Welcome to the 40th Season of
Jo's Footwork Studio
and its 2023-2024 Dance Season!
Since 1984, and in its 40th dance year, Jo’s Footwork Studio offers a wide range of dance technique classes for preschoolers and tots through adult, from beginners to advanced levels with Master/Professional instructors in Mommy & Me, our Twinkle Star program for 2 year old through Kindergarten, Ballet, Pointe, PreDemi-Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Leaps & Turns, Lyrical, Conditioning//Tumbling, All Star-Pomdance (Performance Company teams), MiniEnsemble, Contemporary Movement and Hip Hop. Jo’s Footwork is a Technique-based studio, concentrating on dance methodology, The Foundations of Dance, Multiple Styles of Dance, and Performance Based.
The philosophy and mission: Encouragement, Enthusiasm, and Creativity for the dancers while challenging them to be the best dancer, performer, and person they can be. To give them a place to always enjoy their art or help them to pursue the professional arena. We instill confidence, self-esteem, and love for all who dance at Jo’s Footwork Studio.
Instructors are either master instructors, professional performers, certified, degreed, or all of the above. Our dance program is syllabi run.
This year, we have Footwork Mini-Ensemble (a performance-based youth company for ages 8 thru 10) and our AllStars Poms performance dance teams: Crystal and Platinum Elite AllStars!
Jo’s Footwork offers over 130 classes for tots & preschoolers through adults and beginners to advanced levels. Dancers are put in levels appropriate to age, level, and ability.
Jo’s Footwork is under the direction of Jay Fagan.
Jo's Footwork Studio Office (708) 246-6878, Studio I & II are located at 1500 Walker Street – 2nd Floor, just 1/2 block north of Hampton & Hillgrove (next to the Western Springs Theatre and across from the Western Springs pool). Studio III is on the 2nd floor and Studio IV is in the lower level of the Grand Avenue Community Center (4211 Grand Avenue) on the NE corner of Chestnut & Grand, west of the Western Springs library.
Our Instructors
Jay Fagan (Director, Tap and Jazz) is an internationally recognized Master Instructor, Professional Dance Choreographer, and former Co-Director of Especially Tap Chicago. Jay has performed all over the world as a soloist, and with his sister Connie in Sibling Rivalry. Jay was a specialty act in the Las Vegas production Lasting Impression from 1999 - 2005 and spent the 2008-2009 academic year on staff at Oklahoma City University, teaching tap, jazz, and musical theater. (Visit www.jayfagan.com for full bio)
Joanie Rowland (Office Manager) has been with Jo’s Footwork for over 25 years, first as a parent who enrolled her daughters, Amanda and Melody, in dance at Jo’s Footwork. Ms. Joanie became part of the office staff 20 years ago as it transitioned to new computer programs and operations. She has been very involved with the day-to-day working with parents and dancers, figuring out dance classes, dance attire, phone calls, sending/receiving emails, and her favorite twinkle star kids in the hall! By the time you have been with the studio for one season, you will know Ms. Joanie. Currently, she resides with her husband, David in Burr Ridge and is a grandmother to two. Make sure you say hello!
Katy Wenger (Operations Manager, Tap, Jazz, Twinkle Stars) is a graduate of Oklahoma City University, with a Bachelor of Science American Dance Pedagogy degree. She has also enjoyed many responsibilities revolving around dance from producing dance shows, wardrobes, choreography, and teaching all levels of tap, ballet, and jazz.
Connie Sweeney (Jazz, Tap. Lyrical, Twinkle Star) a former member of performance Company Same Planet, Different World, former member of Rhythm ISS, an all-female tap ensemble, currently dances with Jay Fagan in Sibling Rivalry, Choreographer to City Nation, Adjudicator and Workshop Instructor to Chicago Dance Connection and CNDADM and is the former Founder Artistic & Senior Company Director of Footwork Dance Ensemble begins her 16th season with the studio.
Amanda Fazio (Poms, Jazz, Twinkle Stars, and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance) has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She received her formal training at Jo’s Footwork Dance Studio with a focus on ballet, modern, pointe, jazz, and lyrical. Amanda was a member of Matrix Dance Improv and Eurythmics Dance Company performing works by Randy Duncan, Keith Elliot, Jeff Hancock, Terry Wethington, and Corey Nagel. She continued her dance studies at the University of Illinois as a performer and choreographer with 3 Spot Dance Troupe. As a graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she received her bachelor’s degree in Human Development/Family studies with a concentration in child/adolescent studies and dance. After college, Amanda coached Poms at Lyons Township High School, founded Footwork All Star Elite Dance Team. Currently, Amanda is a professional performer and choreographer with Outlet Dance Company. Her additional degree in Occupational Therapy has enabled her to pursue her passion of teaching dance to children of all abilities and needs.
Kathryn M. Lahey – “Miss Kathy” (Twinkle Stars) Kathy has been a dance teacher for 40 years. She had a studio in the Fox Lake area for 6 years. She then moved to Seattle WA where she was the owner and director of Kathy’s Studio of Dance for 34 years. Before teaching, she studied at two studios, both in Illinois: ballet with Judith Svalander School of Ballet in Crystal Lake IL. Kathy taught dance at many Seattle area Community Centers. She has been a choreographer for musicals, Beauty Pageants, Pom-Pon Squads and Cheerleaders. Kathy is a past member of the “Dance Educators of America” and the “Professional Dance Teachers Association.” Miss Kathy teaches Pre-school Dance, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater, Lyrical, Tumbling and Kickline. Miss Kathy has worked for 25 years with Starpower National Talent Competition as a judge and staff member. Miss Kathy is also on Staff with “Manhattan Dance Project” hosting classes around the country that are conducted by professional working teachers from today’s dance world. MDP helps Kathy keep up and be current in today’s dance techniques. Miss Kathy is always most happy when she can pass on her passion to dance to children and adults of all ages.
Sequoia Marshall (Director or Mini Ensemble, Jazz) Ms. Sequoia is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been dancing since she was three and was a student at Jo's for thirteen years. Sequoia started assisting teachers at age eleven and began teaching her own class at 15. Along with dancing at Jo’s she has taken various workshops including the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. Sequoia was also on the Dance Team at the College of DuPage, while attending COD. While there, she danced mostly Poms, along with Kick Line, Jazz, Tap, and Modern. Currently, Sequoia is the Artistic Director of Jo’s Footwork Mini Ensemble.
Haley Marcin (Ballet, DemiPointe, Stretch & Strengthen) Haley is a creator, educator, and performing artist, who graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina Greensboro with a BFA in Dance with a focus in choreography and performance. Haley has had the pleasure of performing works by Martha Graham, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane, Janet Lilly, B.J. Sullivan, Clarice Young, and several Chicago choreographers such as Hanna Bricston and Jessica Miller Tomlinson. She has trained and performed with companies in several cities including Chicago and New York. She has performed nationally and internationally and her choreography has been performed on several stages including Alto Monte, Italy. After training on full scholarship in Calabria, Italy, Haley apprenticed with the Michael Mao Dance Company in New York. She is now happy to be back home in Chicago and dancing with Aerial Dance Chicago and Project Bound Dance in her first season with both companies. When Haley is not taking class or rehearsing for a show, she loves creating her own works and teaching. Haley has been invited consecutively to teach at an Honor’s Ballet Summer Intensive at The Dance Company in Alabama and also teach ballet for the Chicago based dance company- Still Inspired teen intensive. More recently, she was selected to be the master contemporary teacher at The Dance Center of Greensboro by the Southeast Committee Cecchetti Council of America. Haley was also asked to teach Release technique classes at FINI Dance Festival in Calabria, Italy. Haley’s drive, deep love for dance, and constant need to learn more has led her to many new places, opportunities, performances, and accomplishments that shape her and the performer she is today. She is delighted to join Jo’s Footwork Studio!
Annie Pinta (Poms, Director Footwork Elite Dance Teams) has trained in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and lyrical/contemporary dance since early childhood. She recently graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Dance Teacher Education and has a dance teacher certification from the Illinois State Board of Education. She was on the poms team at Lyons Township High School and was a performing member of Illinois State Dance Theatre while she attended college. She was on the executive board of Dance Association during this time, and was responsible for producing the student-choreographed concert, in which produced three of her own choreographed works.
Kalina Bartlett
(Ballet, Tumbling/Conditioning, Contemporary)
began performing with Ballet Wichita at age 10 and danced principal roles while in high school. She returned to BW as guest artist for The Nutcracker, dancing Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Wichita State University with a BFA in Performing Arts in Dance. With Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre, she toured to New York City and Italy, and earned soloist roles with choreographers Cheyla Clawson Chandler, Rachel Boyajian, Darrell Grand Moultrie and Shauna Martinez. She performed professionally with Modern American Dance Company (MADCO) in St Louis. Currently, she is the studio manager at Simantikos and performs with Simantikos Dance Chicago
Whitney Courson (Twinkle Stars) began taking dance at Krupinski Academy of Dance in St. Louis, Missouri when she was five years old. She grew up as a member of the American Dance Troupe and spent her summers performing at the Muny. Whitney continued her dance education at Penn State University while earning her B.A. in Theatre. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern and musical theatre styles. After college, she moved to New York City and enjoyed taking classes and performing with the Alvin Ailey Extension. Whitney has been teaching at Jo's since 2017 and absolutely loves it!.
Kristen Jones Hughes (Twinkle Stars, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical) Kristen started her dance training at Dancewest Ballet and then attended The Chicago Academy For The Arts High School as a dance major. She performed in pieces choreographed by Randy Duncan, Eduardo Vilaro and Anna Paskevska. Kristen went on to train at The Martha Graham School in New York City, where the training emphasis was Modern dance with instructor Pearl Lang. She was cast in numerous performing opportunities with the studio. Kristen continued her Modern, Ballet and Jazz training with Columbia College of Chicago.
Kristen has had many years of teaching Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary/Modern to all ages of dancers. She enjoys watching her students grow in their dance technique and takes pride in their accomplishments. Kristen also enjoys choreographing and has an extensive background of award winning pieces. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Zumba Instructor and works as a Special Needs Assistant in the Naperville school district.
Alexa Tolitano (Twinkle Stars) began her dance training at the age of 5, at The Center For Dance in Westmont, Illinois. She trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop and competed in their company for 10 years. Throughout these formative years, she trained with Mike Minery, Anthony Morigerato, Helene Phillips, and Lauren Gottlieb. She furthered her dance training at Western Michigan University, receiving a B.A. in dance. In 2014, she toured the Midwest with Western Michigan University’s touring ensemble, Western Dance Project under the direction of Whitney Moncrief, culminating in their final performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. After college, Alexa moved to Los Angeles to purse a professional dance career under the representation of Go2Talent Agency. She has been privileged to work with renowned choreographers including Sabrina Phillips, Liana Blackburn, Brooke Paulson, and Jason Myhre. She has been featured in various dance performances and projects including the 2017 Capezio Ace Awards with Nick Young’s company, Rhythmatic; music videos with Blake McGrath and Mickey Singh, and the short film “In A Beat” directed by Natasha Mynhier. She continued training at Edge P.A.C., Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, and took part in Liana Blackburn’s Body Language Experience Intensive. Alexa is thrilled to be back in her hometown, sharing her passion for dance with dancers of all ages.
Jan Augustine (Ballet) is a professional performer who has danced for Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Festival Ballet, SSPA Ballet and DuPage Opera Theater. She has danced as a principal dancer, soloist and in the corps de ballet in various operas including La Traviata, The Bartered Bride, Carmen, and The Merry Widow. Additionally, she choreographed Amahl & the Night Visitors and Cosi Fan Tutte for DuPage Opera Theater. In addition to ballet and opera, Jan danced as a soloist for Broadway Dances and Franklin Avenue Dance Company. Jan has performed in more than 40 musicals, including West Side Story for Theater at the Center, Chicago for Buffalo Theater Ensemble and as Charity in Sweet Charity. Jan has also choreographed numerous productions for Wheaton College Opera Music Theatre, including Rodgers & Hart, A Celebration. In 2018 Jan had the pleasure of dancing in concert at the St. Luke’s Theater Off-Broadway in New York City for DO40’s anniversary concert. Jan is a proud member of AGMA and AEA. Jan is forever grateful for her wonderful teachers, Belle Bender (Ballet Russe De Monte Carlo) Ellis-DuBoulay (Royal Ballet of England) Kenneth Von Heidecke (Chicago Ballet) Sue Wren (Salt Creek Ballet) Gary Flannery (All that Jazz) Ginger Farley and Tammy Mader (Hubbard Street Dance) Jan has been a frequent guest artist at The Academy of Dance Arts and Salt Creek Ballet.
Cassidy Cochlan (Twinkle Stars, Tap, Jazz) began dancing at the age of three and has trained at Salt Creek Ballet, Hinsdale Dance Academy, Pure Vibe Dance Center, and Jo’s Footwork Studio. She has studied under many teachers including Corey Nagel, Nicole Miller, Carly Crowder, Julie Simon, Marcella Duscay, Jay Fagan, and Connie Sweeney. Cassidy has performed in The Nutcracker as a Spanish Dancer and a Mirliton Shepherdess. She also competed regionally for many years receiving various placements and judge’s awards. Cassidy is currently a junior at Timothy Christian High School in Elmhurst. There, she is a member of the high honor roll and the Spanish Honor Society. She hopes to study math education in college and one day teach math at the high school level. Cassidy is so excited to teach at Jo’s this year because she loves helping students accomplish their goals and watching them grow as dancers and people.
Sara Zgonina (Twinkle Stars) is a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer who works throughout the Chicago area. Growing up in Elmhurst, Illinois, Sara began dancing at the age of four at DuPage Dance Academy, where she was trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap and performed with Elmhurst Dance Theatre and Ballet North. She started teaching dance at the age of sixteen and continued her training through intensives, college studies, and Chicago studios, including Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Lou Conte Dance Studio, and Aerial Dance Chicago. In 2020, Sara graduated summa cum laude from North Central College with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre. Throughout her training and career, she has performed in many ballets, musicals, and jazz and tap concerts as well as choreographed for professional and youth theatre or dance shows. Some of her favorite credits include dancing the role of Cinderella (Cinderella), Dying Swan (Carnival of the Animals), Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker), Lead Frug Dancer (Sweet Charity) and Little Lamb (Big Fish).
Jorianne Zvonek (Hip Hop) started her dance journey at the age of four at a local dance studio. She has trained in all styles of dance. By age eleven, she began competing at local dance competitions winning numerous awards. In 2021, Jorianne competed at the IMTA (International Model and Talent Association) where she took first place in dance, was in the top 5 for actor of the year, and was second runner-up for most sought out talent. In 2022 she ranked 7th nationally for her Musical Theater Solo. Her professional training includes The Broadway Collective where she has studied singing, dancing, and acting. Jorianne is now dancing/working professionally in the industry and most recently worked on a popular children’s television series that will premiere on Apple TV soon. She has also found a love for choreographing with her work placing nationally. Jorianne loves being a positive influence on young dancers, placing importance of encouraging them with building confidence and watching their love for dance grow!!
MICHELE BROVIAK..(jazz, lyrical) has an extensive professional dancing and teaching career. She founded Gotta Dance Studio in 1987, along with the Starlite Dancers competitive dance team, instructing and choreographing all forms of dance. Michele’s unique training skills include dancers from ages 2 through Adult. She is committed to making dance a fun yet disciplined sport while providing a rewarding experience for all.
Michele's intense training has been in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater, and ballroom. She has had an extensive stage and film career, performing in shows such as “Guys and Dolls”, “Bye Bye Birdie”, “They're Playing Our Song”, “A Chorus Line.” Michele has also worked with film stars such as Jessica Lange, Chris O'Donnell, and Patrick Swayze.
Dancers she has trained have performed on Broadway, cruise ships, The Grammys, as well as performed with various musical artists including Lady Gaga and Cher. They have also had the opportunity to perform on award shows, commercials and TV series.
