LUCIANA REZENDEOwner and Program Director
Ballet Instructor |
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Meet the Dance Instructors
Urbana Fine Arts Center 2021
TANYA PICARD
Intermediate & Advanced Tap |
ALEXIS MILLER
Ballet & Private Coaching |
JADE O'CONNOR
Ballet & Private Coaching |
MEGAN DAVIS
Jazz & Stretch |
JASMINE O'CONNOR
Children's Ballet & Hip Hop |
OLIVIA DRANE
Ballet |
ASHLEY THOPIAH
Balle and Private Coaching |
COURTNEY DUNCAN
Contemporary and Stability |
CAROLINE THIES
Ballet, Floor Barre & Musical Theatre |
ILANA COHEN
Children's Tap |
ANNA GINSBURG-SULLIVAN
Teacher in Training |
GUEST TEACHERS
Master Classes, Summer Intensive & Workshops |
Luciana Rezende
Owner/Program Director and Ballet Instructor
A former professional ballet dancer, Luciana Rezende studied under the tutelage of internationally respected teachers, as Sulamith Messerer, Elena Kunikova, Martin Putke, Giselle Santoro and Eugenia Feudorova. After finishing her degree at the University of Brasilia (Brazil), Ms. Rezende came to the US on a full scholarship granted by the Joffrey Ballet School (NY).
As a dancer, she has performed principal roles for several ballet companies in Brazil and in the US.
Ms. Rezende has been teaching classical ballet for over twenty years in the Champaign-Urbana area, and guesting with dance schools in the Midwest. As a ballet director, she has staged full-length ballets and conducted ballet classes for students age 2 to adult, levels beginner to professional.
Ms. Rezende has privately coached students to successfully medal at international ballet competitions.
Luciana Rezende also directs the ballet program for the Montessori School of Champaign-Urbana and is as guest teacher for the Faubourg Ballet Theatre (Chicago, IL) and Central Illinois Ballet (Peoria, IL).
As a dancer, she has performed principal roles for several ballet companies in Brazil and in the US.
Ms. Rezende has been teaching classical ballet for over twenty years in the Champaign-Urbana area, and guesting with dance schools in the Midwest. As a ballet director, she has staged full-length ballets and conducted ballet classes for students age 2 to adult, levels beginner to professional.
Ms. Rezende has privately coached students to successfully medal at international ballet competitions.
Luciana Rezende also directs the ballet program for the Montessori School of Champaign-Urbana and is as guest teacher for the Faubourg Ballet Theatre (Chicago, IL) and Central Illinois Ballet (Peoria, IL).
Tanya Picard
Intermediate and Advanced Tap
Tanya Picard is a master teacher and choreographer from the Chicago area. She began dancing at the age of five, and has studied at Gus Giordano Dance in Chicago; modern at the Martha Graham Dance Center in New York; tap with Bob Audy and Charles “Cookie” Cook in New York, as well as Lane Alexander and Chicago Human Rhythm Project in Chicago; and jazz with dance legend Luigi. She currently teaches workshops in Luigi Technique both locally and elsewhere in the U.S. Tanya did her graduate work in directing at the University of Minnesota and served as the Artistic Director of Pasticcio Dance Ensemble and Danza, both contemporary companies. While in Minneapolis, she also worked as a choreographer for the Renaissance Faires in Chicago and Boston, creating the original “Gypsy Dancers.” Her academic area is dance history, with a particular interest in early 20th century dance. She was delighted to discover Jennifer Sprowl’s classes in Isadora Duncan technique at the Joffrey Ballet, and has been studying with Jennifer ever since and is active in Duncan Dance Chicago. Beginning in 2011, Tanya has created unique pieces that fuse text, tap, modern, jazz dance, and music that have been presented at the Spurlock Museum at the University of Illinois. She is an active participant in Chicago Human Rhythm Project and studies and works with renowned tap dancer Jimmy Payne, Jr., who has created several pieces for Impulse Tap Ensemble. Her favorite quote is, “To dance, put your hand over your heart and listen to the sound of your soul.”
Alexis Miller
Ballet and Private Coaching
Alexis Miller, a native of central Illinois, has been dancing since the age of 4. Her training includes the Joffrey Ballet School, Columbia College Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she received her BFA in Dance. There she trained in all styles of dance offered and worked with choreographers, such as Kendra Portier, Charlie Maybee, and Endalyn Taylor. She also trained with Giordano Dance Chicago, Broadway Dance Center, and the Radio City Rockettes. She earned her MA in Liberal Studies from Rutgers University, where she pursued creative writing and combining her passion for the arts and education. As a dance educator, she became a Teacher’s Assistant at UIUC, was the Assistant Choreographer to Rebecca Nettl-Fiol for Champaign Urbana Theatre Comapany’s production of “Annie” and has taught with Urbana Fine Arts Center, coaching students for YAGP in the classical, contemporary, and ensemble categories.
Jade O'Connor
Ballet and Contemporary Dance Private Coaching
Jade O'Connor has been dancing for 16 years. She began training with Luciana Rezende and Christine Rich at the Christine Rich Dance Studio. Jade has training in ballet, jazz, acrobatics as well as 8 years of tap. Through this she also developed a love for choreographing.
A piece she choreographed was featured in the Dance Chicago Festival twice in 2016. She has also choreographed several pieces for the Youth America Grand Prix competition.
Jade has won 4 national medals in competitions with NAACP ACT-SO and most recently won the gold and silver medals respectively in Ballet and Contemporary Dance at the 2019 Afro-Academic Cultural Technological Sci. Olympics.
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance as a first year student at the University of Illinois with a focus on modern technique. She hopes to continue to teach after a professional career in dancing and choreographing.
Jade O'Connor is the choreographer for most of the contemporary pieces performed by the Urbana Fine Arts Center students in the YAGP and other events. She is currently teaching ballet, as well as privately coaching advanced level students for internationals scholarship competitions.
A piece she choreographed was featured in the Dance Chicago Festival twice in 2016. She has also choreographed several pieces for the Youth America Grand Prix competition.
Jade has won 4 national medals in competitions with NAACP ACT-SO and most recently won the gold and silver medals respectively in Ballet and Contemporary Dance at the 2019 Afro-Academic Cultural Technological Sci. Olympics.
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance as a first year student at the University of Illinois with a focus on modern technique. She hopes to continue to teach after a professional career in dancing and choreographing.
Jade O'Connor is the choreographer for most of the contemporary pieces performed by the Urbana Fine Arts Center students in the YAGP and other events. She is currently teaching ballet, as well as privately coaching advanced level students for internationals scholarship competitions.
Megan Davis
Jazz and Tap
Megan Davis started dancing in Austin, TX studying with Tri-Tone (under Tasha Lawson) and Tapestry Dance Company (under Acia Gray). In 2013, she moved to Chicago to pursue her dance and STEM career, earning a M.S. in pure mathematics in 2017. While studying, she was privileged to perform with MADD Rhythms (under Bril Barrett), Tapman Productions (under Tristan Bruns), and Stone Soup Rhythms (under director Lane Alexander and artist in residence Daniel Borak). Most recently, she performed in “Rhythm ISS… Returns!”, “MADD Rhythms: A Journey of the Dance Through Music”, and at various events for Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World Tap and Percussive Arts Festival. She debuted her choreography through Audible Odyssey’s artist in resonance program in “Persist: Tap Dance Made by Women”. In 2017 she was one of 25 dancers chosen to participate in the Jacob’s Pillow summer tap program directed by Michelle Dorrance and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards. Her choreography has been presented at Navy Pier through the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Rhythm World Tap and Percussive Arts Festival and MADD Rhythms Chicago Tap Summit.
Jasmine O'Connor
Children's Classes: Ballet, Tap and Hip Hop
Jasmine O’Connor began her dance training at Christine Rich Studio at the age of 2. She has been trained intensively in ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop by teachers with extensive knowledge and experience in the professional field of dance.
Through her 14 years of training she has developed a love for all dance styles as well as teaching.
She has previous involvement conducting activities for children of all ages at the Urbana Fine Arts Center Summer Program as well as in various events held by different organizations in the Champaign-Urbana area.
Through her 14 years of training she has developed a love for all dance styles as well as teaching.
She has previous involvement conducting activities for children of all ages at the Urbana Fine Arts Center Summer Program as well as in various events held by different organizations in the Champaign-Urbana area.
Olivia Drane
Ballet
Olivia Drane started her dance training at age 3 at CRS, Savoy, IL, under tutelage of Ms. Christine Rich and Ms. Luciana Rezende. She trained in ballet, jazz, acrobatics, and hip hop. At the age of 11, Olivia began to focus on ballet, under the direction of Ms. Rebekah Von Rathoyni, in Peoria, IL. Olivia was offered a trainee position with Central Illinois Ballet, a professional ballet company based in Peoria, IL. This opportunity facilitated performing alongside professional artists, including a tour to Dallas, TX, where she performed with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. She also participated in many outreaches within the local community.
Olivia has performed at numerous of international ballet competitions where she received training from some of the world’s most renowned dance teachers.
Olivia currently teaches ballet and coaches students in ballet and contemporary dance at Urbana Fine Arts Center.
Olivia has performed at numerous of international ballet competitions where she received training from some of the world’s most renowned dance teachers.
Olivia currently teaches ballet and coaches students in ballet and contemporary dance at Urbana Fine Arts Center.
Ashley Thopiah
Ballet, Stretch and Private Coaching
Ashley Thopiah began her dance training at the Christine rich Studio Dance Academy and continued on to earn her BFA in Dance Performance from Butler University. She has experience in classical ballets and contemporary works including corps roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Cinderella, and George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments. She has also been selected to perform principle roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and La Bayadère. She has competed in The Youth American Grand Prix, performed at Dance Chicago, and has spent her summers training at Bolshoi Ballet Academy, State Street Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. As a choreographer, Ashley has set work on students at Butler University, which has been performed both nationally and internationally. Ashley’s choreography blends both modern and Bharatanatyam, a form of classical Indian dance, to express two distinct but intertwined aspects of her identity. Ashley is currently a professional dancer with the Oakland Ballet Company.
Courtney Duncan
Contemporary and Stability
Courtney Duncan has 17 years of dance training including classical ballet, jazz, contemporary dance and hip-hop.
She was a dance student, a member of the Junior Company and an Assistant Teacher at the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Dance School, WA. She also studied at the Irina Makkai Classical Ballet & Dance School, IL.
Ms. Duncan was a student and Director Assistant at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, where she studied Classical Ballet with Patrick Simionello and Natalie Rast Studied Jazz Dance with Randy Duncan Studied Martha Graham Modern with Deborah Goodman.
She has vast experience working with children and teenagers and setting up program for extracurricular activities.
Ms. Duncan is currently at the University of Illinois pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science – Technical Systems Management Certificates in Environmental Sustainability and Technology Entrepreneurship Minors in Computer Engineering and Mathematics.
She was a dance student, a member of the Junior Company and an Assistant Teacher at the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Dance School, WA. She also studied at the Irina Makkai Classical Ballet & Dance School, IL.
Ms. Duncan was a student and Director Assistant at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, where she studied Classical Ballet with Patrick Simionello and Natalie Rast Studied Jazz Dance with Randy Duncan Studied Martha Graham Modern with Deborah Goodman.
She has vast experience working with children and teenagers and setting up program for extracurricular activities.
Ms. Duncan is currently at the University of Illinois pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science – Technical Systems Management Certificates in Environmental Sustainability and Technology Entrepreneurship Minors in Computer Engineering and Mathematics.
Caroline Thies
Children's Ballet and Summer Camp
Caroline Thies has been dancing at Urbana Fine Arts Center for 4 years and finds the art of dance and her time at the studio to be a life-giving experience. She is grateful for the opportunity to share this love with students. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, crafting, and spending time with her family. She will begin her senior year at Urbana High School in the fall and then plans to study child and developmental psychology at a four-year university.”
Ilana Cohen
Childrens' Tap
Ilana Aguiar Cohen began her dance training at age three at the Champaign Park District Dance Arts Program. At the age of seven, she transferred and continued her ballet training at Champaign Ballet Academy, where she also became a dancer with their affiliated CU Ballet Company. As part of the company, she performed in The Nutcracker at the Krannert Center for nine years, as well as in Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and La Bayadère. Ilana has also participated in eight summer student ballet productions both as a dancer and later as a crew member and choreographer. In 2020, she was the producer and editor for the first-ever virtual ballet production of Winnie the Pooh.
Throughout her years of dancing, Ilana has been an assistant ballet teacher and has loved getting to share the art of dance with others. In 2021, she transferred to Urbana Fine Arts Center to continue her training as a dancer and teacher. Ilana enjoys and values a variety of dance forms, and in addition to ballet, she practices tap dance with Tanya Picard and Israeli Folkdance. She loves school, and in her free time she enjoys photography, creating short films, painting, and playing piano.
Ilana is currently a senior at University Laboratory High School. She feels grateful for all the amazing opportunities and very much looks forward to further growing as a dancer, teacher, and community member at Urbana Fine Arts Center.
Throughout her years of dancing, Ilana has been an assistant ballet teacher and has loved getting to share the art of dance with others. In 2021, she transferred to Urbana Fine Arts Center to continue her training as a dancer and teacher. Ilana enjoys and values a variety of dance forms, and in addition to ballet, she practices tap dance with Tanya Picard and Israeli Folkdance. She loves school, and in her free time she enjoys photography, creating short films, painting, and playing piano.
Ilana is currently a senior at University Laboratory High School. She feels grateful for all the amazing opportunities and very much looks forward to further growing as a dancer, teacher, and community member at Urbana Fine Arts Center.
Anna Ginsburg-Sullivan
Teacher in Training
Anna Ginsburg-Sullivan has been training with Luciana Rezende since the age of 10. She has had the opportunity to take classes with internationally renowned teachers such as Watmora Casey and Valorie Lantratov. She has also had the honor of taking contemporary classes with the company members of Philadanco and Mark Morris Dance Center. Anna participated in the Youth American Grand Prix in 2021 and 2022 performing classical and contemporary choreographies.
Anna has a love for acting and performing. She started performing in plays in musicals when she was six. She has participated and starred in performances at Class Act Champaign, directed by Jackie Lowenstine. Recently, she was cast in plays at Urbana High School directed by Alyssa Pavlakis and Jennifer Heaton.
Anna also prides herself on her academic abilities. She has received a lettermen’s letter for academic achievements at Urbana High School. She is currently applying to be a member of National Honors Society, a program dedicated to supporting the academic and leadership skills of high school students nationwide.
Since she was 13, Anna has assisted teaching ballet classes. She is currently a Teacher in Training at Urbana Fine Arts Center.
Anna has a love for acting and performing. She started performing in plays in musicals when she was six. She has participated and starred in performances at Class Act Champaign, directed by Jackie Lowenstine. Recently, she was cast in plays at Urbana High School directed by Alyssa Pavlakis and Jennifer Heaton.
Anna also prides herself on her academic abilities. She has received a lettermen’s letter for academic achievements at Urbana High School. She is currently applying to be a member of National Honors Society, a program dedicated to supporting the academic and leadership skills of high school students nationwide.
Since she was 13, Anna has assisted teaching ballet classes. She is currently a Teacher in Training at Urbana Fine Arts Center.
Dance Program and Classes
The focus of our programs is the student. All classes, recitals and activities are aimed towards the technical and artistic development of each student. Professional artists are often invited to participate in our events, sharing their knowledge and talents to enhance our artistic productions and allow our students to have the experience they need to stay inspired and motivated.
Children's ProgramOur Children's Program was developed to provide classes where children get exposure to dance in a nurturing environment.
Although classes are structured, creativity is encouraged, while they improve their gross and fine motor skills. We offer classes for children age 2 and above. |
Pre Professional Ballet PogramOur Pre Professional Ballet Program is designed for students that desire more hours of practice, more performance opportunities, or want to engage themselves in international ballet competitions. Children over 10 years of age may enroll in this program, after taking a placement class.
This ballet program is based on the Vaganova Syllabus, which is the method taught at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, in St. Petersburg. This method is nowadays used worldwide by teachers and schools of ballet that commit to high quality ballet education and to the preparation of professional ballet dancers, teachers and choreographers. Since the pre professional ballet program's classes are focused on the technical and artistic development of our students, rehearsals for our performances are done in a separate time, free of charge. |
Adult ClassesOur Adult Dance Classes are open to beginners, dancers with some ballet experience and advanced level ballet dancers that seek to take classes after experiencing time off dance for any reason. Ballet technique is taught according to the general needs of the group and expectations vary on an individual basis.
Stretch, Floor Barre, Yoga Dance and Contemporary Dance are open to adult beginners. Tap and Jazz classes are also open to adults depending on previous dance experience. |
Workshops and Master Classes
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We offer workshops and master classes throughout the year, conducted by internationally renowned teachers.
Performance and Recitals
We have one recital per year, usually during the first weekend of June.
All dance classes of our children's program and pre-professional program participate in the recital.
Student's participation is not mandatory.
Click here for recital images.
All dance classes of our children's program and pre-professional program participate in the recital.
Student's participation is not mandatory.
Click here for recital images.
Due to COVID-19, our 2021 recital will be changed to a video recording project.
We also provide other performance opportunities for students in the pre-professional program during the year, including scholarship competitions.
Summer
Summer CampsFor children ages 6 to 12 we offer a summer intensive (camp) with full day and half day options. Our summer schedule is flexible to accommodate the needs of families that travel during the summer and prefer not to commit to a full summer enrollment.
Our surroundings have beautiful landscaped grounds where our students can enjoy the outside during morning snack, lunch and other outdoor activities. Indoor classes are stretch, ballet, multicultural dance, dance & art history for children, world art workshop, world music & songs and multicultural presentations. |
Summer IntensivesFor students ages 9 and older with in the pre-professional program we offer ballet summer intensives with internationally renowned teachers.
Ballet technique, pointe, variation and character dance are some of the classes included in the summer intensives. |
Evening ClassesWe enhance our summer by offering with jazz, tap and hip-hop, besides the regular evening classes that are part of our children´s program, pre-professional ballet program and adult dance program.
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Testimonials
“Educators in every sense of the word.
Nurturing, professional and high, yet realistic expectations for every child. We have been so happy with our first experience here!”
(Abby Crull)
Nurturing, professional and high, yet realistic expectations for every child. We have been so happy with our first experience here!”
(Abby Crull)
"I love the atmosphere of the studio! My daughter is shy, and all of her instructors have been great at easing her into ballet. Now, a few months later she loves ballet! Not to mention all of the great friends she’s met in her classes."
(Janna Bundy)
(Janna Bundy)
"They not only treat the little ones with care and respect but us old birds too! I feel so welcome and comfortable here. not only has UFAC been good to me but the ballet itself has started to correct areas of severe back/hip pain. I am very proud to be a student here."
(Candice Sarver)
(Candice Sarver)
"The studio has very high standards for their dancers so that they can grow and thrive, yet they are loving, genuine, compassionate, very diverse, and very accepting. Celebrating all body types and backgrounds is very important to me, and this dance studio gets it!"
(Elizabeth Sptiropoulos).
(Elizabeth Sptiropoulos).