Leslie Gillan - Highland

Leslie Gillan teaches Competitive Highland Dance throughout the Chicago area and is a member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD).  Leslie was a top ranked competitive dancer who has competed throughout the United States, Canada and Scotland, where she won top honors.  The Gillan Dancers are recognized throughout the United States for their distinct style and technique, winning top honors at many competitions.  Leslie's performance credits are many, including Milwaukee Irish Fest, Artbeat Chicago, Chicago Celtic Fest, Rod Stewart Concert at Poplar Creek and various other cultural and educational venues throughout Chicagoland.  She is also the Founding Member and Artistic Director of the Celtic Dance Company Cas Dannsa.

Lena Revutska - Ballet

Lena comes to the Academy with more than 20 years of stage dance experience and 7 years of instructional dance in pre- through advanced ballet.  Her work includes extensive choreography and character dance, performing with the Ensemble Army in Dresden Germany and the State Academic Ensemble in Krasnodar, Russia.   Most recently, Lena served as the ballet and character instructor of the Chicago multi-cultural dance center home of Bryant Ballet in Chicago.   Lena also served as an instructor at the Kids State Theater of Music and Ballet in Kiev, Ukraine. Teaching music style interpretive body movement, theatrics and season-end show choreography.   Lena's education includes the State Choreography School in Krasnoyarsk, Russia and Artist of the Ballet 1972 - 1980 Certification in Dance. 

Kayla Bradford - Hip Hop / Poms / Pre Ballet

Kayla has been dancing since the age of 5.  She teaches Hip Hop and also works as a mentor with the Starz Program in Waukegan.  Kayla has been a member of the Hip Hop Dance Team in Waukegan, competing and performing throughout the Chicagoland area and winning many top honors.  Kayla also works as a Health Peer Educator with the Girl 2 Girl program sponsored by the Lake County Health Department and the Waukegan Public School System.

Rosalyn Nardini - Highland / Jazz

Rosalyn graduated from New Trier High School, where she was a member of the New Trier Dance Company and active in the dance department.   Roz is an accomplished Highland dancer and has won many awards throughout the United States and Scotland.  She continues to study with the Gillan School of Highland Dance, and has been teaching for 6 years.   Rosalyn currently attends DePaul University.

Samantha Stratton - Tap

Samantha has been dancing at the Marva Joyce Dance Studio in Waukegan since the age of 3 and has performed in many local shows.   She has been a dance assistant for 5 years and a gold medalist at the Academic Olympics for 4 years.  Samantha was also a member of the Waukegan Varsity Pom/Dance Squad.

Ivette Rogue - Salsa

Ivette Rogue is a native of Puerto Rico and has been teaching for the past 8 years. Ivette has taught dance at the Kenosha and Waukegan Public Schools and has had the pleasure of dancing with Latin dance greats, Oscar D'Leon, Micky Tavera and Eddie Santiago. Ivette has also taught other forms of Latin Dance in the Miami area, with classes geared to the  exercise benefits of dance, and also classes learning the technique and beauty  of Latin Dance. Ivette's love of life and dance shine through in her teaching style.

Frank Pena - Salsa

Whether you're a beginner or advanced dance competitior looking to improve your moves and/or enhance your style, Frank Pena can dramatically expand your Salsa and take your dancing to another level. Frank's dance background includes jazz and modern dance. He has been teaching for over ten years and has developed a teaching style that is fun and easy to follow. Frank believes that quality instruction is just as important as having fun. Instruction: Class starts with basic warm-ups which help prepare the students for the move combination that will be taught for the evening. Advanced students learn to execute a move that may contain 5 - 12 different elements. Frank demonstrates the move at normal speed first, then in slow motion. Frank then breaks down the parts into more detailed elements. Students practice the move combination slowly with a practice rhythm tape which helps with timing and precision. Partners constantly change to learn and experience a variety of styles and approaches that come with different female and male dancers.

Jerry Sullivan - African Drumming

Jerry has been drumming for 30 plus years and teaching for the past 10.  He has played in several bands throughout the Chicago/Milwaukee area.  Jerry has studied with drum circle pioneer Arthur Hull and African drumming teacher John Yost.  He has facilitated many drumming events in the Chicagoland area including Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival, Taste of Lake County, corporate drumming events at Abbott Labs, Boys & Girls Club of Lake County, Rhythm Revolution Drum Circles in Chicago and Family Drumming at Rhythm Academy.  Jerry brings his sense of family and community to his style of teaching.

Jay Sinclair - African Drumming

Jay has been a set drummer for over 25 years playing in several bands including Zipper, Lazy Dog, Big Eyed Beans From Venus, Alligator Wine, Boojwa Blues Band and Crash Street.  Jay teaches African hand drumming and set drumming.  He has studied with drumming pioneers Arthur Hull and John Yost and also has assisted and participated in several Rhythm Revolution Drum Circles.  He has also facilitated drum circles throughout the Lake County area.  Jay also plays electric bass and is an accomplished pianist.