Discover the Heart of Jo’s Footwork Studio
Learn About Jo’s Footwork Studio
Our 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.
Our Journey from 1984 to Today
Since 1984, Jo’s Footwork Studio has been a home for dancers of all ages and skill levels. Celebrating over 40 years of dance, the studio continues to provide expert instruction led by Master and Professional teachers who are passionate about helping students grow in both technique and confidence.
Classes are available for preschoolers and tots through adults, from beginners to advanced levels. Offerings include Mommy & Me, the Shining Stars program for ages 2 through Kindergarten, as well as 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 Studio 2026-2027 Dance Season
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, Silver, Teal, Diamond, 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.
Meet Our Talented Instructors
Our instructors are either master instructors, professional performers, certified, degreed or, all of the above. Our dance program is syllabi run.
Jay Fagan
Director, Tap and Jazz
Jay 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 jayfagan.com for full bio)
Joanie Rowland
Office Manager
Joanie 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 Shining Stars 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 Maloney
Ops Manager, Tap, Jazz, Shining Stars
Katy attended Oklahoma City University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in American Dance Pedagogy. While at OCU, Katy was able to learn the art and science of teaching dance and arts management from many nationally recognized dance professors, as well as train under the guidance of world-renowned faculty and guest teachers. Since her graduation, Katy has been teaching, choreographing, and working in arts management throughout the Chicagoland area for over 15 years. Today, Katy’s passion sores in the classroom where she is able to work with students in all disciplines with a focus on building strong technique, while encouraging them to find a love of movement like she has. Currently, she teaches an average of 20 dance classes each week, with students ranging from toddlers to adults! As an arts manager, Katy has had the opportunity to direct, produce, and stage manage hundreds of performances and recitals, direct performance companies, serve as an adjudicator at regional dance competitions, and wear many hats in dance administration. She is also thrilled to have the opportunity to lead as the Manager of Operations at Jo’s Footwork Studio. She feels incredibly blessed to be a part of the Chicagoland dance community, and make her passion a lifelong career.
Connie Sweeney
Jazz, Tap. Lyrical, Shining Stars
Connie is 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
Assistants Program Director
Amanda 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.
“Miss Kathy”
Shining 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
Jazz and Tap
Ms. Sequoia holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has been dancing since the age of three and trained at Jo’s for thirteen years.
Sequoia began assisting teachers at just eleven years old and started teaching her own classes at fifteen. In addition to her training at Jo’s, she has attended workshops with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She also danced on her college dance team, performing poms, kick line, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip-hop.
Sequoia previously coached the Mini Ensemble Dance Team for nine years and currently teaches tap and jazz. She is excited to share her love of dance and help inspire the next generation of dancers!
Courtney Clay
Jr All Stars Poms, Jazz, Tap, Artistic Director of Jo’s Footwork Mini Ensemble
Courtney began her dance training at Gramsa’s Dance Academy in Palos Park, Illinois and then continued with The Dance Workshop in Orland Park, Illinois, studying under teachers such as Kim Sagami, Jay Fagan, Connie Sweeney, JP Tenuta, Tristan Bruns, Dre Parsons, Jean Hartnett and more. Courtney was also a member of the competitive Dance Workshop Dance Company. In high school, she was a member of both the Glenbard East Dance Team and the theatre program – starring as Odette in the 2012 dance production of “Deconstructing Swan Lake”. From 2013 – 2021, she was an instructor and the artistic director for the Villa Park Parks and Recreation dance program where she taught and oversaw many different dance genres. Courtney has also had the pleasure of returning to Glenbard East as the head coach for the Glenbard East Ramettes and to help choreograph several theatre shows – most recently “Mamma Mia” in 2022. When she’s not dancing or choreographing, she’s “Mama” to two amazing babes – Millie and Franklin.
Annie Pinta
Poms, Jazz, Director of Footwork
Elite Dance Teams
Annie 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.
Kristen Jones Hughes
Ballet and Jazz
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.
Jan Augustine
Ballet
Jan 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.
Shilpa Hingwe
Combo, Shining Stars, Jazz, Tap
Shilpa has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She trained in jazz, tap, poms and ballet and competed on dance teams in Michigan from fourth grade through high school. She started teaching dance at age 10. As a dance team member and captain, she choreographed and taught dance routines, attended various statewide competitions, conferences, and camps and performed at sporting events. After graduating from Michigan State University, Shilpa continued her dance education at Hubbard Street Dance. More recently she has choreographed and taught dance routines for local elementary school variety shows. Shilpa is passionate about sharing her love of dance with young dancers.
Katelyn Knoll
Jazz, Contemporary, Tumbling, Ballet
Katelyn has been dancing since the age of two at Jo’s Footwork Studio and the Dance Workshop. She was a member of the Jo’s Footwork Senior Ensemble. After graduating, Katelyn went to Illinois State University and graduated, receiving a bachelors degree in elementary education, as well as an endorsement in ESL (english as a second language) At ISU, Miss Knoll continued dancing on their competitive dance team, became VP/captain for 2 years and earned 2 national titles during her 4 years on the team.
Zada Cheeks
Tap and Ballet
A native of Aurora, IL, began his dance training at the age of 10. He became a member of The Cartier Collective and Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s “BAM!” while graduating from West Aurora High School. Since then, Mr. Cheeks has performed with other dance companies such as: Chicago Dance Crash, Civic Ballet of Chicago, Corpo Dance company, Inaside Chicago Dance, Kanopy Dance Company, River North Chicago Dance, Tapman Productions, and Winifred and Dancers. He has performed nationally and internationally in China, Italy, Spain, and Venezuela. Currently, Zada teaches at many dance studios around the Chicago land area, as well as workshops and master classes helping students with their dance education.
Kate Sherlock
Pom/Jazz and Shining Stars
Kate Sherlock has been dancing for 10 years. She has studied at Jo’s Footwork Studio for 10 years under the direction of Jay Fagan. Miss Sherlock has trained in Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet, Tap and Pointe and was an assistant teacher for 2 years. She has been part of the Jo’s Footwork Mini Ensemble and Jo’s Footwork Elite performance teams and competitive teams. She is currently still a member of their highest competitive team. She is a junior at Fenwick high school where she is also a member of the Varsity Pom’s team. She also runs a donation program called Costumes for a Cause which takes gently used dance costumes and donated them to dance studios in need. She cannot wait to watch her littles grow throughout the year!
Whitney Courson
Shining Stars
Whitney 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!
Cassidy Cochlan
Shining Stars
Cassidy Cochlan 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 Nicole Miller, Carly Crowder, Julie Simon, Marcella Duscay,
Haley Marcin, Jay Fagan, and Connie Sweeney. She competed regionally in ballet, tap, jazz,
and lyrical for many years. Cassidy assisted dance classes at Jo’s for one year before teaching
for two. Currently a junior at Wheaton College, Cassidy is studying Biology and Secondary
Education. Cassidy is so excited to return home to teach at Jo’s this year because she loves
helping students accomplish their goals and watching them grow as dancers and people.
Kassidy Alderman
Hip Hop
Kassidy grew up in Illinois dancing in the competition circuit. She then attended the
nationally-recognized Oklahoma City University where she received her Bachelor of Science
degree in Dance Education. In addition to teaching, choreographing, and judging dance
competitions, Kassidy loves to perform. She performs in theater, theme park, and commercial
dance works around the Chicago area! Her versatility and wide range of experience in the
industry brings her a unique perspective on dance. Kassidy has a passion for passing along this
knowledge and love of dance to the next generation of dancers!
Zoe Martinkus
Shining Star Coordinator
Zöe is a Joliet Junior College Alum of 2005 (Associate’s Degree in Theatre) and a 2007 graduate of North
Central College (Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theatre Performance). Zöe studied with the American
Dance Center of Orland Park, where she performed at Six Flags Great America, Dance Chicago-alongside
Hubbard Street Dance, and competed in numerous conventions. She also has studied with Chicago’s
Lou Conte. She partook in many local theatre performances, including Dreamer’s Workshop for three
years, with Broadway, film and television actor John Barrowman. While at JJC, she participated in
Talking With (“Twirler”), Shakespeare’s As You Like It (“Celia”), and South Pacific (“Nellie”). While at
NCC, she was a featured dancer in Beauty & the Beast and West Side Story. She was also a member of
the NCC Express, the school’s show choir, directed by Broadway Alum Brian Lynch (Les Miserables) and
Opera Workshop study. Her choreographing debut was North Central’s 2007’s Senior-Directed
production of Cabaret. In addition, Zöe served as an extra in the CBS television series Early Edition and
Johnny Depp’s film Public Enemies. Zöe has also served as Musical Choreographer for JJC (How to
Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Godspell) and Orland Park Theatre Troupe (Beauty & the
Beast -also playing “Enchantress”, and Pirates of Penzance-also playing Keystone Cop). She additionally
participated in OPTT’s Broadway in Revue where she soloed as “Adult Fiona” for the Shrek section. She
has taught for Jo’s Footwork Studio for many years, including serving as Artistic Director of the Mini
Ensemble during its inaugural year, and also directed The Dance Workshop’s Dance Ensemble for three
years. Zöe is currently serving as the Shining Star (formerly Twinkle Star) Preschool Program
Coordinator for Jo’s Footwork Studio, a position she is honored to have held for over ten years.
Start Your Dance
Journey Now!
Embrace the joy of dance at Jo’s Footwork Studio. Register today and ignite your passion for dance!
