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...

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...

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...

Tami Whatcott is a dedicated dancer, choreographer, educator, and adjudicator with a passion for sharing the art of movement across cultures and communities. She holds a BFA in Modern Dance and a BS in Dance Education from Utah Valley University, where she began cultivating her love for performance and teaching.

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.

Whitney Wandland is a Chicago-born actress, dancer, choreographer, and former Miss Illinois USA. As a former member and captain of the Chicago Luvabulls, she has performed on major stages including the Tony Awards and Kennedy Center Honors, and alongside artists such as Usher and Ciara. Her choreography credits include television projects on FOX and CBS, most recently choreographing for the Netflix series Monster. She is excited to be joint the Studio 22 summer intensive.

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.

Kailee grew up in Park Ridge, where her passion for dance began at the age of 4. She started with jazz, ballet, and tap, and later expanded her training to include lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary styles.

Olivia Watters is from Park Ridge, Illinois and began dancing at Studio 22 at a young age. Throughout her training, she was a member of the studio’s first Company team. She was also a member of the Youth Prep and Junior All-Star teams. During her time at Studio 22, she competed at events such as the first-ever Dance Summit, The Dance Worlds, The Dance Awards, UDA Nationals, and numerous other national competitions...

Katie grew up dancing at Studio 22 and was a member of the High Tek competitive dance program from Minis through Junior All Stars, as well as Company 22. During her time at the studio, she earned multiple UDA National and Summit Championship titles and had the opportunity to compete at the USASF Dance Worlds Championship...

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...

Abby grew up in Arlington Heights and began dancing at the age of three, training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and tap. She graduated from Miami University with a degree in middle childhood education and a minor in Dance. Abby is a former member of the Miami University dance team. During her time on the team she competed in the jazz and pom categories at NDA college nationals and performed at football and basketball games...

Noelle Jay grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and trained at The Dance Project as a young dancer. After playing Louisa in “The Sound of Music,” she knew performing and storytelling was her purpose. She went to Carthage College and received a BA in music theatre with a minor in dance. During her time in college, she spent a summer in New York City training at Broadway Dance Center and The Stella Adler Studio of Acting.

Rachel has been teaching and coaching at Studio 22 since its founding in 2009. Her extensive career includes five years as a UDA Staff member, two seasons as an NBA Dancer with Chicago Luvabulls, and choreographing/consulting for nationally recognized All Star, high school, and collegiate programs. An award-winning choreographer and dedicated technique instructor, Rachel is passionate about challenging dancers to grow technically and artistically while developing confidence, discipline, and a strong work ethic...

Lailani Cifuentes, born and raised in Morton Grove, IL, has been a dedicated member of the Studio 22 High Tek family for nearly three years, working as both a recital pom instructor and front desk receptionist. Her dance journey began at the age of 9 right here at the studio, where she started in recital and eventually trained at the Allstar level and made history as part of the first-ever team to win a Summit Championship in 2016 in the Junior Small Lyrical category.

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...

SARA BIBIK was a founding member and principal dancer with River North Dance Chicago. After retiring from the stage after 10 years, she was named Workshop Director and Artistic Administrator seamlessly transitioning one passion to another.

Wil began his formal training at Faubourg School of Ballet under the direction of Watmora Casey. He placed 1st and 3rd at the Chicago Youth America Grand Prix competition in pas de deux and solo categories qualifying him to compete as a NYC finalist. After competing, Wil furthered his training at Houston Ballet Academy, Milwaukee Ballet School, Miami City Ballet School, and as a trainee performing with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Professionally, Wil was a principal dancer in the European tour of Best of: Rock the Ballet with Sweetbird Productions under the direction of Adrienne Canterna-Martinez.

Kevin Shannon began dancing under the guidance of Lester Holmes. He graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts with additional training at the School of American Ballet, Miami City Ballet School, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Parsons Dance. After earning his BFA from The Juilliard School, Kevin joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in November of 2007. As a professional dancer, he has performed the works of Aszure Barton, William Forsythe, Robyn Mineko-Williams, Jirí Kylián, Ohad Naharin, and Kyle Abraham among many others. Beyond performing Kevin has led workshops for Chicago public school teachers, and is very engaged in the Hubbard Street Youth Program. Kevin also acts as guest faculty for both the Hubbard Street Professional Program and the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago main company.

Chloe Shaw is originally from Overland Park, Kansas, where she grew up dancing at Perception Dance Company and spent four years on her high school dance team. She recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Kinesiology and was a member of the University of Minnesota Dance Team, contributing to 4 National Championships and a gold medal in Pom at the ICU World Championships...

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.

Chase began dancing at just two years old and has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary. She was a four-year member of the Maine South High School Hawkettes Dance Team, serving as Varsity Captain during her junior and senior years. During her junior year season, the team earned its first-ever National Championship in High Kick in 2011.

My dance journey began at the age of three, and I became a part of Studio 22 just a year after it opened. I trained extensively at the studio, dancing on their competitive teams for three years and was a member of the very first Company 22 season, continuing with the company for four years. In high school, I was also a part of the Maine South Dance Team for four years, serving as team captain for two. These experiences shaped my technique, leadership, and passion for dance.

Originally from New York, I began my dance journey with CNY Storm, where I spent 10 amazing years growing as a dancer, teammate, and coach. I was most proud of my time on the Open Hip Hop team, where I had the incredible opportunity to dance alongside our program director, Vicki Rocheleau.

Brandi (Wooten) Miceli is a passionate and accomplished performing arts educator with a successful career spanning Broadway, national tours, and regional theatre. A proud member of Actors Equity Association and a graduate of Oklahoma City University with a BFA in Dance Performance. Brandi originated roles in 9 to 5 on Broadway (original Broadway cast) and has performed in acclaimed productions such as Spamalot (Broadway cast and National Tour), Fosse (National Tour, directed by Ann Reinking), and Oklahoma! (National Tour). Her extensive regional theatre work includes select performances as Velma Kelly in Chicago, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Kristine in A Chorus Line, Lily St. Regis in Annie, and Marge Macdougall in Promises, Promises...

Noa Greenfeld is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer based in the Chicagoland area. She holds a BFA in Dance with a minor in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she had the opportunity to perform in works by Sara Hook, Tere O’Connor, Jennifer Monson, Roxane D’Orleans Juste, and Anna Peretz Rogovoy.