INSTRUCTORS & CHOREOGRAPHERS

At VIM, we believe that dance training encourages young people to develop a positive self-image as they increase awareness of their physical being. Improving coordination skills and developing muscular awareness, dance classes give children the freedom to express themselves through the creativity of dance, expression and movement.

VIM Staff management prides themselves on having some of the best, most experienced instructors in the Chicagoland area. All of our instructors and choreographers are also working professionals in the dance industry and share their knowledge and experiences with our students.

The highest educational standards are expected from all VIM Dance Studio faculty members. As lifelong learners, they continue to educate themselves through certification programs, instructor-training schools, conferences, and other learning opportunities.

Click on image for full bio.

Leandra Groth

Artistic Director

LEANDRA GROTH

Leandra Groth began dancing at age four. By age eight she found herself intensely training in various styles of dance. She spent seven years training and competing with Ted Jackson’s Midwest Movement and achieved countless high score accolades and titles. Leandra has studied with some of the most prominent ballet instructors in the Chicago land area, including Homer Bryant, Avnun Yakubov, Watmora Casey, and Peff Modelski -of New York- along with some of the country’s leading hip hop and jazz choreographers such as Brian Freidman, JesseLee Santos, Tovaris Wilson, Marcel Wilson, and Ray Leeper. Annually she traveled to the Edge Performing Arts Center to train from the top choreographers in the industry.

Leandra has been assistant teaching/choreographing throughout the United States and Canada since the age of 15. In 2009 Leandra toured with Co Dance convention as a 2008 AT Assisting along-side Blake McGrath, Tyce Diorio, Benji Schwimmer, and Barry Youngblood just to name a few. In 2009 she was one of few choreographers/dancers who created and coordinated the famous Flashmob on Oprah’s 24th season premier dancing with the Black Eyed Peas. Most recently in 2014, her choreography "Rockstar" was nominated as Top 5 hip hop routines in the Nation at the Industry Dance Awards in Hollywood.

Although Leandra's dream since a young girl was to continue her professional dance career in Hollywood, she developed even more of a love for training and educating dancers and guiding them pursue their passion. She continues to train in Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Fitness in hopes to better her teaching skills for each and every student that enters her classroom.

ARIANNE RAMIREZ

Instructor & Company Team Hip Hop Choreographer

ARIANNE RAMIREZ

Arianne's passion for dance began at the age of 13 training under the tutelage of Alvin Ramirez, Founder & Director of He[ART] Movement. During these years as a competition dancer, Arianne had the opportunity to work with several Professional Choreographers such as Jesse Lee Santos and Matt Cady. She also performed in opening acts for recording artists Tyrese, Mims, & Chingy and Nathan Burton's Las Vegas Comedy Show. She has danced in the internationally broadcasted MLS All-Star Half Time Show featuring top recording artist Lupe Fiasco.

Arianne's teaching career launched after assisting choreographers across the US and in the production of "MTV'S MADE: I Want to be a Hip Hop Dancer." Arianne has taught dance classes in studios and schools all over the Midwest and set award-winning choreography for the competition stage. Arianne Ramirez is a dance instructor committed to the growth of her students and the cultivation of a positive, fun learning atmosphere.

Arianne Ramirez earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Illinois - Chicago in 2013. She is now working as a MDS Director at a long term care facility.

ALVIN RAMIREZ

Instructor & Choreographer - Hip Hop

ALVIN RAMIREZ

Alvin Ramirez was born in the Philippines and lived there for his first ten years. He now resides in the Chicagoland area where he teaches and mentors the youths of today. Alvin trained in hip hop, contemporary and breaking since the age of 17. Through his performing/competition and training years, Alvin lived in the competition world winning numerous overall first place awards and earning scholarships throughout the country. He has performed and opened up for several top recording artists such as Ciara, Ludacris, Soulja Boy, Twista, Mims, Tyrese and many more.

Alvin has also been showcased in a top Las Vegas show and was a choreographer for the internationally broadcasted MLS All Star Game Half-time Show, featuring top recording artist Lupe Fiasco on ESPN. He has also choreographed for the NBA Detroit Pistons dance team Automotion, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, University of Michigan and as well as University of North Carolina. Two of his greatest accomplishments were being able to compete on Randy Jackson’s Americas Best Dance Crew Season 2 on MTV and also being an assistant coach on MTV’s Made Show.

Alvin continues teaching all over the country while he sets award winning hip hop routines for numerous dance studios and companies. He is also a faculty for Center Stage Dance Academy in Huntley, Illinois and Tracey and Heather’s Dance Synergy in Springfield, Illinois. When he is not focusing on his dance career, he continues to grow his clothing line, He[ART] Clothing, Inc.

Alvin is currently self-training through different arts and disciplines and continues to search for more knowledge.

SASHA KOZADAYEV

Instructor & Choreographer - Ballet & Pointe

SASHA KOZADAYEV

Sasha Kozadayev began his dance training at Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. He came to the United States in 1990, and studied at the school of the American Ballet Theatre and then continued his training at the Colorado Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet in Germany. He later went on to perform as principal and featured guest artist in such notable companies as Boston Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, and Stuttgart Ballet to name a few. He is a Medal winner of the Prix du Lausanne International Dance Competition and he received international recognition for his virtuosity. Sasha is a well known dancer and teacher around the world.

NICHOLAS CANGIANO

Instructor & Choreographer

NICHOLAS CANGIANO

Nicholas Cangiano has been dancing since 11 years of age. At that young age, Nicholas and his family knew that dance was his passion from the sound of him dancing all around in his bedroom. He has been trained in all types of dance including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, modern, musical theater, contemporary and even gymnastics.

He joined a competitive dance company in 2005 and has since won numerous awards, National Mr. Teen Dance and National Mr. Senior Dance to name a few. He has also taken workshops with many different, well known choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Cris Judd, Dave Scott, Brian Friedman, Tessandra Chavez & Nikki Paramo to name a few. Nicholas has also been taught by Stephen "tWitch" Boss and assisted him when he visited the Chicagoland area.

Nicholas has also trained and competed as a competitive cheerleader in one of the best competitive cheerleading programs in the Midwest. He performed in numerous productions of the Nutcracker, starting out as Clara’s little brother and became the Nutcracker Prince for 5 consecutive years. Nicholas is very passionate for his love of dance and likes to share such passion with his students.

DJANGO ALLEGRETTI

Ballet Instructor

DJANGO ALLEGRETTI

Originally from San Francisco, CA, Mr. Allegretti trained at the San Francisco Ballet School on scholarship for ten years. He studied with Jorge Esquivel, Parrish Maynard, Jeff Lyons and Jean-Yves Esquerre and attended numerous summer intensives including American Ballet Theatre and Ballet Chicago on scholarship. He performed with Ballet Theatre of Maryland as a Principal and was featured as Cavalier and Snow King in the Nutcracker, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, and in Antony Tudor’s Continuo. As a Principal with Manassas Ballet Theatre he performed roles such as Hilarion in Giselle, Cavalier and Snow King in The Nutcracker and the Jester in Cinderella. Since relocating to Chicago he has had the pleasure to work with Chicago Repertory Ballet and Trifecta Dance Collective, performing works by Wade Schaaf, Shannon Alvis, Tenley Dorrill, Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, Krissie Odegard Geye and Carrie Patterson.

DANIEL AGUIRRE

Hip Hop & Breakdancing Instructor & Choreographer

DANIEL AGUIRRE

Daniel Aguirre has been dancing since he was eight! Originally from Chicago, his teaching career started at the young age of 16. Daniel is a very talented animation popper but also knows several other styles in just hip-hop such as tutting and footwork. He has taught all over the Illinois area and has even taught several times at northeastern university, platinum events entertainment company in Northbrook, Southwest Youth Collaborative Company in Chicago, and many other studios scattered around the Illinois area. With that being said he is a talented dance instructor as well as choreographer.

MAURICIO FERNANDEZ

Tap & Ballet Instructor & Choreographer

MAURICIO FERNANDEZ

Mauricio Fernandez is originally from Mexico where he received his early training at Estudio de Danza Antoinette de Puebla. To further his dance education abroad he attended, on full scholarship, the Boston Ballet School, Orlando Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City, Idyllwild Arts Academy and Milwaukee Ballet. He also received full scholarships offers to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), Atlanta Ballet, Ballet Austin, Cornish College, Festival Ballet Theatre of Providence, Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, Nashville Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, National Ballet Academyof Denver and Texas Ballet Theatre.

He has performed with several ballet companies including Compania de Danza Antoinette in Mexico, InlandPacific Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Western Chicago Ballet, Hinsdale Ballet Theatre, Springfield Ballet, Albany Berkshire Ballet and the Kentucky Ballet Theatre. Mauricio's ballet and contemporary repertory includes: The Nutcracker, Snow White, Le Corsaire, La Bayadere, Esmeralda Pas de Six, Romeo and Juliet, Raymonda, Giselle, The Fairy Doll, Dracula, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sylvia, Hansel and Gretel, Don Quixote, The Little Mermaid, Flames of Paris Pas de Duex, Ocean and the Pearls Pas de Trois, Coppelia Pas de Deux, Peasant Pas de Deux, Pas de Quoi and Fading Memories by Patrick Frantz, A Leaving by Stephanie Gilliland, Visioning Desire by Iris Pell, Le Jazz Hot, Calles de Tango, Classics and Cuba by Norbe Risco, Concerto in D by Olivier Munoz, Vampire's Ball by Robert Hill, Divenire and In-Ex by Anna Patsfall, Soiree de Contes and Reminiscence by Roberto Sifontes and Beginnings by Nadia Thompson.

Mauricio is a Tap Gold medalist at Confederacion Inter-Americana de Profesionales de la Danza (CIAD), Intrancefest Tec de Monterrey and received first overall at several international dance competitions. He was a semifinalist in the Spotlight Awards of the Music Center of Los Angeles in 2012 and of the Youth America Grand Prix in 2015. In 2013 Mauricio received the Youth of Mexico Award for his achievements in the arts and has been recognized by AGMA as an Artist of Extraordinary Ability.

He is currently working as a guest dancer, teacher, choreographer, and national dance adjudicator. Mauricio is on faculty with Celebration Talent Convention and Competition, Star Systems, Showbiz Talent Competition and the Impact Dance Adjudicators. Mauricio is excited to move to Chicago and join the faculty at Virtues In Motion.

HUNTAR JONES

Beginner Instructor

HUNTAR JONES

Huntar Jones fell in love with dance at the age of three. By the third grade, she was competing in, and studying numerous styles of dance. She trained in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, and ballet – ballet being her favorite. At age thirteen, Huntar began a Teacher in Training Program and immediately fell in love with teaching. Much of her childhood was spent inside a studio; Huntar lived and breathed dance. For fourteen years of her life, dance was all she knew. Whether in the studio, or on the football field with the Yorkville High School’s Poms team, Huntar was always active. During her sophomore year in high school, Huntar endured a lower back injury that inhibited her from dancing. Huntar let her back rest, and she took some time to strengthen her body and mind in the gym and on the yoga mat. Although she cannot throw herself into dance like she used to, Huntar has rediscovered her passion for dance through teaching.

BRITTANY AMOROSO

Contemporary, Lyrical & Ballet Instructor

BRITTANY AMOROSO

Brittany Amoroso is originally from San Jose, California where she trained with Teen Dance Company of the Bay Area. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara completing her B.F.A. in dance. Upon graduation, she received the Tonia Shimin award for excellence and promise in the field of dance and an honorable mention for her choreography at UCSB. She performed works by Nancy Colahan, José Limon, Austin McCormick, Robert Battle and many more faculty members and students. While residing in Chicago she has apprenticed with Chicago Repertory Ballet, performed as a solo dancer in Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Tannhauser, was a featured dancer in Paramount Theater's production of West Side Story, and most recently performed in Dance For Life with Hanna Brictson and Dancers. She currently freelance performs in a variety of shows and festivals around Chicago. Brittany has found a passion in teaching and is excited to be able to share her love of dance with her students!

ZACH CLARK

Tumbling Instructor

ZACH CLARK

The Tumbling Instructor is responsible for the safety and direct supervision of participants in the program and helps participants learn/improve their gymnastics skills, strength, safety awareness and endurance.

KYLIE ROLFE

Student Intern Instructor

KYLIE ROLFE

Kyie is one of our elite students who has been dancing for 12+ years. Kylie's energy and dedication to dance has been an essential key to her dance success. And now Kylie has the opporutnity to instill her passion into her students.

INSTRUCTORS & CHOREOGRAPHERS

Leandra Groth

ARIANNE RAMIREZ

ALVIN RAMIREZ

SASHA KOZADAYEV

NICHOLAS CANGIANO

DJANGO ALLEGRETTI

DANIEL AGUIRRE

MAURICIO FERNANDEZ

HUNTAR JONES

BRITTANY AMOROSO

ZACH CLARK

KYLIE ROLFE

Dancers are made, not born.