Lindsey Leduc Brenner
Lindsey is a company member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. She received her B.A. in Dance and Community Health from Hofstra University. Lindsey’s passion for dance is apparent in her lively teaching style and she is adept at teaching both children and adults of all levels. Lindsey is a spectacular teacher with a wide variety of classes at Giordano Dance School. Lindsey works extensively with the Giordano Juniors Performance Groups. She also enjoys choreography work.
Homer Byrant
Homer is the founder of Bryant Ballet School and is a former principal dancer with the world renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem. His classes are energetic and challenging, as he is always striving to make each individual reach for their maximum goals. Students feel motivated and encouraged from his classes. Homer is also a Assistant Artistic Director for Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.
Randy Duncan - Jazz Master V Teacher
Randy Duncan has the unique privilege of being a three-time recipient of Chicago’s prestigious Ruth Page Award (1988, 1990, 1992) for Outstanding Choreographer of the year. Recently, he received the 1999 Artistic Achievement Award from the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and the 1999 Black Theatre Alliance/Ira Aldridge Award for Best Choreography-Contemporary. An African-American who grew up in Chicago, Randy began his dance studies with Geraldine Johnson, followed by classes at the Sammy Dyer Theater, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, and Illinois State University (music major), but credits Harriet Ross and Joseph Holmes with much of his inspiration. Randy’s classes in jazz with an African influence have brought him to England, France, annually to Israel, and semi-annually to Mexico. He also teaches dance at various universities and high schools around the nation, including the University at Arizona, Tucson, and Chicago Academy for the Arts.
Nan Giordano - Jazz Master V Teacher
Artistic Director of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago since 1993, Nan has guided the development of a large and diverse repertoire. She has toured internationally as a guest teacher in many countries including Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, and Mexico. She has choreographed several pieces in the current GJDC repertoire. She is on the guest faculty of IBD, Jackson MS and the International Ballet Competition, as a National Honorary Committee. She is the artistic Director of the Jazz Dance World Congress, an annual event that draws dancers, choreographers, and teachers from more than 30 countries. In her incredible jazz classes she upholds the Giordano Technique founded by her father over 50 years ago.
Fury Gold
Fury has an exceptional knowledge of ballet technique and shares this knowledge with her students in every class, educating and challenging them to continually improve their technique and abilities. She has twenty years experience as a featured soloist, dancer, and teacher in both New York and Chicago. She is the ballet mistress for the Giordano Juniors Youth Performance Groups and for all our Youth Ballet Classes. Fury also serves as the Scholarship Coordinator for the Giordano Dance School Scholarship Program.
Mark Gomez - Guest Teacher
Aléjandra Gonzalez
Alejandra González began her training at Le Jazz-Ballet Studio(Monterrey, México). She performed for three years in Le Jazz Groupe, working with such choreographers as Patricia Villarreal, Rosario Murillo, Brisa Escobedo and Vanessa Pletel (Le Ballet-Jazz de Montreal). In 2004 she graduated from Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey, with a major in dance teaching. In 2005 Gonzaléz joined Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago´s second Company, Where she performed works from such acclaimed choreographers as Tony Powell, Jon Lehrer, Randy Duncan and Davis Robertson. She joined Luna Negra Dance Theatre in 2007.
Jeff Hancock - Guest Teacher
Zach Heller
Zachary is a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. He recently graduated with a BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona, where he performed works by Susan Quinn, Sam Watson, Michael Williams, Douglas Nielsen, Frank Chavez and George Balanchine. He attended the Giordano Dance School Summer Scholarship Program in 2005 and 2006. Zach loves teaching dance and working with children
Richard Havey - Jazz Master V Teacher
Richard is currently on faculty at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas as a Professor of Dance. Prior to that he was the Artistic Director of the Zurich Tanz Theater School in Switzerland 2000. This is a three-year education in Dance and Theater program. Richard began his dance training with ballet in Northern California. He then went to the Giordano Dance School in Chicago on a full scholarship where he studied all forms of dance. He became a soloist for Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and was trained as a teacher in Jazz techniques. He continued to teach throughout America and perform with many contemporary companies around the world. He is a certified Zen Shiatsu Therapist. To add to his credits in bodywork he studied a form of three-dimensional movements called Spiral Dynamiks, which he studied and practiced in Zurich, Switzerland. Richard continues to teach Master Classes and choreograph around the world and is a guest teacher as well as performer at the University of Arizona in Tucson for the National Jazz Showcase. He is furthering his studies in body therapy with voice and movement as well as TCM.
Mari Jo Irbe - Guest Teacher
Craig Kaufman
Craig is a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. He a recent graduate from Point Park University with a B.A. in Dance. Craig is an energetic teacher who enjoys teaching tap, youth, and adult classes. Students learn about strength and flexibility through his athletic style. Craig has a great time in his classes and loves working with a variety of styles and age groups. He works extensively with the Giordano Juniors Performance Groups.
Jarrett Kelly
Jarrett is a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. He began dancing at the age of 7. Jarrett has trained and performed with Deeply Rooted Productions, Joel Hall Dancers, Nucleus Dance Collective, Congo Square Theater, Kirby Reed, and numerous others. He is a 2006 graduate of C.I.C.S. Northtown Academy and spent the 2007 spring semester attending Columbia College in downtown Chicago. Jarrett loves working with children and his energy and love of dance is passed on to his students!
Harrison McEldowney
Harrison McEldowney has choreographed all over the world and is an awarded choreographer including the Choo San Goh Award, After Dark Award, Ruth Page Awards, and the inaugural Prince Prize which he was awarded in conjunction with Hubbard Street Dance Company. He has created dance pieces for special occasions such as the 97th Birthday Celebration of noted Dance Historian and critic Ann Barzel (the only choreographer of the evening bestowed with the honor of creating an original work), the finale of the Dance Chicago Festival Opening, and an original work to open the 10th Anniversary of Dance for Life, a performance of renowned Chicago Dance companies in the fight against AIDS. He was also choreographer of the Collection Rouge for Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids, featuring red dresses by 40 of the world’s top fashion designers. He has choreographed for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street 2, River North Chicago Dance Company, the Cerqua/ Rivera Art Experience, and the Civic Ballet of Chicago. Other companies include Ballet Met, Louisville Ballet, San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet, Ballet of Texas, and he is Resident Choreographer for Configurations which features acclaimed dancers from such companies as American Ballet Theater, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theater of Harlem. He is an incredible teacher with challenging, technically sound, advanced classes.
Meghan McDermott - Guest Teacher
Meghan is a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.
Maeghan McHale
Maeghan is a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Maeghan graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts where she performed works by David Parsons and Hinton Battle. Her strong dance technique is an asset in class. Her students benefit from her skillful class demonstrations, gaining understanding of proper alignment and execution. Her passion for ballet is contagious and her students grow to love ballet!
Robert Mckee
Robert is a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and recently graduated from Point Park University with a B.A. in Dance. Athletic and powerful movements lend a strong style to his Hip Hop classes. Students are drawn to his distinctive combinations and sense of fresh dance moves.
Melissa Mulvaney
Melissa is the School Manager at Giordano Dance School and also loves teaching dance. She began dancing at age 3 and has a BFA in theatre and dance from Millikin University. She has studied with Midwest Ballet Academy, Joffrey Ballet, and Giordano Dance School. Melissa has taught in many studios in the Chicagoland area. She has served as ballet department coordinator and enjoys developing teaching programs. Melissa also enjoys teaching acting to children. She enjoys performing in Chicago with area theatre groups and was recently seen as Rumpelteazer in Cats at Theatre at the Center in Indiana and Dream Laurey in Oklahoma with Light Opera Works.
Eddy Ocampo - Jazz Master V Teacher
Eddy started his dance training at the University of Illinois as an elective for his pre-medical studies. After finding his new calling in life, he quickly changed majors from pre-medical to dance and theater. While in college, Eddy worked in the Chicago musical theater circuit where he performed in such shows as West Side Story, Carousel, The King and I and It's a Wonderful Life. He also studied under ballet masters Homer Hans Bryant of Dance Theater of Harlem, Pamela Johnson Tanis of the Joffrey Ballet, as well as jazz masters Frank Chavez and Sherry Zunker of River North Chicago Dance Company. After college, he danced with the Joel Hall Dancers, River North Chicago Dance Company and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, where he danced the remaining years of his performing career. Eddy served as school director of the Giordano Dance School, as well as director of Giordano II and scholarship director for three years. As a master jazz teacher, Eddy has taught in Europe, Mexico, Canada, the Russian Republic and throughout the U.S.. Eddy is also the founding artistic director of the American Jazz Dance Festival-New Generation in the Russian Republic and continues to travel to Russia yearly to spread his passion of jazz dance to many who may have never been exposed to the art form.
Christopher Perricelli
Christopher received his BFA in Dance from SUNY at Buffalo, New York and has taught Master classes at universities, dance conventions and various dance studios around the world. He was the Dance Captain/Swing for the Broadway musical Footloose, and the European/Asian tours of West Side Story. He toured with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, performed for the Miss USA Pageant, B96 Summer Bash and Dance for Life. He was the Midwest Master Teacher for the Nike Rockstar Workout worldwide fitness/dance program, training with Jamie King (producer and choreographer for top artists including Britney Spears, Shakira and Madonna). Christopher was the principal dancer in La Traviata with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and is currently performing in their ongoing season. He teaches Pilates, Jazz, and Hip Hop.
Susan Quinn - Jazz Master V Teacher
Susan Quinn trained under the famed Gus Giordano, becoming a Faculty member, Principal Dancer with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and later it's Associate Artistic Director. Susan owned a professional school and became founding co-director of First City Dance Theatre, the only jazz company funded by the state of Florida. Her choreography opened the 1st Jazz Dance World Congress in Chicago, and her Oriental flavored jazz work, FANtasy, was televised by Japan's largest station, NHK Television. Invited to be the first jazz choreographer of the festival Cours des Capucins in Luxemburg, Susan's choreography has been performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. to the Amsterdam School of the Arts in Amsterdam, Holland. Her Spanish flavored Sabor a Mi was performed at the 1998 International Jazz Dance World Congress. Susan's work, Texas Canyon won a choreographer's award at the National Association of Regional Ballet. In the Summer of 2000, Susan was invited to teach master classes in jazz and lyrical dance techniques in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her award winning peice, St. Teresa was performed at the prestigious "Kings's Theatre". A Master Teacher for D.M.A and D.E.A, she is the director of the 10th Annual Arizona Jazz Dance Showcase, with former guest artists Joe Tremaine, Sherry Zunker-Dow, and Mia Michaels. Along with Michael Williams', Susan was honored with the 2005 Jazz Dance Congress Award for her contributions in jazz dance.
Kirby Reed - Jazz Master V Teacher
Kirby Reed is founder and artistic director of Ascension/The Kirby Reed Project. He is a former member of the Joel Hall Dancers and has been involved with the dance community as a teacher, choreographer, and concert dancer. He appeared in music videos and in concert with L.L. Cool J, Montell Jordan, Kym Symms, and Micheal Quatro. He was also a featured dancer on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno as a Dennis Rodman Dancer, on the television series The Untouchables, and in the feature film "Hoodlums" starring Laurence Fishburn, Vanessa Williams, and Queen Latifah. Kirby has choreographed for The Joel Hall Dancers, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and GGJDC II, Dallas Black Theatre (Dallas), Exclamation(Houston), Counter Groove (Detroit), and Cirqua Rivera Art Experience(Chicago). He has received two Canadian Awards for choreography and four consecutive nominations from the Black Theatre Alliance for Best Choreography in Music/Dance Program. Most recently, Kirby choreographed for the 16th annual Stellar Awards and was choreographer and assistant director for the musical "Bible Stories". Recently Mr. Reed has had the opportunity to teach for the Giordano Jazz Dance World Congress.
Cesar Salinas
Cesar is a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. He graduated from the University of Buffalo with a BFA in Dance. Cesar’s teaching style is supportive and fun. All students gravitate to his high energy classes and they love his dynamic style. Cesar is an exeptional dancer and his students benefit from his amazing class demonstrations. He works extensively with the Giordano Juniors Performance Groups.
Meredith Schultz
Meredith graduated cum laude from the University Of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, with a BFA in dance. While attending college, she performed with the Dayton Ballet and was a member of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II. She also had the privilege of performing works by Sean Curran, Paul Taylor, and George Balanchine. 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 attended a Giordano workshop and was offered a scholarship to study at the Giordano Dance School. After starting the scholarship Meredith was offered a position with the second company, and is thrilled to begin her second season with Giordano II. She is a gifted dance teacher and loves working with children and adults.
Billy Siegenfeld - Jazz Master V Teacher
Billy Siegenfeld is The Jump Rhythm Jazz Project's artistic director and principal choreographer, as well as a member of the company's performing and teaching ensembles. His choreography has also been seen on companies throughout the world including Jose Limon Dance Company, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (Canada), and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, among others. He is the recipient of the Ruth Page Dance Achievement Award for Outstanding Choreography, the Jazz Dance World Congress Gold Leo Award for Outstanding Jazz Choreography, and three NEA grants. He is currently a professor of dance and musical theatre at Northwestern University and continues to serve as a guest faculty member at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. His original Jump Rhythm Jazz Technique, is a rhythm-first movement approach to learning that helps transform performers' bodies into musically articulate, energy-driven percussion instruments. His article on the technique, "Jumping for Joy" (appearing in the July-August 1998 issue of Dance Teacher Now), describes its theory and practice in detail. He has also taught this technique throughout the world, referring to this approach to teaching rhythmic movement. Siegenfeld directed the Dance Program of Hunter College, and danced with the Don Redlich Dance Company for nine years, choreographing for the concert stage, and performing in musical theater, including featured roles in the Broadway production of Singin' in the Rain. He holds a B.A. in literature from Brown University and an M.A. in dance.
Molly Shanahan
Canadian-born Molly Shanahan founded Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak in 1994 as the home for her artistic projects after completing her Masters of Arts in Dance/Choreography at the Ohio State University. Shanahan was recently named one of four choreographers selected as a Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist for 2006/2007. She is on the dance faculty at Northwestern University and teaches through Chicago and in residencies associated with the creation and presentation of her work.
Ruth Sherman - Guest Teacher
Ruth is a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. She is a dedicated teacher who relates easily to students. Her dance skills and abilities translate to her class work. Ruth’s beautiful technique makes her an ideal demonstrator and teacher of correct placement and practice. Ruth is a graduate of Northwestern University.
Ashley Lauren Smith
Ashley is a member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. She recently received a B.A. in Dance from Point Park University. Ashley’s dance training also includes extensive ballet experience, making her a strong technical teacher and dancer. Before joining Giordano II Ashley performed in productions of 42nd Street and Music Man. She enjoys working with young children. works extensively with the Giordano Juniors Performance Groups.
Richard Smith
Richard has been on faculty at Giordano Dance School for many years and is also afflitated with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago as head of their program with the Chicago Park District. He attended East Carolina University in North Carolina where he worked with Mia Micheals, Mark Dendy, Katiti King and Frank Chaves, Alan Arnett and Tomi Overcash-Galaska. After college Smith moved to Chicago to train with GJDC. He has since had the opportunity to work with great teachers and choreographers including the late Gus Giordano, Randy Duncan, Sherry Zunker, Elijah Gibson and Eddy Ocampo. He has had the privilege to perform in Dance For Life and Dance Chicago. Smith has worked at the Goodman Theater and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Smith has appeared in the commercial for “The Wedding Singer” National Tour and Phillips Magnavox. He has performed on stage with pop artists Kim English, Pat Hodge, Barbara Moran and Byron Stingly. He has also worked with Sir. Elton John in his last visit to Chicago. Smith is a teacher of all ages for numerous studios in the Chicagoland area. He is a regional and national adjudicator and teacher for Applause Talent Presentations in addition to teaching and choreographing for workshops and companies across the country. Richard is a wonderful fitness instructor. His classes are motivational, full of energy, and worth every moment!
Natalie Tursi
Natalie Tursi received her B.A. in Dance from Hofstra University. Upon graduating, she moved to Chicago to accept a position with Giordano II. She enjoyed two years as a member of the second company, and now begins her first season with Thodos Dance Chicago. Natalie is a nurturing instructor who makes class fun and educational. She enjoys teaching dancers of all ages, from pre-schoolers to adults. Natalie also loves the theatre and has a passion for teaching musical theatre classes.
Martin A. Ortiz Tapia
Martin has been dancing for almost four years. He is a very active individual who loves sports and spending valuable time with his family. Martin just finished an excellent performance opportunity with FJDT (Forum Jazz Dance Theatre), and was honored to perform with this very talented group of young dancers at the Jazz World Congress. Martin has performed with FJDT at the University of AZ in Tucson and also in Chicago at Dance Chicago. Martin is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point where he triple majored in Dance, Music and Spanish. During the summer of 2007 he danced on scholarship and by invitation with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Martin begins his first season as a member of Giordano II.
Laura Wade
Laura is on faculty of Northwestern University’s Dance Program and is an accomplished dancer, teacher and administrator. She has taught for many schools throughout the country and teaches an energetic, focused, advanced ballet class. Laura has worked world wide and has even taught class to such greats as Baryshnikov. Laura serves as Assistant Artistic Director for
Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.
Mark Yonally
Mark is the founder and director of Chicago Tap Theatre. He received a B.A. in Dance from the University of New Mexico and trained extensively in dance, music, history, and performance. His unique tap technique spirited classes are student favorites.
Sherry Zunker - Jazz Master V Teacher
Sherry Zunker is the Founding Director of Aylet Creative a newly formed entertainment division of Aylet Incorporated that consults and facilitates new artistic and entertainment products. Ms. Zunker is perhaps best known for her work as CoArtistic Director of River North Chicago Dance Company. Sherry joined River North Chicago as artistic director in 1990 where she choreographed numerous works for the company. Ms. Zunker has set works on The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago among others. During the last decade Ms. Zunker has conceptualized, choreographed or directed over 30 production shows for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. In 2000 Ms. Zunker received a Ruth Page Dance Achievement Award for Mission, cocreated with Frank Chaves in honor of River North’s 10th anniversary. She currently holds the title of CoArtistic Director Emerita. Before taking on the roles of director and choreographer, Ms. Zunker had a diverse performance career. Sherry danced with Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble, was a principal dancer with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, performed as a soloist in Bob Fosse’s ‘Dancin’, and also danced under Tony Awardwinning choreographer Ann Reinking in the Goodman Theater’s production of Pal Joey. Ms. Zunker has also danced in several musical stage productions, commercials and films including “The Blues Brothers” and “A League of Their Own”.
