HAeading 4
Shannon Levitt, Founder BAA Dance
Lake Geneva
North Studio Director
shannon@baadance.com
Shannon Levitt began her formal dance training in Omaha, Nebraska, followed by studying with studios in the Chicagoland area. During college, Shannon studied dance with the University of Illinois Dance Department, and Joel Hall Dance Center in Chicago. Shannon was a member of the nationally-ranked University of Illinois-Urbana Dance Team and the University of Illinois-Chicago Dance Team. In addition, she has choreographed and served as a technical coach for local, state, and National championship level dance teams while traveling to work with dancers all over the nation through conventions and dance concerts. In addition to producing and directing over twenty dance productions, Shannon has choreographed works for several concerts including Chicago Unite, Hope Through Dance - Chicago, Esencia Dance Festival - Chicago, and most recently, the Lake Geneva Music and Dance Showcase. Shannon has a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching as well as a Masters of Arts in Teaching. Shannon has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Methods in Fine Arts at Aurora University. Most recently, Shannon has served as guest faculty for Dance Masters of Wisconsin conventions, and served on the faculty of the National Association of Dance and Applied Artists Convention, and continued her dance training in Los Angeles, CA during the summer of 2015. During 2017-2018, Shannon was one of fifteen teachers selected in the State of Illinois to serve as an advocate for the Arts and Humanities as an Illinois Teaching Policy Fellow. She worked at the state and national level to passionately advance arts education. In 2022, Shannon was selected from an elite pool of professional and celebrity dancers to be an adjudicating judge for Legacy National Dance Championships. In addition to being the founder and owner of Broadway Academy of Art and Dance for the past twelve years, teaching high school English and raising her two children, Olivia and Logan with her husband, Sean, Shannon has taught all levels of dance for the past 30 years and loves inspiring the next generation of all of the dancers she has the opportunity to train.
Kristen Varrassi,
Genoa City
South Studio Director
kristen@baadance.com
Kristen Varrassi started dancing when she was 2 years old. She has studied ballet, jazz, tap, clogging, lyrical/contemporary, hip-hop, and poms in Schaumburg, IL. During high school she joined the H.D. Jacobs High School Dance Team. After graduating, she coached the Jacobs dance team for 8 years. Her team won 6 AAA state hip-hop titles and 2 AAA state open pom titles. During college, Kristen was a co-captain of the Judson University Pom Squad. In addition to all of her dance experience, Kristen has her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Kristen has a passion for dance and making a difference in the lives of children! In addition to teaching dance classes, Kristen served as the Early Childhood Director for Broadway Academy of Art and Dance beginning in 2012. In 2015, she was named the Studio Director and owner of the BAA Dance South location. Ms. Kristen is one of 14 judges named as a head judge for the Illinois High School Association Competitive Dance regional and State Championships. Kristen lives in Twin Lakes with her husband, Adam, and their children, AJ , Lukas, and Emersyn.
Lainie Callahan, Instructor laine@baadance.com
Lainie Callahan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. While studying at UWM, she was privileged to work with some of the most influential and well-rounded artists of today. She learned a great deal, first hand, of how the arts can change communities for the better. Ms. Lainie works with all ages as a dance instructor and choreographer at Broadway Academy of Art and Dance. She is grateful to be working with such an amazing and talented team of artists through Sparrow Dance, a local dance company who focuses on working with talented dancers in the surrounding area. Lainie is honored to introduce inspiring and innovative choreography and is enthusiastic for the future dance has in our community. Ms. Lainie teaches advanced and pre-company level dancers at BAA Dance.
Tianna Chiluk, Instructor
tianna@baadance.com
Tianna Chiluk has been studying dance for 20 years. She began her studies at Performing Arts of Spring Grove. There she participated in many professionally staged ballets includingThe Nutcracker, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and The Little Mermaid. During high school, she trained under Mrs. Shannon and was a graduate of Broadway Academy of Art and Dance. She furthered her studies in Chicago at Visercal and with Piel Morena Dance Company. She is currently a company member and choreographer for the professional dance company based in Lake Geneva, Sparrow Dance Company. Ms. Tianna was a finalist in the Miss Dance Masters of Wisconsin Dance Pageant. Ms. Tianna teaches all levels of ballet, contemporary, and jazz at BAA Dance and proudly coaches the BAA Dance Team. Ms. Tianna loves sharing her passion and enthusiasm for dance with her students!
Brittany Chojnowski, Instructor
brittany@baadance.com
Brittany has been dancing since 1991. Early on she focused on classical ballet, tap and jazz.
As a freshman in high school she made the Varsity Jacobs High School Pom Squad where she danced and choreographed at home football and basketball games. She also competed state wide helping the team bring home 4 state hip hop titles and placed top three all 4 years in pom dance.
She earned her Bachelor of Speech Communication degree from Southern Illinois University where she also was on the Saluki Dance team dancing at football and basketball games and competed nationally at the UDA championships each year. After college she continued to dance professionally. Coaching and participating on the Chicago Slaughter Dance Team, dancing and choreographing for the Milwaukee Hitman Dance Team and also was featured in halftime routines for the Windy City Bulls Dance Team. Her passion for dancing is apparent in her motivating energy and creative choreography.
Natalie Molidor, Instructor
natalie@baadance.com
Natalie Molidor started dancing in early elementary school. She took classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and pom. She competed with her studio until middle school, where she then danced for Twisters Elite and Fire House Gym. In high school, Natalie was a member of the Johnsburg Hawkettes Dance Team. Natalie received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Carthage College. During her time there, she was also a member of the Red Hots Dance Team. Natalie began her teaching career in second grade at Lotus School, where she still teaches today. Over the last six years, Natalie has taught dance classes at the Mundelein Park District and coached the dance team at Johnsburg Jr. High. In 2022, Natalie earned her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. She is so excited to work with the amazing staff, students, and families at BAA Dance!
Paige Pearson, Early Childhood Director
paige@baadance.com
Paige Pearson is very excited to teach and direct for Broadway Academy of Art and Dance! She has been dancing for 21 years, starting at Summer’s Academy of Dance (now Engage Dance Academy) in ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap and poms. She began teaching at the age of 14 with Mommy and Me classes and worked her way up to teaching pre-professional ballet classes before coming to BAA. She then went onto McHenry County College and received her Associates in Arts as well as a degree and license in Medical Assisting, all while continuing her dance teaching at BAA. Paige has had the privilege to work a lot with her community with many different events and charities throughout the years, and is looking forward to continuing to give back to the community here at BAA. In her 8 years apart of the BBT company at Summer’s, she has danced under the teachings of Abby Ellison, Victor Ramirez, Mary Gutierrez, Guillermo Leyva, Giordano Dance Company, Visceral Dance Company, Hubbard Street, The Rockettes, and many more world-renowned companies. In 2022, Ms. Paige was named the Early Childhood Director for BAA Dance due to her exceptional work with our youngest dancers. Ms. Paige teaches all levels and styles of dance and is excited to share her love for dance with everyone!
Makenna Moore, Instructor
makenna@baadance.com
Makenna Moore is so excited to teach for Broadway! She graduated from Badger High School and is pursuing her dream in becoming a cosmetologist, working behin the chair at Jasmine Salon and Spa in Lake Geneva, WI. After graduation, Makenna attended the Aveda Institute in Madison, WI. She danced at Broadway Academy of Art and Dance for 7 years and had the opportunity to assist while attending our dance school. She is trained in jazz, hip-hop, ballet, pom, and contemporary dance. She also performed on the Badger Dance Team for all four years of high school and competed with the team. Makenna is thrilled to come back home to BAA Dance to teach the children in our community and share her love for dance!
Delilah Cardiff, Instructor
delilah@baadance.com
Amy Nolan, Instructor
amy@baadance.com
Delilah Cardiff started dancing when she was 6 years old at Broadway Academy of Art and Dance. Over the years, she has studied ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and lyrical.. Delilah began assisting classes under the teaching of Ms. Paige, Ms. Shannon, Ms. Amy, and Ms.Natalie and then was offered a part-time teaching position based on her exemplary work. Ms. Delilah was recognized by professional dancer Geo Hubela when she participated in his Disney Master Class. She is currently a senior at Badger High School and is on the Varsity Dance Team, serving as a captain and choreographer. She performs at the basketball games and competes with styles of poms and hip hop. Delilah is also a cast member of her high school musicals. During the summer of 2023, Ms. Delilah had a chance to take a college-level hip-hop class with a UCLA professor. She is very excited to share her love for dance with her students!
Amy Nolan's dance career began in 2001 and her love for dance kept growing. After joining her dance team, she decided at age 16 to begin her formal dance training in; hip hop, jazz, ballet, modern and lyrical. After high school, she was able to attend master classes where she studied under artists such as Mia Michaels, Dave Scott, Cris Judd, and Wade Robson. Amy furthered her dance career by teaching dance at her local studio along with committing her time to coaching the Burlington High School dance team. She started assistant teaching at LakeviewRehabilitation Center in the education department, primarily working with autistic students and has also enjoyed teaching dance to special needs students. This is Amy’s twelfth year teaching dance specializing in jazz, hip hop and poms. Competitive dance has always been the foundation for Amy’s dance career. She has coached and choreographed countless competition teams for 8 years winning numerous awards including overall high score, most energetic, and outstanding choreography. For 9 years Amy has been a choreographer and dancer with Sparrow Dance, a local professional dance company.
Sparrow Dance drives her to continually create new works and constantly strive for perfection as an artist. Ms. Amy is very eager for what the future holds at BAA Dance and excited to teach all levels of jazz, hip-hop and our competition teams!
Madeline Greenberg, Instructor
madeline@baadance.com
Madeline Greenberg started dancing when she was 3 years old, and joined the BAA Dance family at the age of 7. Over the years, she has studied ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, tap, contemporary, lyrical and been a member of several teams. Maddie began assisting under the teaching of Ms. Tianna Chiluk and Mr. Joshua Brumm and was offered a position to teach musical theater dance this season based on her exemplary work. She is currently a senior at Badger HS, and on the Varsity Dance Team. Maddie has been involved in the theater department all four years of school performing in numerous plays and musicals. This year, she has been cast as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. During the summer of 2023, Maddie had the opportunity to attend a prestigious summer intensive at Visceral Dance Chicago. She is very excited to share her love for dance with her students this year!
Grace Vacala, Instructor
grace@baadance.com
Grace Vacala has been taking classes at BAA Dance since she was ten years old and found dance to be one of her passions. She began assisting at Broadway when she was in eighth grade and is beyond excited to be a member of the BAA teaching staff this year! Grace is attending the University of Wisconsin @ Whitewater studying Elementary Education and plans to continue pursuing her dance study collegiately as well. She loves working with younger students and watching their excitement, growth and development in dance.
Anna Woodlief, Instructor
anna@baadance.com
Anna Woodlief started extensive ballet training at 10 years old. She started out at Illinois Youth Dance Theater with extra training programs with companies including Milwaukee Ballet, Joffrey, Orlando Ballet and Next Generation Ballet. She has performed lead roles in many performances, her favorite being Swan Lake. In 2011 she was offered a position at Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, FL where she finished her high school diploma at a fine arts school training up to 40 hours a week. After graduating, she then came back to Illinois and continued her training along with teaching ballet. In 2014 Anna accepted a company position with Charlottesville Ballet in Virginia. After being out of state for a handful of years, she is happy to be back and teaching ballet at BAA!
Maya Tucker started dancing at Broadway Academy of Art and Dance at 9 years old. Over the years, she has studied ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and has been on the competition team since her freshman year in high school. Maya began assisting under the teaching of Ms. Tianna Chiluk and Ms. Shannon Levitt, and was offered a position to teach mini jazz / hip-hop based on her exemplary work. She is currently a senior at Badger High School, and she will be joining the Varsity Dance Team in the winter. Maya has been involved with her school’s theater department participating in plays and musicals for the past three years, incorporating her passion for dance into her performances. Maya is very excited to share her love for dance with her students this year!
Maya Tucker, Instructor
maya@baadance.com
Jasmine Gosda's dance journey began at the age of 5 All through the school years, she danced in the Madison area training in all styles of classical dance. At the age of 8, she started auditioning for ballets such as The Nutcracker, local musicals, and her studio’s competitive dance program. Ms. Jasmine college intern/dance captain at Children’s Theater of Madison. Since then she has been teaching studio dance focusing on ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, musical theater, and recently acrobatics. She has had opportunities to work with many amazing teachers including the one and only Nan Giordano of Giordano Dance Chicago. She also had spent a year working under the direction of a past Cirque du Soleil performer to learn the art of acro dance. When she is not teaching, she is still taking dance classes as well as still finding herself in her academic journey and hopes to maybe pursue a degree in physical therapy. Ms. Jasmine comes to BAA Dance with lots of excitement!
Jasmine Gosda, Instructor
jasmine@baadance.com
