WE BUILD CONFIDENCE. WE BUILD COMMUNITY. WE BUILD DANCERS.
Steve Gorski
Instructor of tap, jazz, contemporary, Intrigue Dance Company Director
“Scuba” Steve Gorski started dancing at the young age of 2. He received his training from Stage Door Dance Academy and Impact Dance Studio. Steve has won many titles, scholarships and awards and was also featured in the December 2007 Dance Spirit Magazine as a “Future Dance Star.” Steve attended Oklahoma City University as a Dance Performance major at the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management under the direction of John Bedford and Jo Rowan. Steve holds a B.P.A from Oklahoma City University. While in Oklahoma, Steve has performed in the Oklahoma Centennial Parade and the Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular along with Reba, Carrie Underwood, The Flaming Lips, and All American Rejects. He was member of the professional dance company at OCU, The American Spirit Dance Company and was elected the Deputy of the company, which allowed him to work closely with the director and company manager while he served as a liaison between the dancers and the director and company manager. He has starred in shows at OCU such as, Life of the Party, Home for the Holidays, The American Spirit Spring Show, and, as a freshman, was selected to be a part of the American Spirit Tour Cast. Steve was the swing for Kate Jablonski’s Off Broadway Show, Beyond Words, in New York City. After graduating from OCU, Steve joined Inaside Chicago Dance as a performing apprentice and media director. With Inaside Steve was able to work with instructors/choreographers Richard Smith, Anna Czajun, Laura Wade, Sarah Ford, Harrison McEldowny, Wade Schaaf, Lizzie MacKenzie, Eddy Ocampo, Sinead Gildea, William Gil, Debra Nanni, Autum Eckman and Robert McKee. Steve joined S.L.A.T.E. Theater’s cast of Legally Blonde where he was cast as Nikkos, ensemble & dance captain. Steve has also performed with Michigan Ballet Theatre in their production of Copellia (Fiancé) and The Nutcracker (Rat King/Russian/Spanish). Steve choreographed Kankakee Valley Association Theatre’s production of The Wedding Singer which was raved about in the Kankakee press. Steve’s choreography has appeared on CBS, FOX, ABC & NBC for the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, received numerous choreography/entertainment awards, and several students hold national titles with Steve’s choreography. Several of Steve’s students have gone off to perform in Joffrey’s cast of The Nutcracker, Drury Lane’s Production of Billy Elliot, models for Revolution Dance wear, scholarship recipients to Joffrey, Alvin Ailey, Lines Ballet, River North and Inaside Chicago Dance. Steve’s students have gone on to college for dance at Arizona State University, Butler University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University. Steve currently teaches throughout the suburbs of Chicago and Northwest Indiana at several studios and high schools sharing his love of dance to those around him.
Robin Gayle
Instructor of Ballet
Robin Gayle is a professional dancer, an established ballet teacher, and a certified Pilates instructor. She performed for nine seasons as a Soloist with the Columbia City Ballet, apprenticed with the Colorado Ballet, and is a frequent guest artist around the country. Robin trained privately under Sherry Moray and Alla Osipenko and attended the Académie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo, the Ruth Page School of Dance, and the Chicago Academy for the Arts. Her summer intensive training included the schools of American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet, under scholarship. Robin was a top finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix competition and chosen to perform at YAGP Galas in 2000 and 2001. As a frequent guest artist, Robin's reviews include Dance Magazine's late Ann Barzel, who praised Robin as a "uniquely talented dancer," and the Chicago Sun-Times' Hedy Weiss, who characterized Robin's dancing as "brilliant." Some of Robin's film and television credits include appearing in the movie "Save the Last Dance" and the TV show "Sabado Gigante." In addition to dancing, Robin has modeled for Capezio and Leo's Dancewear.
Melinda Wilson
Instructor of adult Jazz and Ballet
Melinda Wilson holds a M.Ed. from DePaul University and an M.A. from the University of Illinois with additional coursework at Northwestern University. She has trained at Batsheva Dance Company (Tel-Aviv), Pineapples (London), and Centre de Danse du Marias (Paris) and has been a pick-up dancer with American Ballet Theatre, David Dorfman Dance and Urban Bush Women to name a few. Awards include Top 50 Global Teacher Award, Golden Apple Award, Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreographer (New Voice) Award, IAHPERD Teacher of the Year, SHAPE National Dance Teacher of the Year, first place choreographic awards from Livorno in Danza International Competition and Barcelona Dance Grand Prix. Wilson has been featured in Tes Education Magazine (United Kingdom), Dance Magazine and various national and international webinars. Wilson is a teacher of Ballet, and Jazz at American Rhythm Center, resident choreographer for Her Story Theater and Dance Artistic Director at Curie Metropolitan High School for the Performing and Technical Arts and Advanced Placement Arts at Gallery 37. She is also the founder of Elite Dance Events Per4mers4Change promoting positive active citizenship through the power of performance and youth.
Jayme Braverman
Instructor of Adult Ballet, all genres Children’s Division
Jayme Braverman, a native of Iowa City, Iowa, began her dance training at Nolte Academy under the direction of Leslie Nolte. After graduating high school a year early Jayme went on to attend Point Park University studying and performing under Jason McDole, Kiesha Lalama, Daniel Karasik, Maree ReMalia, and Garfield Lemonious, among others. She earned her BFA in Dance with high honors in the spring of 2020.
Over the years Jayme has studied and performed works by Martha Graham, José Limon, Lloyd Knight, Autumn Eckman, Joseph Kudra, Yin Yue, Oscar Ramos, Brandon Cournay, Britt Juleen, and many others. Jayme is currently a freelance dancer and costume designer based in the Chicago area, company manager for PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, and assistant for Stephanie Martinez.
In addition to performing, Jayme has a passion for teaching and enjoys watching her students grow and develop their artistry.
Brittany Fegans
Instructor of ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern
Brittany Fegans is a proud Chicago native who began in competitive martial arts at the age of 8. She competed around the country and was rated number two in the Midwest circuit where she obtained an honorary black belt. Upon leaving the martial arts field, she pursued her interest in the performing arts. Brittany was accepted into the most decadent performing arts high school in Chicago, The Chicago Academy for the Arts, where she began her classical training in all styles of dance under the direction of Anna Paskevska and Randy Duncan. After graduation, she continued her education and dance training at the prestigious University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she received a BFA in Jazz Dance Performance. During her time at the University of the Arts, she was selected to perform works from the world renowned Martha Graham company. Brittany then relocated to Los Angeles, California where she has made several television appearances and choreographic works that include MTV specials, The Today Show, The Wendy Williams Show and So You Think You Can Dance with rapper and artist Flo-Rida. Brittany now uses her skills for live performances as well as assisting major choreographers and artistic directors for artists such as BEYONCE, Flo Rida, Jamie Foxx, and Ciara in award and television shows that include the MTV’S VMA's, Grammy's, The Ellen Degeneres Show, and George Lopez Show. During Brittany's free time she uses her passion for dance to co-choreograph for the NBA Clipper Girls. Brittany is diverse in all styles of teaching and choreography, and her choreography includes dozens of Choreography Awards and National 1st overall titles.
Heather Kristan
Instructor Of Children's Classes
Originally from Iowa, Heather began dancing at Iowa's Westside Dance Academy. Training in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, and hip hop, her love for dance grew. She competed and performed throughout the midwest and was invited to perform at Disneyland's 50th anniversary in Anaheim, California. Heather continued to dance throughout college while majoring in theatre.
Intrigue Dance was the first studio Heather walked into just after moving to Chicago in 2013. Beginning as a work study, Intrigue was a great training environment for working and dancing in the city. Heather has been blessed with multiple opportunities throughout the city, both onstage as well as behind the scenes. Some of her favorites include acting and dancing in films with Chicago's School of the Art Institute and Columbia College, and working at Lookingglass and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Upon deciding to share her passion for dance through teaching, she's been grateful to work at a number of studios, park districts, and schools throughout the city and suburbs, taking students to Disney World and directing dancers with Chicago's Salvation Army Community Center.
Working in theatrical carpentry alongside teaching dance, she loves the relation between dance and theatre, and the importance of using the proper tools/technique for an outstanding performance.
Incredibly thankful for the gift of mobility, Heather loves pushing her students to use what they've been given to be the best version of themselves.
Lynda Piatt
Instructor of children's classes
Originally from Des Moines Iowa, Lynda started her dance training at Iowa’s Westside Dance Academy. Performing in the regional and national competitions throughout the midwest, she also had the opportunity to perform for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary. In college, as captain of the Northwestern Dance Team, she choreographed hip hop, pom, and jazz routines for basketball halftime shows and state competitions. After graduating, Lynda began teaching dance classes at a performing studio, as well as volunteer classes for inner city high school students through a nonprofit organization. Upon moving to Chicago in 2013, Lynda continues to teach and perform. She has had the opportunity to dance in showcases, short films, music videos, and theater performances throughout the city. She is grateful to have been able to learn and dance with so many talented artists.
Lynda has taught dance for over 12 years and has choreographed many award winning pieces. In 2018, she was fortunate to choreograph and assist in leading a group of auditioned dancers to perform at Disney World’s Holiday Celebration.
Dancing is one of her greatest passions and she’s so thankful for the opportunity to share it with her students.
Yonetta Littlejohn
Instructor of children's Acro
Yonetta started dancing and doing gymnastics at the age of 3 years old, and chose to train in gymnastics until the age of 14 years old. Ms. Littlejohn left gymnastics and decided to focus on dancing. At the age of 15 years old, Yonetta received her first coaching job in teaching cheerleading and tumbling. She has worked on choreographing various different routines for dance teams, cheer teams, gymnastics teams, and dance teams as their seasonal lead choreographer. Yonetta worked for Premier Dance Studio as an acro instructor and dance teacher, and currently works at Intrigue Dance Studio, which has been fulfilling and rewarding.