Miss Mckeznie

McKenzie began her dance career at age 3. She has received technical dance training at Starr Dance Studio, Storm Dance Alliance, and Nouveau Dance Company. She also danced for her high school at Providence Catholic. She was a collegiate dancer for all 4 years she attended Southeast Missouri State University. In addition to her competitive experience, McKenzie led the Dance Team as a captain by leading workouts each morning, choreographing routines for the football field, basketball court, and National Dance Competitions. McKenzie graduated from Southeast Missouri State University earning her B.A. Nutrition and Dietetics and Minor in Spanish. She also graduated from Eastern Illinois University with her M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics as well. McKenzie is new at Ultimate Dance on the Move and is eager to share her passion and love for dance. She wants to create a safe space for dancers, so they have the ability to express themselves through movement.  

Miss Jennifer

Jennifer Donahue holds her BFA in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University. She began dancing at a young age under the instruction of Bonnie Ardelene. From there, she studied with the Milwaukee Ballet and was also accepted as a VIP for Dance Olympus. While at Northern, she studied with Randall Newsom and Judith Chitwood. She has danced with NDT in numerous performances such as Coppelia, Les Sylphide, Paquita, and The Nutcracker. She
was also a member of SoFlo Ballet Company in South Florida. Since moving back, her most recent performances were with In Flight Dance Company and Free Space, besides mounting various choreographic pieces on her many students she has also choreographed for numerous musicals such as, Suessical, The wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdan and MarryPoppins. Jennifer and husband Jeff have 3 children, Ella, Ava and Ian.

Mr. Michael

Acrobatics/Tumbling INSTRUCTOR

Michael was born and raised in Illinois, has always had an interest in the performing arts. He began his love for dance in grade school, training and performing in Jazz, Tap, and Hiphop. Michael was then introduced to gymnastics/tumbling classes at GymQuest of Plainfield. Soon after, he joined the gymnastics team and competed to level 8. Reaching the age of 14, Michael was offered a coaching position at GymQuest in 2009 for their rec program. This led to 7 years of coaching rec classes and eventually team at GymQuest, where he attended many coaching/spotting clinics throughout the Chicagoland area. Michael relocated to FlipStar Gymnastics Academy in New Lenox in 2017 and continued teaching the rec and team programs. Michael ended his athletic career in gymnastics to train and perform in Ballroom, at DeSarge Dance World and MyDanceHub in Naperville, and Ballet, at Arts Ballet Conservatory. Michael began his Acrobatic Instructing career in 2022, at Elevation Dance Studio in Lemont. Currently, Michael teaches and choreographs acrobatic dance utilizing his gymnastics and dance talents. He enjoys watching the joy of his students as they gain skills and precision in their dancing. Michael is ecstatic to be joining Ultimate Dance on the Move and eager to work with the dancers to enhance their acrobatic skills

Miss Sarah

INSTRUCTOR

Sarah has been working at Ultimate Dance on the Move since fall of 2016. At Ultimate Dance on the Move she has taught all styles of dance, coached award winning competition teams, and taught master classes and special events. Along with Ultimate Dance, she has also taught at the Naperville Park District, Spotlight Youth Theater, and Christian Youth Theater. She has choreographed full stage musical productions, taught dance summer camps, and a variety of dance classes from ages 18 months-adult. She danced with Aurora's Project Dance team for 4 years during high school performing in lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop dances and danced at College of DuPage and Hubbard Street during her senior year of high school, she also performed as a dancer in over 20 stage productions.

Sarah graduated from North Central College in 2017 with a bachelors in Psychology and a minor in dance. While at North Central she performed with the Cardinal Dance Company and performed a solo in a choreography showcase. In summer of 2020, she graduated from Lewis University with her masters in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Counseling. Sarah loves getting to meet new students and helping them find their passion for dance and seeing her current students grow in their dance ability and confidence. Her favorite dance styles include musical theater, tap, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and ballet. She can't wait to meet you and your student!

Miss Katie

Instructor

Katie is a dancer, choreographer, and Pilates instructor based out of Chicago. She is a graduate of the University of Nevada: Las Vegas with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Pilates. Katie has worked with people from several highly regarded companies such as Ailey, Martha Graham, School of American Ballet,  and Cirque du Soleil,  to name a few.
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Katie’s choreographic works have been displayed at a global level for film festivals such as Florence Dance On Screen where she was a top finalist. Katie left UNLV with the highly sought after “Outstanding Choreographer” award from the Department of Dance.
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Katie has extensive knowledge in not only dance, but physical fitness. Certified in Pilates, Katie has excellent knowledge of how to train in a way that is both safe but also effective. Her certification in rehabilitation makes her easily adaptable to injuries in the studio. Katie is focused on building and advancing her students in every class & pushing them to the next level!