Faculty

Lincolnshire Academy of Dance

Faculty

Our staff is comprised of exceptionally trained and experienced teachers. Each teacher is not only working to educate young dancers, but is also currently dancing, choreographing, and directing professionally.

BRENDA DIDIER
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Ms. Didier began dancing at age 8, dancing professionally at age 16, and teaching and choreographing by age 24. She danced lead roles in numerous musicals, theme parks, and industrials, often serving as the dance captain.

In 1999, she founded the Lincolnshire Academy of Dance!

Ms. Didier received her training (and many talent scholarships) in all styles of dance from Elizabeth Campbell, Bentley Stone, and Walter Camryn. She studied on a full dance scholarship at the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana.

As a dance educator, she has over 20 years experience in the areas of ballet, jazz, pointe, and musical theatre. Ms. Didier has served as a guest teacher/choreographer at Columbia College, University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin/Parkside, Carthage College and Northwestern University.

At the high school level, Ms. Didier has choreographed three main-stage shows for the International Thespian Festival: Aida, Rent, and the National High School cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie. All of the productions were MTI student editions on behalf of Bradford Theatre Arts. Thoroughly Modern Millie garnered Ms. Didier and LAD tap teacher, Christie Kerr, the 2007 National Youth Theatre Award for Best Choreography. At Stevenson High School, Ms. Didier choreographed Les Miserables, Student Edition, and served as the technique coach for their Varsity Poms Squad the year they placed 1st in state for kick and dance.

As a freelance choreographer, credits include The Miss Illinois Pageant, the Kenny Rogers Christmas Tour, Mayor Richard Daley’s Millennium campaign for the City of Chicago, media events for the 2016 Olympic Committee on behalf of the City of Chicago, main-stage shows and parades for Six Flags and Busch Gardens theme parks, industrials and over 80 musicals. She traveled to China to choreograph Cirque Shanghai on behalf of International Special Attractions. The productions played to sold out houses at Navy Pier’s Skyline Stage the summers of 2007-2009 and followed with engagements at the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City and Harrah’s in Las Vegas.

Ms. Didier’s choreography has been seen all over Chicago including The State Street Thanksgiving Day Parade, Theatre Building Chicago, The Apollo, The Mercury, The Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Bailiwick, Theo Ubique, Porchlight Music Theatre, Emerald City Theatre, Teatro Vista, The House of Blues, Theatre on the Lake, Stage Left Theatre, the Park West, City Lit and Dance Chicago. Her works include three World Premieres, five Chicago Premieres, and one American Premiere.

Ms. Didier is an eight-time nominee for the Chicago Jeff Award and is the recipient of two choreography awards from the Academy of Theatre Artists and Friends, two After Dark Awards, and three Jeff Awards for excellence in choreography.

Ms. Didier loves to give back to the students and the community through her continued scholarship awards and hopes to inspire and educate youth in the world of dance.

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LINCOLNSHIRE ACADEMY FACULTY

Christie Kerr--Tap

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Christie holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre Performance. She has worked throughout the United States as a performer, choreographer, teacher, and director. Christie is currently working as an adjunt professor at Columbia College Chicago. She has extensive teaching experience working with both children and adults. Choreography and Directing credits include: the premiere of Gene Kelly- a New Musical, West Side Story, Crazy For You, Honk!(Zoni Award Nominated), Footloose and 42nd Street. Favorite performances include: Crazy For You, 42nd Street, Snoopy, The Will Rogers Follies, and A Christmas Carol (national tour).

Kate Khorolinsky--Ballet

Kate received her training from the Belarussian State Ballet Academy. From 1996-2002 Kate was a performing member of the State Department Company of Belarus and the recipient of the Merited Group of Belarussia Award. She is currently on staff at several studios in the Chicago area.

Nikki Lazaretto--Jazz & Lyrical

Nikki is a graduate of Rollins College. Performing with the college’s dance company, she was named Rollins Outstanding Dancer in 1995, and received her BA in English with a minor in Education and Dance in 1998. She recently received her MA in teaching and leadership. Nikki studied at Dance Center North, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Dupree Jazz Forum, as well as under Homer Bryant, Robert Sherry, Pam Boling and Russel Sultzbach of American Ballet Theatre. She performed in the 1993 World Cup Opening Ceremonies and also starred in an Ameritech phone commercial. Nikki has been the coach of the Carmel High School Dance Team and Libertyville High School Pom Squad and is a popular master teacher for Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Dance Masters of Wisconsin.

Marchello Lee--Hip-Hop

Marchello has studied with choreographers and performers from West Africa, Brazil, Argentina and throughout the United States. He attended Columbia University and has performed with One World Dance Theatre where his fushion of HipHop, African, Modern, and Flamenco were spotlighted. Marchello's passion and versatility has led him to many lead roles as a dancer, and work as a choreographer.

Missy Mallinson--Modern

Melissa Mallinson has been performing, choreographing, and teaching in Chicago since 2002. A graduate of the University of Michigan dance program (summa cum laude), she has also studied at the London Contemporary Dance School and Yorkshire Ballet Seminars. She is certified in Mat and Standing Pilates through the Physical Mind Institute. A former soloist with the Kalamazoo Ballet, Melissa performed with Ann Arbor Dance Works, Marquez Dance Project, Perceptual Motion, Marquez Dance Project, TJ&Co, and many independent artists. Her choreography has been produced by Dance Chicago, Around the Coyote, Full Circle Festival of Danztheatre, the Edinburgh International Festival Fringe, and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

Logan Lipton--Jazz

Logan Lipton is a native of Phoenix, AZ, where she began her training at the Dance Connection under the direction of Lisa and Lori Waddell. She was awarded a full tuition scholarship to The University of Arizona, where she received a BFA in dance summa cum laude and continued on to receive a MFA in dance and choreography. She has performed works by several internationally recognized choreographers including Susan Quinn, Sam Watson, Michael Williams, Doug Nielsen, James Clouser, Ray Leeper and Wes Veldink. She has also had the opportunity to travel to China to perform at the 8^th Annual Shanghai International Performing Arts Festival. Logan has taught at University of Arizona and Glendale Community College, and also served as a Dance Specialist for OMA (Opening Minds for the Arts). Her choreography has been performed at several venues nationally, and received 1^st place at the Arizona Community Colleges Chancellor’s Awards. Logan spent the last year training and performing in New York City and has recently moved to Chicago. She is excited to share her passion for dance with the students at Lincolnshire Academy of Dance.

Kathleen McCann--Ballet

Kathleen graduated from Butler University's Dance Department with a Bachelor of Science in Arts Administration. While at Butler, she performed soloist and principal roles with the university performance company including Myrtha in Giselle and Odile in Swan Lake. She has also performed in original contemporary ballet and modern works by choreographers Donald Byrd and former Martha Graham company member Larry White. After graduation, Kathleen danced with Kentucky Ballet Theatre in Lexington, for three years. Now living in Chicago, she is a dancer for Tyego Dance Project and artistic director of Dance in the Parks, a performance initiative that brings free, professional dance performances to neighborhood parks. Kathleen teaches both youth and professional level ballet classes.

Deborah Silvers--Jazz & Hip-Hop

Deborah Silvers studied on full scholarship at LAD and served as a student assistant for 3 years. She danced with Stevenson High School's Concert Dance Company choreographing works and performing in Guest Choreographer pieces. Miss Silvers attended Tremaine Dance Conventions, Co. Dance Conventions and New York City Dance Alliance Conventions as part of LAD's Infini Senior Company where they received awards in the Senior Division for Lyrical. Miss Silvers attends DePaul University and is thrilled to share her passion for dance with her students this year!

Mary Tisa--Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical

Mary is a graduate of The George Washington University with a BA in English and Dance where she received The Presidential Arts Scholarship for Dance and the Nancy Diers Johnston Award for Outstanding Choreography. While at university, she danced as a performing apprentice for Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Co. and performed in the DC International Improvisational Festival and the Sharing the Legacy Concert in New York City. Upon graduation, she moved to Chicago and has been a company member of the Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre and company member and ballet mistress of Corpo Dance Company. She is currently a company member of Chicago Dance Crash and Co-Artistic Director of Jay-son/Tisa Dance Company. She teaches youth and adult level dance classes throughout the Chicagoland area.

Kristy White--Jazz & Lyrical

Kristy has received her training from such notable teachers as Laura Wade, Jeff Hancock, Eduardo Villaro, Wilfredo Rivera, Paula David, and Lisa Sheppard. Her training has been furthered through CNADM and Dupree Jazz Forum. Kristy was a member of Luna Negra Dance Ensemble, and has been a featured performer in Dance Explosion and the Dance for Dreams Benefit Concert. Kristy's choreography credits include Lake Forest High School musical productions, as well as competitive pom pon squads and dance ensembles.

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LINCOLNSHIRE ACADEMY STAFF

Frank Roberts--Office Manager

Frank has been an actor, singer, dancer, director, choreographer, set designer, costume designer, light designer, sound board operator and everything else you can imagine theatre-related! Frank has been our tech director and lighting designer for every Lincolnshire Academy of Dance production since our premiere performance in June, 1999.
He is very excited to be on staff at LAD and looks forward to meeting all of our academy students and families!

Nicholas J. Ugo--Modern Class percussionist

Nick has been playing drums and percussion for 14 years and is thrilled to be returning to Lincolnshire Academy of Dance as a percussionist. He has worked with many talented musicians and has performed in numerous music clubs throughout the Chicago area. Nick is ecstatic to share his experience of music to the students of LAD.

Chris Paquette--Modern Class percussionist

Chris started playing professionally at age 14 and later attended Columbia College in Chicago. Chris can be see all around Chicago performing with The Manhattan Project and Chicago Afro Beat Project, among others. Whether it is Jazz, Latin Jazz, Folk, Hip-Hop, R&B/Soul at the House of Blues or a dim jazz club, Chris manages to stick out among other percussionists. He is thrilled to join LAD this year drumming for all Modern classes.

Kenneth McMullen--Ballet pianist

Ken is happy to be on staff at LAD! Mr. McMullen music directs and plays piano for numerous productions in the Chicagoland area and neighboring suburbs. Ken played jazz piano for 6 years for Carnival Cruise Lines. Ken resides in Des Plaines where he also teaches private piano lessons.