I started dancing as a young child, and have not stopped learning since. I danced competitively for 10 years and went on to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Dance Studies and Performance from Middle Tennessee State University. While at MTSU, I performed with the Dance Theatre, as well as choreographed and

directed the Student Gala Performances on campus. I have performed for many noted artists including Jesse Zaritt, Nick Cave, and Christopher Morgan. I have studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, and have recently been certified by

Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique. This is my sixth year with Synergy and fifth year choreographing for the Synergy FX Company. I love being in class with my students and watching each one progress their artistry. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and reading!

I've been dancing for 17 years -- (10 of those being competitive). I started teaching at Synergy five years ago, and have been a part of the competitive program ever since! I recently became Acrobatic Arts Certified, and I love seeing how even our youngest dancers push themselves to learn new skills.

Currently, I'm attending North Central College to study Psychology and Spanish. In my free time, I watch every sitcom on Netflix!

I started dancing at a young age, and my passion continued to grow from there. I trained at Elite Dance Academy in all styles of dance – modern, jazz, hip hop,

ballet, pointe, and tap – and I danced for the Lockport Porterettes for four years in high school where I led the team as captain for two years. I graduated from the

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Dance. While acquiring my degree,

I was both a member and a choreographer for the Illini N Motion Dance Team. I recently just graduated with my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction

with an endorsement in Teacher Leadership. Currently, I'm on staff as the ballet teacher here at Synergy Dance and I feel blessed to be a part of their family. Aside

from dance, I’m a middle school math teacher at Trinity Christian School in

Shorewood, IL.

Shelby Memmott is a Butler University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Pedagogy focusing on Modern dance technique.  She has performed with Butler Ballet in full-length classical ballets including Cinderella, Giselle, The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake.  Shelby has performed in works choreographed by Susan McGuire, Ramon Flowers, Marek Cholewa, David Ingram, Derke Reid, and Cynthia Pratt.  She has a passion for choreography and has choreographed for multiple Center for Theatre Arts, referred to as CTA, productions as a CTA alumna in her hometown Salina, Kansas.  In addition to choreographing with CTA, Shelby is on staff as a Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Turns and Leaps instructor.  During her time at Butler, she participated in various choreography showcases and has created numerous choreographic projects independently including, unseen yet present, madness, comfort in settling, and spring has slumped.  Apart from dance, Shelby loves to explore her drawing and design abilities, as she is often an illustrator for many CTA shows.  

I was born in Oak Lawn, Illinois in 2003, and began my passion for dance at the age of 9. I have also danced competitively for 6 years. Prior to my dance career I

competed in gymnastics for two years, and excelled in the program quickly. Other than dancing, I love to choreograph, and takes other classes to gain the experience of many different styles of dance. I currently train in jazz, hip hop, and

contemporary. I have also won multiple titles throughout my dance career, along with choreographing contemporary and hiphop pieces that have placed highly at various competitions. I have also received other achievements such as becoming a

HEAT Assistant for the 2022-2023 dance season and gaining multiple scholarships to Joffrey, and AMDA in Los Angeles. I really love to push individuals out of their comfort zone, and help them gain exposure to other styles of dance. Some of the

main talents I have mastered is being able to story tell with my creative movement,

and captivating an audience. Since being a part of the dance community, I have

appreciated the opportunities dance has given me, and wants to share my passion

with others.

Juliana Landry began dancing in 2006 in Ocala, Florida, receiving training in ballet, tap, lyrical, and jazz. At the age of twelve, she fell in love with ballet and soon shifted her focus to strictly training in classical ballet. During this time, Juliana was able to attend a summer intensive as well as numerous private lessons offered by The Joffrey Ballet. She participated in various workshops and intensives with many different professional companies, including Ballet Magnificat and Dance Alive National Ballet. After graduating high school, Juliana received her Associate of Arts in Dance at Santa Fe College, studying under the direction of Jessie Dominguez, Alora Haynes, and Mellissa Brenner while receiving training in ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, and dance composition. At Santa Fe College, she was awarded the Fine Arts Scholarship for her dancing abilities, work ethics, and leadership qualities. Throughout her years of training, Juliana was able to perform numerous principal and soloist roles in various productions, including Paquita and Giselle.  She recently moved to the Chicago area to pursue her dreams to become a professional dancer after receiving a contract to dance with the Second Company at Ballet 5:8. She hopes to share her great love for dance with her students, whether they are returning dancers or just beginning their dance journey for the first time.

I am the Event Coordinator for Synergy, and I work the front desk! I’m a mom to 3 children – Connie, Cassie, and Kyle – and I’m a “Minnie” to 6 grandchildren! My favorite things to do are spend time with my family and travel to beautiful places with my husband. I just moved into my dream home in Mokena, and I'm a huge animal lover.

I can be found at the front desk Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings! Along with that, I also a sophomore at the University of St. Francis in Joliet pursuing a degree in social work! When I am not at school or the studio you can find me playing the drums, cooking or reading a book. 
 

I took my first dance class when I was five years old and have participated in many performances and competitions ever since! I competed with Legacy Dance Ensemble for many years while studying ballet, tap, musical theatre, lyrical, and

jazz. While in high school, I danced with the Tinley Park Varsity Dance Team all four years, and I led the team as captain for two. As a captain, I had the opportunity to choreograph all the team's routines for games, assemblies, and other school related events. I am currently studying elementary education at Governors State University and dance with the school's dance company. In my

spare time I love to cook and listen to music! & more, it will make your words stand out.

I have been dancing since I was 3. I enjoyed taking all forms of dance as a child

and began dancing competitively at the age of 10. In high school I was a part of

Carl Sandburg Orchesis. My love of dance has never stopped growing and I

especially loves that I get to watch my daughter grow as a dancer here at Southwest Synergy. I love being a part of the Synergy family as Costume Manager and am looking forward to watching everyone sparkle on stage in their adorable costumes.

I started dance at the age of 5 and have been in love ever since! I have trained in many different styles such as jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and lyrical. I am so excited to be back for another great year at synergy!

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Chloe Gunkel grew up dancing at Innervisions Performing Arts Center, located in Frankfort, IL, under the mentorship of Jayme Radeke and Jamie Harris. She recently graduated from Western Michigan University with a BA in Dance. She studied jazz, ballet, and modern dance under the mentorship of renowned faculty including Kelsey Paschich, Jeremy Blair, Whitney Moncrief, Carolyn Pavlik, Seyong Kim, Terk Lewis, Megan Slayter, and Monique Haley. This diverse training has allowed her to develop a versatile and dynamic dance style. Chloe has had the opportunity to perform in works by major choreographers including Kimberly Cooper, KiKi Lucas, Jae Man Joo, Kelsey Paschich, and Jeremy Blair. She was also a part of the touring dance ensemble, Western Dance Project in 2022-2023. She is now dancing professionally with the performance company CPR Dance: Inhale Movement in Stevensville, MI.

I began dancing at the young age of 3 years old at Southwest School of Dance (and continued to attend the studio under Miss Connie’s transition to Synergy), training in ballet, jazz, lyrical,

contemporary, pom, and hip hop. I was also a member of the competitive dance team at Synergy. At 14, I became an assistant, taking the opportunity to work with numerous instructors of various styles of dance. As an assistant, I was able to evolve and learn how to engage, teach, and positively impact those younger than me. At 17, I became an instructor at synergy, putting to use all of the knowledge I had gained from Miss Connie and the various teachers throughout the years of my dance training. I then attended Marquette University in Milwaukee to pursue a Bachelors degree in Exercise Science and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. While in Milwaukee, I took various dance classes across the city and surrounding area to broaden my horizons and continue to further my own dance education and training. I have

since moved back to the Chicagoland area and am excited to be back at Synergy, sharing not only my love of dance, but now also my passions of human anatomy, injury prevention, health

and fitness, and helping students grow into their potentials. When not at the studio, I work as a

physical therapist in ICUs at Chicagoland area hospitals, sprinkling in some dance based

exercises when I can.

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