Our Teachers
Robin Hill - Teacher/Director
This will be Robin’s 15th season as Director/Owner/Teacher of the Dance Center of LaGrange. Robin has taught dance to all ages and levels for over 25 years. Her background includes 14 years at Oak Park-River Forest High School as the Choreographer/ Director of the Dance Program and Orchesis Dance Troupe. A sampling of Robin’s theatrical choreography includes: Singing in the Rain, The Wiz, Oklahoma, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, The Wizard of Oz and Cabaret. In 1995, she received the Dance Educator of the Year Award. Robin received her B.S. in Dance Education from Illinois State University, continued her dance studies at Harvard University, and received an M.A. Degree from Northeastern Illinois University. She continued her training in New York with Alvin Ailey Dance Center and Broadway Jazz Dance Center. Locally, Robin has studied at Gus Giordano Jazz and Stone and Cameron School of Ballet. Currently, Robin studies at the Lou Conte Dance Studios-Home of the Hubbard St. Dancers. Robin choreographs and works with several local dance troupes… Lyons Township-Eurhythmics Dance Company, Oak Park and River Forest-Orchesis Dance Troupe, Wabonsee Valley- Orchesis Dance Troupe and Momenta. Robin has several alumni students dancing in professional dance companies all over the country. She is looking forward to working with your children for another great dance year.
This will be Robin’s 15th season as Director/Owner/Teacher of the Dance Center of LaGrange. Robin has taught dance to all ages and levels for over 25 years. Her background includes 14 years at Oak Park-River Forest High School as the Choreographer/ Director of the Dance Program and Orchesis Dance Troupe. A sampling of Robin’s theatrical choreography includes: Singing in the Rain, The Wiz, Oklahoma, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, The Wizard of Oz and Cabaret. In 1995, she received the Dance Educator of the Year Award. Robin received her B.S. in Dance Education from Illinois State University, continued her dance studies at Harvard University, and received an M.A. Degree from Northeastern Illinois University. She continued her training in New York with Alvin Ailey Dance Center and Broadway Jazz Dance Center. Locally, Robin has studied at Gus Giordano Jazz and Stone and Cameron School of Ballet. Currently, Robin studies at the Lou Conte Dance Studios-Home of the Hubbard St. Dancers. Robin choreographs and works with several local dance troupes… Lyons Township-Eurhythmics Dance Company, Oak Park and River Forest-Orchesis Dance Troupe, Wabonsee Valley- Orchesis Dance Troupe and Momenta. Robin has several alumni students dancing in professional dance companies all over the country. She is looking forward to working with your children for another great dance year.
Emma Draves- Teacher/Guest ArtistEmma Draves
is an energetic teacher, choreographer, and performer. After obtaining Dance
and Sociology/Anthropology degrees from Denison University, Emma lived in New
York City – studying with Jacklyn Villamil and Oliver Steele and working as
Archivist for the fabulous Ballets Trockadero. In Chicago, Emma has worked with
a variety of artists including Lookingglass Theater, Victory Gardens Theatre,
and acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma to celebrate the opening of Chicago's exquisite
Millenium Park. Emma spent six years working with Mordine & Company Dance
Theatre as a performer and Assistant Artistic Director. She is continuing into
her seventh year with Natya Dance Theatre. Emma has received the Chicago
Dancemakers Forum Greehouse Grant, LinkUp Residency, and Chicago Cultural
Center space grant to support her bilingual choreographic efforts working with
modern and Bharatanatyam (Indian dance) vocabularies. She is also a Guest Instructor at Columbia College. This is Emma's eighth
year teaching at the Dance Center of La Grange where she thoroughly enjoys
working with the students.
Kim Pinkston-Teacher/Guest Artist
Kim has been teaching with the Dance Center of LaGrange for 14 years. She received a BS in dance from Western Michigan University before moving to Chicago to pursue her Masters in Dance/Movement Therapy and has received her GLCMA (Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis). Kim was the stage manager for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival after graduating from Western. Six years ago she completed training in Laban movement analysis and is now a graduate level certified in movement analyst. She has several years of dance training and a Master Degree in Dance Therapy. Kim’s past experience includes teaching preschool ages through adult classes in Ballet, Jazz and Tap. She has danced and performed with the Dance Center of LaGrange, and has taught Pre-Ballet, Ballet/Tap, Ballet I/II, Dance I/II, Jazz/Tap and Advanced dance classes.
Kim has been teaching with the Dance Center of LaGrange for 14 years. She received a BS in dance from Western Michigan University before moving to Chicago to pursue her Masters in Dance/Movement Therapy and has received her GLCMA (Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis). Kim was the stage manager for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival after graduating from Western. Six years ago she completed training in Laban movement analysis and is now a graduate level certified in movement analyst. She has several years of dance training and a Master Degree in Dance Therapy. Kim’s past experience includes teaching preschool ages through adult classes in Ballet, Jazz and Tap. She has danced and performed with the Dance Center of LaGrange, and has taught Pre-Ballet, Ballet/Tap, Ballet I/II, Dance I/II, Jazz/Tap and Advanced dance classes.
Peggy Herman - Teacher/Senior Assistant
Peggy is very happy to be starting her eighth year at the Dance Center of LaGrange. She loves working with the children and especially enjoys being able to watch the progression in their dance ability from one year to the next. Peggy has studied dance for over 20 years including the past eight years at DCL and more than 10 years at the School of the Salt creek Ballet. She has enjoyed performing with the Dance Center of LaGrange, Ballet Legere (The Nutcracker) and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Peggy will be teaching Pre-Ballet/Creative Dance, Ballet I/II and Dance I/II.
Peggy is very happy to be starting her eighth year at the Dance Center of LaGrange. She loves working with the children and especially enjoys being able to watch the progression in their dance ability from one year to the next. Peggy has studied dance for over 20 years including the past eight years at DCL and more than 10 years at the School of the Salt creek Ballet. She has enjoyed performing with the Dance Center of LaGrange, Ballet Legere (The Nutcracker) and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Peggy will be teaching Pre-Ballet/Creative Dance, Ballet I/II and Dance I/II.
Michelle Broecker - Teacher/Senior Assistant
Michelle graduated fromRiverside Brookfield High School
Michelle graduated from
Dana Fry - Teacher/Guest Artist
This will be
Dana’s 8th year teaching at the Dance Center of LaGrange. She has taught
and assisted all age groups from the Pre-Ballet/Creative Movement level to the
Advanced level. During her high school years, Dana was part of the Pom Pons
squad, where she was able to bring dance to the football field and basketball
court. She was also part of the Eurythmic Dance Company, where she was able to
bring all her skills from the Dance Center of LaGrange to the high school. Dana
is a graduate of Illinois State University where she studied dance education
and physical education. While in college she was part of the Illinois State
Dance Theater Dance Company, where she had the opportunity to work closely with
the faculty members and guest artists. Dana has worked at Riverside
Brookfield High School and has had the opportunity to choreograph for various
other high schools in neighboring areas. Dana is happy that she is able
to bring her knowledge, creativity, and passion for dance to the dancers at the
Dance Center of LaGrange.
Danielle Pender - Teacher/Guest Artist
Danielle currently
guest teaches performance workshops and choreographs independently. While
earning a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography at Columbia College in Chicago, she danced in the works of Nana Shineflug, Ginger Farley, and Jan
Erkert. Also in Chicago, she danced for several independent
choreographers such as Andrew LeBeau/Paul Taylor, and performed at venues like
Link's Hall, and Visceral Dance. Her choreography has been presented at
the American College of Dance Festival Gala, Universal Dance Association/ESPN,
and Around the Coyote festivals. Danielle previously danced with Disney,
Royal Caribbean, Joel Hall, and Windy City Players Children Theater. She was on
the dance faculty of Oak Lawn's Department of Parks and Recreation from
2003-2010. She holds an American Council of Exercise group fitness
certification, and is a certified Zumba instructor. Danielle is excited to join DCL for her first year!
Karen Curin-Teacher/Guest Artist
Karen has been a master teacher in the Chicago-land area for the past 10 years. In addition to teaching at many dance studios she is the co-director of the After School Matters Dance Ensemble whose mission is to provide Chicago teens with the opportunity to perform professional contemporary choreography in a touring repertory company. Karen's choreography has been presented at venues including the Chicago Cultural Center, Daley Plaza , Millennium Park and Soldier Field. She received her training with, and was a member of, the Salt Creek Ballet Company. She continued her dance education at the University of Iowa where she performed at the Kennedy Center for the Arts for the National College Dance Festival. Following graduation Karen was a member of professional dance companies including, The Joel Hall Dancers, The 58 Group founded by Ginger Farley, and Thodos Dance Chicago with whom she toured nationally and internationally. Karen also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis. This will be her 14th year teaching and choreographing for the Dance Center of LaGrange.
Amanda Olson - Teacher/Guest Artist
Mandy has
taken dance with Robin for 15 years and was in the opening day
advanced dance class! She was also a student of Robin's in the O.P.R.F.H.S
Orchesis Dance Troupe. She graduated from Hope College with a Dance/Elementary
Education major. Her professional experience includes choreographing and
performing in Strike Time Dancers (a children's education company), Insync
Dance Theater (a jazz and tap company), and Aerial Dance Theater (a modern
dance company) that toured internationally in Querretero, Mexico. She has
taught various styles of dance at Hope College, Joel Hall Dancers and Center
and has taught dance education professional development in select Chicago Public
Schools. She is very excited about her sixth year teaching K-8 dance
at Franklin Fine Arts Center in Chicago Public Schools! Mandy is pleased to be
guest teaching and choreographing for another season at the Dance Center of
LaGrange.
Bethany White - Teacher/Guest Artist
Bethany began
her dance training in Sao Paulo, Brazil under the direction of Raquel Nakayama.
She graduated from Hope College in 2003 with a B.A. in Dance Performance
and Choreography. At Hope, Bethany choreographed for Aerial Dance Company
and performed in Strike Time Dance Company. After graduation, Bethany
taught and choreographed for the River City Ballet School and company in
Evansville, IN. Bethany received her Masters in Education from Roosevelt
University in 2008 and teaches 2nd grade for Chicago Public Schools. She
has been with DCL since 2007 and is looking forward to a great year!
Brittany Knickelbein - Teacher/Guest Artist
Brittany is currently a Dance Performance major at Illinois State University where she is a member of Illinois State Dance Theatre and a School of Theatre scholarship recipient. She has had the honor of working with choreographers from all over the country while at ISU and performing solo and ensemble work at the American College Dance Festival. Brittany began dancing at the age of three and has been with the Dance Center of LaGrange for 12 years. She is a graduate of Lyons Township High School where she was co-captain of the varsity poms squad and a member of the Eurythmic Dance Company for four years. Brittany continues to broaden her dance experiences through workshops, intensives and classes throughout the Chicago area, and is excited to be back at the Dance Center of LaGrange after she graduates in December.
Jessica Piper - Teacher/Senior Assistant
Jessica was a student at DCL and has been trained in all styles of dance. She attended Riverside-Brookfield High School where she was a member of the Orchesis Dance Company, Repertory Dance Company, and the Poms team. Jessica also choreographed for the companies and graduated with Honors in Dance. She now studies Dance and Communications at Elmhurst College. Jessica will be a senior this year and also the captain of the Poms team at Elmhurst. Recently, she has danced in Nashville for Belmont University and in Los Angeles with the L.A Contemporary Dance Company for their summer intensive. Jessica will be teaching and assisting Pre-Ballet/Creative Movement, Ballet/Tap, Jazz/Tap, Dance I/II, and Storycise… She is so excited for a great year at DCL!
Jessica was a student at DCL and has been trained in all styles of dance. She attended Riverside-Brookfield High School where she was a member of the Orchesis Dance Company, Repertory Dance Company, and the Poms team. Jessica also choreographed for the companies and graduated with Honors in Dance. She now studies Dance and Communications at Elmhurst College. Jessica will be a senior this year and also the captain of the Poms team at Elmhurst. Recently, she has danced in Nashville for Belmont University and in Los Angeles with the L.A Contemporary Dance Company for their summer intensive. Jessica will be teaching and assisting Pre-Ballet/Creative Movement, Ballet/Tap, Jazz/Tap, Dance I/II, and Storycise… She is so excited for a great year at DCL!
Dot Kane - Storycise Teacher
Dot Kane earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois in 1983, and has been sharing her love of dance, comedy and storytelling with children ever since. She is thrilled and honored to be a part of the talented staff at the Dance Center of LaGrange.
Dot Kane earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois in 1983, and has been sharing her love of dance, comedy and storytelling with children ever since. She is thrilled and honored to be a part of the talented staff at the Dance Center of LaGrange.