Maria Yallourakis - 2012-2014 Performance Company Lead, Valparaiso High School Vikettes Captain
Raelyn Greene - 2010-2014 Performance Company Lead, Merrillville High School Dance Team
Jessica Hiestand - 2010-2013 Performance Company Lead, Instructor
Kali Yallourakis - 2011-2012 Performance Company Captain, Instructor
Starting in the Fall of 2012, Kali will be attending The Ohio State University and has won a spot on The OSU Dance Team. Kali has been dancing since she was 3 years old. She quickly developed a passion for the art and competitively started at 8 years old with aspirations to become an accomplished dancer, and determination to make that dream a reality. VaNavia Ventura took Kali under her wing at the age of 13. Needless to say, this young coach of 18 demonstrated her ability to turn raw passionate dancers, into refined champions. Kali took flight shortly after VaNavia choreographed her first solo earning the title of Miss Teen Headliner accompanied her 1st place overall award. This is a trend that would continue for two years to follow. The next year, Kali took 1st place overall at every regional competition of the 2009-2010 season starting with Starpower, then Headliners, ending with VIP, again crowned Miss Teen Headliner, and was 1st runner-up for a National Title at VIP in 2009. The 2010-2011 season proved just as successful as the previous, taking 1st place overall at Showstoppers, then moving on to regain her title, Miss Teen Headliner for the third and final time in the Teen division. This year, she has been named Miss Senior SuperTalent, as well as a Dancer of the Year finalist with a chance to compete for a trip to dance in Australia. Additionally, she remains one of many top scoring soloists ( among her talented, phenomenal teammates) at Headliners, Showstoppers, and Starquest. Kali has greatly enjoyed teaching at UDA and loves all of her students dearly. She is so happy to have a job that allows her to share her passion with young ones, helping them to transcend their limits, just as she did. She has has also taken 1st overall, senior soloist at Hollywood Vibe and Nexstar, along with placing in the top 5 at Rainbow Connection, VIP, and Showstopper. Kali has branched off and trained at Xtreme Dance Force in Naperville, also performing in the Choreographers' Ball, Carnival, in Chicago this past May. After Kali graduates, she will continue on to be a member of The Ohio State University Dance Team for the 2012-2013 season. She will greatly miss her teammates, coach, teachers, and parents, along with everyone who has supported her throughout her journey here at UDA. "I have had some of the best memories here, and the bond I have formed with everyone will be something I cherish forever."
Stephanie Bell - 2010-2012 Ballet Program Director
In September 2012, Stephanie auditioned and was cast in a Las Vegas Dance Show.
Stephanie grew up dancing at Rolann's School of the Dance in Longwood, Florida under the direction of Rolann Owens and Rolann Mitchell. Concurrently, she privately trained with Orlando Ballet Theatre principle dancers Zoica Tovar and Andres Estevez as well as former St. Petersburg Ballet dancer Alla Chernova. While at Rolann’s, she won prestigious awards as a group performer and as a soloist, such as Dance Masters of America’s Teen Miss Dance of Florida, Regional Senior Miss Onstage NY, Overall High Score solo at Headliners and numerous scholarships. Stephanie continued her training in college, minoring in Dance at the University of Florida. There she participated in the Limon Dance Company residency,dancing a prominent role in Jose Limon’s “A Choreographic Offering." In the summer of 2007, Stephanie was cast in Music Theatre Bavaria’s musical theatre revue at the Simsee Pier and at the Ballhaus in Rosenheim. In August of 2011, Stephanie studied at Complexions Contemporary Ballet under the direction of Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden; at Broadway Dance Center; and at STEPS Dance Center, NY. Stephanie currently resides in Chicago where she continues her dance training at Lou Conte dance Studio and studies and performs improve comedy at the Second City Training Center. Since starting at UDA, Stephanie has become even more passionate about teaching dance. The spirit and ambition of the students at the studio has made teaching a privilege rather than a job. She would like to thank both Melina and Dimitri for giving her the opportunity to teach their wonderfully talented dancers.
Stephanie grew up dancing at Rolann's School of the Dance in Longwood, Florida under the direction of Rolann Owens and Rolann Mitchell. Concurrently, she privately trained with Orlando Ballet Theatre principle dancers Zoica Tovar and Andres Estevez as well as former St. Petersburg Ballet dancer Alla Chernova. While at Rolann’s, she won prestigious awards as a group performer and as a soloist, such as Dance Masters of America’s Teen Miss Dance of Florida, Regional Senior Miss Onstage NY, Overall High Score solo at Headliners and numerous scholarships. Stephanie continued her training in college, minoring in Dance at the University of Florida. There she participated in the Limon Dance Company residency,dancing a prominent role in Jose Limon’s “A Choreographic Offering." In the summer of 2007, Stephanie was cast in Music Theatre Bavaria’s musical theatre revue at the Simsee Pier and at the Ballhaus in Rosenheim. In August of 2011, Stephanie studied at Complexions Contemporary Ballet under the direction of Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden; at Broadway Dance Center; and at STEPS Dance Center, NY. Stephanie currently resides in Chicago where she continues her dance training at Lou Conte dance Studio and studies and performs improve comedy at the Second City Training Center. Since starting at UDA, Stephanie has become even more passionate about teaching dance. The spirit and ambition of the students at the studio has made teaching a privilege rather than a job. She would like to thank both Melina and Dimitri for giving her the opportunity to teach their wonderfully talented dancers.