Our staff members are not only incredible dancers, knowledgeable instructors, certified judges and skilled contest staff…they are enthusiastic professionals who will do their part to make your experience at the Chicagoland Dance Festival one you will not forget! Many of our staff members are available for private instruction. Take advantage of this abundance of talent!
We’re still making additions to the 2026 staff and we will make updates as commitments are finalized.
2026 Professional Staff
Eric Nava & Rachel Mercedes
Gary McIntyre
Susan Kirklin
Glenn Ball
David Appel
Satu Ketellapper
Shawn Swaithes & Donna Bonham-Steinfeld
Sam & Christine Wetzel
Brittney Valdez
Yvonne Dunn
Linus & Siobhan Dunn-Backstrom
Zara Chanice Dunn
Bernadette Carmichael
Sloane Hansen
Travis Herman
Emily Drinkall Bouchonville
Vittorio & Giulia Anelli
Ryan West & Patricia Daze
Anthony Moeller & Victoria Tatum
Jenny Nguyen & Felipa Mendez
Jason Miklic & Sophy Kdep
Matt & Julie Auclair
Earl Strom
Beth Emerson
Penny Lalonde
Chad Guidry
Keith Armbruster
Vanessa Thomson
Bill Robinson
Amanda Clark
Justin Kaiser
Harrison Ramsey
Nino DiGiuilo & Dawn Lara
Ryan Dobbins
Becky Larson
DJs
Mona Broussard
Toni Carroll
Stan Wojciechowski
Tim Johnson
April Prince
MCs
Jennifer Jeffries
Glenn Ball
Michael Eads
Albert Tailleur
Country Contest Coordinator
Dave Getty
Swing Chief Judge
Registration and Scoring
Country Dance Director: Kelly Strouse and Ed von Adelung
Randy Jeffries
Mary Hannah
Helen Matthews
Noelle Linch
Chad Graber
Crystal Thompson
Stacy Marcotte
Ballroom Facilitator
Eric Marcotte
Travis Herman
Event Videographer: You have options!
You are welcome to use your own camera to record competitions and workshops – at no charge. Please, be courteous of other spectators and don’t interfere with their view of the dance floor.
Event Photographer
Nicole Wardell: www.icaughtyoudancing.com
Sound, Lights and Such
Tim Johnson, Dance Fanatics
We Couldn’t Do it Without…
The Chicago dance community! We enjoy so much support from studios, independent teachers, dinosaurs and newbies. We live in Indiana, but our dance home is Chicago. #loveyourdancefamily