jessica swiggum goldman
Jessica Swiggum Goldman is the founder and artistic director of all about dance®, a Chicago-based dance studio with 15 wonderful teachers and many wonderful students. Jessica grew up studying and competing nationally in jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, modern and hip hop and continued her dance education at the University of Minnesota where she danced on the University of Minnesota's nationally ranked varsity dance team and competed nationally at the Universal Dance Association. She then went on to pursue a professional career as a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader and later as a Chicago Luvabull.

At all about dance®, Jessica teaches all forms of dance and directs the kids and adult company. She has choreographed and directed five dance recitals with more than 1,000 attendees at each recital. Furthermore, all about dance® provides in-school dance programs to 10 of Chicago’s private and public schools. In addition to her 12 years of dance teaching experience, Jessica has choreographed for professional dance teams, commercials, video games, and serves as a judge at prestigious national dance competitions. Most recently, her skill set has been requested to choreograph and lead flash mobs for various commercial entities.

Jessica's teaching style is energetic and infectious; she has the ability to inspire people through her innovative choreography and positive personality. Jessica’s motto is to have fun, be young, and dance forever.

shannon westveer
Professional title states Studio Guru Galore. This basically means she is the glue that holds this whole AAD dance mecca together and she can command a room of 3 yr olds better than Barney! When asked for a teacher bio she came back with a 36-point Power Point presentation highlighting her career. This is a condensed brief…

Shannon has an extensive dance background that includes ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop training. She began dancing at the remarkable young age of two, when her ballet teacher made an exception for her, admitting Shannon to class due to her unusual ability, we knew she was special. Given her love for performing on stages, Shannon participated in numerous dance competitions and pageants over the years. She has held several national and local titles including Miss Troy, Michigan, which qualified her for the Miss Teen Michigan USA Pageant. If you’re lucky you can find her sportin’ a crown in the teacher lounge. Shannon continued to dance in college. During her third year she joined the Synergy Dance Team at NAU. Before coming to All About Dance, she taught at a prestigious studio in Brentwood, CA, while also teaching as a volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood. Shannon loves working with children and teens and is very dedicated to teaching others the love of dance. She believes in teaching children how to express their personalities creatively through dance.

jacqueline howard
Professional title states Socialite & Design Diva. She is the creative juice that helps amp AAD up. She attained her Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Illinois-Chicago and has changed careers as many times as she’s changed hair styles. Jaq left the advertising world two years ago to permanently join the AAD team. She began her dance training at the ripe old age of 3 because she was born pigeon-toed and needed to strengthen her feet. Go figure that she studied ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, modern, lyrical and hip-hop for 14 years and competed in their company on the national level. She was Captain of her State Champion high school dance squad and went on to dance for the nationally ranked University of Illinois-Chicago Dancing Flames. As her college career ended she went on to pursue a professional career with the Chicago Rush Adrenaline Rush Dancers as well as the Chicago Bulls Luvabulls. Jacqueline currently teaches for various studios in the Chicago land area as well as competition choreography for local high schools. She brought her dance career back to life when she found internationally renowned hip hop group Dance2XS, TheMisses, 312 and Redefinition. Dancing with these groups has given her the opportunity to work with choreographer/dancers Tabitha & Napoleon, The Jabbawockeez, Marty Kudelka, Laura Edwards and many more. She continues to study all forms of dance at studios Millennium, The Edge, Joel Hall and Lou Conte. She can get anyone up and dance because of her creative and energetic style and flair. Note: Please refrain from calling her Jackie... she may kick you if you do.

kate louer
Professional title states Studio Bouncer & Company Commander... don’t mess! Originally from Ithaca, NY Kate has been training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern and Hip Hop for 20 years. After Graduating high school she went on the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Performance and Choreography. While in college Kate studied and performed with many well know Choreographers including, John Lehere, Charmaine Hunter, Richard Havey, Gail Gilbert, Douglass Dunn and Susan Quinn. Performing in many concerts throughout college Kate was also chosen to preform with Bay Area Dance Company out of San Francisco; the Choreography Showcase in Madrid, Spain; and The International Dance and Gymnastics Festival in Kiel, Germany. On scholarship at UNLV she was awarded outstanding performer and choreographer. Since moving to Chicago Kate has been dancing professionally. Starting with a scholarship to the Thodos Dance Chicago Intensive, Kate then Moved on to be a full time Trainee with the company and with RASA. Loving to teach and choreograph, she feels it is a way to express herself and spread her love and knowledge of dance to others.

whitney burton
Professional title states Front of House & Resident Firecracker. She is the most positive person we know and infects everyone she comes in contact with her upbeat demeanor and sparkling smile. Her background includes modern, jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, and gymnastics. She continued on to train extensively at Broadway Dance Center as a Counselor. From there, Whitney went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.

Throughout her dance career, Whitney has had the opportunity to perform professionally with The Seldoms (A Chicago-based contemporary dance company) and Ameba Acrobatic and Aerial Dance Company. Yes, she’s one of those amazing girls that can climb up silks and hang from the trapeze. She has also had the privilege to attend American College Dance Festival as well as perform choreography by Merce Cunningham (set by Paige Cunningham) and Liz Burritt in Chicago, and Eddie Garcia at the International Dance Festival in New York City. She has attended workshops such as Joe Goode Dance Theater, and Zephyr Arts Integration Workshop and performed in the halftime show at the NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. Throughout her years of training she has studied at Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Paul Taylor Studio, Peridance Center, the Merce Cunningham Studio, The Edge, and Lou Conte. As a trained and versatile dancer, choreographer, and teacher she hopes to take her experiences even further by introducing her diverse knowledge and love for dancing and the arts through offering and encouraging a well rounded fun, exciting, inspiring and physical learning environment that will be beneficial and engaging to all students at all about dance®. She strongly feels that creativity and exploration in the arts is the key to living and loving each new day.

lisa d
Lisa D received her B.A. in Dance from Columbia College Chicago in 2001. After graduating, Lisa danced professionally for three years touring nationally and teaching with Zephyr Dance Ensemble of Chicago. She moved to Los Angeles in 2005 where she continued to train, perform, and teach with Kairos Dance Co. and the Hermosa School of Dance and Music. In May 2007, Lisa became an ACE certified personal trainer, and has experience in group fitness classes as well as one on one personal training sessions. She packs a punch not only with her toned biceps but her sparkling personality. Thankfully, Lisa returned to Chicago in 2008 to begin teaching with the All About Dance family and working as a teaching artist with Hubbard Street. She currently teaches our kids dance classes, cardio dance fitness classes, and tone and tighten. She loves being part of the All About Dance team and is dedicated to creating quality! Lisa is available for private lessons and arm wrestling competitions… by appointment only.

meredith schultz
Mere graduated cum laude from the University Of Cincinnati College Conservatory Of Music with a BFA in Ballet. While attending college, she performed with the Dayton Ballet and was a member of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II. Meredith perfected her training at summer programs such as Jacob’s Pillow’s Jazz Intensive, Point Park, American Academy of Ballet, and Mia Michaels’ Live. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and is now in her 4th season dancing with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.

lisa jean
Lisa Scurlock is a Chicago native born in St. Charles, IL. She doesn’t like to brag but she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Michigan University, MI with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and a Communications Minor. While there she was selected to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. with Philadanco and had the privilege to perform works of many world-renowned choreographers, including Lou Conte, George Faison, Gus Giordano, Harrison McEldowney and Diane McIntyre. Other training in professional dance experiences includes the River North Chicago Dance Summer Intensive program and a contract with Royal Caribbean Productions. (She had a killer tan that year). Lisa has performed in Thodos New Dances 2008 and 2009. She is a company member with Inaside Chicago Dance for her second year. Lisa choreographed for an Inaside Chicago Dance performance in 2009. Lisa enjoys teaching in Chicago at All About Dance , long walks on the beach and frilly skirts. Most recently, Lisa was honored to be named an Ambassador for Lululemon Athletica and looks forward to seeing you at one of her community events!

dan gibson
A Georgia native, Dan has been dancing since he figured out how to make his own portable dance floor from scraps of cardboard. Forged on the mean streets of Athens, Ga. Dan's introduction to the art of Breakdancing came at the corner of 'his living room' and 'the hallway'... of his college apartment. His formal training came from Gotta Dance Atlanta and Dance 411 studios where he trained in hip-hop, jazz, modern, African, and breakdance. He began his professional career with a national tour with 13th Floor Performing Arts, where he was a featured performer and choreographer. He then moved to Chicago where he has been fortunate to perform for Culture Shock Chicago, Chicago Dance Crash, the Seldoms, 5 Star Boogie, Elephant Filmworks, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Johnny Dangerous, and Kid Sister ft. Kanye West. Currently, he is a performing company member with Chicago Dance Crash and a freelance choreographer around the Chicago-land area. Dan can usually be found at the amazingly wonderful All About Dance, or you can find him on a dance floor near you...showing you how it's really done!

nikki pietro
Nikki began her dance training at the age of three in Twinsburg, Ohio. For fifteen years, she studied ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz, and modern. During her years at Sharron’s School of Dance, she competed nationally in jazz, tap, and modern. This is also where Nikki’s love of teaching little ones began. During the summers, Nikki also studied at the University of Akron Dance Institute. Nikki went on to college at Butler University. She majored in Elementary Education, while continuing to take dance classes through the Butler Dance Department and Jordan Academy of Dance. Nikki went on to pursue her professional career by joining the Indiana Pacemates Dance Team. Upon graduation, Nikki moved to Chicago where she now resides teaching Kindergarten. She has been dancing at all about dance® since its’ opening, and is part of AAD’s Adult Company. Teaching at all about dance® combines her two passions: children and DANCE!

carly whitehead
Carly began her dance training in Indiana at the age of three years old. Most of her early training came from Jordan Dance Academy at Butler University. She then went on to performing arts boarding high school ‘Interlochen Academy of the Arts’, where she graduated with a major in Dance. Carly received her BFA from the State University of New York at Purchase College, where she was able to simultaneously receive training from Alvin Ailey, The Martha Graham School of Dance, and Broadway Dance Center. After receiving her diploma, she danced professionally for two years in Indianapolis with Dance Kaleidoscope. This is Carly’s first year with All About Dance and she is excited to share her passion with such fun and motivated students and staff!

sara perz-hintz
Sara began her dance training in ballet, jazz, and modern technique at Miss Lore's School of Performing Arts in Essexville, Michigan. After deciding at a young age to pursue a career in dance, she continued her studies at the Flint School of Performing Arts, School of the Grand Rapids Ballet, and Ann Herzberg School of Dance. She was trained in the Cecchetti method of ballet, and is also proficient in TaeKwonDo, having studied for 11 years with the American TaeKwonDo Academy. She's our graceful Ninja; all sugar spice but don't mess with her in a dark alley. Sara attended the Cecchetti International Summer School of Ballet on scholarship in both 2002 and 2003, as well as the Grand Rapids Ballet summer program on a Mark Jaffe Arts scholarship. She was a member of the Garber High School Varsity dance team throughout her schooling, and upon graduation received several dance scholarships, including being named an Outstanding Graduate in the Performing Arts by the Detroit News (she really doesn't like to brag... but we will) . She then moved to Chicago to continue her dance education on a private scholarship at the prestigious Lou Conte Dance Studio. Sara is an ACE certified group fitness instructor, and has taught at many studios and fitness clubs throughout the Chicago-land area. She has performed with and taught as an Outreach Instructor for Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. Currently, Sara studies at the Hubbard Street Dance Center, Rast Ballet, Columbia College Chicago, as well as competing in American Smooth ballroom, holding pro-am championship titles in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Outside of dance, Sara enjoys traveling, long walks on the beach and taking tons and tons of dance classes!

zachary heller
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 holds possitions as the Co-Director of the jazz division at Xtreme Dance Force in Naperville IL, and the resident choreographer 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. Zachary would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support.

rachael berube
Rachael began her dance education at Karyn Kelly Dance Center in Buffalo, New York. She graduated magna cum laude from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, concentrating in Jazz. Rachael is thrilled to have gained a wealth of experience while training and performing with a wide spectrum of the industry’s leading professionals including Kiesha Lalama, Garfield Lemonius, Jason McDole, Doug Varone, Daniel Charon, Douglas Bentz, Kristina Fluty and Anna Howard. In addition to performing, she exhibits a growing passion for the art of choreography. Rachael has been fortunate enough to have a variety of opportunities with both Point Park and studios all over the States, teaching as well as setting pieces for diverse projects. Rachael is currently a part of the Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago Company. She is delighted to be working with All About Dance and can’t wait for the upcoming season to begin!

janelle fox
I began my dance education at a young age of three years old in Rochester, MI. I credit my dance technique and flare to Juliana's Academy of Dance where I developed my technical skill in Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, and Musical Theater. I competed regionally and nationally with Juliana's and received several convention scholarships that allowed me to further my dance education. I went on to receive my BA at Michigan State University in Business Management. I was a four year member of the Michigan State Dance Team and the Captain my senior year. Being a member of the Dance Team allowed me to be involved in many choreography opportunities, NCAA tournament and bowl game travel. UDA national competitions, and the joy of spirit at a collegiate University. Spreading my love for dance is my biggest passion and I am excited to share it with all the fabulous staff and students at All About Dance!

cesar salinas
As an inner-city student, Cesar began his formal studies in dance with Zohar School of Dance, under the direction of Ehud Krauss in Palo Alto, CA. There he was introduced to the classic jazz styles of Giordano, Luigi, and Mattox. He moved to Oregon where he studied at Willamette Ballet under Deborah Higginbotham. Cesar went on to further his training at the University at Buffalo, where he graduated with a BFA in Dance. He received a scholarship to the Giordano Dance School in 2004, and later joined Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago touring nationally and internationally. During his five years with the company, Cesar also taught jazz dance to 4th and 5th grade students in underserved CPS schools. Cesar was honored to be on the cover of Dance Magazine as well as a Master Teacher at the Kids Congress and in ë09 on Master Faculty of Jazz Dance World Congress. Most recently, Cesar will be off to the beautiful seas touring the Caribbean, Transatlantic, Scandanavia , and Russia as a dancer with Royal Caribbean cruise lines. Cesar has taught all over the Chicago-land area for over eight years and is thrilled to be teaching at All About Dance!

alyssa owen
I started dancing at the age of two with a concentration in jazz and ballet. I continued to study studio dance but broadened my range of dance by studying jazz, hip-hop, ballet, tap and modern for 14 more years.

When I started middle school I found another love, pom pons/dance team, and I was a part of my middle school and high school competitive poms squad for six years and a captain for three.

I graduated from Purdue University in 2003 with a double major in Psychology and Law and Society with a minor in Dance. There I was a member of the competitive Purdue Dance Team for three years where we competed in Daytona for the NDA Nationals competition. We competed in the finals competition two years in a row. It was exactly like “Bring it On” the movie but the dance version!

After graduating from Purdue University I became an NBA dancer for the Chicago Bulls as a Luvabull and danced with the team for three years. I was a captain and leader of the squad my last year in 2008. With the Luvabulls I have performed in many places throughout the US and danced internationally from Athens, Cypress, Holland, Japan, Istanbul and Greece for world basketball tournaments and international fairs.

I love dance and I continue to learn new styles and techniques to help me be a better instructor and performer. I teach hip-hop, poms, cheerleading, ballet, and am a licensed Zumba and Zumba gold instructor. I am always enthusiastic to share my love of dance with anyone, from tiny tots to bee-bopping seniors!

anthony raimondi
Anthony is currently a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago II Company. He began his dance training at Horizons Dance Center in Brooklyn, NY where he worked with well known choreographers and teachers; Tyce Diorio (SYTYCD), Mary Kate Felber, Derrick Yanford (Battleworks Dance Co), Andrew Turtletaub, KC Castellano (BET’s Born to Dance), GEO- Hubela (Iconic Dance Crew), Linda Abbate-Machado and Rachel Bachietto. He has just recently graduated from the University of Arizona where he has had the opportunity to not only work with the school’s world-renowned faculty but also perform work created by the well-known artists and icons Mia Michaels and Donald McKale and has received a number of awards including the Norman Wilock Award for Outstanding Stage Presence. The day after graduation, Anthony started his dance career on a month-long tour to China performing for Art.if.Act Dance Company in a “The Great American Dance Tour through China” where he was featured in tap, jazz, ballroom and hip hop revue numbers and followed that tour assisting and teaching for Sam Watson in Bolzano, Italy before venture out to Chicago. Anthony has also had the opportunity to compete with the Top 150 dancers in So You Think You Can Dance “Vegas Week” and has performed in a number of different commercial venues across the United States. Anthony is excited to start his first year teaching at All About Dance!

laura spicuzza
Laura has been training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, and Hip Hop for 17 years. She started teaching dance at age 13 after begging the owner of the dance company to let her teach. She competed in dance throughout elementary and high school winning. After graduating from high school, she went to school at Indiana University where she received her B.A. in Science of Kineseology with a focus on Dance. She did multiple performances and helped to choreograph for competitive and performing groups.

After college, she moved to Chicago where she taught dance at a competitive dance studio and a children’s creative center. On the side, she taught Pilates mat, reformer, and chair. In 2010, Laura moved out to San Diego where she taught at multiple dance centers and did interactive dance classes with elementary and high school After School programs. She recently moved back to Chicago and is excited share her passion with All About Dance!

natalie cammarata
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Natalie grew up loving to perform. Natalie went to Ohio University where she earned a masters and bachelor degrees in journalism, as well as a specialization in dance. Before moving to Chicago, Natalie interned at Dance Alloy, a premiere contemporary dance company in Pittsburgh led by Greer Reed. After moving to the windy city in 2009, she became a member of AAD Adult Company. She is also an assistant teacher for children's ballet at All About Dance. When she's not dancing, working in the west loop, or out with friends, Natalie writes a dance blog for ChicagoNow's Everybody DanceNow.

whitney pickett
Whitney attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she competed on the nationally competitive Illini Dance Team. She is also an accomplished ballet, jazz and hip hop dancer! Post-college, Whitney was a choreographer for two years and became a member of the All About Dance Adult Company. She is so excited to start teaching at AAD and hopes to share her love of dance and performing with all of her students!

cheryl hanson
Cheryl began her dance training at the age of nine at The Center for Dance in Westmont, IL. For ten years, she studied ballet, lyrical, tap and jazz and competed regionally and nationally. After graduating the University of Iowa, Cheryl moved back to her home town of Chicago where she has been taking classes at All About Dance and Lou Conte Dance Studio any chance she gets. Cheryl has also been part of the AAD Adult Company for 2 years. Cheryl LOVES to dance and is excited to share her passion with everyone!