OUR TEACHERS
Kathy DeMaira (formerly Kathy Teubert) has a Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts from Northeastern Illinois University. She has received talent scholarships from both Northeastern Illinois University and Joel Hall Studios in Chicago. She has worked in dance studios in the Chicagoland area for the past 20 years. She has taught dance at both Resurrection High School and Notre Dame High School in Chicago as well as Trinity High School in River Forest. She currently is an adjunct professor on faculty at Wright College where she teaches Ballet and Contemporary Dance. To compliment her dance interests, Kathy is the part-time librarian at St. Ferdinand School in Chicago. Kathy teaches jazz, tap, ballet/pointe, hip hop, lyrical, modern, contemporary, children’s classes and now Zumba! She directs The DeMaira Dancers and the performing troupes offering new choreography and amateur performing opportunities. Kathy has won several choreography awards from organizations such as Headliners Performing Arts Competition and her work has been showcased at Dance Chicago’s Dance Slam and The Best of Dance Slam. She and husband Joe DeMaira run both dance studios.
Joe DeMaira has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and is involved in the day to day operation of the dance studio. In 2007 they took over Elysse School of Dance in Oak Park and a year later opened a second location in Chicago. In addition to the studios annual dance recital, they also produce an annual Halloween Show, a Holiday Jubilee Show, and new for February 2010 The Love Show. The studio is residence to The DeMaira Dancers, plus a competitive Hip Hop Dance Crew, also a competitive dance team AND our amateur Performance Troupes. The studio also serves as rehearsal space for professional dance companies.
Jesus Aguilera from Houston Texas, Jesus has danced as a principal dancer in the internationally known Descarga Caribe dance company specializing in Latin dance with a jazz flair under the direction of Sekou McMiller. Jesus's teaching style reflects his passion for Latin dance. Jesus is currently pursuing a degree expanding his studies to all forms of dance. Be on the look out for his outstanding choreography performed by his dance company, Modern Clave'. In addition Jesus has been apprentice for Rasa Dance Chicago, a contemporary dance company. He is excited to share his love of dance with the students here. This year Jesus is directing our Chicago based competitive dance team.
Cayleigh Blake from the south suburbs of Chicago, started training at an early age. Dance has always lived within her. Watching the passion and grace of bodies moving through music sparked a fire for her. By the age of 17, she had worked her way into the pre-professional company at the School of the Salt Creek Ballet. While there, she performed in full-length ballets such as Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, and the Nutcracker. Immediately after graduating high school, Cayleigh joined RASA Dance Chicago. She has been in the company for four years and also teaches at the RASA Dance Studio. Dance is not what I do, it is who I am. It has given me passion, inspiration, motivation, self-discipline, and the strength to do what is in my heart.
Colleen Coyne brings over 25 years of teaching experience to the classroom. Her specialties include teaching children’s classes, training students in jazz, tap, hip hop and leading adult fitness classes. She has taught at Trinity Lutheran Church and local studios in Chicagoland. She was the Owner/Director of Body Roc! offering fitness classes for over 13 years. Colleen demonstrates patience and kindness in her classroom and inspires dancers to do their best.
Megan Donahue comes to us from Michigan where she graduated with a B.A. from The University of Michigan-Flint. She has taught creative movement, dance and drama classes in day care centers, dance studios and with the Michigan Youth Theater. Her varied interests have inspired her to train in modern, ballroom and social dance, acting, yoga and focused classes on teaching children's dance. She will be teaching our classes for the youngest of dancers.
Wika Gomez started dancing with Demaira Dance Studios, Inc. since the Chicago location opened in 2008. Her strives to combine fitness, dancing and fun to her life, has led her to the path of teaching Zumba. Wika believes that dancing can promote cardiovascular health as well as musculoskeletal strength. The health benefits of Zumba improves ones overall health, balance, and physical strength for the activities of daily living (ADL’s). Her goal is for herself and others to get in a habit of practicing a healthy dose of dancing activity while having a good time. She is currently certified to teach Zumba Basics and Zumba Gold. Come join the Zumba party and have fun while you get fit.
Alyssa Gregory a native of Woodbridge VA received her BFA in Dance & Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond VA. During her time at VCU she had the privilege of working with Amaranth Contemporary Dance Company and was in the Urban Bush Women reconstruction of Shelter. She received the 2010 VCU Arts Undergraduate Research Grant and helped produce and danced in the evening length production of LOCKEN. Outside of VCU she was a dancer in the 75th Orange Bowl half-time show under the direction of Mandy Moore. She has been teaching children of all ages for several years and is also a company member with The Moving Architects.
Vanessa Huaman Pilates teacher, more info & photo coming soon
Crystal Jadczak is our voice teacher. Crystal has a B.A. from Roosevelt University. She’s been singing professionally for nearly 15 years and has studied at the University of Miami School of Music and in private instruction under musical theatre, classical performers and also jazz musicians.
Amanda Lopez-Betanzos is a dedicated and resourceful teacher with years of experience in dance instruction. She holds a B.F.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her training has taken her to to dance intensives around the world and includes the Vaganova Ballet School of St. Petersburg, Russia, the National Ballet School of Gdansk, Poland, as well as right here at Columbia College in Chicago. She is known as an enthusiastic, open individual able to share constructive guidance to students of all ages and abilities. Photo coming soon!
Sidney McNeal III Renowned Hip Hop dance artist and choreographer, Sidney delivers a compelling, masterful, and deeply personal interpretation of today’s latest moves. He has performed at the Park West and Regal Theater, and has won first place in several Hip Hop competitions. Television appearances include the Jerry Lewis Telethon, Just Kidding Around, the Oprah Winfrey show and America’s Best Dance Crew!
Miguel Pagan has danced with the internationally known Descarga Caribe dance company specializing in Latin dance with a jazz flair under the direction of Sekou McMiller and Modern Clave'. He is currently actively competing. In addition to teaching Salsa and Latin, Miguel teaches Ladies Salsa Styling classes.
Daniel Ramirez has his Bachelor of Science in Education and is curently a P.E. teacher at Langford Academy in Chicago. In addition to teaching and working as a coach, Daniel has experience teaching Break Dancing at studios throughout the Chicagoland area. In his breakdance workshops students will learn the six step, top rock, foot work, freezes and various other tricks.
Judy Teubert, a college student, is a delightful teacher with lots of enthusiasm and brings a renewed energy to the classroom. A member of The DeMaira Dancers Production Company, she started dancing studying with her Aunt (Kathy DeMaira). In addition, she continues her hip hop, jazz and contemporary training at conventions such as Monsters of Hip Hop and The Pulse Dance Conventions with teachers Mia Michaels and Brian Friedman. She continues her tap training with instructors such as Diane Walker at the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. She has received Gold and 1st place awards competitively. In 2003 she was awarded the title Miss Spotlight from the Spotlight Talent Dance Competition. Judy was a Chicago Bulls Junior Luvabull for four years. She is experienced in teaching jazz, tap, hip hop and children’s classes and is proud to be on our staff. She recently completed her certification to teach Zumba classes.
Amanda Vanderkelen, a college student at Northeastern Il University is studying French in addition to continuing her dance training. We welcome her back after a year's stay in Arizona. Following her passion for dance Amanda is currently teaching Hip Hop class.
Our dancers performed on the Global Beats Stage at the Travel Expo at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center! Click on the pictures to enlarge. 2010
We would like to thank the World Heritage Cultural Center for once again inviting us to perform at The Travel Expo: 2011
Welcome to our photos and bios page. Here you can read all about our fantastic teachers. You can also see pictures from various events our students have participated in:
We are always adding photos and changing it up so check back often!
Holiday Shows
Parades & Conventions
The DeMaira Dancers
Competition Teams
APPLAUSE TALENT COMPETITION LYRICAL TEAM: PLATINUM WINNERS! Platinum! Yes! Congrats to our competitive lyrical team whose most recent win was a platinum and First in their category at the ShowStoppers Talent Competition! Congrats to Mr. Jesus too! Fantastic!
Fall Registration 2011
CONGRATULATIONS! to our Hip Hop Crew Vicious Variety and Mr. Sidney. The Crew received a Gold Award at the Starbound National Talent Competition.
They also received a judges award for style and had the 8th overall high score for all groups entered in the competition!
They did it again! They received a gold award at the Show Stoppers Talent Competition and placed second in their category! Great Job!
Student Appreciation Days
