Programs | Dance
Dance Program Contact:
Alyson Stanczak
(847) 850-2105
Click here for dance program offerings.
Click here for dance calendar.
Click here for the Hot Shots calendar.
2013 Recital information
Click here for dance recital picture ordering information.
Click here for the dance recital picture order form.
2013-2014 Information
Click here for the credit card payment form.
Click here for the direct debit payment form.
Click here for the dance program rules and attire.
Instructors
Alyson Stanczak - Studio Director
Aly has been teaching dance for 14 years and will be entering her 9th year as studio director at the Buffalo Grove Studio of Dance. She graduated from Loyola University of Chicago with a degree in education and a K-9 teaching certificate. She has pursued her dance training at Gus Giordano, Joel Hall Dance Center, Northwest Ballet Academy and various other local studios. Aly keeps her training current by attending Dance Makers Inc, DanceTeacher Web conference, DanceLife Teacher Training and Dance Teacher Summer Training, where she had the privilege of studying with amazing teachers such as Cathy Roe, Rhee Gold, Darryl Retter, Janice Barringer, Tommy Alexander, and the great tap legend, Al Gilbert. In addition to teaching, Aly has choreographed numerous theatre productions for children and adults, with some of her favorites including Annie, 101 Dalmatians, The Magical Land of Oz, Bugsy Malone, The King and I, 42nd Street, Cinderella, Aladdin, and West Side Story. Aly is pleased to share her passion for dance with the community and welcomes everyone to the Buffalo Grove Studio of Dance
Susan Cohen - Instructor
Susan started dancing at the age of 4 and her studies continued throughout high school and college, where she was very active in the dance programs. She furthered her training at Northwest Ballet Academy. Susan is a proud member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, a 100 year old organization that focuses on dance education, where she continues to train and attend workshops. She enjoys working with children, helping them to develop a skill or explore a new adventure as the expression of dance can be very freeing of the spirit and mind. Watching her students’ progression from year to year is very exciting for her. “My love for dance is my bliss.” She is excited to begin her 8th year teaching here at the Buffalo Grove Studio of Dance!
Karen Gore - Instructor
Karen has been teaching dance for 14 years and is excited to be entering her 7th year here at the Buffalo Grove Studio of Dance. She began dancing when she was 3 at Bonnie Lindholm School of Dance. She has studied tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip-hop and pointe, and has had the opportunity to work with choreographers and teachers such as Terry Lindholm, Mandy Moore, Al Gilbert, Joe Tremaine, Michael Taylor, Chonique, Jacqueline Hill, Blake McGrath, Ivan Kourmaev, Travis Wall and Nick Drago. Through her studio, she was invited to perform at Disney World and in the Disney Magnificent Mile parade. She also participated and assisted with the Disney Dancin’ Workshops in Orlando, Florida. Karen attended the University of Illinois, where she served as President and Choreographer of Illini ‘N Motion. Karen keeps current with the dance community by taking classes at Gus Giordano and Lou Conte, and by being a member of the National Dance Education Organization, National Dance Alliance and National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts. Karen is also a Team Dance Illinois certified judge and a Level 7 certified Cecchetti Ballet instructor. In her spare time, she has also choreographed various musicals for Big Deal Productions. She is excited to start a new year with the students and parents.
Madelaine Plewack i- Instructor
Maddie has trained in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Modern for over 20 years. She recently graduated from Northern Illinois University, where she studied Dance Performance and Spanish Language and Literature. At NIU, Maddie trained with Judith Chitwood, Paula Frasz and Autumn Eckman, and had the opportunity to perform in many Northern Dance Theatre shows. Madelaine enjoys choreographing for the Buffalo Grove Studio of Dance's competition team Hot Shots and her routines have placed in the top 10 and top 5, and have received Judge's Choice Awards. In addition, Maddie choreographs for Big Deal Productions and Broadway Bound summer camp, and she continues to perform in local musicals. Some of her favorite past shows include 42nd Street, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and The Wedding Singer. With her strong passion for dance, nothing is more satisfying than spreading that passion to others. She is excited to begin her 5th year teaching and choreographing for the students of the Buffalo Grove Studio of Dance.
Stephanie Shparago - Instructor
Stephanie began dancing at the age of 5 and has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Pointe under the direction of Tracy Tritz, and Lauren Parets. She continued her training at Gus Giordano Dance School and was a member of the Giordano Juniors. She had the privilege of working with Fury Gold, Homer Bryant, Craig Kaufman, Zachary Heller, Sayiga Eugene Peabody, Cesar Salinas and Lindsey Leduc. She has performed in several different Ballets, such as TJ and Company's The Cracked Nut, Ballet North's Le Corsaire and Can Can, and Terpsicories Wizard of Oz and Collection of Dance. She spent a summer at an intensive program at the Fort Wayne Ballet and participated in their summer showcase. As she entered college, Stephanie was selected to be on scholarship at Center Stage Academy of Dance in Highland Park. In the summers, Stephanie works as a dance camp counselor where she teaches many different dance classes and choreographs for the dance camp showcase. This is Stephanie's 5th year at Buffalo Grove Studio of Dance. She is excited for another great year and can’t wait to share her passion for dance with her students.
