American Dance Center

JACK and KATHLEEN VILLARI, Founders and Directors, are a husband and wife team with a distinguished record as performers, choreographers, dance educators and writers. They have been described as “dance visionaries, who turn dreams into reality.” The international publication, Dancemagazine, described them as “a vital force in the world of dance” for their significant role in the development of America’s rich dance heritage. Government and business leaders have congratulated them for "generating community and worldwide ties, both on and off stage." Their ongoing international dialogue with dance aficionados continues to bring cultural enrichment to the area. They are the parents of Maria and Brian Villari.

Jack, Executive Director, is responsible for all creative and production decisions. He has produced and directed many of the company’s original ballets including Hansel and Gretel and Holiday Fantasy. Jack holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Multi-Media Communications from Governors State University. His work in the commercial field received the Silver Award of Excellence from the International Film Festival. He is listed in Cambridge, England publication of International Leaders in Achievement and America’s Who’s Who in Entertainment.

Kathleen, Ballet Director, teaches intermediate to advanced levels. She emphasizes the best of lyrical and classical traditions utilizing the English, Russian, and Italian methods. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Butler University and furthered her training at the renowned American Ballet Theater and Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Kathleen was director of dance at the Royal Academy of Performing Arts in New York and is listed in Outstanding Young Women of America.

The Legacy Continues

Actively involved in day-to-day operations, the second generation share key positions in the Villari dream.

Brian Villari - Executive Manager, Maria Villari - ADC Dance Company Director,
Tracey Nowak Villari - Children's Division Director and Joe Gidley - Business Manager

BRIAN VILLARI, Executive Manager, oversees all Dance Center operations with a strong philosophy for family values in every aspect. Graduated with high honors from Marian Catholic High School, he was recognized as an Illinois State scholar and Presidential Academic Achievement Award recipient. On the Dean’s list in college, he was the youngest person inducted into Alpha Beta Gamma, business honor society. Performing credits include national talent titles, musical productions, videos, fashion shows, and commercials for such companies as: McDonald’s, J. C. Penney, Meijer, and Hanna-Barbera productions.

MARIA VILLARI, American Dance Center Company Director and Choreographer, is also Director of the Jazz And Tap programs. Her original choreography continuously earns the highest honors in numerous competitions including the International Dance Festival in Hollywood since 1995. Her works have been showcased at Dance Chicago, Great America, Disneyland, Chicago’s North Pier, and the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She works with some of the country’s top choreographers and directors in theatre, videos, industrial and runway fashion shows. She is a popular choreographer and guest teacher in the Chicagoland area. Having started at 3 years old, she is well versed in all aspects of the ADC and has been a driving force behind the American Dance Center’s energetic spirit.

TRACEY NOWAK VILLARI, Children’s Division Director, is in charge of all Children and Junior levels. Tracey has been part of the ADC team for 14 years teaching the joy of movement with a truly energetic approach. She received a performing arts scholarship to Prairie State College, where she majored in Child Development and Child Psychology. Tracey has danced in several ADC productions, has had numerous jobs modeling for Chicago and California trade shows, and is a national award-winning All-American Cheerleader recognized by the NCAA. Tracey enjoys spending time with her family, Austin, Trevor, and Elle Marie.

A Professional Faculty Makes the Difference

JENNIFER GARCIA started her training with the ADC at age 6 and completed her studies as a scholarship student. As member of the ADC Company, she danced the role of Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, performed at the '96 Olympics in Atlanta, and was part of the Dance Excellence International Company in Los Angeles. Jennifer received a dance scholarship to Northern Illinois University and graduated with a B.A. in Dance. She was guest artist for the Rockford Dance Co. and Ballet Concerto, Texas, and has choreographed and danced in professional theater productions. She enjoys passing on her love of dance and teaches ballet and jazz at both ADC locations. Jennifer and her husband, Dave, are new, proud parents of baby girl, McKenna.

DIANE IACONELLI holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePaul University having graduated with highest honors. She has taught dance for 30 years and joined the ADC in 2001 as a tap instructor. Having won a national ballroom title in the ladies amateur rhythm division, she went on to represent Chicago with her partner on “Dance Fever,” a national TV show in 1983. She currently teaches junior division ballet/tap combo, junior and adult tap, and couple’s ballroom classes. She also works as director of information services at the University of Chicago.

DANIELLE LATORRE started teaching for the American Dance Center in 1998. After a few years away to start her family, she returned to teach in the children’s division in 2005. She holds an Elementary Education degree from St. Xavier University. She currently volunteers as a coach, choreographer, and technique instructor for the 2006 A.A.Stagg State Champion Pom Pon Squad. She has directed and choreographed award winning and “exceptionally entertaining material” for various performance groups for the past 14 years. Along with sister Alyssa, Danielle's newest arrival, Joseph Allen, adds a lively approach to her teaching.

CHRISTEN McKENNA started dancing as a child in Schaumburg, IL. She continued jazz and ballet training through high school, where she was a cheerleader and member of the school’s dance group. She attended Harper College and danced with the college dance company. Christen continues her training at the ADC, served as a cheerleading coach for the Tinley Park Bobcats, and has been a Girl Scout leader. She and her husband, Steve, have two daughters, Jenna and Kaylee, who also attend the ADC. Christen is a graduate of the ADC teacher training program and teaches ballet, tap, and jazz in the junior division.

JILL MOREY FEINGOLD received a BFA in Dance from the Boston Conservatory and has extensive experience in teaching, choreographing and arts management. She has held faculty positions throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island including Chance to Dance, Walnut Hill School, Boston Ballet School, as well as Principal of Education and Outreach programming for Boston Ballet's Center for Dance Education. Most recently, Jill was the Director of Dance at Dana Hall School, an all-girl, independent school in Wellesley, MA. Jill is excited to share her knowledge of dance and teaches ballet at our Homewood campus.

OLGA RAVASI studied classical ballet, modern and character dance for 14 years, first in Sarajevo, then at the LujDavico Performing Arts School in Belgrade, Yugoslavia from which she graduated in 1994. In Europe and in Chicago, she was active in film, TV and theatre. Olga received a B.F.A. from the Theatre School, De Paul University. She joined the ADC in 1999 and teaches the Russian Vaganova method of ballet. Olga is a soloist with the ADC Company and has danced in Holiday Fantasy for the past 6 years. She is marketing director/journalist for Serbian Radio Chicago, as well as a real estate investor. Olga is also founder/director of the ballet school at Slobomir P. University in Serbia, established in October 2005.

KELLY ROWE received a BFA in Musical Theatre performance from Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois. She has choreography and instruction experience with St. Xavier University, as well as a five-year seasonal member/teacher of 99th Street Summer Theater, Chicago. Kelly feels that every student has potential to be a great performer when inspired properly. Kelly joins the ADC this year teaching jazz/hip-hop at the Homewood campus.

CRISTINA SOTO started dance at the age of 9 and is currently a dance major at Columbia College. As an American Dance Center scholarship student, she attended the International Dance Festival in Los Angeles for 2 years and has danced with the ADC Company for the past 7 years in Holiday Fantasy and many corporate events. She danced with the Swallow Cliff dance company and was a member of the AA Stagg high school dance and theater club, where she showcased her choreography. Versatile in modern, jazz, and ballet, Christina enjoys teaching ballet technique at our Orland Park campus.

ANDREA WYDRA is an American Dance Center scholarship recipient and company member. She has performed in Holiday Fantasy, Red Hot Chicago fashion show and Dance Chicago. She has participated in many specialized dance workshops including the Radio City Rockette intensive program in Los Angeles. Andrea has taught as an outreach instructor and has been teaching at the Dance Center for four years. She loves teaching her students in ballet, tap, and jazz divisions, while continuing her own dancing career. Andrea is currently on scholarship at St Xavier University as an English/Secondary Education major with a minor in French and Speech Pathology.

AMERICAN DANCE CENTER ALUMNI

The serious American Dance Center student is encouraged to pursue institutions of higher education in dance or related fields. Our pre-college curriculum prepares dedicated dancers to reach their goals. Many ADC students have enrolled as dance majors and have received scholarships to: Arizona State University, Butler University, Columbia College, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern University, University of Iowa, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Illinois at Champaign, University of Nevada, Tisch School of the Arts, Western Michigan, and Wright State University. Others have minored in dance or participated in college dance companies.

We are proud of American Dance Center graduate students who are teaching and dancing professionally throughout the world in prestigious dance companies including: Alvin Ailey Dance Center, American Ballet Theater, Australian Dance Theatre, Chicago Tap Theatre, Gus Giordano, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, Joel Hall dancers, Up With People, Walt Disney World, and Young Americans.