Instructors and Staff

Ali Fishman

Ali Fishman has studied dance at numerous highly regarded dance studios including: Kassel Dance Studio, North Shore School of Dance, Lou Conte Dance Studio and Heart and Sole. She has participated in Urban Jamm and Monsters of Hip Hop amongst many other dance workshops, simultaneously training with some of the best choreographers in the dance industry. Ali was a member of Stevenson High School's Varsity Poms, Varsity Poms Choreography team, and FUSION Dance Company between 2000-2004. Ali continues to work as the Assistant Director of FUSION Dance Company.

Alissa Levine

Alissa Levine has been teaching dance for the past ten years in and around the Chicagoland area and has previously studied dance at Gus Giordano Dance Center, Joel Hall Dance Center, and Lou Conte’s Dance Studio. Alissa’s performance experience includes work with the University of Illinois Dance Team, recording artist Javante Monet, and alternative rock group, The Love Hammers, and Dance 2xs, Chicago. She currently dances for Culture Shock Dance Troupe Chicago. Alissa has taught and choreographed for several high schools and camps in and around the Chicagoland area and CDA Dance Conventions during the summers. Alissa has experience in all forms of dance, but specializes in hip hop and hip hop choreography. She founded FUSION Dance Company in 2001 and the company has been growing and improving ever since.

Jenny Zuleger

I am so happy to be sharing my passion and love of dance with all of you. I have been involved in the amazing world of theater and dance all my life. I have progressed from child dancer, to professional dancer/actress, and finally to the position I currently hold as Artistic Director of Soul2Sole Dance Inc. I have enjoyed every step of my theater and dance career and am devoted to sharing my knowledge and experience with your children. I believe that through the technique and discipline of dance, many lessons can learned that will last a lifetime. The staff and I are here to make your dance experience rewarding, challenging, and exciting.

Soul2Sole provides the most inspiring, energetic, and up-to-date instruction for serious and aspiring dancers, and for students who just want to have some fun. My goal as Artistic Director is to provide excellent technical training in an atmosphere that is positive, supportive, and promotes a genuine sense of self-esteem. Thank you for choosing Soul2Sole as your dance studio.

Jenn Schneck

Jenn Schneck holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and Dance from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, where she studied under Julliard graduate Joan Karlen and James Moore, assistant for the legendary Jerome Robbins. Jenn began her training at the Dance Arts Center in Franksville, Wisconsin and continues her training at Chicago's premier studios: Lou Conte Dance Studio (Hubbard Street Dance), Gus Giordano's, Joel Hall, and Visceral, as well as attending master classes across the country taught by top instructors/choreographers in the dance industry. Jenn received her Pilates certification in 2009 and continually strives for higher education in the field of strength, alignment, and dancer injury prevention. Jenn's choreography credits include Dance Chicago, The Racine Kid and Youth Players, master classes for inner city community programs in Chicago, and she is a visiting instructor for the Dance Arts Center as well as other studios throughout Wisconsin. In the competitive circuit, Jenn has judged for Rainbow Connection Dance Competition, and has had her work recognized both regionally and nationally, receiving Choreography, Technique, Critiques Choice Nominations, Best of Show, Best In Studio, and High Point awards at Adrenaline, New York City Dance Alliance, The Move, Jump, L.A. Dance Magic, and League of Champions. Her former students have gone on to have thriving careers, both collegially and professionally, in the dance and theater industry.

Evelyn Rice

Evelyn Rice started dancing professionally as a member of the UIC dance team, and she eventually became captain/choreographer for the group. Alongside, she modeled and performed with the Chicago Honey Bear Dance Company. Since then, Evelyn has ventured onto dance stages with recording artists including, Universal’s Alfonso Hunter, Do or Die, Twista, and local artists, Javante Monet and Kim Keller. She has performed at convention centers and sports arenas nationwide. As a freelance choreographer, she works with many local high schools and colleges that compete at State and National competitions. Evelyn is also an instructor/choreographer for the Cheer and Dance Association (CDA). Other recent credits include: Dance 2XS (an international hip hop company), Glamour Magazine April 2007 issue, NIKE Rockstar Workout Winner 2006, and featured in a music video with Atlantic recording artist, Bayje.

Erin Fleck

Erin Fleck is a graduate of Indiana University with a BS in Kinesiology and an emphasis in modern dance where she studied the styles of ballet, modern and jazz under Elizabeth Shea, Laura Poole, and Gwendolyn Hamm to name a few. Erin also rehearsed with the Ben Munisteri Dance Company and Connie Donapoli, former member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. In addition, Erin was a Corps Member at Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and a Company Member for the Abigail Alyn Dance Projects. Erin has taught dance at The Academy of Dance Arts in Fishers, Indiana and brings with her a love for dance and a passion to teach children.

Monty Buckley

Monty Buckley has been performing and choreographing since 1995 and has been breaking and pop-locking since 1999. He is the Co-Artistic Director of Stick and Move, a multi faceted hip hop dance company incorporating choreography, breakdancing, martial arts, and acrobatics. Monty has years of teaching experience getting his start instructing with the University of Hip Hop. He instructs hip hop, street funk, and breakdance. He has taught students of all levels and ages ranging from 5 year olds to adults. While attending Eastern Illinois University, Monty started the only co-ed hip hop dance company in the University’s history, Rhythm and X-tacy. Founded in 2003 Rhythm and Xtacy is still going strong today.

Perry Denton

Perry Denton is currently the assistant director of Gifted Souls Dance Group. He recently just finished shooting the Bollywood movie Dhoom 3 where he was a principal dancer. In addition, he has danced for many stars including Brooke Hogan and Ce Ce Pension, Black eyed Peas and Chicago's very own BenOne. Perry has appeared three times on the Oprah Show and currently he is shooting Chicago Fire. Perry received his dance training from Columbia College in Chicago where he studied all forms of dance, including ballet, jazz and modern. Perry has taught throughout the Chicagoland area. He continues to teach more sytles of dance including Poms and Latin dance. Perry is eager to pass along his gift and love of dance to all his students.

Andrew Tamez Hull

Andrew Tamez Hull is talented in three areas of the arts: dancing, acting, and singing. Although Drew has trained in many, if not all, styles of dance, his main forte is Hip Hop. He has spent half of his life competing with Xtreme Dance Force and training with Chicago's Dance 2XS and Boom Crack. As a choreographer, Drew has won numerous awards for his Hip Hop choreography and he travels to work with the LSU Tiger Girls, one of our nation's top dance teams. In addition, Drew has served as a judge at the hip hop convention HYPE, held in Chicago in 2012. To strengthen his dance ability, Drew has trained in salsa, rumba and tango and swing partner dances. For acting, Drew has been featured in two major motions pictures (including Gran Torino) and has been fortunate to work with Clint Eastwood, one of Hollywood's best directors. For singing, Drew was a finalist in the 2003 Aurora Idol competition and appeared on the TV show Inspiration Sensation on channel TLN in 2005. Currently, Drew has been releasing his music on itunes under his artisti name Dru.
Drew is drawn to his love of dance and has decided to focus on teaching, choreographing, and coaching. His goal is to inspire and make every student count on the dance floor and to achieve their personal goals.

Janice Blum

Janice Blum graduated Summa Cum Laude from Barat College in Lake Forest with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Dance. She has been teaching Ballet to children and adults throughout the suburbs of Chicago for many years. Her love of teaching and positive attitude are an inspiration to students of any age. Janice believes that every student has the potential to be a great dancer and uses her instruction to help them reach their ultimate potential.

Maliwan Diemer

Maliwan Diemer has a MA in Arts Administration and a BSOF in Ballet and Political Science, magna cum laude from Indiana University. She began her dance training in Columbus, Ohio at the age of three. Ballet became her passion and by the age of thirteen, she had been invited to study and perform with Indiana University's Ballet Theater where she trained with notable guest choreographers and directors. At this time, Maliwan was also an instrutor for the University's Pre-College Ballet Program. Since moving to Chicago in 2005, Maliwan is on faculty at the Lou Conte Dance Studio and the Joffrey Ballet's Academy of Dance, serves as Performance Project Director and faculty member for Chicago Ballet Arts, works with the University of Chicago's UBallet and has taught company class for DanceWorks Chicago.

Angelica Garza

Angelica Garza received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Ailey/Fordham University where she studied Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Horton and Graham techniques and more. Angelica has extensive training from the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance, Boston Ballet School, and the Houston Ballet School. Angelica assisted and taught at The Ailey School in New York and the First Steps Junior Division Porgram. She was a Company Apprentice at Ballet Hispanico (New York,N.Y.) and is a freelance dancer at The Civic Ballet of Chicago.

Jennifer Kopka

Jennifer Kopka was a member of the Stevenson High School Patriettes (Poms) and an AAA Lyrical Team Dance Illinois State Champion. She teaches workshops, master classes and choreography for its program. Jennifer received a B.A. in Elementary Education with a Certification in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has received extensive training in Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrcial, and Modern from many schools throughout the North Shore. Jennifer has won many dance/choreography awards and was an instructor/choreographer for the competition company at Studio One Dance School in Madison. As a dance instructor, Jennifer gives her students the tools needed to successfully demonstrate the movement quality and emotional maturity that dance and choreography requires through technical and strength training.

Dana Rosenthal

Dana Rosenthal started dancing at the age of 3 and is trained in hip hop, jazz, poms, ballet, tap, and musical theater. Dana recently returned to Chicago from Los Angeles, where she taught hip hop at the famous Debbie Reynolds' Studio and coached the dance team of Occidental College. While in Los Angeles, Dana also worked for Hip Hop International (creators/producers of MTV's America's Best Dance Crew), with whom she annually helps produce the World Hip Hop Dance Championship. Dana recently choreographed Just Dance for Kids and Smurf Dance Party for Nintendo Wii games. Dana graduated from the University of Iowa an has taught and choreographed for all ages at many studios, schools and hip hop groups throughout Chicago and Los Angeles. She was a dancer and co-director of Hip Hop ConnXion in Chicago. Dance is Dana's passion and she is happy wherever she can teach, perform and share it with people.

Susan Skrzymowski

Susan Skrzymowski graduated from Columbia College Chicago as a dance major, training in ballet and modern dance. She has also studied hip hop, jazz funk, house, isolations and contemporary; Susan also has training in gymnastics. Born and raised in Illinois, Susan has studied and trained intensely with Nick Gonzalez and Trae Turner. She is a member of the Boom Crack Dance Company where she has collaborated on many pieces with its founder and director, Trae Turner. Recently, Susan performed with Beyonce for Oprah's Last show and has travelled to Las Vegas to compete in the Hip-Hop World championship. As a participant in the world reknown Monsters of Hip Hop convention, Susan has received scholarships for her dance ability. Teaching workshops around the suburbs, Susan hopes to help spread her unique style and love for dance.

Brian McGinnis

Brian McGinnis has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Julliard School under the directorship of Benjamin Harkarvy. While completing these studies, Brian also partcipated in Joffrey Ballet Intensives. He proudly began his training with Jo Ann Warren, at the age of seven in Worcester, Massachusetts. Professionally, Brian joined the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company in NYC and has been dancing with them since 2008. He has danced with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Elisa Monte Dance, Parsons Dance Company and Buglisi Dance Theatre. Brian is a Guest Choreographer and Teacher at The Fine Arts Center in Greenville, South Carolina, and continues to conduct Master Classes and lectures to pre-professional dancers. Brian is excited to to share his passion for dance with beginners to the most advanced student.

Alyssa Gregory

Alyssa Gregory is a native of Woodbridge, VA and received her BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. During her time at VCU, Alyssa had the privilege of working with Tania Isaac, Melanie Richards, Scott Putman, Amarath Contemporary Dance Company and was in the reconstruction of Urban Bush Womens' National Endowment of the Arts Masterpiece "Shelter." Along with this, Alyssa also choreographed and performed in numerous student concerts. In 2010, Alyssa received the VCU Arts Undergraduate Research Grant and helped produce and dance in the evening length production of "LOCKEN." Alyssa has also danced in the 75th Orange Bowl half-time show under the direction of So You Think You Can Dance's Mandy Moore and has presented work in the Chicago Fringe Festival with the Open Space Project. In addition, Alyssa is a current member of The Moving Architects. Alyssa has been teaching since she was 17 years old to all ages in many genres of dance in both Virginia and Chicago.

Jeanette Vandermolen

Jeantte Vandermolen has danced professionally for the Swallow Cliff Dance Company before shifting her focus to teaching and independent performance and choreography projects. Between 2008-2010, Jeannette was a professional Company Member with Rasa Dance Chicago. Along with dancing professionally for many years, Jeannette has directed and choreographed for several national, award-winning dance companies. Jeannette enjoys passing along to her students the knowledge, passion, inspiration, self-discipline, and joy that can be discovered in dance.

Nicole Dukett

Nicole Dukett has been teaching pilates and barre based classes at health clubs around the North Shore for the past 5 years. Her extensive training and certifications make her a highly qualified instructor for all classes she teaches. Nicole is certified in Power Pilates Beginning-Advanced Mat and Apparatus; Barre Fitness Method Training; Kinesis Thomas Myers' Anatomy, How to "C" Effectively; Common Chronic Conditions; Art of Touch and Cue; Intermediate Cadillac Review; Pilates for Athletes; Fix Your Feet; Variations on the Reformer; Variations on the Mat; The Pilates Breakdown; The Electric Chair Workout; Pre-Natal Pilates. Nicole has also completed 20.5 seminar and lesson hours at The Chicago Pilates Conference with noted instructors Jay Grimes, Peter Fiasca, Kathryn Ross Nash, Brooke Siler, Mari Winsor, Chris Robinson, and Dana Santi.

Emma Peterson

Emma Peterson has been working as a dancer and choreographer throughout the city of Chicago after receiving her BA in Dance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Upon graduating, Emma moved to Chicago and has danced with Thodos Dance Chicago, John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Annoyance Theater, Pursuit Productions, the Gorilla Tango Theater, the Lou Conte Dance Studio, and is currently a member of the Chicago Repertory Ballet Company. While at the University, Emma had the opportunity to dance in Burgos, Spain with the New York International Dance program, and performed in works by Kazuko Hirabayashi, Arantxa Sagardoy, and Jose Limon.