All of our dance instructors have been life-long dancers and are highly experienced and trained. Our Lead Instructor and Program Director graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in dance, and has developed a curriculum that focuses on technique, inspires the expression of conceptual ideas, and evokes purposeful motion. Additionally, some of our instructors are current members of professional dance companies. They continually enhance their teaching credentials through continued education, workshops, master classes, certification training, company membership, and class participation. Our instructors who lead certified Dance Fitness classes have been trained and certified in their perspective genres.
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Ms Shannon
Ms Shannon Edwards graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from Columbia College, Chicago. She has been dancing for 33 years, and she attended several dance studios and programs, including Curie High School of the Performing Arts, while growing up in the Chicago area. Ms Shannon has enjoyed sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with children at numerous studios and after-school programs for 20 years. Shannon was a company member of The Dance COLEctive from 2009-2016 under the direction of Margi Cole, and a former member of Maryann McGovern and Dancers and Stephanie Williams and Dancers. It is her goal to create strong, technical dancers while emphasizing artful movement. As MDA's Program Director, Ms Shannon developed a pre-professional Academy Program designed for disciplined and committed dancers who want to further their dance technique and/or career, emphasizing ballet and modern dance genres.
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Ms Alex
Ms. Alexandria "Alex" Kinard, identified with she/her pronouns, is a versatile dance artist, choreographer, and educator. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (U of I) and holds a 200-hour Yoga teacher certification from the same institution. Throughout her tenure at U of I, Ms. Alex showcased her talent in performances choreographed by esteemed artists such as Donald Byrd, Endalyn Taylor, Dr. Curtis Kemal Nance, Linda Lehovec, Danzel Thompson Stout, and Bevara Anderson. Her undergraduate journey culminated in a remarkable performance at the American Dance Festival, where she paid tribute to Dr. Kariamu Welsh by interpreting her piece "Women Gather," as envisioned by Dr. Nance.
Ms. Alex has honed her craft through various experiences, serving as an apprentice with Parsons Dance Company and a member of the second company at Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Originating from Louisville, KY, she is an alumna of the Youth Performing Arts School, where she received training in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance styles. Additionally, Ms. Alex takes pride in her affiliation with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated.
Eager to return to Illinois, Ms. Alex looks forward to contributing her talents to the Red Clay Dance Company and imparting her passion for dance at Mongan Dance Academy.
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Ms Giselle
Ms. Giselle Borczon commenced her dance instruction at the age of 3 under the instruction of a former New York City Ballet dancer. During her formative years, she was honored with an invitation from the Royal Academy of Dance, England, to participate in their esteemed examinations. Her performances took her to various venues in Chicago, including Navy Pier, the Daley Center, and the former North Pier. Subsequently, Ms. Giselle pursued further dance education at Columbia College Chicago for a two-year period. With a desire to teach in elementary schools, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Saint Xavier University. For numerous years, Ms. Giselle has been teaching dance within the Chicago Public Schools system. Her passion lies in providing all children with access to dance education, aiming to empower her students to move and live with confidence, regardless of circumstances.
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Ms Celeste
Ms Celeste Brace is a professional, Chicago-based dancer with extensive experience in teaching ballet, modern and contemporary techniques, improvisation, beginning tap, choreographic practice, and competitive dance. A graduate of Columbia College, Chicago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Ms Celeste has most recently performed with Red Clay Dance Company at the Harris Theater and has presented large-scale choreographic works for Columbia College Chicago. She studied supplementary coursework with the focus of dance as liberating, celebratory, and revolutionary acts, and hopes that MDA students will experience that same transformation as they grown in their own dance craft.
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Mr Devin
At the age of eight, Mr Devin Mosley started dancing at Studio One Dance Theater, Chicago, learning hip hop and tap dance. At age 14, he was hired as an ASM employee, expanding his knowledge of tap dance under M.A.D.D Rhythms West: BBF Crew run by M.A.D.D Rhythms own, Bril Barrett, as well as his hip hop knowledge with HiDef Dance Ensemble run by Tanji Harper. Wanting to expand his knowledge even more, at the age of 16 Devin began his apprenticeship under the professional company of M.A.D.D Rhythms. Subsequently, he has been in many performances/productions such as Feeling Good: A M.A.D.D Tribute to Nina Simone,A M.A.D.D Mixtape, and The Annual Kwanzaa Festival at Chicago State University. Mr Devin debuted with the M.A.D.D. Rhythms on many news channels. He became a company member in 2020, expanding his performance repertoire and opportunities. Mr Devin's dream is to be a gateway for other young boys and girls to follow his steps into a career in tap dance.
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Ms Alandrea
Ms Alandrea Mosely biography to be posted shortly.
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Linda Kay
Linda Kay is the owner and manager of Mongan Dance Academy. She brings years of corporate and private business experience into the studio, as well as experience in youth ministry and advocacy. Witnessing the transformational effect dance had on her three daughters, she was inspired to provide a welcoming, motivating place where other children can experience and live the artistry of dance, as well as receiving a foundation of discipline, commitment, and team work. Along with her daughter Shannon Edwards, who is the Program Director of the studio, this mother-daughter team created Mongan Dance Academy together, a place for children's roots can flourish!
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TBD
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