Artistic Director : SoleSquad Dance Team
Heather is thrilled to join SUDC as a Dance Instructor and Director of the SoleSquad Dance Team. Heather is a 15 year veteran in the Choreography/Dance Instruction industry, having stumbled into this, the perfect career, in her college days. She has taught all ages, 3-adult, in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Musical Theatre as well as given Workshops in Musical Theater across the Midwest. Heather’s style of teaching focuses not just on technique, but teaching the dancer as a whole—where respect for yourself, your teachers, the music, the other dancers in the room and the studio are paramount. Heather has previously coached, directed and choreographed for 2 competitive dance companies here in Illinois, totaling 11 years of competitive dance, countless community performances, and wonderful memories of amazing dancers and families. Dance is the vehicle, but the relationships are what count!
When not in the dance room, she usually finds herself on the stage, choreographing for professional, university and community theaters. Favorite musicals have been: The Pageant Atlanta (working with Tony-nominee Lyricist/Director Bill Russell) West Side Story, Cats, Grease, Guys and Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Xanadu, Pippin, Oklahoma, The Wiz, Christmas Carol the Musical (in Bamberg, Germany) and You’re a Goodman, Charlie Brown. Before moving to the Chicago area, she also coached and choreographed at the college-level for the Bradley University Bravettes, designing Pregame, Sidelines and Half-time performances for crowds over 10,000.
Heather holds a BS in Secondary English/Theater Education from the University of Missouri—Columbia as well as a Theater Performance Minor.