Rachel Benzing (she/her), a native of South Elgin, IL, began her dance training at Copeland Dance Academy and continued her dance education studying at Joel Hall Dance Center, Visceral Dance Center, the American Rhythm Center, and as a member of Xtreme Dance Force. Her dance career has led her to learn from and perform for many great teachers and choreographers such as Sarah Burney, Brooke Pierotti, Tony Tzar, Laura Edwards, Lane Alexander, Lillian Barbeito, Rosalynde LeBlanc Loo, Sarah Savelli, and many more proficient teachers from diverse backgrounds and styles.
Rachel graduated from Loyola Marymount University (2014) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance and a Bachelor’s Degree in History, where she was able to work with professional dance artists such as Lillian Barbeito (BODYTRAFFIC), Barak Marshall, Tony Czar, and Rosalynde LeBlanc (Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company). She choreographed numerous works, one of which was featured at the American College Dance Festival (2014). Rachel is a graduate of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance where she received a Master of Fine Arts Degree (2016) in Dance: Creative Practice and was able to pursue a performance art-based creative process.
Rachel has performed on stage in the Chicago Human Rhythm Project Rhythm World Festival with the reunion of the all-female tap ensemble Rhythm ISS (2018) and performed with M.A.D.D. Rhythms in “A Journey Of The Dance Through Rhythm” (2019) and award-winning tap ensemble Tapman Productions original work “What It’s Like To Be Human” (2019).
Rachel currently teaches in the Chicagoland area and choreographs for dance studios and competition teams around the country. Her work has won numerous awards for Choreography, Entertainment, Creative Concept, and Overall Presentation, and has been chosen as a contending nominee for the Industry Dance Awards (2022). She is an Adjunct Faculty member of the College of DuPage Dance Program where she teaches Jazz and Tap. Rachel is also a writer for SeeChicagoDance.com, writing reviews of professional dance performances in the greater Chicago area.
