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 and  lecture demonstrations. She brings guest teachers through   Youthdance, dance workshops.  Master classes include Charles Kelly, Joel Hall, Robert Christopher, and leading New York dance instructors.  She is currently the director of Integrity Dance Project. A pre -professional dance company dedicated to embracing the process of concert dance and giving back to the community.

Dee Dee currently is an executive board member on Barrington's Freedom Festival , a support the troops event, a co-chairman on the Barrington Cultural Coalition, an active member of the Mano a Mano resource center gala , and a community leader who works against drug and alcohol abuse. She resides in Barrington with her husband and three children.

 

 

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 danced 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 almost 20 years.  Jill is a member of CNADM and has her degree in Elementary Education, which has enabled her to establish and direct two childrens 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. Readel is also the owner/director of Fuzion Dance Camp and plans to continue 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 Goldman, 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. 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. She recently retired from dancing with  the Cerqua/Rivera Art Experience to focus on her teaching.

Sarah Kramer, Instructor

Sarah Kramer recently graduated magna cum laude from University of Arizona's well-recognized School of Dance with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in dance. She also obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in finance and is a certified Zumba® instructor. Sarah has performed in Czardas by James Clouser (former artistic director of the Houston Ballet), Badum Boom by Sam Watson (founder of Wats on Dance and former principal dancer of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago), Screw Fisk by Doug Nielsen (Lester Horton Educator of Dance Award Winner), and Zuhm by Susan Quinn (former principal with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago).In 2007, Sarah was on faculty at the Applause Talent Nationals held in Gatlinburg, TN. She has been teaching dance for the past six years and has choreographed various works that were accepted into the University of Arizona’s Spring Collection program, including Silent Embrace and A Perfect Plate.

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