Instructors

Owner:

Dee Dee Gallagher-Johnson Artistic Director and Instructor

Even as a young student, Dee Dee Gallagher enjoyed the experiences of dancing and teaching. Therefore, it was only natural to combine the two and bring her to the position today where she is able to incorporate those two facets of her life. Dee Dee, a founding student of Leona Bataille in 1969, has been with the studio throughout her school years and has owned the studio since 1988. Her energy and expertise have helped hundreds to learn the love of dance.

Dee Dee received her Bachelor's Degree in education from Illinois State University and is a graduate member of Chicago National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM) and a member of Dance Educators of America (DEA). Dee Dee continues to teach her love of dance through classes, lecture demonstrations, and dance company workshops. Master classes include Charles Kelly, Joel Hall, Robert Christopher, and leading New York dance instructors. She is also co-director of Midwest Dance Collective.

Faculty:

Ellen Werksman, Instructor

A former student of Bataille Academie, Ellen Werksman was invited to study and perform with the Joffrey Ballet upon her graduation from high school. Since then, Ellen is the founder and artistic Director of Dancewerks Dance Production Company and Chicago Stories. Ellen is also the co-director of Dance Directive The Windy City Dance Camp, Midwest Dance Collective, as well as the producer of the Dance For Life Dance Scholarship, and Workshop Director & National Adjudicator for Applause Talent. She is a professional dancer trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Classical Pointe and specializes in master classes for the young aspiring dancer.

Jill Readel, Instructor

Jill Readel, a former student of Bataille Academie, is a professional dancer, renowned teacher, and choreographer in the Chicagoland area. She is a National Adjudicator for Applause Talent and dances professionally with Dancewerks Dance Productions Company. Her years of expertise in teaching Ballet, Tap, and Jazz have led her to a successful career that spans over twelve years. Jill is a member of CNADM and has her degree in Elementary Education, which has enabled her to establish and direct two children?s dance companies. Her companies have successfully performed and competed on the National level receiving high marks and recognition. Jill studied under the direction of Leona Turner Bataille, Joel Hall, Terrell Paulk, Gus Giordano, Lane Alexander, Robert Christopher, and Gregg Begley. She has performed for many companies including NBC, Sears Roebuck, The March of Dimes, Club Med, and Prime Co. Ms. Fountaine is also the co-director of Dance Directive, The Windy City Dance Camp and plans to continue dancing professionally in addition to offering knowledge and opportunities to all eager dancers.

Colleen Maire, Instructor

Colleen received her Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from Barat College. Colleen has studied with renowned masters including Rory Foster of the American Ballet Theater, Eileen Cropley of the Paul Taylor Co., Randy Duncan of the Joseph Holmes Dance Co, and Joel Hall of the Joel Hall Dancers. Colleen's performing experience includes dancing as a Walt Disney World Dancer and with Chicago area dance companies. In addition, Colleen has been teaching modern, jazz, ballet, tap, acrobatics, and pointe and has achieved high recognition among her colleagues.

Jennifer Cook, Instructor

A former student and Dance Company member of Bataille, Jenny has spent the last 11 years teaching her love of dance to children of all ages. Jenny has also studies with a variety of instructors including Charles Kelly, Robert Christopher & Joel Hall at various workshops. Jenny enjoys reaching out to children in the community with her work with Lake Zurich Moms & Tots, St. Anne?s Pre-school Program, Girl Scout Troops, and other area schools. Jenny received her Bachelor?s of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design in 1997, she hopes to add to her education a degree in Elementary Education and dance.

Stephanie Nowak, Instructor

A former student of Bataille Academie, Stephanie spent six years studying the art of teaching dance through a work program at Bataille. She has been an instructor at Bataille's since 1995 and has also taught at various studios throughout the Chicagoland and Rockford area. While on scholarship at Northern Illinois University, Stephanie received her degree in Theatre and Dance Performance. She has studied with the renowned Joel Hall and worked with the Joel Hall Dancers. She dances professionally with Dancewerks Dance Production and is a National Adjudicator for Applause Talent. Stephanie enjoys teaching many forms of dance and has received high recognition for her achievements.

Heather Franklin, Instructor

Heather has been studying dance for twenty years. The latter of these were spent right here at Bataille Academie. She has studied extensively with some of the finest teachers in the area: Anida Sedala, Alberto Arias, Bruce Stegman, Joel Hall, and Rosemary Doolas. Heather danced on scholarship with the Cecchetti Council of America and is certified in the Cecceheti method into professional levels. She is currently a member of Midwest Dance Collective where she performs regularly in the Chicagoland dance community. Heather has taught at regional workshops and is very proficient in advanced tap instruction and choreography.

Diane Bennett, Acrobatics Instructor

Diane, a former student of Leona Bataille's, was well known for her expertise in acrobatics at Bataille Academie. Diane has been teaching at Bataille Academie since 1991 and has her own children taking class at our studio too. Diane received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Marquette University, and she currently works in the neo-natal care unit at Loyola Medical Center.

Kelly McMahon, Instructor

A native Texan, Kelly received her bachelor's of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation she danced with Chrysalis Dance Company in Houston for several years before moving to the windy city. Kelly's choreography has been seen in many youth companies across the nation and was honored at the American College Dance Festival. She has been teaching ballet, jazz, pointe, lyrical, and hip hop for the last ten years. Currently she performs with the Cerqua/Rivera Art Experience along with Dancewerks.

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