BDA Dance 2400 Caton Farm Rd, Crest Hill, IL; 815-439-9070

HomeOur Mission StatementNews From BethDance ProgramsMeet The StaffTuition Rates2011-2012 SchedulePremier DancewearStudio PoliciesImportant Studio DatesJ & B Music StudioBDA Competitive Dance Co.Showcase PicsClass PicsKeepin' Up With Company

BDA Staff
 
Beth Lottino is proudly celebrating 33 years as a dance educator and a true inspiration to countless young women. Beth continues to provide consistent excellence in dance education that has become her signature… a well deserved reputation of merit celebrated throughout the dance community. 

Katie Shawis returning to BDA Dance as a Hip Hop instructor and choreographer for our BDA Dance Company. Katie started dancing at the age of four and has been dancing ever since. She is trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop. Katie is beginning her 17th year teaching dance. She has studied Hip Hop at Hubbard Street Dance studio under various renowned teachers/ choreographers and has attended numerous dance conventions around the country. She began her career teaching Tap and Jazz at BDA while continuing her own training in Hip Hop. Katie's passion for Hip Hop led to the formation of a BDA  Hip Hop program. Since its formation, the BDA Hip Hop program has expanded to be included in the National Award winning BDA Dance Company. Katie has choreographed for studio dance teams, as well as high school dance teams in the area. She loves to share her energy and enthusiasm with her students.

Tasha Johnson Tasha bagan dancing at the age of nine. She studied Jazz,tap,Ballet, Hip Hop,Lyrical and Musical Theater at Gotta Dance Studio where she competed with the Starlight Dance Co. until she was fifteen. She continued her studies at Midwest Dance Authority where she also competed and was trained to assist and instruct dance classes. Tasha began instructing classes at the age of seventeen at Midwest Dance Authority, and from there she went on teaching. She has taught Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop at Broadway Star Dance Co. She taught Tap and Hip Hop at the School of Dance West ballet, and Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop at Allegro Center for the Performing Arts. Tasha will be starting her 5th year on faculty at BDA.

Joe Caruana Joseph is a founding member of Elements Contemporary Ballet, Chicago's first and only contemporary ballet company. He received his training from the Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle. The Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, and through workshops with the Boston Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, Alonzo King's LINES Contemporary Ballet, and the Lou Conte Dance Center. Prior to joining ECB, he was a member of River North Chicago dance Company for three years.
Michael McDonald is in his secondseason with Thodos Dance Chicago as a Dancer Apprentice. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Michael also received two full merit scholarships to River North Chicago Dance Company's summer intensives. He has attended numerous American College Dance Festivals both as a performer and as a choreographer. Michaels choreography has also been accepted into several student and faculty concerts at Western.
Missy Paramois educated in ballet, contemporary, modern, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, and ballroom and continues to train with renown choreographers Sara Bibik, DJ Guthrie, Jennifer Hamilton, Lizzie MacKenzie, Leona Morimune, Eddy Ocampo, Alvin Ramirez, Jackie Sleight, Christian Vincent and many more. Missy has toured nationally with LA Dance Magic as an assistant in classes of more than 1000 students, in approximately 40 cities across the United States. She has been blessed to appear as a principal dancer in Keri Noble's concert, Chicago Magnificent Mile, Dance Chicago and LA Dance Magic's Final Cut show. Most recently, Missy has become an intern for professional dance company Inaside Dance Chicago. Although obtaining a quality dance education continues to remain a passion, Missy is also a student at Loyola University of Chicago majoring in Accounting. With the knowledge of both dance and business, she strives to one day direct the good works of a Foundation to help deserving students support their dreams in the arts.
Shelley Poropat- studied dance at BDA through high school. She participted in the pom squad at JCA for 4 years, becoming captain her senior year. She then went on to dance at Arizona State University and participate on the ASU Sun Devil Dance Team for 4 years and was named a Captain senior year. Shelley coached a high school dance team for 3 years while in Arizona. She also studied special education and earned a bachelor degree in Education and a Masters in educational leadership. She taught special education for 6 years before having the opportunity to stay home with her 3 children. Shelley has coached the Varsity Dance Team at JCA for the past 8 years, she also works part time at Premier Dancewear. Shelley is very grateful for this opportunity to teach and share her love of dance!
Kaitlyn Vega- Kaitlyn Vega is a native of Western Massachusetts and has been dancing since the age of 4 and competing sine the age of 7. Trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Tap and Acrobatics. Kaitlyn won many regional and national award from several dance conventions and competitions starting at a young age. After moving to Illinois in 2001, Kaitlyn competed with the BDA Dance Company. Upon graduation, Kaitlyn was awarded a Performing Arts scholarship from Dean College School of Dance in 2006. There she continued her dance  studies and was also a member of the Dean College "Break the Silence" Hip Hop Dance Team. Kaitlyn began her teaching at 17. She has taught and choreographed for several dance studios in the Plainfield and northern Illinois area. Her choreography has been awarded numerous high scores and been most recognized for her creative concepts and intensity. Kaitlyn is thrilled to be back at BDA Dance.