Elite Academy of Dance

Information may not be reliable

Elite Academy of Dance is a fresh, new addition to the Fox Valley area and is proud to call South Elgin our home. Our professional staff is looking forward to sharing their passion and love for dancing with each and every student. We are committed to raising the standard of dance education in hopes to inspire our students to believe in themselves and dream big. In doing this, we hope they learn that with hard work and determination, they can achieve anything.
Our brand new, state of the art facility has two large studios equipped with floating dance floors to absorb shock and prevent injuries. Our spacious waiting area allows parents and visitors to peek in on class and relax while classes are in session.
We, at Elite offer a wide variety of dance styles and classes for all ages, varying from age two to adult.

Dance Instructor Biographies
Jennie Newman (Studio Director/Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop Instructor) has dreamt since she was a little girl that someday she would open a dance studio of her own. That day has finally come true, she is now the proud owner of Elite Academy of Dance. Jennie has twenty years dance training from various studios in the Northwest Suburbs. She also has ten years competitive experience in the dance world. Jennie attended Illinois State University, where she majored in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. At ISU, she was the captain of the ISU Competitive Dance Team for two years. This team qualified and attended the NDA Collegiate Championship in Daytona, Florida. In addition, Jennie was the director of the Butterfield Park District Dance Program in 2006. She currently coaches the eXtreme Danzz Allstarzz out of Oswego, Illinois and has been hired for many choreography and judging jobs throughout the Chicago land area.

Brittany Gacek (Ballet, Modern, Tap, and Pre-dance Instructor) is thrilled to return to the Chicago area, where she began her love of dance as a small child. As a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she holds her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dance with a Secondary emphasis in Theatre and Drama. While living in Wisconsin, Brittany performed as a soloist with Jin-Wen Yu Dance, in addition to teaching at several dance studios in the Madison area. As alumna of the Perry-Mansfield School of the Arts, her choreography has appeared in many dance and musical theatre productions, including the American College Dance Festival. She is delighted to join the staff of Elite Academy of Dance in its charter year and looks forward to working with its many talented students.

Kimmi Armando (Musical Theater and Hip Hop Instructor) has trained at many dance schools in the Northwest Suburbs and has twenty years dance experience. She has been featured as a soloist in many musical theater productions and has assisted with the choreography of Once on This Island and West Side Story. Kimmi appeared in multiple HOTT Production performances, such as Beauty and the Beast and Swing!. She also appeared as Louisa in a local production of The Sound of Music. Kimmi is honored to be working at Elite. She is excited to fulfill her dream of being a dance teacher and looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students.

Taylor Sibrava (Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz and Lyrical Instructor) has been dancing since the age of 2 and has studied all major styles of dance including Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical and Contemporary dance. Her early dance training began as a student with The Academy of Dance Arts under former Prima Ballerina Sherry Moray. Miss Taylor was a member of Illinois Ballet Theatre (IBT) where she focused on Ballet, Pointe and contemporary styles for over 15 years. Miss Taylor competed at many regional and national dance competitions over the years where she frequently won 1st Place Over All for her solo entrees in Jazz, Tap and Lyrical. Since the age of 12, Miss Taylor has been choreographing groups, solos, duets and trios for many competitions that have regularly received top awards. While attending Columbia College Chicago, where she studied for a Bachelors of Arts in Dance Teaching and Choreography, Miss Taylor accepted an opportunity to be a member of the Joel Hall Dancers II where she danced professionally for 2 years. Currently, Miss Taylor is Artistic Director, Head Choreographer and performing dancer for the M.C. SQUARED DANCE COMPANY where she choreographs and performs for yearly shows. Miss Taylor has studied under Sherry Moray, Jeffery Hancock, Lizzy McKenzie, Joel Hall, Eddie O’Campo, Lane Alexander, and more. Miss Taylor has also, participated in work shops and apprentice programs with Ruth Paige Center for Dance and River North Dance Chicago. Miss Taylor is very excited and honored to be a part of Elite Academy of Dance and looks forward to sharing her passion and enthusiasm for dance and movement with all of its wonderful students.