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Emily "ESQ" Anderson, at 16 years of age, is Rehearsal Director of Footprints and an Artistic Director of Footprints II. She has been tapping for 8 years and has trained with Dianne Walker, Teddy Levy, Ayodele Casel, Mike Minery, Jason Samuels, Jimmy Tate, Sarah Cook, and most recently with Savion Glover. Her other interests include acting. Emily is a Student Leader of her sophomore class and is on the varsity pom squad, where she was voted Best Dancer. Emily's most memorable dance experiences include performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and on Broadway. She plans to dance her way through college!
Emily can be reached through e-mail
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Beth "Bunnie" Briggs has been dancing most of her 15 years. She has 9 years of tap, 6 years of jazz, and began studying ballet when she was just 2 years old. Beth danced with Footprints in The Nutcracker On Broadway and counts this as her most memorable dance accomplishment. Outside of dance, Beth loves spending time with her friends and student teaching at Talent Forum. She plans to minor in dance at college some day, but, with her love of dance, perhaps it will become her major! Beth is a Footprints Spirit Coordinator, coordinating activities to promote our special Footprints spirit.
Beth can be reached through e-mail
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Katie has been dancing since the age of 9. She is a founding member of Footprints (1995), and as a result, has shared the stage with many artists. She served as assistant director of Footprints for several years, and also as the founding artistic director of Footprints II. She has taught tap at Talent Forum, Dance Master of Wisconsin, and McDonald Dance Academy's Tap Workshop. In 2000, Katie graduated from Carmel High School in Mundelein where she choreographed for several show choirs and the annual musical. She now attends Hope College in Holland, MI majoring in English/writing and minoring in dance. In addition to performing with Hope's Gospel Choir and Sacred Dance, Katie is a member of InSync Dance Theatre, a professional tap and jazz company in western Michigan.
Katie can be seen performing with InSync year round, and as a guest artist in Crunch! Productions' "Cracker Jack" this December. She can be reached through e-mail or her personal web page
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Monica "Moni" Caraballo is an incredibly busy lady. Not only has she danced for 9 years, but she also participates in basketball, volleyball, softball, track, gymnastics, and choral singing. She loves hanging out with her friends, playing piano and swimming. She performed with Footprints in The Nutcracker On Broadway and has danced in every Talent Forum show the past 9 years. Monica debuted her piece, "La Bomba," co-choreographed with another Footprints member, Beth Briggs, at Tap Jam 2000! Way to go, Moni!
Monica can be reached through e-mail
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She is the founding Artistic Director of Footprints Tap Ensemble, and taught at Talent Forum from the fall of 1994 through the spring of 2000. She was the originator of what is now one of the most highly acclaimed youth ensembles in the nation, and while directing the ensemble, choreographed over 100 works for them. Her choreography was featured at Walt Disney World, the Nutcracker on Broadway, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Dance Chicago, Chicago Human Rhythm Project (JUBA), and many other local performances.
Sarah currently is the founding Artistic Director of Crunch! Productions, a new youth tap ensemble out of Arlington Heights. Watch for their performance of "Cracker Jack", an all-tap Nutcracker story performed to the music of Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller this December.
Sarah currently works at Siemens Building Technologies in Buffalo Grove, where she is part of the Mergers and Acquisitions department. She resides in Grayslake and teaches at studios in Arlington Heights and Deerfield. Sarah also works on putting her vision for Ekklesia Arts International into motion -- an international network of Christians that pursue excellence in the arts.
Sarah began studying tap at the age of 10, and since then, has traveled from coast to coast and internationally, studying with tap masters from all over the world. She has performed alongside Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Mike Minery and numerous others, and has done intensive residencies with Savion Glover, Dianne Walker, Sam Weber, Brenda Bufalino, and Manhattan Tap.
As time permits, she teaches at various workshops, including Dance Revolution, Dance Masters of Wisconsin, and Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She continues to choreograph numerous individual works and shows in the Chicagoland area.
Sarah can also be reached through e-mail or her personal web page, too!!
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Grace "Beanie" Douglass is the youngest member of Footprints, at just 12 years of age. Footprints' piece, "Bugaboo," was choreographed by Grace. Her most memorable dance experience was performing in The Nutcracker On Broadway. Outside of dance, Grace plays the flute in her school band, is a member of her school's student council, and she enjoys traveling with her family and participating in church activities. She recently took master tap classes with Leonard Reed, Prince Spencer and Henry LeTang, and would love to continue dancing her whole life! In her spare time, Grace would like to become a doctor, teacher, or veterinarian. Grace holds the position of Footprints Attendance Clerk.
Grace can be reach through e-mail
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Annie "Figgy" Freyman has been in Footprints for 5 years. She started with the ensemble when she was just 8! She has been dancing for 7 years, studying ballet, tap and jazz. As for other productions, Annie has kept busy playing Clara in The Nutcracker, performing at Footprints' Tap Jams, taking master dance classes, and choreographing new works. Annie choreographed Footprints' piece, "All For You," which debuted at Tap Jam 2000! and was performed at Dance Chicago.She also plays traveling soccer and piano, and enjoys photography. As for the future, Annie plans to dance, dance, dance!
Annie can be reached through e-mail
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Ani "Giggles" Gafka loves performing and takes pride in the fact that she has taken part in so many productions--DanceScapes, The Nutcracker On Broadway, musical theater, summer stock, and North Suburban National Tap Dance Day celebrations. Ani is just 13 years old and loves spending time with her friends and family, photography, soccer, volleyball, and just being a kid! She remembers fondly the moment when she found out she had been accepted into the Footprints "family." Ani plans to continue to finish out her many years of school and "dance, dance, dance till my bones break!"
Ani can be reached through e-mail
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Maggie "Margie" Groner is 17 years of age, has been dancing since the age of 3, and was a member of Footprints for 4 years. Maggie just loves to dance! As proof, she has been a member of her school's pom squad for 3 years, has been in the musical Annie, and danced with Footprints in The Nutcracker On Broadway. In her spare time, Maggie likes to sing, go to the beach, shop, and spend time with her friends and family. When she graduates this spring, Maggie plans to go on to college to major in pediatrics and minor in dance. Sounds like a great combination!
Maggie can be reached throughe-mail
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Kari is 19 years old and is a sophomore at Purdue University where she is majoring in Graphic Design. She mainly enjoys just tap, but has taken jazz and ballet in previous years. Over the summer she is continuing to take tap and hip hop. She has played the flute for 7 years and was in the Libertyville H.S. Concert Band and Marching Band. With the tap company, she has performed many places, including CNADM. She loves to tap and will definitely enjoy it for years to come.
Kari can be seen performing in Crunch! Productions's "Cracker Jack" as a guest artist this December. She can be reached throughe-mail
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Cait "Thirty-four" Jones ('98) is just 14 years old and is entering her fourth year with Footprints. Cait loves all forms of dance and has studied dance since the age of 5 in Dallas, San Francisco, Houston, and now in the Chicago area at Talent Forum. She counts as her most memorable dance experience performing in The Nutcracker On Broadway with Footprints. She recently took classes with master tap dancers Savion Glover and Dianne Walker, and jazz great Gus Giordano. Cait is also a member of Forum Jazz Dance Theatre, a semi-professional ensemble directed by Eddy Ocampo of Giordano's Dance Center Chicago. In her spare time, Cait is the captain of her pom squad, a cheerleader, and a state winner in the 800-meter and 4-by-4 track events. As for the future, Cait plans to dance, and dance some more!
Cait can be reached throughe-mail
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Mary Maureen "M&M" Karstens enters her third year with Footprints and holds the position of a Spirit Coordinator, helping us to celebrate our special Footprints spirit. At age 16, Mary Maureen has proven to love both dance and the theater. She has served as either a make-up artist or dancer/choreographer in her school's productions Grease and Oklahoma and in local talent shows. Her interests outside of dance include pom pons, singing and sign language. Her most memorable dance experiences include, "tapping in the rain for the Macy's Parade and gracing Broadway's stage!" Mary Maureen plans to go to a college where she can major in sign language interpretation and minor in dance.
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Lauren "Superman" Kasdorf ('00 Footprints, "99 Footprints II) is 13 years old and is beginning her second year with Footprints. She has been dancing for 6 years and has performed in the summer stock production of Annie. Lauren is also an athlete, playing basketball and volleyball, and she considers being selected to Footprints Tap Ensemble as her most memorable dance accomplishment. Lauren has taken master tap classes with Savion Glover and Dianne Walker. As for the future, she plans to continue both school and dance, doing a great job at both!
Lauren can be reached through e-mail.
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Kelley Krumtinger 13 years old and in 8th grade at Highland Middle School. She enjoys participating in basketball, volleyball, poms, NJHS, and is also a peer helper and tutor. Outside of school, she began dancing at the age of 4 having studied tap, jazz, ballet, and MTV. Kelley spent 4 years with Footprints. But most of all she loves hangin' out with her great friends and family!
Kelley can be reached through e-mail
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Kristin "Loopy" LaRoi enters her first year as a member of Footprints Tap Ensemble, having been a Footprint II last season. She was a member of the Terpsichore Dance Ensemble (jazz, ballet) before becoming a member of Footprints II. She has also appeared in Coppelia and is a member of the Red Rose Children's Choir of Lake County. Her most memorable dance accomplishment was dancing at Walt Disney World. At just 13, she is already looking toward the future and plans to become a meteorologist or architect. She wants to keep dancing. . . in her spare time!
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Jenny is 21 years old and has been dancing since the age of 5, with tap as her main focus. She attended the Chicago Human Rhythm Project for several years and has studied with such masters as Lane Alexander, Lynn Dally, Jeannie Hill, Van Porter, Idella Reed, Robert Reed, Bruce Stegmann, and Dianne Walker, to name a few. Jenny spent a year with Footprints before going off to college. She soon returned to performing with Footprints, and then directed the company in 2000. While directing Footprints, she also taught classes at Talent Forum, and Dance Academy of Libertyville.
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Jessie is a founding member of Footprints (1995) and spent 4 years with the company. In 1996, she performed in the Dance Chicago Choreographer's Showcase at the Athenaeum Theatre. She has attended many different conventions and Jessie is attending University of Iowa where she continues to study dance.
Jessie can be reached through e-mail
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Kaja is 15 years old, and lives in Antioch. She is a sophomore at Antioch High School, where she currently performs with the poms/dance team. Kaja has been dancing for 13 years, has performed in numerous show and competitions, and spent 3 years in the tap company. She has studied jazz, tap, lyrical, ballet, and much more. Kaja plans to continue dancing for a long time!
Kaja can be reached through e-mail
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Nicole "Lil' Poco" Notaro is completing her second year with Footprints and she is thrilled! She has been taking tap for 5 years, jazz for 4 and ballet for 3 years. She will always remember her Footprints audition and her very first dance recital. Outside of dance, Nicole loves playing the piano, babysitting, playing traveling soccer, playing tennis and horseback riding. Most of all, she loves hanging out with her friends. In college, Nicole plans on studying to become either a vet or a photographer. Maybe even a professional dance career is in her future.
Nicole can be reached through e-mail
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Kelly is 17 years old and is a junior at Warren Township High School. This is her second year on Warren's varsity pom squad. Kelly is in her 13th year of dance, having studied tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, and mtv. (Tap is the only one she has stuck with for all 13 years!). She spent two years with the company, and continues to take classes.
Kelly can be reached through e-mail
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Lisa "Laffy Taffy" Peterson is 13 years old and completed two years with Footprints II before being recently selected as a member of Footprints. She has performed in many Talent Forum shows in the last few years and counts as her most memorable dance accomplishment when she accompanied Footprints Tap Ensemble and danced in The Nutcracker On Broadway. Lisa also enjoys poms, singing, AOL, and hanging out with friends at the movies, mall and pool. She would like to attend the University of Wisconsin and to dance forever! Lisa has studied tap for 8 years and recently choreographed the piece "Remember" for Footprints II.
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Courtney Pry is one of the founding members of Footprints Tap Ensemble (1995). In 1997 she moved to Texas with her family, and we have missed her ever since! She is 18 years old, and has been dancing since the age of 2! She has studied ballet, jazz, tap, modern, mtv, and lyrical. Along with taking classes, she currently teaches tap at Dancers Workshop in Lewisville, TX. Courtney is a senior in high school and is the captain of her dance team. Aside from dance she loves to snow ski, enjoys photography, and spend time with her friends who she considers a second family.
Courtney can be reached through e-mail.
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Amy has been dancing for 17 years, and spent 3 years with Footprints. She is currently taking ballet, jazz, lyrical, and of course, tap. Amy has attended numerous CNADM conventions and summer classes at Gus Giordano's. She traveled to Walt Disney World with Footprints, performed in JUBA!, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project concert series, and returned from college to travel to New York and participate in Tap Jam '99. Amy graduated from Libertyville High School, and is continuing her dancing at University of Iowa.
Amy can be reached through e-mail
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At barely 14, Becca "Chewbecca" Snow is quite an accomplished dancer. She is a Rehearsal Director of Footprints and an Artistic Director of Footprints II. Becca most recently completed an extended tap residency with Dianne Walker and master classes with Savion Glover and Brenda Bufalino. Outside of dance, Becca loves acting and horseback riding. Though she has performed on Broadway and at New York City's famed Cafe 41, Becca counts being accepted into Footprints as her most memorable dance accomplishment. As for future plans, she intends to keep on tapping, but, always ready for anything, Becca says she's "keeping my options open."
Becca can be reached through e-mail
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Natalie "Smyley" Stone was a Footprint II before recently being selected to Footprints Tap Ensemble. She is 13 years old. Natalie also enjoys the musical theater. She danced in The Nutcracker On Broadway with Footprints Tap Ensemble and considers this her most memorable dance accomplishment. Natalie has studied tap dance 5 years, jazz for 3 and ballet for 4 years. She hopes to continue dancing and possibly make it her major in college.
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Stefanie "Elmo" Vollmer is a senior member of Footprints Tap Ensemble, having been in the company for 5 years. At just 14 years old, Stefanie has already counted 10 years of perfect attendance in tap classes. Even so, Stefanie is a very busy young lady outside of dance, as well, being a member of her high school band and their marching showband (percussion), and having a keen interest in computers. She plans to continue dancing and student teaching at Talent Forum all the way through high school. She then hopes to pursue a career in dance, in addition to becoming an actuary.
Stef can be reached through e-mail
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Caitlin "George" Weinstein is 15 years old and has studied both tap and jazz dance for 8 years and ballet for 6. She is a member of her high school pom squad. Caitlin performed with Footprints recently in The Nutcracker On Broadway and at New York City's famed Cafe 41. She counts these as her most memorable dance experiences. Caitlin would like to continue dancing all the way through college!
Caitlin can be reached through e-mail
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Kathryn "Peanut" Young is in her third year with Footprints. Kathryn is 12 years old. She enjoys dancing, singing, reading and swimming. She is also a member of her sixth-grade chorus. Kathryn has studied tap for 6 years, jazz for 2, and has had 7 years of ballet. She is most proud of having made Footprints and plans to "stick with tap until my legs fall off." Whoa, Kathryn!
Kathryn can be reached through e-mail
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