Meet Our Faculty

Amber (Alonzo) Saraceno – Owner & Artistic Director

Amber has been inspiring dancers in the community for over fifteen years. Her kindness, outgoing teaching style, and patience with dancers of all levels have made her one of the most sought-after teachers in the Chicago land area. Amber’s versatility and ability to teach all ages and styles is a true testament to her natural gift of teaching. In 2009, Amber founded Expression Dance Studio in Westmont, IL and is the proud director of the Expression Dance Company. Her outstanding work and choreography has been awarded at numerous competitions on the regional and national level. She continues to share her passion for tap dancing with her students and enjoys inspiring them to share her love for this style of dance. In 2017 Amber was excited to join the Special Olympics of Illinois by becoming a certified training site for Rhythmic Gymnastics. She also helped create the ground break, first ever Unified Rhythmic Gymnastics performance team. They recently performed on Soldier Field during the 50th Anniversary of Special Olympics. Her goal is to share love and happiness through dance in an inclusive environment at her studio. Amber feels very fortunate for having the privilege to live her dream and encourage dancers to express themselves through the arts.

Alexa Mudd– Ballet and Tap

Alexa started dancing when she was just 3 years old and began competing with Aspirations Dance Company by the time she was 8 years old. She has trained in numerous styles: jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, and lyrical – but focused mainly on contemporary. She has been awarded scholarships at conventions such as Adrenaline Dance and various competition awards such as winning the Starbound National Grand Champion award with her team. She finished her last few years competing at EDS and loved every second of being there! She is currently finishing up nursing school at Chamberlain University and she is so grateful to be back at EDS, sharing her passion for dance with others!

Amanda Dexl - Expression Dance Faculty-min

Amanda Dexl– Jazz, Lyrical & Technique

Amanda grew up as a competitive dancer in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She has trained in all styles of dance from a young age. Amanda has had the opportunity to perform on TV shows and industry events, some of which include America’s Got Talent, Capezio Ace Awards, and Nigel Lythgoe’s Dizzy Feet Gala. Immediately after high school, she moved to Los Angeles and lived there for two years working as a professional dancer.

She is fortunate to work with some of LA’s top choreographers, such as Matt Steffanina, and also appeared in a music video for the K-pop artist, Shin. She regularly danced in the newest show in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. Amanda danced on the University of Minnesota dance team her junior year of college.

Aside from dancing, Amanda teaches and choreographs award-winning routines for studios and dance teams throughout the entire Midwest. Amanda emphasizes the importance of hard work, dedication, and passion. She hopes to train, challenge, and inspire dancers to follow their dreams.

Ambrielle Barker – Acrobatic Arts & Lyrical

Ambrielle began her dance training in the Chicagoland area at the age of 5 and began dancing competitively at age 9 training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater and hip hop. In 2013, Ambrielle continued her dance training with pre-professional contemporary dance company The Kate Jablonski Statement, of which she was a member for 3 seasons. Ambrielle graduated from North Central College in 2017 with a B.A. in psychology, but soon found that her true passion was teaching dance! Upon graduation, Ambrielle followed a long-time dream and participated in the Disney College Program as a character performer, but returned to the Chicagoland area to continue to teach.

Ambrielle began her acrobatics training in 2018 with Acrobatic Arts, an internationally recognized acro dance syllabus focusing on flexibility, strength, limbering, balancing, and tumbling. She completed her training in summer 2021 and is fully certified in Acrobatic Arts through the 8 levels and 3 pre-professional levels. Ambrielle is inspired every day by her students, and is very passionate in helping each and every one of them become the best dancer they can be!

Angela Savaglio – Contemporary, Jazz & Technique

Angela Savaglio grew up in Addison, Illinois and began her technical dance training at the age of three. She started at Gotta Dance Studio working intensely with Michele Broviak and Rhonda Lofendo. Angela is trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap and hip-hop. She has traveled both regionally and nationally, receiving five Starpower Victory Cups from 2007-2011 with Xtreme Dance Force. Her expertise in dance has allowed her to work with many choreographers such as Jesse Lee Santos, Brooke Pierotti, Chris Jacobsen, Marinda Davis, Melody Lacayanga, TOKYO, Bryan Tanaka, David Moore, NappyTabs, Laura Edwards and many more top LA choreographers. Angela was also a dancer on a professional contemporary dance company, for two years in Chicago. Angela has choreographed and directed for award winning studios such as Xtreme Dance Force, Dance Xplosion and The Dynasty. She has traveled throughout the United States choreographing for other national award winning dance companies. Her unique style of has won numerous awards such as choreography and entertainment awards along with two National Victory Cups. Angela enjoys sharing her vast knowledge with young dancers who share her same passion for dance.

Ashley Stortz– Creative Movement, Jazz, Lyrical, & Tap

Ashley has been dancing since the age of 2 training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, tap, musical theatre, and hip hop. She has competed and performed throughout the Chicagoland area. She studied at a local studio in Bolingbrook, IL as well as trained with the Joel Hall Dance Center. As a competitor, she has won several awards and was chosen for many scholarships at various conventions.

Throughout high school, Ashley was apart of the Varsity Pom Squad later becoming captain of the squad her senior year. After high school Ashley went on to Chamberlain College of Nursing and earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Throughout, she continued her love for dance by teaching various classes as well choreographing for competitive companies throughout Chicago.

As a choreographer her awards just keep coming with Outstanding Choreography, Amazing Story Telling, Musicality Awards, and First Place overalls. With over 10 years of teaching and choreography under her belt Ashley drives to push and inspire each of her students not only through dance but life as well.

Autumn (Broviak) Douglas – Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical & Technique

Autumn began her training at Gotta Dance Studio in Addison, Illinois and was a member of the Starlite Dance Company for 12 years. She also has trained and competed with Midwest Movement, under the direction of Ted Jackson, and Xtreme Dance Force, under the direction of Sam Renzetti. As a competitor, she has won over 20 overall first place high score awards at Regional and National levels. She has also won numerous titles for her award-winning solo performance such as Miss Starpower, Miss Starquest, Distinguished Peformer, and Dancer of the Year. As a choreographer her awards just keep coming with Most Entertaining, Top Choreography Awards, Costume Awards, and First Place overalls Autumn’s training, in jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, pointe, hip hop and musical theater, has been with instructors such as Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Ray Leeper, Matt Cady, Dee Caspary, Tabatha and Napoleon, Travis Wall, Sonya Tayeh, Tokyo, and Justin Giles just to name a few. In addition, Autumn is a professional model which includes print and runway work. She has been seen various commercials such as McDonalds and her face has been seen in numerous ads across the nation. Autumn is currently working for ZZAZZ Productions where she has the title of Dancer/Model. Not only does she model the latest fashions and trends but she also dances her way through fashion down the runway. Autumn has also done similar work for the John Paul Mitchell hair shows. You can also see Autumn as a principle dancer in Grammy Nominee Steve Aoki’s first music video titled Ooh featuring Rob Roy.

Carrie Nicastro Ruiz

Carrie Nicastro Ruiz is a Chicago-based professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She spent her early years studying the Cecchetti Ballet syllabus, and continued training on work/study at Visceral Dance Center, on full scholarship at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, and at the University of Iowa (BA in Dance/Psychology). Company credits include: Thodos Dance Chicago, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre, Hedwig Dances, Level Dance, and Hanna Brictson & Dancers. Teaching credits include: Academy of Dance Arts (Faculty), and Steps Dance Center (Contemporary/Modern Program Director, Company Director). Carrie has also been an adjudicator for World Class Talent Experience and is currently traveling around the country adjudicating for VIP Dance. She has received numerous awards for her choreography and has been honored twice by the Industry Dance Awards (2015, 2019). You can also spot Carrie in the New York Times Bestseller, “Dancers Among Us”, and in the October 2018 issue of Dance Spirit Magazine, where she is featured in the article, “Poetry in Motion”. Carrie loves sharing her knowledge and passion for dance with the next generation, and is excited to work with the dancers of Expression Dance Studio!

Case Prime – Tap

Case Prime originally from the Adirondack Mountains of New York, started his professional tap dance career with Chicago Tap Theatre in 2018, under the direction of Mark Yonnally. He soon started taking classes from Starinah Dixon and Bril Barrett at MADD Rhythms, and after two years at CTT, started as an apprentice with MADD. That same year, Case had the opportunity to work with Jumaane Taylor in his work-in-progress Ugly Flavors. In 2021, Case was honored to be chosen to attend The School at Jacob’s Pillow’s Tap Dance program and was made company member at MADD Rhythms. Case continues to be a student of the dance and is excited to share what he’s learned so far with the students at Expression Dance Studio.

Daryl Barnes – Ballet

At age 5, Daryl Barnes started training in all styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop throughout the Chicago suburbs.

She took part in intensives with top commercial choreographers in addition to a long career in competitive dance. She trained consistently with Avnun Yakubov (Moscow Ballet Theater- Russia) and trained at the Joffrey Ballet Chicago after being selected as a children’s cast member Joffrey Nutcracker in 2006.

Daryl had an extensive competitive dance career, and trained under Gil Mata, Zachary Heller, Sarah Burney, Sam & JC Renzetti, Alvin Ramirez, and Jacquie (Tietz) Renzetti. She had the opportunity to work with several professional dancers and industry choreographers including, but not limited to, Jennifer Grapes, Darren McIntyre, Karl von Rabenau, Laura Edwards, Matt Cady, Jesse Santos, and David Moore. Ms. Barnes decided to exclusively study ballet and contemporary at age 16 under the wing of Jennifer Grapes (of Milwaukee Ballet) and competed both classical and contemporary works in Youth America Grand Prix in 2013.

Ms. Barnes graduated from Butler University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet Performance in May of 2017 Cum Laude and with Honors from the Jordan College of the Arts Department of Dance.
She’s performed as Choleric in George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments in addition to numerous lead roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Paquita, and Les Sylphides. Ms. Barnes has originated roles in various contemporary works by Susan McGuire, Derek Reid, and Cynthia Pratt.

Ms. Barnes performed in and contributed choreography to the Indianapolis StreamLines Project, a Multimillion-dollar art and science collaboration with The National Science Foundation and Butler University for environmental awareness and education. In May of 2016, Ms. Barnes toured with the Butler Ballet, taught modern classes, and performed original contemporary works throughout Poland, Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

Ms. Barnes attended the LINES Ballet Summer Intensive in 2018, and recently performed as a Company Trainee with Charlottesville Ballet in the 2018-2019 season. Upon Returning to Chicago in 2019, Ms. Barnes performed in RAWartists Chicago under the direction of Melissa Lobes.

Daryl Barnes has an extensive teaching background with all ages & levels in the Chicago Suburbs in ballet, pointe, classical variations, private instruction, and contemporary dance. Daryl was commissioned by DeForest Dance Academy in December 2019 to create and direct “Clara’s Dream”- a brand new production of The Nutcracker made for young suburban families to enjoy. She is CPR and CDC Heads-Up certified, and earned her 200 Hour Yoga certification in 2017. Ms. Barnes is newly certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), a cross training program for dancers.

Amber “Destiny” Whaley

Amber “Destiny” Whaley started her dance career at the age of 2 years old. She started competing at the age of 5. She began assisting dance classes at the age of 13. Amber attended Montini Catholic High School and became the first African American to compete on the Broncettes dance team. She was a part of the Broncettes state champion team for 3 years straight. Her senior year, she started teaching dance classes. Once she graduated from Montini, she attended College of Dupage and received her Associates of Arts and Certified Nursing Assistant Certification. She also was a part of the dance showcases at College of Dupage. Amber has been a recreational and competition dance teacher for 10 years. She teaches Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical. Amber has had multiple competition routines that have won special awards and overall placements. In addition to dance, she has also taught Poms and Gymnastics at a park district for 3 years. Amber also coached the Varsity and Junior Varsity poms/dance team at Glenbard East High School for 3 years, where she was the first African American head JV dance coach. Amber has enjoyed teaching dance and looks forward to sharing her knowledge, skills and passion at Expressions Dance Studio.

Emerald Whaley – Creative Movement, Ballet, Jazz, Tap

Emerald Whaley grew up in Lombard, Illinois and began her dance career at the age of 3 years old at Aspirations Dance Company. Emerald is trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap and hip-hop. As her journey of dance continued, Emerald took part in the award winning dance team at Montini Catholic High School. Throughout her competitive career, she has won numerous solo titles, championships, and more. Emerald’s bubbly and strong personality is integrated in her teaching style which allows her students to respect her while easily connecting with her.

Gianna Pulia – Costumes

Hannah Dziura – Unified and Special Olympics

Hannah grew up dancing at Lively Arts Dance Academy and Thrive Center for Dance, training in ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. She was captain of Lyons Township Varsity Poms, captain of BOOM BOX! Dance Company, member of BOOM CRACK! Dance Company, and a member of the Eurythmic Dance Company. Hannah’s obsession with dance followed her to college where she graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May of 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in Physical Therapy. Collegiate performance credits include Charlie Maybee’s The Promise of Stormy Weather and the Lyric Theatre @ Illinois production of Crazy for You, directed by Sarah Wigley. During her senior year of college, Hannah danced and choreographed with 3Spot Dance Troupe. Upon graduation, Hannah opened a virtual dance studio, Dance with Miss Hannah, where she taught themed dance classes via Zoom. Hannah is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Midwestern University in Downers Grove. Through her future career, she wishes to make dance a vital priority within the sciences by educating young dancers on the importance of well-rounded dance instruction and prioritizing their body’s wellness as well as continue her work with dancers of all abilities. Hannah is a proud member of Outlet Dance Company where she continues to perform and train in multiple dance styles. Hannah is thrilled to join the faculty at Expression Dance Studio!

Jamie Alonzo – Office

Jana Fix – Office Manager

Jana graduated from Miami University (OH) with a degree in Business/Economics and had a career in IT Consulting and Project Management before leaving the workforce to raise her 3 daughters. She has been involved with EDS as a parent since it opened in 2009 – her middle daughter, Ella, was one of the founding members of Expression Dance Company at age 6 – and her youngest daughter, Abby, took the very first Express Start class on the first day the studio opened. Jana became involved as an employee in 2010, taking over all of the studio billing and company administration and her role has grown from there. Her daughters are now teenagers but are still actively involved in Expression Dance Company. You can find Jana at the front desk during the daytime classes, at all the recitals and competitions supporting her girls, and even on stage at recital with her Adult Tap class! She is thankful to Miss Amber for this amazing studio that her children have grown up in and for the chance to be so involved. EDS really is “Where Family and Dance go Hand in Hand”!

Jess Daniels – Creative Movement, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Office

Jess Daniels comes to Expression Dance Studio with over a decade of teaching experience in the Chicagoland area. She started dancing at age 4 and hasn’t stopped since. She graduated from Elmhurst College in 2012 with a degree in dance and was the poms captain during her time there. At Elmhurst, she was heavily involved in the dance company and was the first teaching assistant in the dance program. Jess quickly realized her passion was teaching. After graduation, she taught at local studios and was accepted into the MFA program for dance at University of Northern Colorado. She also performed professionally in LA, Nashville, and Chicago. Jess’ positive energy makes her classes fun and her goal is for her students to always feel encouraged and empowered! She is so excited to join the EDS family!!

Luke Douglas – Hip Hop

Luke Douglas is a hip hop master who competed and performed with Xtreme Dance Force, America’s Best Dance Crew Finalist, since 2007. His accomplishments include opening act for Soulja boy 2008, opening act at the Flamingo in Las Vegas 2008, performance at Miss Illinois Pageant 2009 and 2010, and years of competing regionally and nationally. He continues to perform professionally as well as instructing at competitive studios. His Awards include over 100 top scoring performances and 3 time “World Victory Cup Dance Champion”. Luke was selected by master choreographers to tour nationally with “Dance Caravan,” training dancers across the United States. He won the title of “Solo Free Style Dance Champion 2009” in Chicago. Luke’s background includes strong technical training in hip hop, jazz, and ballet with world renowned instructors as Samuel Renzetti, Blake McGrath, Matt Caddy, Jesse Santos, Brian Freidman, Lori Ann Gibson, Tokyo, and Mia Michaels just to name a few. He has also trained in many different styles of ballroom. His choreography is cutting edge and fresh making his competitive routines receive top honors including entertainment and choreography awards. Luke’s classes are full of high energy yet disciplined.

Michelle Balsamo – Hip Hop, Jazz & Technique

Michelle Balsamo began dancing at three years old. She danced competitively until the age of eighteen and studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip-hop and contemporary. From the age of eighteen and on she has been teaching and choreographing pieces for competitive dancers. Her work has been awarded many 1st places at national competitions, as well as choreography awards. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2017 with a Bachelors of Art in dance. She studied modern techniques, ballet, West African, jazz, hip-hop and improvisation under the Columbia faculty. Through Columbia’s Repertoire Performance Workshop Michelle had the opportunity to work with and perform the choreography of Carrie Hanson, Thomas DeFrantz, and Vershawn Ward. She has also performed the works of Gil Mata, Cameron Mathe, Alvin Ramirez, Matt Pilalis, Julian Carmolinga, and Dionna Pridgeon at the Carnival Choreographer’s Ball in Chicago. She hopes to continue training, teaching, and performing in all different styles and work with new artists and students in the future.

Matt Pumanes – Guest Choreographer

Matt Pumanes is the artistic director of Chicago’s “Piecemakers” and “The Puzzle League”. Since 2010, Matt has led The Puzzle League to numerous dance championships including World of Dance, Prelude, and Chapkis’ Collaboration. He has earned many scholarships from Debbie Reynolds, Millennium Dance Complex, Urban Jamm, and Monsters of Hip Hop. Some credits include The Luvabulls, ABC7 New Years, and Jennifer Hudson. Currently, Matt teaches weekly classes at The Puzzle Box Dance Studio and travels across the US to share his craft!

Star Dixon – Tap

Star Dixon is an assistant director, choreographer, and original principal dancer of world-renowned tap company, MADD Rhythms.

She has taught and performed at the most distinguished tap festivals in the country including The L.A. Tap Fest, DC Tap Fest, RIFF Dallas, Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World, and MADD Rhythms own Chicago Tap Summit. She’s taught and performed internationally in Poland, Japan, and Brazil to name a few.

Outside of MADD Rhythms, she’s performed as a guest with such companies as Michelle Dorrance’s Dorrance Dance and as apart of Savion Glover’s All Funk’d Up. Star is currently on staff at numerous dance studios, schools, and a teen arts program called After School Matters.

Sydney Morgan – Creative Movement, Jazz, Tap

Sydney started dancing at age 2, and has been dancing at Expression Dance Studio since 2015. She has been competing with the Expression Dance Studio company for 7 years and is trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theatre, and lyrical/contemporary. Throughout her competitive career, Sydney has won numerous solo titles and dancer of the year awards along with scholarships and Honored Dancer Nominee awards. Sydney has trained under top notch choreographers such as Chris Jacobsen, Matt Pumanes, Star Dixon, Amber Saraceno, and many others. She is also a member of Eurythmics Dance Company where she has experience choreographing group numbers. Sydney started assisting summer camps last year, and has in class experience assisting and teaching for a wide variety of styles and levels. Sydney is so incredibly grateful to be a member of Expression Dance Studio and to be welcomed onto the staff. She is beyond excited to share her passion for dance and is eager to inspire her students!

Trevor Loritz – Guest Choreographer

Trevor Loritz was born and raised in Green Bay, WI and grew up dancing at Barb’s Centre for Dance. He also 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.

Tanner Boyer – Combo Class

Tanner graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelors in Fine Arts in Dance. Since then he has danced with contemporary company Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, and Chicago Jazz company Giordano Dance Chicago. He has performed with Royal Caribbean Productions as a professional dancer and aerialist, performing for audiences in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and North America. During this time Tanner was part of the original cast for “Showgirl” and “Effectors.” Tanner now dances in the world famous cabaret Moulin Rouge in Paris France for the show “Ferrie.”

Tanner has made a name for himself during his time at the University of Arizona as the leader for choreography and creativity in his undergraduate class. He choreographed ten works for the University of Arizona Stevie Eller stage, both for faculty and student shows. Tanner Boyer’s choreography has premiered both nationally and internationally and has been invited to prestigious ceremonies such as the University of Arizona college of fine arts graduation convocation. He has also received numerous awards for his choreography such as the Celebrity Create choreography competition first place winner and the U of A college of fine arts creative achievement award. Tanner has taught at well known studios such as Extensions Dance Co and Visceral Dance Center in Chicago. He also is a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of sports medicine.