Prima Ballerina Sherry Moray had an international career dancing for the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany. Her career continued as Principal Ballerina for the Chicago City Ballet, Ballet Chicago, as well as a guest artist with various ballet companies throughout the United States and Europe.
​
At the age of 12, in a master class given by Ballet Mistress Anne Woolliams, the legendary choreographer, John Cranko, took notice of Ms. Moray. She was then invited to come to Stuttgart, Germany where she was offered a full scholarship to train at the internationally renowned School of the Stuttgart Ballet (Cranko Schule) and became a member of the company at the age of 16. Upon returning to the United States, she joined the Chicago City Ballet as Principal Ballerina and was coached extensively by legendary Prima Ballerina Assoluta, Maria Tallchief over an 11 year period.
​
Throughout Ms. Moray’s distinguished career, she has triumphed with rave reviews for many of her poignant portrayals. Among the most significant roles from the repertoire she has performed include the title role of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella in Cinderella, as Rosalinda in Ruth Page’s Die Fledermaus, the lead in Allegro Brillante, 1st violin in Concerto Barocco, the Sanguinic section from The Four Temperaments, the role of Terpsichore in Apollo, and numerous other Balanchine works. During her partnership with International Varna Gold Medalist, Maximiliano Guerro, they were hailed for their performances in both Don Quixote and Le Corsaire. For the Famed Edinburgh Festival, the world premiere of the ballet Les Sirens was created for Ms. Moray. London critics declared Ms. Moray… “An enchanting Ballerina” and dubbed her as a “Star that was introduced to the Edinburgh Festival.”
​
As Director & Founder of The Academy of Dance Arts, Ms. Moray strongly believes a thorough education in all of the dance arts is highly valuable. Her 30 years of teaching and private coaching have produced dancers who are thriving as professionals in major world-class dance companies both nationally and internationally. Her students have been offered full scholarships to attend summer programs to such major dance schools as Pacific Northwest, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, School of American Ballet, The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre, Alabama Ballet, Harid Conservatory, the Royal Ballet School in England, the Cranko Schule (school of the famous Stuttgart Ballet), School of the Ballets de Monte Carlo, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Dutch National Ballet School, National Ballet of Canada Ballet School, and Miami City Ballet, to name a few.
​
Ms. Moray’s choreographic endeavors have earned national recognition. She won first place in the International Sarasota Ballet choreography Competition ('99) for her ballet Under the Shroud of Heaven. Her ballet Delibes Variations was chosen as the closing ballet for the Regional Dance America Festival ('99) and was performed by the highly acclaimed Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet to a standing ovation. In 2000, Echoes of Romance was commissioned by the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, and her first story ballet, Once Upon a Dream was given its premiere in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at the Whitaker Performing Arts Center. In 2001, Ms. Moray featured her newest story ballet, La Boutique Fantasque, and the dynamic and sensual Pas de Deux All My Love to standing ovations. 2002 brought the newest larger work from Moray – the soaring Concerto Grosso that premiered at the Regional Dance America Gala in Dayton, Ohio. Ms. Moray re-staged the outstanding Echoes of Romance and premiered her award-winning work English String Suite in Chicago for The Academy of Dance Arts pre-professional program.
​
In 2006, Moray created the work Pandora’s Lesson as a 2-Act full Story Ballet, which teaches children and adults the importance of being grateful for one’s blessings and to heed and obey warnings that are meant to protect us. Recent works receiving accolades for their creativity have been Marché Militaire and Ancient Airs and Dances in 2008/2009. Ms. Moray is proud to also be the Artistic Director of the National Award-winning Academy Dance Alliance Competing & Performance Company, creating exciting, innovative, choreography for the Alliance dancers of all ages, and passing on to her students the love for Ballet and excellence in technique for all the dance arts.
Sherry Moray
Founder & Artistic Director
Ballet Master Instructor
-
Founder & Artistic Director - The Academy of Dance Arts
-
Master Instructor & Coach - The Academy's Ballet Conservatory
-
6 Time Winner Youth America Grand Prix "Outstanding Studio" (2000, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2024)
-
7 Time Winner Youth America Grand Prix "Outstanding Teacher" (2000, 2009, 2012, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022)
-
Choreographer
-
Artistic Director - Academy Dance Alliance and the Academy's Professional Ballet Conservatory
-
Alliance Director - Ballet Teams
-
Dance Magazine Award, "Outstanding Teacher of the Year"
-
1st Place Winner - International Ballet Choreography Competition (1996 - "Under the Shroud of Heaven")
Sherry Moray under the direction of Ballet Legend, Maria Tallchief. Read more on Miss Moray's experience with Miss Tallchief HERE.
Ricky Ruiz
Academy Alliance Director
Jazz & Contemporary Master Instructor
Ricky Ruiz received his initial dance training in Miami, Florida, and was a graduate of Miami’s Coral Reef Senior High Magnet Dance. He attended the University of South Florida on academic and talent scholarships and graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance Performance. While in college, he was an apprentice at Ann Reinking’s Broadway Theatre Project for two consecutive summers. In 2007 Ricky moved to Chicago and danced for four seasons with River North Dance Chicago. During his time there, he performed works by Robert Battle, Lauri Stallings, Sidra Bell, Harrison McEldowny, Frank Chavez, and others. He toured the United States, Europe, and South America with the company. Since moving on from River North, he has also danced with Elements Contemporary Ballet (2012), Level Dance Chicago (2015, 2016), Visceral Dance Chicago (2018), South Chicago Dance Theatre (2022), performed for Thodos' Annual New Dances, Dance For Life, and for numerous Chicago-based choreographers on various projects and concerts.
Ricky is a gifted teacher and choreographer. Among the many schools he has worked with are Coral Reef High School in Miami, Chicago Academy for the Arts, Roosevelt University, The University of Wisconsin, Florida State University, and others. He has been a resident teacher and choreographer at Jacksonville University and James Madison University. He is a guest teacher throughout the U.S. and has been on faculty at Hubbard Street/Lou Conte Dance Center, and Visceral Dance Center. Ricky also has the privilege to be a guest teacher and choreographer for Chicago-based professional companies Danceworks Chicago, Inaside Dance Chicago, and others. Ricky has also been on faculty for VIP Dance, teaching workshops, and judging their national conventions.
In 2013, Ricky was chosen as the Emerging Choreographer of the Year by the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company. Also, in 2013, Ricky was voted in the Top 5 of Chicago's leading dance teachers.
In 2010, he began teaching at The Academy of Dance Arts where he is the Co-Director of the Academy Dance Alliance. He teaches Jazz and Contemporary classes as well as progression classes focusing on technique and skill. Ricky also creates numerous pieces for Alliance for their yearly repertoire, ranging from Contemporary to Jazz and Musical Theatre, and everything in between. Ricky absolutely loves his students at ADA and is honored to work with Sherry Moray, helping to train young artists and pre-professionals.
Alexis Strain
Ballet Faculty
Alexis (Caruso) Strain was born in Chicago, Illinois. She began her ballet training at the age of four and started private lessons with Sherry Moray when she was nine. As a student of The Academy of Dance Arts and Illinois Ballet Theatre, Alexis participated in the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition. In 2006, Alexis won YAGP’s prestigious Hope Award, given for the best overall performance in the Pre-Competitive Age division. This recognition also requires the consensus of the YAGP jury panel, recognizing a dancer “has exceeded all other dancers in their age division in both the Classical Ballet and Contemporary/Open Dance categories.” Alexis consistently placed in the highest levels at YAGP, where she garnered several Finalist and Ensemble awards. At 16, she joined Joffrey Ballet’s Training Program under Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik. She performed in various roles such as Chopin, White Russian, Paquita, Gerald Arpino’s Viva La Valdi, and the lead role in Bay Breeze. In 2010, Alexis suffered a foot injury that required surgery. She returned to Sherry Moray, who helped with her rehabilitation. Alexis joined Ballet Austin II in 2013, performing in Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Firebird, and Argelina Pas De Deux. From 2014-2016, Alexis was a company member with Nevada Ballet Theatre. She performed the lead in James Canfield’s Nutcracker and other works, including Balanchine’s Serenade, and Who Cares and collaborated performances with Cirque Du Soleil. While in Nevada, Alexis became certified in classical Pilates under Elena Bartley. After a long and painful decision to stop dancing due to her foot injury, Alexis returned to Chicago.
Alexis earned Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bradley University, and her B.A. in Psychology from Benedictine University. Combining her experience as a former Academy student and ballet professional, along with her psychology degree and counseling expertise, Alexis is committed to supporting the development of the next generation of our Academy students in mind, body, and spirit. Alexis teaches all levels of ballet, from our littlest dancers in our foundational Ballet 1 class to our senior-level Conservatory classes, and is also a YAGP coach for our conservatory.
Lindsay Pekny
Academy Principal
Jazz, Tap & Ballet Faculty
Lindsay Pekny is a native of Houston, Texas, and began her performing career at the age of 4 in the national revival of Jesus Christ Superstar under dance captain Patsy Swayze. At the age of 9, she was accepted for year-round study at the Houston Ballet Academy, under principals Claire Duncan and Rosemary Miles, and was honored to perform in the inaugural run of Ben Stevenson’s Nutcracker. In addition to her ballet and modern studies at the Academy, she continued to pursue her interest in tap and jazz, attending workshops with Sam Weber and Ben Vereen and was one of only 6 dancers chosen from that workshop to perform with Mr. Vereen while he was in Houston.
​
Lindsay’s family relocated to Los Angeles when she began high school, where her focus shifted to contemporary dance as she attended classes at The Edge. Ballet was still a large part of her training and a particular highlight for her was dancing the role of the Sapphire Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, as staged by Pat Farmer for the Pacific Dance Company and the Pacific Foundation for the Performing Arts. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Southern California and spent 3 years as one of the world-famous USC Song Leaders. During that time, Lindsay choreographed for the squad and performed regularly on national television and around the world, most notably in the Monday Night Football opening theme with Hank Williams, Jr., and dancing at the U.S. Pavilion at Expo ’98 in Lisbon, Portugal.
​
Unable to pursue a performing career after suffering knee and foot injuries, Lindsay welcomed the opportunity to hone her teaching and choreographic skills, as well as start a family. Drawing on her collegiate background and previous work in orthopaedic research, she infuses her classes with information about anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and injury prevention/rehabilitation. She enjoys working with dancers of all ages, skill levels and interests, and prides herself on developing each individual to their fullest desired potential. She currently teaches ballet, tap, jazz, poms, and stretch and strengthen classes. Lindsay has been delighted to call The Academy of Dance Arts home since 2009 and considers it a true privilege to work alongside Ms. Sherry Moray and her accomplished faculty. In addition to her work at the Academy, Lindsay is a registered Music Together teacher and Dailey Method instructor.
Jamie Salas Voivodas
Tap Master Instructor
A native from San Antonio, Texas, Jamie grew up performing all genres of dance and quickly developed a love of rhythm tap. She was exposed to the technique early on while training with Nicholas Young at TJ's Dance Factory and Barbara Phillips as a member of the critically acclaimed Rhythm and Percussion in Motion Youth Ensemble. While dancing with R.P.M, she was lucky to work and learn from tap masters Acia Gray, Lane Alexander, and Jason Janas to name a few, and continued her studies with Tony Coppola while at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. After earning her BFA in Dance from UNLV Jamie moved to Chicago to train as a scholarship student with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, where she met and studied with Chicago Tap Theatre artistic director Mark Yonally. She could never put all her focus on one style of dance for too long before becoming intrigued with the challenge of learning more from another great opportunity. Since moving to Chicago, Jamie performed professionally as a member with Inaside Chicago Dance, Chicago Tap Theatre, Esoteric Dance Project, and Dance in the Parks and performed independently in Dance Chicago, Chicago Freelance Dance, and Thodos New Dances performances. Her choreography was featured at the historic Chicago Theater by Inaside Chicago Dance and presented at several showcases such as Dance Chance, Dance Chance: Redux and Dance Chicago. When Jamie is not dancing, teaching, or choreographing she can be found at the barre studio. She has taught Pure Barre since 2013 and is currently the owner and operator of Pure Barre Willowbrook. Always eager to continue learning, she is also certified in Progressive Ballet Technique. Jamie has enjoyed teaching students from all over Chicagoland for over fifteen years and is thrilled to continue sharing her love and knowledge of tap dance with the eager students at ADA!
Irina Starovoitova
Ballet & Character Master Instructor
Irina Starovoitova is an achieved professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She graduated from the Belarusian State Choreography College, one of the few ballet schools in the world that has preserved and follows The Vaganova Method - a famous ballet technique and training system.
​
As a lead dancer at the Belarusian State Dance Company Irina worked with the world-renowned choreographer Valentine Elizariev, the head of the ballet troupe of the National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre of Belarus.
​
Irina also teaches members of the United States Rhythmic Gymnastics National and Olympic teams.
-
Winner Youth America Grand Prix "Outstanding Teacher" 2012, 2017, 2020
Diana Stetsura
Ballet Master Instructor
Diana Stetsura trained at Russia’s Perm Ballet School under Professor Ludmila Saharova. After graduating with honors, she was accepted as a soloist into the Kremlin Ballet Theatre in Moscow where she was coached by the world-class ballerina, Ekaterina Maximova. While dancing in the Kremlin Ballet, Diana was invited to represent the company in Maya Plisetskaya’s gala at the Bolshoi Theatre. Ms. Stetsura was a principal dancer at the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus, Columbia Classical Ballet in South Carolina, and also danced as a soloist with Ballet Internationale in Indianapolis, where she was coached by Irina Kopakova, ABT’s Ballet Mistress. Diana was a Principal dancer for the Milwaukee Ballet for seven years.
​
Ms. Stetsura has performed lead roles in productions such as Don Quixote, Carmen, La Sylphide, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Allegro Brillante, Agon, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, La Bayadere, Raymonda, Scheherazade, Esmerelda, Cinderella, and Le Corsaire among others. She earned the prestigious Diaghilev Prize at the first international competition in Moldavia. She also received the highest award in the country of Belarus for the best stage debut for her performance of the title role in Giselle. She also appeared in three films in Belarus and while dancing with the company on Belorussian television. Diana earned second place at the prestigious ballet competition, “Arabesque” for her contemporary piece, which was created for her by the same choreographer who choreographed all of the dancing for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
​
Ms. Stetsura was the lead dancer in Samson et Delila at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, performing a role that was created for her by world-renowned choreographer, Ken Von Heidecke. He also created the title role in Cinderella for her, which she performed with the Chicago Festival Ballet. She also had the privilege of a lifetime to work with the Prima Ballerina Assoulta, Maria Tallcheif, on these roles. While performing with the Milwaukee Ballet, Ms. Stetsura danced leading roles such as Odette in Michael Pink’s Swan Lake, Marie, Snow Queen and Arabian in The Nutcracker, Gertrude in Hamlet, Dulcinea in Don Quixote, Lilac Fairy, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Nikiya in La Bayadere, Titania and Helena in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Raymonda, Agon, Esmeralda, and Fleur des Leis in Esmeralda. She also worked with choreographers, such as Val Caniparoli, Stephen Mills, Bruce Wells, Kathryn Posin, and Margo Sappingon, who created a piece for Ms. Stetsura in her world-premiere ballet, Common People, a project started by William Shatner.
Diana was a three-time participant in the International Gala, “The Evening of Stars”, in Denver, Colorado. She shared the stage with stars from English National Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, and many others. Diana performed many leading roles around the world, in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Spain, China, Japan, Ireland, France, Poland, Taiwan, Canada, Ukraine, and others. She has made many guest appearances in both teaching and dancing, all over the United States. Since she moved to Chicago, after giving birth to a baby girl, she became a principal dancer with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Diana is also a principal guest artist for Chicago Festival Ballet, where she appeared on two major TV stations in Chicago dancing the lead in Swan Lake. She also teaches at the world-renowned Chicago Festival Ballet, which Maria Tallchief helped found. She is a master instructor for their prestigious, multiple award-winning Academy of Dance Arts. She is a lead ballet teacher on the faculty of the world-class A&A Ballet of Chicago. She is also a guest teacher for the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet of Michigan. Recently Diana was in a short film which placed her name in the IMDb. Diana is also a judge on the prestigious International Ballet Competition WBAC-Grand Prix. Two years ago Diana started to work privately with many of her students in preparation for the ballet competitions. Her students have already placed in first second and third places as well as in the top 12 in two major competitions, YAGP and WBAC.
In addition to her performance and teaching accomplishments, Diana is very proud of having earned her law degree from Kuban State University in Russia.
Carrie Nicastro-Ruiz
Modern & Contemporary Master Instructor
Carrie Nicastro Ruiz is a Chicago-based professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Originally from Northbrook, IL, she received her initial training under Cheri Rose, studying the Cecchetti Method of Ballet. Carrie continued her education at the University of Iowa, graduating with honors in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in both Dance and Psychology. Upon graduation, Carrie was thrilled to accept a Company position with Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre, while also accepting a full scholarship to train at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, under the tutelage of the late Claire Bataille. After dancing with SPDW, Carrie participated in the work/study program at Visceral Dance Center and has since held positions with Hedwig Dances, Thodos Dance Chicago, Giordano Dance Chicago, LEVELdance, and Hanna Brictson & Dancers. Carrie has also enjoyed performing as a freelance artist with various independent choreographers and has been featured in the New York Times Bestseller, “Dancers Among Us” by Jordan Matter Photography.
In addition to performing, Carrie loves working with the next generation of dancers and has been teaching, coaching, and choreographing around the U.S. for over fifteen years. She has received numerous regional and national awards for her choreography, including two honors from the Industry Dance Awards (2015- People’s Choice Finalist, 2019- Best Convention Performance Winner). In October 2018, Carrie was featured and interviewed in the Dance Spirit Magazine article, “Poetry in Motion”, which explored her choreographic process with young dancers. Carrie has been an adjudicator for World Class Talent Experience and is currently traveling around the country adjudicating for VIP Dance.
At home in Illinois, Carrie is most known for her tenure as the Contemporary/Modern Program Director and Company Director at Steps Dance Center from 2014-2024. Carrie continues to share her knowledge and passion for dance with many studios and youth programs across Chicagoland, including the Academy of Dance Arts, where she has been a long standing faculty member since 2011. She is super excited for another wonderful season with her ADA family!
Cyx Wynne
Hip Hop Master Instructor
Cyx started his professional career with Dance2xs International in Chicago in 2003. In 2007, he along with three friends founded the Chicago Onyx Dance Alliance better known as CODA. In 2009 Cyx joined Hip Hop Connxion and in 2011 was named director of the Chicago branch. Cyx has performed on the Soul Train Music Awards, The Grammys, The American Music Awards, the MTV music awards, and the VMAs. Cyx has danced background for Syleena Johnson, B2K, Marques Houston, Missy Elliott, Usher, and Omarion. Cyx has also choreographed and performed in China, Japan, Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, England, and Austria along with a multitude of cities in the U.S.
Penny Bovelli
Director of Early Childhood Dance Programs
Penny Bovelli has been involved in all aspects of dance for over 40 years. She was the Founder and Owner of The Dance Centre in Lombard, IL which was in operation for 34 years. Her dance programs included classes, recitals, and competitive performance opportunities for ages 2-adult. Penny has taught tap, jazz, and ballet, but her passion is teaching the youngest of dancers as they learn to explore the joy of dance and creative movement. Her students have received scholarships to attend the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and The Chicago Academy of the Arts, received top honors at various competitions, danced in college programs, NBA dance teams, and for professional dance companies, such as Luna Negra. Penny has studied with Lou Conte, Joel Hall, Lane Alexander, Bruce Stegmann, Birute Barodicaite, Kirby Reed, and Claire Bataille, as well as the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. She has choreographed musicals for community theater and has judged “Miss Windy City” and “Chicago’s Little Miss” pageants. Penny also served on the Board of Directors for Chicago Tap Theatre for seven years and continues to be a guest teacher at Iowa State University.
Elizabeth Knight
Ballet Instructor
Elizabeth Knight is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She trained at Milwaukee Ballet School, Houston Ballet Academy, San Francisco Ballet School, Pennsylvania Ballet School, Princeton Ballet School, the School of American Ballet, and Steps on Broadway, all on scholarship, as well as with her coach, Yves de Bouteiller. Ms. Knight was trained by instructors as diverse as Margaret McLaughlin, Clara Cravey, Lola de Avila, Ricardo Bustamante, Gloria Govrin, Jeffrey Lyons, Kyra Nichols, Suki Schorer, Stanley Williams, Nancy Bielski, Michael Vernon, and Willy Burmann. As a high school senior, Ms. Knight was one of six ballet dancers chosen nationwide to be a National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (NFAA) awardee. Ms. Knight was also participant in the Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition in Lausanne, Switzerland, the U.S. International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, and was a finalist in The Second Japan International Ballet and Modern Dance Competition in Nagoya, Japan. Ms. Knight has danced with Milwaukee Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, Dance As Ever (NYC), Chicago Festival Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Alma Dance, Ballet Legere, Elements Contemporary Ballet, Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, and Dallas Opera. Her repertoire includes leading roles in Nutcracker, Cinderella, Esmeralda, Grand Pas Classique, and Swan Lake, as well as roles in Stars and Stripes, The Four Temperaments, Serenade, Billy the Kid, Carmina Burana, and the operas Aida, Samson and Delilah, and Carmen, among others. Ms. Knight previously taught for VH Dance Center, Salt Creek Ballet School, and Hinsdale Dance Center. She also has her Master’s in Teaching from National-Louis University and was previously a 2nd grade teacher and elementary school dance teacher for Chicago Public Schools. Ms. Knight lives with her husband and three young children in Naperville. She brings a positive and encouraging approach and a keen eye for detail to her teaching and coaching. She enjoys sharing her love of the art of ballet with the students of ADA!
Jeanne O'Connell
Adult Ballet & Musical Theatre Instructor
As a teacher, choreographer, and performer Jeanne O'Connell has worked in all areas of entertainment and has over 30 years of experience. She has performed in Broadway shows, national touring companies, television shows, and Disneyland. Ms. O'Connell has trained have gone on to dance professionally in shows from Broadway to Ballet companies to cruise ships and beyond. She has choreographed for professional theatres, television shows, dance companies, and more.
Dancing since a young child at her mother's dance studio, she moved to Los Angeles at age 18 to begin her professional career. Training with teachers from Los Angeles and New York City prepared her for the vigorous career ahead. Ms. O’Connell performed in the Broadway and National Touring Companies of 42nd Street, and other AEA productions such as Singing in the Rain, Sweet Charity, Joseph, Music Man, and Me and My Girl. She has also been seen in a variety of shows at Disneyland as a featured performer on the Videopolis Stage. Along the way, Jeanne worked as a magician’s assistant for Mark and Greg Wilson, appeared on various television shows with guest dance spots, and has appeared in national commercials.
Jeanne's choreography/directing credits include a number of shows for professional equity theatre, community theatre, and high school. Television shows such as General Hospital and Saved by the Bell, videos for production companies including Wishheart Productions and Luminate Productions, and dance companies such as Mid Columbia Regional Ballet and The Julie O’Connell Dancers.
Throughout her career, Jeanne has been an owner/director of several studios and has taught dancers of all ages. Her teaching always has an underlying theme of proper technique and placement, with an encouraging and nurturing approach that provides a positive and safe environment for her students. Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious which brings an element of fun and freshness to class. Most importantly, her commitment to each student helps to bring out the best in each person.
Louise Lalakea Alving
Academy Studio Manager
Louise Lalakea Alving joined our faculty in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience from her diverse corporate and dance backgrounds. With over 20 years of corporate recruiting experience and more than a decade of dance training, she has performed in notable productions such as A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Nutcracker, and Stars & Stripes. Louise's journey with our academy began as a dedicated ADA 'dance mom' for nine years, participating in our Alliance and ballet competitions, including the YAGP NYC Finals.
Louise's personal experience as a parent of a dancer gives her a unique understanding of the demands and pressures of the dance world. Her daughter, Lauren Alving, an ADA alumna, was mentored by Sherry Moray from the age of 12 and is now an apprentice at Semperoper Ballett in Dresden, Germany, for the 2024/2025 season. Louise has accompanied Lauren to ballet intensives and auditions throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States, giving her unique insights into our programs and training and their alignment with preparing our dancers for professional pursuits.
Louise has developed partnerships with YAGP, Allegro Dance Boutique, The Pointe Shop, Dr. Carrie Skony, and Eleve Dancewear. These connections have enriched the resources available to our students, allowing us to bring in the best dance professionals, services, and products. Her efforts ensure that our students have access to top-tier training and opportunities while also providing parents with confidence in the quality and breadth of our programs.
A fun fact about Louise: She performed the role of Clara in a Hawaii production of The Nutcracker in 1980, alongside soloists from The San Francisco Ballet under the direction of Dame Sonia Arova and Thor Sutowski.
Angela Lutz
Ballet Instructor
Originally from Wheaton, IL, Angela Lutz trained at the Academy of Dance Arts from age six to eighteen under the artistic director Sherry Moray. At The Academy, she performed in many original productions, including Pandora’s Box - “The Lesson” and La Boutique Fantastique, and competed annually in Youth America Grand Prix starting at age 13. Angela graduated with a dual degree in marketing and dance from Mercyhurst University, where she was awarded dance and academic scholarships. She performed with the Mercyhurst Dancers in various new works and classical repertoire, including Symphonie Italienne and Giselle, and has worked with guest choreographer Steve Rooks. Due to a significant hip injury and subsequent surgery, she decided not to pursue dance professionally and redirected her focus toward teaching and choreography. Through her dance experiences, Angela has gained vast knowledge about the body from extensive physical
therapy and dance studies. With a passion for sharing her understanding of injury prevention and conditioning, Angela is eager to help the next generation of dancers avoid injury as they grow and train. In addition to teaching, she has choreographed 4 group pieces at Mercyhurst University and is currently developing solos for some of our YAGP dancers. Angela is thrilled to be a part of the ADA faculty and is eager to share her knowledge and creativity with our Academy students!
Rachel Moran
Jazz Instructor
Rachel Moran grew up dancing and training at The Academy of Dance Arts, where she was part of the Alliance Competition Team for 13 years. She has a Bachelor's Degree in communications from Butler University. While there, Rachel earned a spot on the BU Dance Team and was captain for 2 of the four years. After graduating, in addition to a Tech recruiting job, she began teaching at Tenacity Dance Company and coaching middle school and high school dance teams in Avon, Indiana. She is excited to join the staff at the Academy, where she will be teaching Jazz and coming full circle from student to mentoring our Mini Elite Jazz Team for the 2022/2023 season.
Jackson Ferreira
Ballet Instructor
Born and raised in Brazil, Jackson Ferreira began his ballet training at sixteen. In 2015, he joined the Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago, where he continued to develop his technique and earned opportunities to perform with The Joffrey Ballet Company. He later joined the New Jersey Ballet Company, where he performed and choreographed his first ballet. In addition to his stage work, Jackson contributed to producing a commercial that won a New York State Emmy. His choreography has been featured in fashion and runway shows around Chicago. As a guest artist, Jackson has performed with Chicago Repertory Ballet and Visceral Dance Chicago. He actively participates in events supporting the health and wellness of the local dance community and has collaborated with C5 Productions. Based in Chicago, Jackson continues his journey as a guest artist, choreographer, and teacher, creating and performing for those who love the Art of Dance.
Sarah Price
Ballet Instructor
Originally from Elgin, Illinois, Sarah began her artistic journey in theater, where she spent much of her youth. She initially took ballet classes to improve her stage presence and secure better roles but soon fell in love with the elegance and discipline of ballet, which quickly became her passion.
Sarah received extensive training under Kaleigh Schock Tyton, who played a pivotal role in her development as a dancer. She further honed her skills by attending the prestigious Ellison Ballet Summer Intensive on a partial scholarship in 2021 and 2022. Following her training, Sarah was offered a coveted position in Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Second Company with a full scholarship.
During her time in Las Vegas, Sarah performed in numerous Corps de Ballet roles, including Dracula’s Brides Corps in Dracula, Snow and Flowers Corps in James Canfield’s The Nutcracker (2022 and 2023), Corps and Aspirin Ladies in George Balanchine’s Serenade, and Peasant, Czardas, and Swan Corps in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake. Among all the ballets she has participated in, her favorite experience was performing as a Munchkin in Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz.
In addition to her dance career, Sarah has a passion for photography, particularly dance photography. She is thrilled to bring her love for ballet and creative energy to the ADA family, where she will teach Ballet to our level I and II dancers and work with our Junior Ballet and Mini Jazz teams.