Laura is a Chicago-based choreographer, teacher, and director. After receiving her BFA in dance, Laura danced professionally throughout Chicago for several years. She teaches at numerous dance studios, coaches the Stevenson High School Varsity Dance Team, and choreographs for many companies and dance teams across the country. Her choreography has won regional, national, and choreographic awards in the dance studio competition and convention circuits, as well as received awards at professional choreography competitions. Laura is very excited to be working with Dance in the Parks this season!
Photo by Torie Smith
Rachael began her dance journey at the Karyn Kelly Dance Center in Buffalo, New York. She went on to graduate magna cum laude from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts in 2011, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance with a concentration in Jazz.
Following graduation, Rachael joined Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC), America’s premier jazz dance company. Over six remarkable seasons under the leadership of Nan Giordano, Rachael toured and performed worldwide, with notable international appearances in London, Rome, Latvia, Guatemala, and Israel. During her time with GDC, she had the honor of performing works by renowned choreographers such as Peter Chu, Mia Michaels, Ray Leeper, Roni Koresh, Gus Giordano, Ron De Jesus, Randy Duncan, and many others.
Rachael has also dedicated herself to arts education and outreach. From 2012 to 2017, she worked with Chicago Public Schools, teaching jazz dance to fourth, fifth, and seventh graders as part of the Jazz Dance/Science and Health outreach program. In 2015 and 2016, she furthered her passion for teaching by volunteering at Fondation Enfant Jésus (FEJ) in Haiti, where she led dance classes for over 320 underprivileged children. Currently, Rachael serves as the Community Director at All About Dance (AAD) and is the Director of the studio's nonprofit organization, Beyond the Dance Floor. She has been a faculty member at AAD since 2012, where she creates award-winning choreography and mentors countless dancers in their artistic journeys. With her extensive performance career and commitment to sharing the transformative power of dance, Rachael continues to inspire through every step she takes.