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.
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!
Amy Nolan, Instructor
amy@baadance.com
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.