Jennifer Vause
Artistic Director, Teacher

Jenny is an experienced, award-winning choreographer and has been teaching dance for fourteen years.  She has a passion for teaching dance to all ages and levels of students.  Jenny earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Rockford College.  She danced with Without Shoes Modern Dance Company and has studied in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, and Las Vegas.  Jenny’s most recent choreography awards include a regional group award for a modern piece, a national solo award for a lyrical routine, and a national group award for a jazz dance.  Jenny enjoys sharing her love of music and movement and couldn't be more pleased with the last three years. She is excited to watch Evolve dancers continue to grow.

Theresa
Teacher

Theresa has been teaching dance for ten years.  With each year, her choreography grows to new levels and her passion for dance continues.  She has an eye-catching style and has received choreography awards at many competitions.  While competing throughout high school, Theresa won several high scores and special awards.  She challenges her students to their fullest and we are very lucky to have her on our Evolve staff.

Jessica J.
Teacher

Jessica has been teaching dance for nine years.  She loves teaching all styles of dance and is wonderful with dancers of all ages.  When competing, Jessica won many awards at both regional and national levels. She was a member of Fourth Movement, a semi-professional ensemble.  Jessica has enthusiasm for teaching, and it shows. We love having Jessica teaching here at Evolve!

Jessica S.
Teacher

Jessica has been teaching dance for seven years.   While living in Los Angeles for two years, she trained at some of the best studios in the United States.  Jessica continues to demonstrate her love for teaching children of all ages. She is also the choreographer for Heartland Church's "Smash Up" performances that take place throughout the year. After training with Pennie Sullivan, from Elements Contemporary Ballet of Chicago, Jessica will begin her second year as our primary ballet technique instructor. She is wonderful with dancers of all ages and we are so thankful to have her on staff.

Ciara
Teacher

This is Ciara's third year assisting at Evolve, and is very excited to begin her second year of teaching!  We were very impressed with her creative ideas last year at the recitals.  She has been dancing for fifteen years, and spent nine of those in competition programs.  Ciara impresses audiences with her beautiful technique and showmanship skills.  She has won many top awards and scholarships.  Ciara is very thankful to be able to spend another year helping our dancers "evolve".

Erika
Teacher

Erika has been dancing since she was three years old and teaching dance for nine years.  This is her third year at Evolve and we couldn't be more happy to have her. As a competitive dancer, Erika traveled the world and earned top awards and honors.  She is knowledgeable and creative in all styles of dance and loves working with the dancers at Evolve. We love Erika and so do her students!

Valerie
Teacher

Valerie has been teaching dance for eight years.  She graduated from Millikin University with a degree in Musical Theatre/Dance and has fifteen years of experience in the entertainment industry as a professional singer and dancer.  Valerie was a back-up dancer/singer for Louise Mandrell for six years and danced in music videos and concerts with Dolly Parton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Chesney and Faith Hill.  She has a creative teaching style, and Evolve is lucky to have her on staff.

Morgan
Teacher

Morgan is new to our teaching staff this year!  We are so excited to have, as she was a wonderful assistant last  two years and the 2008 summer.  She has been dancing for eleven years, and has won several awards while competing.  We love Morgan's spirit!  She is wonderful with kids of all ages and she loves working with them.  Morgan is the choreographer for many Boys and Girls Club performances in the Rockford area.  She organizes up to 90 kids per show, ranging in age from 5-15. We welcome Morgan to our teaching staff with much excitement!

Kortni
Teacher

Kortni Green began her dance training at age four. She has studied jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and modern. Kortni was a member of Xtreme Dance Force for three years, and has opened for various recording artists such as: Ciara, Twista, Lupe Fiasco, Chingy, and Tyrese, as well as performing in the Major League Soccer All Star Game half-time show. As assistant to director Samuel Renzetti, Kortni has traveled all over the country for numerous conventions, including Starpower, Wild the Dance Intensive, Dance Power Express, Power Pak, and Dance Masters of Pennsylvania. Kortni has been a sub at Evolve for the last few years and is excited to be teaching the Advanced Hip Hop class in the absence of JC. The dancers love her choreography and she pushes them to new levels.

JC
Teacher

JC comes to us once a week from Xtreme Dance Force in Naperville, IL.  He is a director of the Teen Division, and his choreography has won several awards at the regional and national levels.  We are pleased to have him at Evolve teaching our advanced hip hop technique class about once a month.  Please visit Xtreme on the web at www.xtremedanceforce.com.  J.C. recently starred on MTV this summer on the hit show "Americas Best Dance Crew"! 

~2008-2009 Assistants~

                      Renae            Mariah            Chelsea               Erika