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For 40 years, Jack and Kathleen Villari have been a major force in the world of dance. As directors of the American Dance Center in Orland Park and Homewood, Illinois, they have provided quality training and professional level performances throughout the greater Chicago area. Their legacy continues through graduate students, who bring their message of dance and love worldwide as performers and teachers. The Villari’s latest venture has taken them half-way around the world to represent the United States as ambassadors of dance for the International Dance Exchange in the Philippines.

They visited Manila, Roxas City, and Baracay in the Philippines as master teachers. where they taught American theatre dance and performance techniques to more then 500 choreographers, dance educators, and dancers from China, Singapore, Korea, Spain, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines and England.

As the first Americans to be selected to participate in this prestigious event they were greeted at the airport with traditional dance performances and presented with a medallion bearing the official seal of the Province of Capiz. Governor Victor A. Tanco of the Province of Capiz, Roxas City welcomed them before the opening ceremonies and Shirley Halili Cruz, the festival director and head of the National Committee on Dance, planned a private farewell dinner for the couple after the event.

This summit of dance, sponsored by the Philippine National Commission for the Arts, assembled world leaders in dance to develop common bonds between countries. An estimated 50,000 showed up for the opening ceremonies which started with colorful pageantry and ended with dancing and fireworks. Titled Cultural Connectivity through Dance, the event was filled with workshops and performances representing various countries. Jack and Kathleen were honored to share their dance knowledge and America’s culture and friendship with there counterparts abroad. They said, “While it was all enjoyable and exciting, our real reward was sharing our passion of music and dance with so many from other cultures. We saw a mix of different class levels and educational standards, but each one seemed proud of their heritage and who they were. To see such jubilation and happiness from those who readily accept far less then we take for granted, was indeed humbling.

We were proud to have been selected to represent our country, sharing our hearts and souls, one in the moment, supporting each other, exchanging stories and laughter. It felt good and right! We entered into that cultural connectivity of dance. We met proud people with a strong passion to preserve their heritage through dance.

We went to share with others and in return we received a new awareness of the open arms and respect of our Asian neighbors and new found friends. We saw love in action!

The American Dance Center and directors, Jack and Kathleen Villari, received international recognition when the school and dance company were chosen to represent the state of Illinois at the prestigious 2009 Dance Excellence International Festival in Los Angeles. This festival is a global awards and recognition event paying tribute to outstanding work in the dance arts. Only one school from each state and country is selected. Honorees included Alaska, Australia, Canada, Cyprus, England, Hawaii, Ireland, Japan, Gibraltar, Scotland and South Wales. This is the

7th year the American Dance Center has been recognized on this world stage for

its accomplishments.

The Villari's received congratulatory letters from President Barack Obama, United States Senator Richard J. Durbin and Former Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich.

Barack Obama said, "I am impressed by the strong commitment that you have demonstrated by immersing yourselves into this wonderful cultural experience. American Dance Center's selection for this program is only a testament of your

hard work and perseverance."

Senator Richard J. Durbin said, "Through your dedication to dance education and

to bringing international attention to the dance arts, you have proven to be a strong and vital part of the dance community."

Former Governor Blagojevich said," I am pleased to know that you have been chosen to represent our State at this event which showcases dance talent from around the United States and the world."

Awards are presented through a highly selective process. After first being recommended by the Festival committee, nominees are then evaluated through video performances, reviews, and personal interviews. Professional standards, school philosophies, curriculum, technique levels, versatility in all styles of dance, showmanship, student achievements and strong community support are all considered during the stringent scoring period.

Because of this distinction, selected dancers had the opportunity to showcase the training and philosophies of the school before an audience and Festival adjudicators. Lyrical ballet, tap, and jazz pieces were created by Dance Center instructor and award winning choreographer, Maria Villari. The dancers were recognized on stage as the official Illinois state delegates. They continued the

ADC's legacy for highest scores possible for their performance style, technique,

and originality. While in California, they also accepted an invitation to present their own show at Disneyland and participated in the festival's gala awards banquet and closing production. It was certainly a week to remember!

American Dance Center directors selected to be Global Ambassadors

at the Asian Dance Exchange

Readers of The Southtown Star Newspaper named the American Dance Center "Best Dance School in Chicago Southland" for the 15th straight year in the Annual Readers' Choice Awards. Over 150,000 votes were cast in these area wide public opinion polls. It is an honor to be recognized as "The Best" by the people you serve. Over 60 Cook and Will county dance schools were eligible. We appreciate your vote of support and pledge to continue to raise the standards for quality dance education and performances in our area.

American Dance Center directors, Kathleen, Jack and Maria Villari were recently selected as America’s Ambassadors of Dance.

Jack and Kathleen Villari, master teachers at the International Dance Exchange in the Philippines teaching American styles to 500 Asian dancers.

One section of more than 400 dancers on the beach at 6:30 a.m.

American Dance Center named Illinois Delegates

at the

International Dance Festival, Los Angeles

ADC Brings Home the GOLD!

The American Dance Center once again had a very successful award-winning weekend at the 2010 Dance Olympus Summer Dance Convention.

Three intensive days of classes, auditions, performances and competition proved to be fun and inspirational for all!

ADC Junior Dancers (13 yrs. old and under) and Seniors (14 yrs. old and up)

received SIX Gold Championship Awards for all six competition entries!

Universal Mind Control went on to win Over-all High Scoring Large Group and Proud Mary was awarded the Teacher’s Choice Award.

Congratulations to Taylor Foytik and Abby Biernat who were chosen by audition to be 2011 Dance Olympus VIPS. As part of the Summer tour, they will have the opportunity to travel to several cities, learn new choreography, assist

the teachers and perform in the faculty shows.

Kelsey Kretzer and Elaina Nicholson from the Junior Division

and Abby Biernat from the Senior Division won dance scholarships to the Dance Olympus Winter Tour. After an hour and a half audition, the girls made

it to the finals, which were held in front of an audience at the faculty show.

Only four dancers from each Division were awarded scholarships.

Congratulations to all!