Our Staff
Professionally-trained instructors for all ages
Center Stage Dance Academy offers some of the most professionally-trained instructors in the area. Our staff members have decades of cumulative experience teaching dance in all genres including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary/lyrical. Having learned from masters, danced across the country, and collaborated with famous acts, we look forward to sharing our passion and enthusiasm for the art of dance each time your child attends one of our classes.
Each of the instructors at Center Stage live and breathe dance. Dance is in their souls and they are eager to pass their knowledge and excitement to the next generation of aspiring dancers. Our instructors have been in the world of dance most of their lives, have studied professionally, and danced around the globe and have worked with famous stars of their field. It is our pleasure at Center Stage to offer this caliber of trained professionals for your dancers.
Debbie Nowotnik
Owner/Artistic Director
Debbie began dancing at age 4 and was performing on stage by the age of seven. Upon completing her first dance recital, she knew she had found her niche in life. Debbie studied ballet, tap and jazz at Golden’s and Youman’s School of Dance. Debbie’s training led her to participate in numerous dance competitions and conventions in the Chicagoland area.
Debbie Nowotnik
Owner/Artistic Director
Debbie began dancing at age 4 and was performing on stage by the age of seven. Upon completing her first dance recital, she knew she had found her niche in life. Debbie studied ballet, tap and jazz at Golden’s and Youman’s School of Dance. Debbie’s training led her to participate in numerous dance competitions and conventions in the Chicagoland area.
Alvin Ramirez
Alvin Ramirez, Co-Director of Envision Dance Company, was born in the Philippines and lived there for his first ten years. He now resides in the Chicagoland area where he earned a credited bachelor’s degree in Human Geography from Elmhurst College. Alvin trained in hip hop, contemporary and breakdancing since the age of 17.
Alvin Ramirez, Co-Director of Envision Dance Company, was born in the Philippines and lived there for his first ten years. He now resides in the Chicagoland area where he earned a credited bachelor’s degree in Human Geography from Elmhurst College. Alvin trained in hip hop, contemporary and breakdancing since the age of 17.
Alvin Ramirez
Amanda Hickey
Amanda discovered a passion for dance at the age of ten. She began her serious training at Faubourg School of Ballet under Watmora Casey, Tatyana Mazur, and Ernesto Quenedit. Some of her other training includes intensives with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, River North Dance Company, Visceral Dance Company, and Orlando Ballet.
Amanda Hickey
Amanda discovered a passion for dance at the age of ten. She began her serious training at Faubourg School of Ballet under Watmora Casey, Tatyana Mazur, and Ernesto Quenedit. Some of her other training includes intensives with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, River North Dance Company, Visceral Dance Company, and Orlando Ballet.
Kristin started dancing at age 4, performing and competing in several dance studios in the Chicago suburbs. She deepened her love for dance in high school, taking classes at Inspire School of Dance in Naperville.
She got her BA in dance performance and choreography from Hope College, in Holland Michigan. During her time there she danced with their jazz and tap company, a modern dance company and traveling teaching company. She had the opportunity to perform twice with Chicago Tap Theatre in their Holiday show, and attend the Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Intensive in New York.
Kristin Nelson
Kristin Nelson
Kristin started dancing at age 4, performing and competing in several dance studios in the Chicago suburbs. She deepened her love for dance in high school, taking classes at Inspire School of Dance in Naperville.
She got her BA in dance performance and choreography from Hope College, in Holland Michigan. During her time there she danced with their jazz and tap company, a modern dance company and traveling teaching company. She had the opportunity to perform twice with Chicago Tap Theatre in their Holiday show, and attend the Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Intensive in New York.
Lorie Holtey
Lorie Holtey is originally from Yakima, Washington where she owned a successful studio for 16 years. Not only herself, but her students have won numerous awards and scholarships thru the years. Dancing since the age of 6 she is trained in all areas of dance such as Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Baton, and gymnastics – she is a diverse and well rounded dancer.
Lorie Holtey
Lorie Holtey is originally from Yakima, Washington where she owned a successful studio for 16 years. Not only herself, but her students have won numerous awards and scholarships thru the years. Dancing since the age of 6 she is trained in all areas of dance such as Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Baton, and gymnastics – she is a diverse and well rounded dancer.
Maggie, a Chicago area native, began dancing and tumbling at the age of four at the Dance Theatre of Elgin. Under the direction of world renowned Power Tumbler coach Linda Laaker, Maggie achieved the status of a Level 10 (Advanced) competitor with the USTA and USAG organizations. Maggie received many 1st place regional finishes and placed within the top three nationally for many years.
Maggie Schroeder
Maggie Schroeder
Maggie, a Chicago area native, began dancing and tumbling at the age of four at the Dance Theatre of Elgin. Under the direction of world renowned Power Tumbler coach Linda Laaker, Maggie achieved the status of a Level 10 (Advanced) competitor with the USTA and USAG organizations. Maggie received many 1st place regional finishes and placed within the top three nationally for many years.
Miguel Villagomez
Having danced for only five years, Miguel Villagomez packed in as much training and knowledge as possible. Beginning his training under Robert Lewis owner of Lewis Dance Progressions and featured on America’s Best Dance Crew, Miguel made sure he got the strongest possible start to his training. Miguel also trained under Trae Turner of Hubbard Street Dance in Chicago.
Miguel Villagomez
Having danced for only five years, Miguel Villagomez packed in as much training and knowledge as possible. Beginning his training under Robert Lewis owner of Lewis Dance Progressions and featured on America’s Best Dance Crew, Miguel made sure he got the strongest possible start to his training. Miguel also trained under Trae Turner of Hubbard Street Dance in Chicago.
Nicole Paukovits
Nicole performed in her first dance recital at the age of 3. She found a home at Port Jefferson Dance Academy, in Port Jefferson Station, NY at the age of 8 and began studying dance seriously. Nicole spent her first year at Port Jefferson studying ballet and jazz. By her second year at the dance studio she was studying jazz, tap, ballet, and modern. In 1997, Nicole began her competitive career.
Nicole performed in her first dance recital at the age of 3. She found a home at Port Jefferson Dance Academy, in Port Jefferson Station, NY at the age of 8 and began studying dance seriously. Nicole spent her first year at Port Jefferson studying ballet and jazz. By her second year at the dance studio she was studying jazz, tap, ballet, and modern. In 1997, Nicole began her competitive career.
Nicole Paukovits
Rachel Faller
Rachel began dancing at the age of 3 and continued dancing throughout her teenage years with Krupinski Academy of Dance in St. Louis, MO studying ballet, tap and jazz. During her teenage years with Krupinski she was a competitive dancer. Rachel was a member of the American Dance Troupe as well as traveled with the company to California for dance conventions.
Rachel Faller
Rachel began dancing at the age of 3 and continued dancing throughout her teenage years with Krupinski Academy of Dance in St. Louis, MO studying ballet, tap and jazz. During her teenage years with Krupinski she was a competitive dancer. Rachel was a member of the American Dance Troupe as well as traveled with the company to California for dance conventions.
Sin Van V
Sin Van V has been dancing since the age of six. She studied jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, ballet and hip hop. She danced for professional companies within Illinois and Wisconsin and has been teaching in the Chicagoland area since 1991.
Sin Van V has been dancing since the age of six. She studied jazz, tap, contemporary, modern, ballet and hip hop. She danced for professional companies within Illinois and Wisconsin and has been teaching in the Chicagoland area since 1991.
Sin Van V
Sky Nowotnik
Sky Nowotnik is a Chicago native who began their dance career at the age of three. They trained most of their life with Envision Dance Company at Center Stage Dance Academy but also had the opportunity to travel and train as an apprentice with LA Dance Magic. Their first professional debut was as a company member and soloist with Nōmi Dance Company in both their shows “Instrumental” and “Reminiscence”.
Sky Nowotnik
Sky Nowotnik is a Chicago native who began their dance career at the age of three. They trained most of their life with Envision Dance Company at Center Stage Dance Academy but also had the opportunity to travel and train as an apprentice with LA Dance Magic. Their first professional debut was as a company member and soloist with Nōmi Dance Company in both their shows “Instrumental” and “Reminiscence”.
Phone: 847-669-2510
Email: [email protected]
10631 Wolf Drive
Huntley, IL 60142
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