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FACULTY

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Jackie Graney

Studio Owner and Director, Tiny Coach, Senior All Star Coach

Jackie Graney is the founder and Director of Studio 22 and the High TeK Competitive Dance Program. Jackie is graduate of DePaul University and holds a degree in Communications and Media. As part of her final senior project, Jackie developed a business plan to open a dance studio. Shortly after graduation, at the young age 22, Jackie brought that vision to life and opened Studio 22 High TeK. Over the past decade, the studio has grown both in size and reputation for excellence, drawing talent from across the Chicago area and achieving success at the international level. Jackie danced for three seasons as a Chicago Luvabull...

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Mariterese Altosino

Assistant Director, Youth All Star Coach

Mariterese Altosino, a Chicagoland native, received her early training locally at The Academy of Dance Arts and Xtreme Dance Force. She graduated with honors from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Business and Entrepreneurship. While completing her undergraduate degree, she performed in various events around Chicago including Carnival Choreographer’s Ball, The Miss Illinois Pageant, World of Dance, and Dance Chicago. Post graduation, Mariterese danced with Giordano Dance Chicago as a second company member and performing associate for a total of four years...

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Kaleigh Schock Tyton

Ballet Instructor

Kaleigh Schock was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago where started training for her professional career at the age of 14, at the Faubourg School of Ballet in Hanover Park. At 16, Kaleigh moved to NYC to train at Ellison Ballet-Professional Ballet School with Edward Ellison. She continued to train at Ellison Ballet for three years. During this time, she was a supplemental dancer with Cincinnati Ballet in 2007. Kaleigh then joined Ballet West II in Salt Lake City in 2008 after being awarded a contract at the Youth American Grand Prix...

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Craig Black

Ballet & Improv Instructor

Craig Black began dancing at South Bay Dance Center at the age of ten. The California native was captain of his San Jose high school’s nationally ranked dance team. In 2011 Craig received his BFA from The Juilliard School where he was awarded the 2010 Princess Grace Award in Dance. He has received additional training at summer programs such as Springboard Danse Montréal, Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive, and The School at Jacob’s Pillow where he was given the 2011 Lorna Strassler Award for Student Excellence. Craig joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in the fall of 2017 after finishing six seasons with the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. He has had the pleasure of dancing works by...

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Lexi Basso

Mini All Star Coach, Acro Instructor

Lexi is currently a student at Chamberlain College of Nursing, working toward he Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She currently coaches the Chicago Bullskidz entertainment team along side, Jackie. This will be her 5th season working for the Chicago Bulls organization. Lexi is AAC2 certified through Acrobatic Arts. She loves using her own knowledge and acro skills to help young dancers learn about the unique style. Lexi takes pride in volunteering as a dance instructor at the annual CURE SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) Conference every summer. She loves helping young dancers reach their fullest potential and is excited to share her passion for dance.

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Gina Lathrop

Minis Coach

Gina Lathrop grew up in Glenview, IL where she began dancing at the age of three and practiced the styles of Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, and Pom. During High School, she was a four year member of the Glenbrook South Titan Poms Dance Team and an assistant coach for the Glenbrook South Titan Poms Feeder Dance Team. As a Titan Pom, Gina competed in both Pom and Jazz at IHSA and UDA Competitions...

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Leah Schneider

Junior Coach

Leah was born and raised in Park Ridge, IL where she discovered her love for dance. Leah was on the first ever Studio 22 High Tek, and then continued her love for competitive dance on the Maine South Hawkettes for 4 years. She graduated from the University of Dayton with her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science. Leah then attended Rush University, where she received her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.

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Lailani Cifuentes

Jazz Instructor

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Rachel Rosales Malin

Artistic Director, Technique Instructor, Junior All Star Coach, Senior All Star Coach

Rachel began teaching and coaching at Studio 22 in its founding year of 2009. She began her dance training in Chicago, IL at a young age and continued pursuing her passion for dance throughout her adult life. She became an instructor for the Universal Dance Association when she was 18, and continued for the next 5 years where she traveled across the US and to countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and Germany. Through UDA she has taught dance camps as well as judged both Regional and National level competitions. She was also a choreographer for UDA's Summer Camp routines for 3 years. Rachel danced professionally for the NBA with the Chicago Luvabulls for 2 seasons...

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Jessica Brewster

Company Instructor & Choreographer

Known for her contagious energy and dedication to her students, Jessica is passionate about creating a space where dancers can become honest storytellers. Since finding her calling in teaching over eight years ago, she has made it her focus to train students who use a clear vocabulary of refined technique as the backbone for authentic movement. This drive stems from her own multi-faceted education. In her formative years, training intensely in both ballet technique at the Faubourg School of Ballet and in the convention circuit with Perseverance Dance Company, she learned the value of placement within the confines of contemporary movement...

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Macki Wilcox

Junior All Star Head Coach

Mackenzie (Macki) is a current Universal Dance Association Instructor and current Loyola University Dance Team Coach. She graduated from Loyola University, Chicago and was a four year member, two year captain of the nationally ranked Loyola Dance Team. Macki has been dancing for 17 years and has competed at the studio, high school and collegiate level. She specializes in pom, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop and has choreographed for various all-star and high school teams across the country. Macki is enthusiastic about helping young dancers reach their full potential.

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Micki Selander

Ballet Instructor

Micki Selander began her ballet training at the Maryland Youth Ballet, under the direction of Tensia Fonseca and Michelle Lees. At the age of 15, she was awarded a summer scholarship to continue her studies in New York at the Joffrey Ballet School with Meredith Baylis. In 1982 she was awarded a scholarship to train in ballet and jazz with Lou Conte, Claire Bataille and Warren Conover at the Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago. Shortly thereafter she joined the critically acclaimed touring company Hubbard Street Dance Company, under the direction of Lou Conte, working with renowned choreographers such as Lou Conte, Claire Bataille, Lynne Taylor-Corbett and Margo Sappington.

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Colleen Hollis

Junior Coach, Instructor

Colleen Hollis was born and raised in Illinois where she began dancing at three years old. Colleen graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Dance Performance where she had many opportunities to work with professionals and choreographers whom helped to shape her into the performer and teacher she is today. Colleen is currently in her second season as NBA dancer with the Chicago Luvabulls where she gets to pursue her passion for performing. In addition to teaching and performing, Colleen is also an instructor with Universal Dance Association and loves getting the opportunity to travel and work with high school and collegiate dance teams across the country. In addition to her dance work, Colleen is also passionate about health and fitness...

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Megan Besler

Youth Coach

Megan graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Finance and is currently working full time as a Financial Analyst. She has been dancing since she was three years old and started her competitive dancing career on the first ever Studio 22 High Tek team. Megan continued to competitively dance throughout her four years of high school at Maine South. Megan has a love of working with children and growing their passions, especially in dance. She is beyond thrilled to be back at the studio as a Coach. Megan also has a special place in her heart for children with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy). She has volunteered for over eight years at the Annual Cure SMA conference interacting with the children and incorporating dancing into their lives.

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Emjay Mendez

Hip Hop Instructor

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