Meet Our
Dance Instructors

Brook believes in the principles of providing Storm dancers with a strong foundation in both technique and performance ability, thereby creating versatile, well-trained dancers that are successful in any genre of dance. Even more importantly, she focuses on developing dancers that have strong work ethic, self-discipline, and positive moral character who understand the importance of giving back, helping those less fortunate, true leadership, and respect for themselves and others.

Brook trained extensively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and tap, as well as acrobatics, poms, and contemporary. She completed her dance training at Northern Illinois University in their award-winning dance program. While there, Brook also proudly completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Brook has directed the Storm Dance Alliance Competition Company through 20 successful seasons. As director, her Precision and Intensity Company has grown to over 150 talented members who have won many regional and national titles. In 2010 and 2012 and 2014, Storm was awarded the FDC Studio Excellence Award for their top performance at Nationals. This prestigious award was given to only one studio at nationals for earning the highest amount of overall elite level points at nationals. In 2010, Brook was also awarded the Rainbow and FDC Dedication to Dance Award for teachers. Her choreography has won numerous regional and national awards, and her students have won Dancer of the Year Titles, National Championships, and Industry Dance Awards. Under her direction, the company has traveled to compete and perform all over the country. The company and its dancers have been invited to dance in Germany, New York, Las Vegas, Australia and more. Brook has also successfully implemented three levels of company training to accommodate the differing needs of families and students at Storm. Under her watchful eye, the Academy Training program was also launched to provide a learning and performance environment where non-competitive dancers can receive excellent training and thrive while reaching their goals.

Under her direction, the studio developed a beautiful annual Nutcracker performance, which over the past 20 years has grown to a cast of over 250 dancers. Each December, Storm Dance Alliance entertains ballet lovers from the surrounding areas with its charming rendition of a classic holiday favorite. Each year, she also directs a Holiday Charity Show which showcases our Academy and Competitive Students in a charming holiday performance that benefits homeless and low income families in our community.

Brook prides herself on providing a family-friendly studio environment and fulfilling dancers’ dreams of performing professionally or for enjoyment by ensuring that they receive training from the top teachers the Chicagoland area has to offer. All instructors at Storm are talented, professional dancers who have the ability to inspire excellence from all of their students. She is extremely proud of the place that Storm has become, and strives for an even brighter future for the studio and all of the dancers who call Storm home.

Avnun Yakubov was born in Russia and received a Masters Degree in Choreography and Arts Management from the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in Leningrad. Mr. Yakubov was the Artistic Director and Head Choreographer Alumnus of the Moscow Ballet Theater in Russia from 1973-1993. From 1974-1988, he staged numerous works in Italy, Austria, Turkey, and Greece.

By invitation of the Italian government in 1992, he choreographed and produced “An Evening with Strauss.” He also choreographed different ballets for the Kirov Theater in Leningrad and the Vaganova Choreography College. From 1993-1997, Mr. Yakubov appeared in the Chicago Festival Ballet’s “Nutcracker” as Herr Drosselmeyer and served as Ballet Master and Choreographer for the Chicago Festival Ballet School.

He served as a choreography instructor for the Looking Glass Theater Company’s production of Bulgakov’s “Master and “Margarita” and taught at the Lou Conte Studio. Mr. Yakubov was the Ballet Master and Head Choreographer for the Faubourg Ballet Theater from 1995-2001. In 1997-1998 he staged and choreographed Ravel’s “Bolero” and “Paquita” with Alexander Lunev (principal dancer with the Kirov Ballet).

In 1999-2000, he served as Ballet Master and choreographer at the Academy of Dance Arts. There he staged and choreographed “New Ballet Divertissement” and “Paquita” with Roger Van Fleteren (principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre) and Yumelia Garcia (principal dancer with Milwaukee Ballet). From June 2001 till August 2007 Mr. Yakubov was a Founder and Artistic Director of “Ballet Cultural Arts Center” and “Youth Ballet Theatre of Chicago – NFP” In 2002 – Evening of Ballet was performed at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts. Featured guest artists included Elena Martinson & Andrei Ustinov formerly principal dancers from the Kirov Ballet Theater and Mr.

Yakubov’s Youth Ballet Theatre pre-professional division students. In the summer of 2004 Mr. Yakubov proudly presented his US Ballet Premier of “BAMBI”. This full length ballet in 2 acts featuring original libretto stage version with staging and choreography by Mr. Yakubov.

Performances by Milwaukee Ballet Theater members Jennifer Provins and Christopher Fellows – 1 st Principal Soloists and Kirk Henning of Daytona Ballet Company – Principal Soloist. Performing from the Youth Ballet Theater (YBT) NFP were Principal Soloists Renee Briglio, Lindsay Cregier and Kira Stiers and the pre-professional division students of the YBT. This wonderful event was held at Hemmens Cultural Arts Center.

Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Lucas started dancing at the age of 16 and only three years later he joined Ballet Argentino as a Soloist Dancer under Julio Bocca’s direction. He was promoted to Principal Dancer shortly after and was the only dancer, along with ballet star Manuel Legris, to perform a solo piece in Bocca’s farewell performance for over 300,000 people and broadcasted on national TV.

Lucas has been a member of The Washington Ballet and of Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company (directed by Christopher Wheeldon and with residency in both New York and London), and The Joffrey Ballet, where in the span of six seasons he performed in virtually the entire repertoire of the company as a Soloist or Principal Dancer. Lucas has danced works by choreographers like Balanchine, Robbins, Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Alexei Ratmansky, William Forstyhe, Val Caniparoli, Yuri Possokhov and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, among many others.

Mr. Segovia has appeared in Drury Lane’s production of West Side Story, starring as Bernardo. He has also toured with the Broadway production of An American in Paris, and in March of 2018 he starred in the musical Oklahoma! as Dream Curly.

Throughout his career, he has performed in more than 400 cities around the globe, appearing in some of the most important venues for dance in the world.

Lucas has been awarded with the Premio Clarin, the most prestigious recognition for the Arts in Argentina.

During his time at VCU Goldman had the pleasure of performing in pieces by faculty including Martha Curtis, Courtney Harris, Scott Putnam, Autumn Proctor Waddell, and Dr. Gaynell Sherrod. Goldman has performed with Conflux Dance Theatre, RVA Dance Collective, and OM Grown Dancers. Goldman performed in the 40th year anniversary of Liz Lerman’s seminal work “Still Crossing”. Goldman has also performed in works by Helen Simoneau, Shen Wei, Ronald K. Brown, and Jenna Riegel. Goldman has also performed in works choreographed by Shen Wei, Lucinda Childs, Ching-I Chang, Junichi Fukuda, Annielille Gavino.
Goldman has taught ballet and contemporary dance across the mid-Atlantic area, American Dance Festival, Triangle Youth Ballet, Virginia Commonwealth University, Duke University, NC State University, Richmond Ballet, Ann Catherine Cross (Aileron). Recently served as the head ballet instructor at Ballet Arts, NC and associate director of Walltown Dance Company in Durham NC, under the direction of former Ailey dancer Cynthia Penn-Halal.

Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Kathy began her professional dance career at the age of ten with the Chicago Tribune and Ruth Page Foundation, where she performed in the Nutcracker as Clara. Her childhood training began with legendary Chicago teachers, including Bentley Stone, Walter Camryn, Deloris Lipinski, Larry Long, and the Ruth Page Chicago Ballet. She was later invited to train with the Indianapolis Ballet, performing original choreography from artistic director Dace Dininois.

Kathy continued her education and dance training at Northern Illinois University, where she completed her B.A. in Theatre-Dance Performance under a full scholarship upon audition.

During her time at NIU, she studied under Randall Newsom, Margaret Faust, Melissa Hale, Jere Tulk and Lila Dole. It was under their training that she performed leading roles in classical works such as Paquita, Swan Lake, Pas de Quatre, Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire and the Nutcracker. She was invited to perform in the gala performance of the American College Dance Festival during this time, and received the department’s Talent Award upon graduation.

Kathy has additional training in modern dance with an emphasis on Martha Graham Technique. Kathy has been a dance educator, instructor, and guest artist for many years in various capacities. She is currently a faculty member of Storm Ballet staff, where she has taught classical ballet and pointe classes for five years.

Here, she contributed and prepared students for the Youth of American Grand Prix (YAGP) training program where she has set numerous classical ballet variations for students.

With over 20 years of teaching experience, she has taught and choreographed for countless students, and created pieces that have won many titles and awards, national championships, among other honors. Her favorite place, though, is in the classroom developing and training the next generation of dancers.

Christina has been a beloved instructor and choreographer at Storm Dance Alliance for over 15 years.

Savannah Enoch is a dancer and choreographer from the Chicagoland area. She has known from a very young age, that dance and the performing arts are her passion. Savannah started in a pre professional dance company at the age of nine and has been trained in a variety of styles including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, acrobatics, tap, modern, musical theater, advanced partnering, and ballroom.

After graduating high school, she continued her training at the prestigious Theater Arts Preparatory School (TAPS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. There, she was taught by top industry professionals and choreographers from Los Angeles, New York City, and Las Vegas.

Savannah has performed in multiple projects from theater to film. She has danced for Holland America Line Cruise ships, American Music Theatre, The Palace Theatre, Hershey Park, RWS Entertainment Group, “Show Dogs” (film), 20th Century Fox, McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and many more. As a choreographer and teacher, Savannah has become well renowned at a very young age. She is a faculty member of Chicago Dance Connection and the jazz director at Storm Dance Alliance Academy of Dance and the Arts. Savannah also works as an adjudicator and judge for Masquerade Dance Competition. She has received many honors for her work in the competition circuit including multiple IDA nominations.

She strives to continuously grow and learn as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. Over the years, she has learned that she truly loves to teach and inspire young artists. Savannah hopes to continue to share her passion for the arts and ignite the future generation of performers.

Baileys update
During her youth, Bailey spent many years as a competitive dancer and won multiple national titles for her solo performances. Bailey studied acting and fell in love with drama and modeling in addition to dance. She was fortunate enough to perform in many productions, as well as in several commercials.

As a young choreographer, her work has won national championships, as well as a nomination for the prestigious Industry Dance Awards. Bailey has a great love for teaching and developing the connections that grow between the dancer and mentor and helping her students to achieve goals they never thought possible.

Bailey has had the privilege of training under many incredible mentors and teachers across the country, and she is truly thankful for her dance home, Storm Dance Alliance. In addition to teaching and choreographing at Storm, Bailey recently obtained her Bachelors of Science from the University of Alabama and is a certified Athletic Trainer.

She is currently studying to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She aspires to merge her dance career with helping performers to be their strongest and healthiest on and off the stage!

National Tour: Monty Python’s Spamalot!; Regional Theatre: Shrek: The Musical, La Cage Aux Folles, The Producers, White Christmas (Barter Theatre), Something Rotten! (Phoenix Theatre Company), Disney’s Newsies (Fireside Theater), Oklahoma!, Anything Goes (Porthouse Theatre), A Chorus Line, Little Shop of Horrors (The Huron Playhouse), Deck The Halls (Busch Garden Williamsburg); Choreography credits: Assassins, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Theory of Relativity (Oakland University). Joey, originally from Sterling Heights, MI, graduated from Oakland University Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance, and has been in dance education for the past 10 years. Right after graduation, he joined the staff of Oakland University as a Guest Professor of Tap, along with being a guest choreographer for their musical theatre department’s main stage musicals. Shortly after, he moved to New York City, and has been working professionally alongside teaching/choreographing for the past 7 years. Since then, he has won numerous overalls and choreography awards from competitions across the midwest and northeast. He spent this past year as the Assistant Company Director of Fusion Dance Centre in Roselle Park, NJ, and is most recently an adjudicator/convention faculty member for Turn It Up, StarQuest, & Elite National Dance Competitions. Joey is relocating to Chicago this summer, and is beyond excited to be joining Storm’s faculty!!

Trevor Loritz was born and raised in Green Bay, WI. He studied under Ted Jackson at Midwest Movement in Chicago and with Bruce Campbell at Motivation 2 Dance in Indianapolis. After attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA for two years, he decided to leave college to pursue his dance career. He later went back to school and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

Some of Trevor’s performance credits include Paula Abdul (Forever Your Girl Las Vegas Residency, 2020 Dick Clark New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, 2019 Billboard Awards, 2018 Straight Up Paula! Tour), Lady Gaga (51st SuperBowl Halftime Performance and 58th Grammy Awards), 65th Primetime Emmy’s with Neil Patrick Harris, spot performances with artist Maty Noyes and German artist Helene Fischer, Austin and Ally, Fuller House, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Masked Singer, Speechless, Arrested Development, 2014 Kid’s Choice Awards, 22nd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards, This Halloween in Dance on The Ellen Show, 2014 National Memorial Day Concert on PBS with Megan Hilty, RuPaul’s Drag Race Reunited, and the 2010 MDA Telethon. Trevor has performed in a few Las Vegas shows: Steve Wynn’s Showstoppers, Surf the Musical, and America’s Got Talent Live.

He has had the opportunity to assist Tyce Diorio on Season 11 of So You Think You Can Dance. Before moving from Los Angeles in 2020, he assisted Jennifer Hamilton (Choreographer/Dance Educator/Dancer) on projects, including the 92nd Academy Awards.

She has the opportunity to train under many incredible teachers and mentors from across the country. As a teacher Sarah has mainly focused in contemporary, jazz, technique and acrobatics. Sarah is the acrobatics teacher here at Storm Dance Alliance.

In 2016 Sarah became a certified acrobatics teacher through Acrobatic Arts, where she received comprehensive training in anatomy, technique, and progressions to safely teach AcroDance. Her work as a choreographer has won many awards and high placements. Sarah’s favorite part of teaching is the connection between the mentor and dancer, helping them achieve their goals and dreams.

She is very thankful for all the opportunities that Storm Dance Alliance has provided for her as a dancer and now an educator.

Andy Kastrati has been dancing since the age of 12. He is trained in various genres of dance including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, hiphop, acrobatics, tap, modern, theater, advanced partnering and ballroom. Post highschool years his professional training continued at Theater Arts Preparatory School in Las Vegas, Nevada where he trained with multiple industry professionals, under the direction of Don Mirault.

There he broadened his knowledge and acquired training in both singing, acting and other commercial aspects of the performance industry. Upon graduating the program Andy was contracted as a dancer by The American Music Theater in Lancaster, PA. Andy has performed in many shows and concerts such as, Ovation, Joy to The World, Winter Wonderland and Home for the Holidays where he is now a dancer, show captain and production assistant! He’s also danced at multiple gigs in Las Vegas at the comparable Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino.

Most recently, Andy performed as a main dancer and dance captain for Kanye West’s DONDA at Soldier Field. Not only is Andy a well rounded performer, he also has a passion for choreographing and teaching. Andy hopes to inspire young dancers and help them grow in confidence and reach their fullest potential.

Kate Hunter is a native of western Massachusetts where she was extensively trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap and acro. She spent her youth in the convention circuit and received a dance scholarship to Dean College School of Dance where she continued her dance education and was a member of Break the Silence Dance Team. Kate has been teaching and choreographing in the Chicagoland area for over a decade.

She is the former owner/artistic director of the nationally acclaimed Universal Language Dance Company and her national award winning choreography has been set on numerous studios, dance teams and professional companies. Kate was a company member and choreographer with Meraki Dance Company from 2016-2019. Her work is known for its athleticism, creative concept and authentic style.

Kate also spent several years coaching gymnastics, specializing in floor and beam choreography. She is currently on faculty at Storm Dance Alliance and continues to guest teach, choreograph, and judge around Chicagoland.

Juliana started dancing at the age of 4 taking ballet and jazz classes. At the age of 12, she then started to study all types of dance styles consisting of ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, tap, and pointe. As she began to fall in love with the art of dance, she knew this was the career path she was meant for and auditioned and shortly after was accepted into AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts! She then traveled to New York City and enrolled in a summer intensive program at AMDA NYC,  and was able to study all forms of dance. She trained under LaQuet Pringle. Then in October 2016, Juliana began her 4 year journey studying dance at AMDA in Los Angeles. She graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (BFA). Growing up in the dance world she has been able to work/train under a variety of dance instructors like, Donyelle Jones, Fresh Redding, Gerran Reese, James “Combo” Marino, Louis Jones, Jason Gorman, Nancy Owen, Tracy Silver, Misha Lee, Sergio Lopez, Lauren Santelli, Lindsey Lococo, Alissa Deutsch and many others. Juliana  currently balances being a choreographer & teacher at dance studios and setting choreography on various dance companies and groups throughout the Chicagoland area. She prides herself on innovative choreography that reflects on each artists strengths and talents; bringing their visions to life.

In high school, I joined Orchesis Dance Company, where I quickly found my place both as a dancer and a leader. My dedication to dance led to my role as the student director of Orchesis for two years, a position that allowed me to collaborate with peers, create choreography, and help shape our performances. These years of dance solidified my desire to pursue dance at a higher level.

Following high school, I continued my dance journey as a member of the Iowa Dance Team. During my four years on the team, I had the privilege of competing at UDA Nationals each year, where we showcased our talent on a national stage. In addition to these competitions, I also performed at many sporting events, dancing in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans. These experiences not only challenged me physically but also deepened my understanding of teamwork, discipline, and the power of performance to connect with a large audience.

Alongside my dance career, I have always been passionate about working with children. This passion led me to pursue a degree in education, and after graduating from college, I became a 2nd-grade teacher.

Staying close to home, I am now one of the directors of the Neuqua Orchesis Dance Company, where I work alongside two other dedicated directors. In this role, I have the opportunity to mentor young dancers, create choreography, and continue to foster a love for dance within our community. Whether in the classroom or the dance studio, I am passionate about inspiring the next generation to pursue their dreams with confidence and creativity.

Lauren began her dance journey at the age of two, and there was no looking back. Dance is her greatest passion. She has training in tap, ballet, jazz, musical theater, hip hop, contemporary, acrobatics, modern and lyrical.

Lauren also has experience in the drama department as well as musically. Lauren has been a competition dancer for many years and has earned multiple regional and national titles and has been a part of many summer intensives such as The Rockettes Summer Intensive, Inaside Chicago dance Intensive, River North Summer Intensives and many more.While Lauren’s love for dancing is strong, she has also discovered a passion for teaching.

Lauren is passionate about sharing her knowledge of performance as well as her love for dance with her students. Lauren strives to continuously grow and learn as a dancer and teacher.

Lauren is a recent graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance and a Dance Studio Management certification. At WMU, Lauren was a part of Western Dance Project, a touring dance company under the direction of Whitney Moncrief. While attending WMU, she performed in works by Mike Esperanza, Kate Skarpetowska, Melanie George, Monique Haley, Kelsey Paschich, and many more.

Lauren has danced professionally with Movementum Dance Project, Inaside Chicago Dance and performed in Croatia with The Kate Jablonski Statement. Lauren is the Assistant Varsity Coach for Oswego East High School’s dance team and is going into her sixth season as an assistant with Dupree Dance Convention.

Even as a young girl, dance and the arts were her passion. She has trained in many styles such as jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, tap, modern, and musical theater.

Abby began her training, under the instruction of Brook Langkan, at La Premiere Dance Company. After the studio went a new direction Abby stayed with Miss Brook to continue her career at Storm Dance Alliance. She was a member of the Nationally award-winning competitive company from 2003-2013.

Along with the many years of dancing, she began student teaching at a young age, and has been teaching dancers of all ages since 2011. Abby loves sharing her passion with her students. She hopes to continue to grow as an instructor and choreographer, and to inspire young dancers every day.

As a student, Lindsey also had the privilege of performing as a featured dancer in Kieron Sargeant’s Liberated as part of the COCO Contemporary Dance Festival in Trinidad and Tobago, as well in several other works by Danielle Russo, Eloy Barragán, Kristin Marrs, Todd Rohades, Mikey Rioux, and more. Most recently, Lindsey performed in a 2024 restaging of Martha Graham’s Panorama as part of the Graham100 ‘American Legacies’ tour, and will be performing in Brady VanPatten, Michael Flores, and Katie Gucik’s Fairyland at The Englert Theater. Lindsey’s primary areas of emphasis within her teaching and personal movement practice are improvisation, authentic movement, and somatics; as well as modern, contemporary, and ballet movement practices.

Krissy attended Northern Illinois University where she pursued her BFA in Dance Performance. At Northern she studied under Randall Newsom, Paula Frasz, and Judith Chitwood. While at NIU Krissy was a member of the Northern Dance Theater. She performed in numerous shows including Giselle, Coppelia, The Nutcracker and Carmina Burana.

Krissy has over 25 years experience teaching dance in the Chicagoland area. She was the Arts and Humanities Director at the Fox Valley Family YMCA for 13 years. Krissy is excited to bring her experience from her director position to the office at Storm. Krissy loves seeing all the dancers and families coming into the studio everyday. Stop by and say hello to Miss Krissy when you come to the studio.