio grow and her students becoming degreed and professional dancers who come back and teach at Dance Motions. Kristin’s passion is dance. Her goal is to instill that passion in every dancer that she teaches.
Kelli Myhre-Bahwell
Instructor
Dancing has been a part of Kelli’s life since the early age of three. She has been teaching dance at various studios in the Chicagoland area for the past 21 years. Kelli received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Dance from Illinois State University and also received two Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Art. One from Elgin Community College and another from the Illinois Institute of Art specializing in Graphic Design. She has been a performer and choreographer in numerous dance competitions and conventions and received many choreography awards. Being a teacher and choreographer has taken her to many places including England and Guatemala where she was an international choreographer/teacher hired to do master classes and be a co-creator for an entire concert. Teaching dance is a passion and dance is her way of life. Kelli’s choreography was selected for the American College Dance Festival – Great Lakes Region two years in a row. Some of her most recent choreography accomplishments include earning outstanding choreography awards from Dupree, Symposium, LA Dance Force & Footloose Dance competitions, creating choreography for “Journey to Oz”, “Adventures in Wonderland”, “Pocahontas” & “Aladdin” for the Children’s Theatre of Elgin. Kelli has also served as a judge for various dance competitions where her area of expertise includes lyrical, contemporary and advanced tap dance styles. We are so happy to have Kelli teaching with us and we look forward to her creative choreographic works.
Instructor
Dancing has been a part of Kelli’s life since the early age of three. She has been teaching dance at various studios in the Chicagoland area for the past 21 years. Kelli received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Dance from Illinois State University and also received two Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Art. One from Elgin Community College and another from the Illinois Institute of Art specializing in Graphic Design. She has been a performer and choreographer in numerous dance competitions and conventions and received many choreography awards. Being a teacher and choreographer has taken her to many places including England and Guatemala where she was an international choreographer/teacher hired to do master classes and be a co-creator for an entire concert. Teaching dance is a passion and dance is her way of life. Kelli’s choreography was selected for the American College Dance Festival – Great Lakes Region two years in a row. Some of her most recent choreography accomplishments include earning outstanding choreography awards from Dupree, Symposium, LA Dance Force & Footloose Dance competitions, creating choreography for “Journey to Oz”, “Adventures in Wonderland”, “Pocahontas” & “Aladdin” for the Children’s Theatre of Elgin. Kelli has also served as a judge for various dance competitions where her area of expertise includes lyrical, contemporary and advanced tap dance styles. We are so happy to have Kelli teaching with us and we look forward to her creative choreographic works.
Sydney Tschosik
Instructor
Sydney Tschosik grew up in Batavia, IL, and has been dancing since age three. At age 11 she joined the pre-professional SoleUnique Dance Company under the direction of Anthony Foster and Victoria Lynn Bunch. Throughout her 7 years with the company, she attended many competitions/conventions and became an award-winning soloist and scholarship recipient. Sydney continued her dance training at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she blossomed as an up-and-coming choreographer. Her education included studying pedagogy and somatics which helped develop her well-rounded teaching style. In May 2023, Sydney received a BS in Recreation, Sport & Tourism, and a Minor in Dance. During her time with the Dance at Illinois program, Sydney performed at the BFA Senior Thesis Concert in the spring of 2020 and spring of 2021, as well as November Dance 2020. After graduation, Sydney performed in new works presented at the Chicago Dancemakers Forum but found her passion in teaching and choreographing. She now teaches ballet, contemporary, jazz, and musical theatre across the Chicagoland Area.
Instructor
Sydney Tschosik grew up in Batavia, IL, and has been dancing since age three. At age 11 she joined the pre-professional SoleUnique Dance Company under the direction of Anthony Foster and Victoria Lynn Bunch. Throughout her 7 years with the company, she attended many competitions/conventions and became an award-winning soloist and scholarship recipient. Sydney continued her dance training at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she blossomed as an up-and-coming choreographer. Her education included studying pedagogy and somatics which helped develop her well-rounded teaching style. In May 2023, Sydney received a BS in Recreation, Sport & Tourism, and a Minor in Dance. During her time with the Dance at Illinois program, Sydney performed at the BFA Senior Thesis Concert in the spring of 2020 and spring of 2021, as well as November Dance 2020. After graduation, Sydney performed in new works presented at the Chicago Dancemakers Forum but found her passion in teaching and choreographing. She now teaches ballet, contemporary, jazz, and musical theatre across the Chicagoland Area.
Cadence Niccum
Instructor/Co-Company Director
Cadence Niccum is a dance educator, coach, choreographer and performer. Dancing for 21 years, she further developed her education at Illinois State University, earning a degree in Dance Education and Health Education. Throughout Cadence’s dance experience, she has had great performance and choreography opportunities. As a young dancer, she competed at various competitions throughout Illinois. While in high school, Cadence began assisting and choreographing for both recreational and competitive dancers. As a senior in high school, she was the captain of her high school dance team, while also teaching her own classes at a nearby studio.
During her time at Illinois State University, Cadence immersed herself in dance, whether it was through performing, choreographing, taking class, or coaching. Cadence was not only a member of the Dance Program, but was also a four year member of the official dance team of Illinois State University. Gaining teaching experience, Cadence was the head coach of a local junior high competitive dance team and taught at a well known dance studio. Throughout her five and a half years, she participated in ten auditions for the Illinois State pre-professional dance company. As a member of the company, she worked closely with her instructors and had the opportunity to learn from many esteemed choreographers such as, Stephanie Pizzo and Anthony "Ynot" Denaro.
Instructor/Co-Company Director
Cadence Niccum is a dance educator, coach, choreographer and performer. Dancing for 21 years, she further developed her education at Illinois State University, earning a degree in Dance Education and Health Education. Throughout Cadence’s dance experience, she has had great performance and choreography opportunities. As a young dancer, she competed at various competitions throughout Illinois. While in high school, Cadence began assisting and choreographing for both recreational and competitive dancers. As a senior in high school, she was the captain of her high school dance team, while also teaching her own classes at a nearby studio.
During her time at Illinois State University, Cadence immersed herself in dance, whether it was through performing, choreographing, taking class, or coaching. Cadence was not only a member of the Dance Program, but was also a four year member of the official dance team of Illinois State University. Gaining teaching experience, Cadence was the head coach of a local junior high competitive dance team and taught at a well known dance studio. Throughout her five and a half years, she participated in ten auditions for the Illinois State pre-professional dance company. As a member of the company, she worked closely with her instructors and had the opportunity to learn from many esteemed choreographers such as, Stephanie Pizzo and Anthony "Ynot" Denaro.
Bree Lewandowski
Instructor
Bree Lewandowski (Ms. Bree) has been an active member of the dance world for over twenty years. Dancing at a young age and teaching by sixteen, there has never been a time when she stopped furthering her knowledge and appreciation of the art in ballet, jazz, and contemporary/lyrical. Two time winner of the Stephanie Ramos Scholarship with dance industry teachers like Shel Benjamin of Julliard and Joyce Lang influencing her style and understanding, Bree loves bringing her joy of dance to her students. Her classes are a mix of corrections given with positive reinforcement, lessons on the history of different genres of dance, maybe a distracted conversation about books or two, and the joy of seeing students try. Dancers in Ms. Bree's classes know effort counts and that she will keep cheering their efforts even when they can't see the their own progress.
Instructor
Bree Lewandowski (Ms. Bree) has been an active member of the dance world for over twenty years. Dancing at a young age and teaching by sixteen, there has never been a time when she stopped furthering her knowledge and appreciation of the art in ballet, jazz, and contemporary/lyrical. Two time winner of the Stephanie Ramos Scholarship with dance industry teachers like Shel Benjamin of Julliard and Joyce Lang influencing her style and understanding, Bree loves bringing her joy of dance to her students. Her classes are a mix of corrections given with positive reinforcement, lessons on the history of different genres of dance, maybe a distracted conversation about books or two, and the joy of seeing students try. Dancers in Ms. Bree's classes know effort counts and that she will keep cheering their efforts even when they can't see the their own progress.
Destiny Barnes
Instructor
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
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!