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Gould Academy of Dance Arts
Dance Instructors
Bios
Donna Gould Jessen - Artistic Director,
all styles of dance.
Donna has been the owner-director of the Academy since 1983 and
has taught hundreds of students of all ages. Donna has former
students who are working as professional dancers and choreographers
in Chicago, New York and on Cruise Lines. She is the
producer-director of 25 innovative dance productions held at Hemmens
Cultural Arts Center. Donna is also director and a choreographer
for the Gould Dance Company; she has received many platinum, first
and 2nd place overall awards for her style and choreography. As a
member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Donna
was honored to receive the Rising Star Award for being the teacher
of the first Mr. Chicago National Association of Dance Masters.
Donna continually likes to upgrade her teaching methods and style by
attending classes in Chicago, New York and most recently in San
Francisco. Donna attends the Chicago
Human Rhythm Project where she is fortunate to study with tap
artists such as: Savion Glover, Lane Alexander, Robert Reed,
LaVaughn Robinson, and Van Porter to name a few. Donna has also
studied with noted Ballet and Jazz professionals Joel Hall, Frank
Hatchett, Lou Conte, Joe Tremaine, Gus Giordano, Mike Minery,
Doug Caldwell, Rory Foster, Carol Walker, Anida Sedalia, Lisa Boehm
and more. Donna danced in the Jazz Troupe Dansation where she
performed in commercial trade shows, film and video. Her college
background includes Barat College, Lake Forest, IL where she was a
dance and theater major, and Elgin Community College, Early
Childhood Education. Donna was also a student at
Nouveau Riche University. Donna loves to work with
students of all ages and looks forward to an upcoming year of
training students.
Kelly Hill - Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical
Kelly was a founding member of the River North Dance in Chicago
where she was a principal performer for eleven years. Kelly has a
strong Classical Ballet background. She began her training at age
eight in the Elgin area with Lisa Boehm and Shelia Straka and later
concentrated her studies at the Ruth Page Foundation in Chicago. She
was the first recipient of the Elgin Area Performing Arts
Scholarship and later received a full
scholarship to study at Lou Conte dance studio in Chicago. Kelly has
toured internationally in various commercial and industrial trade
shows. She also appeared in the Chicago films "The Visitors", "Sole
Survivor" and Road To Perdition. Kelly was a dancer in the River
North Dance Co. for ten years. She is currently a master teacher for
the River North Dance Workshops held in Chicago. Kelly is also the
Dance Director of the Larkin High
School Fine Arts Academy- Dance Department. A teacher at Gould
Academy since 1987, Kelly has former students who are now dancing
and working professionally. Kelly is known for her Ballet training
methods and her unique River North (concert style) of Lyrical Jazz.
Kelly also holds a B.A, from National Louis University.
Laura Olson - Ballet, Pre-Pointe, Pointe
Laura began ballet training at age seven in the Elgin area and later
studied with Maria Talchief of the Chicago Ballet and the Ruth Page
Dance Foundation where she performed in their annual production of
the Nutcracker in Chicago. Laura continues to study at Ruth Page
Foundation to upgrade her technique and teaching methods. Laura
received an Associate of Dance Degree from Wright State University
and a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Bradley University.
She currently works for Fox TV News as a video editor and teaches
Ballet at Gould for the love of it.
Nickie DeIRe Masino - Jazz
Nickie is a professional jazz dancer who is known for her sizzling
L.A. Jazz style, disciplined classes and award winning choreography.
A dancer since age 3, she developed her unique style of jazz while
on scholarship from the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles
and also through other noted professionals from Chicago, California
and New York City. She has toured and performed in many commercial
and industrial videos
throughout the U.S. Nickie has performed, as a Rockette in the Radio
City Christmas Spectacular, was featured jazz dancer in the
Masquerade Village Show, and the Rio Suites Hotel in Vegas. Nickies
Jazz chorography has won many top awards in Regional and National
Competitions.
Hanna Brictson - Jazz
Hanna was a dancer at the Gould Academy for sixteen years where
she studied all styles of dance. Hanna is currently a full time
professional Jazz dancer in the River North Dancer Co. Hanna is
an awesome dancer and choreographer who has a unique and
innovative style. Hanna graduated from the Larkin Visual
and Performing Arts Academy. She also received a
scholarship to Pointe Park University, Western Michigan
University and ODC in San Francisco. Hanna is also the
Artistic Director of her Pre-Professional
Company PUREDANCE. For audition information please contact
the Gould Academy.
Elisabeth Stonebreaker McCoy- Acro/Tumbling
Elisabeth is a former gymnast and dancer in the Gould Dance Co. As
an accomplished dancer, tumbler, and cheerleader, Elisabeth received
a full scholarship to the University of Georgia to be on the Georgia
Bulldogs Cheer Dance Squad. Elisabeth holds a B.S. in Exercise
Science and Education. Elisabeth has served as a judge for
cheerleading tryouts and competitions in Elgin and suburban a
Jill Sneizek - Little Stars
(Pre Ballet), Broadway Babies (Ballet, Tap Jazz), Giggles and
Wiggles.
Jill graduated from Northern Illinois University
with a degree in Elementary Education. and is certified teacher. During college Jill
she was a dancer on the Silverette Dance Team. She
graduated from the Larkin High School Visual Arts Academy where
she spent four years performing and choreographing many student
productions. Jill immersed herself in dance at age 3 and
studied all styles of dance at various studios in the suburban
area. As an advanced students Jill studies all styles of
dance at Gould Academy during her high school years. Jill
loves to share her passion with her students and hopefully spark
their passion for dance which will last a lifetime.
Students love her energy, enthusiasm and the joy she she
shares with her young dancers each week.
Maan Almodovar-
Ballet, Pointe
Maan received her training
from Sherry Moray, Homer Bryant, Alonzo King, Wes Chapman and
Roger Van Fleteran. From 2002-2004, Maan trained and
danced with the Atlanta Ballet, where she performed roles
in Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, and Swan Lake. In
addition, Maan was a scholarship student at Lou Conte Dance
Studio in Chicago and Alonzo Kings Ballet in San Francisco.
Maan continues her dance training in Chicago while pursuing a
degree in Elementary Education at Roosevelt University.
Liz Abitua- Hip Hop,
Pre-Ballet
Liz has been dancing for 17 years and has
been teaching for 6 years. Liz has trained in all styles
of dance in the Fox Valley area as well as Judith Svylander
Ballet Theatre and the Hip Hop ConnXion Dance Studio where
she trained with Suave. Liz was a Hip Hop dancer in the
award winning Christain based Hip Hop ConnXion and in 2006 won
1st place in the USA division and 2nd in the World Hip Hop
Championships. Liz also graduated from the Larkin Visual
and Performing Arts Academy. Liz continues her dance training studying with numerous teachers at Visceral Dance
Studio in Chicago. Liz has a bubbly personality and enjoys
sharing her talents with students of all ages. Liz
is in her second year of teaching at Gould Academy and will be
sharing her talents of teaching a higher level of students as
well as working with the young dance students.
Isabella Jessen -Jazz, Ballet
Isabella began dance at age two when her mom developed
one of the first two year old dance programs in the US.
Isabella has trained in all styles of dance with various
teachers at Gould Academy. Isabella has also trained in
Chicago at Hubbard Street Dance Center, Visceral Dance Studio,
Ruth Page Dance Foundation, Joffrey Ballet and suburban
Faubourg Ballet. Isabella has also attended numerous River
North Workshops where she has the opportunity to study with the
River North Company Dancers. In the summer of 2009
Isabella was invited to participatei n the River North Dance
Intensive where she had the opportunity to train with the River
North Dance Company and perform in the student intensive
perfromance at the Ruth Page Theater in Chicago. Isabella has
also attended the
following summer intensives: 2008 Alonzo Kings Lines
Ballet in San Francisco, 2007 Joffrey Ballet Intensive, 2006
Nutmeg Conservatory of The Arts and Steps On Broadway and
numerous summers at Ballet Camp Illinois. Isabella is
currently a dancer in Pure Dance Co. and was titled Miss Bravo
2009. She has performed with the Gould Dance Co. for many
years, was showcased in Dance Chicago and has won many top
overall awards in both regional and national competitions. In
2003 and 2004 Isabella was cast in the Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker
held at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. Isabella is
very excited to enter her 2nd year of teaching and training
students.
Joanne Meyer -
AcademyAdministration
Joanne holds a BA in Education from
National Louis University, She is a certified teacher and
is currently in school working on her Masters of Education.
UPCOMING MASTER CLASS TEACHERS
We will be holding master on
Sundays beginning in October!
Teachers and dates to be
announced.
Gould Academy of Dance
Arts, 732 W. Chicago St., Elgin, IL 60123
847-742-6666
Academy History and Mission Statement,
Schedule, Staff,
Performance
Information & Photos, Dance
Companies, Class
Descriptions, Policies
& Tuition, Upcoming
Events & Master Classes, Contact Us
Via E-mail, Home Page
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