About Us
Artistry is a dance studio and home to the Artistry pre-professional competitive dance company.
At Artistry, we strive to be a versatile, innovative dance organization that will provide each individual
the opportunity to fight for excellence and enjoy the journey along the way.
Our mission is to offer high-quality dance instruction in a positive, supportive environment led by caring, professional instructors. At Artistry, we aim to foster confidence, discipline, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the art of dance.
We inspire dancers to push their boundaries, trust their voices, and embrace the courage it takes to grow—because we believe that Art. Is. Try.
Faculty
Jo Ashton
OWNER/DIRECTOR
Jo Ashton is the founder and Artistic Director of Artistry Dance & Company, where she has led with passion and purpose for the past eight years. Under her direction, Artistry has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious National NRG Award from NRG Dance Project. Her students have gone on to dance with nationally recognized collegiate programs and have achieved success as national titleholders and scholarship recipients across the competitive circuit.
Jo’s love for dance began at the age of four, when her parents enrolled her in classes in the Chicagoland area. She trained extensively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. Jo studied under Russian ballet masters Avnun Yakubov and Watmora Casey and performed in Yakubov’s Paquita, sharing the stage with members of the Kirov Ballet. She also danced notable roles in The Nutcracker with Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, including Snow and Waltz of the Flowers demi-soloist, and Reed Flutes.
As a teen, Jo danced with Faubourg Ballet Theatre, Midwest Movement under Ted Jackson, and later with Perseverance Dance Company under Melissa Ridgway. She was recognized with numerous awards and scholarships, including Dancer of the Year at both LA Dance Magic and West Coast Dance Explosion.
Jo pursued her professional dance career in Los Angeles, training at EDGE Performing Arts Center, The Performing Arts Center, and Millennium Dance Complex. She was represented by Clear Talent Group and performed throughout Southern California as a Kit Kat Girl dancer. She holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from California State University, Northridge.
Returning to Illinois after college, Jo founded Artistry Dance & Company to fulfill her long-term dream of mentoring the next generation of dancers. She remains deeply committed to creating a training environment that challenges, inspires, and empowers each student to reach their fullest potential.
LisaMarie Woody
Acro & Skills
LisaMarie Woody is a powerhouse in the dance and entertainment industry — a revered educator, award-winning choreographer, seasoned performer, and former professional model whose dynamic career spans over three decades. Known nationwide as the “Queen of Acro and Technique,” she has become a transformational force for competitive dancers, guiding them to national titles, elite programs, and lifelong confidence.
LisaMarie is the founder of Elements Technique, a premier online coaching platform delivering elite private instruction, group training, and choreography to competitive dancers across the country. Her unique approach blends technical mastery with genuine mentorship, creating well-rounded, resilient performers ready to shine in any arena. LisaMarie’s journey began in the San Francisco Bay Area at Studio S Broadway and evolved into a distinguished pre-professional career. She became a member — and later Assistant Director and Choreographer — of the nationally recognized Dance Connection of Palo Alto. At just fourteen, she made history as the youngest-ever member of the Foothill Repertory Company under Bubba Gong. Her training includes prestigious programs like The Juilliard School, San Francisco Ballet School, and The Edge Performing Arts Center, with mentorships under legends such as Debbie Allen, Savion Glover, Mia Michaels, and Joe Tremaine. Her professional credits span television, film, live stage, and music videos, alongside a successful modeling career in commercial, print, and runway work. As an educator, she specializes in Acro, Jazz, Ballet, Tap, and Musical Theater, and holds certifications in both Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique. LisaMarie’s students have gone on to win top national titles — including Dancer of the Year — and earn acceptance into elite institutions like Juilliard, NYU, USC, UCLA, and Chapman. She is also a passionate early childhood educator, having launched the acclaimed Parent & Me dance and arts program for the City of San Francisco’s Parks and Recreation Department. After undergoing a double total hip replacement, LisaMarie returned to the studio with even greater fire — driven by her core philosophy of Positive Passion: the belief that the discipline of dance can forge strength, self-belief, and resilience that lasts a lifetime. Beyond the studio, LisaMarie holds a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and is a published author whose voice uplifts and inspires. Her journey is one of grit, grace, and growth — and her influence continues to shape the next generation of dancers, artists, and educators with every step, spin, and leap.
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​A Chicago native, Sara Swenson, fell in love with classical ballet at the Performing Arts of
Spring Grove. Her training included many summers with The Joffrey Ballet, Orlando Ballet, and
BalletMet. Sara was offered a position in BalletMet’s inaugural Pre-Professional Program where
she was able to enhance her dance education by studying Dance History, Music Theory, Ballet
Pedagogy, and Kinesiology. After completing BalletMet’s Pre-Professional Program, she
returned to Chicago as a scholarship recipient to the Lou Conte Dance Studio under the direction of Claire Bataille. Sara’s professional credits include appearing as a backup dancer for Beyoncé on the final Oprah Winfrey show, performing as a solo dancer in the Chicago Lyric Opera’s production of Rinaldo, dancing for the Big Muddy Dance Company in St. Louis, dancing for Nomi Dance Company where she performed in Dance for Life at the Auditorium Theatre, and
dancing for Still Inspired Dance Company. Ms. Swenson was recently certified in Progressing
Ballet and Contemporary Techniques and loves to share her knowledge and passion with her
students.
Sara Swenson
Ballet and Pointe Instructor
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Danielle grew up in the suburbs of Chicago where she began training in various styles of dance
at the young age of two. During this time she fell in love with jazz and contemporary dance,
pursuing that passion in the competitive circuit with Perseverance Dance Company. Danielle
later studied at The University of Minnesota as a BFA dance major, and then at Lou Conte
Dance Studio as a work/study student. Danielle has studied with and performed works by Sonya
Tayeh, Dee Caspery, Lizzie Mackenzie, Laura Kariotis, Jessica Deahr, Monique Haley, and
more. She was a guest artist with Culture Shock Dance Chicago, assistant to the choreographer
& dancer in the premiere of "Still Life with Drumming" alongside Visceral Dance Company, a
dancer in the 'on water production' of "Fantasmagorie," a guest artist with Chicago Dance Crash
in their premiere of "Bricklayers of Oz," and a former company member of Nomi Dance Chicago.
Danielle danced and modeled for the monthly Figure Drawing workshop at Water Street Studios
in Batavia, IL, and was featured as KC Magazine's artist of the month in July 2024, highlighting
her voice and impact as a local artist.
Danielle has spent 14 years training dancers in various genres and choreographing exceptional
competitive and academy works throughout the midwest. Her teaching career has focused
primarily on jazz technique & skills, training dancers at studios such as Dance Arts Center
(Wisconsin), Dance Xplosion, Center Stage/Aspire (Bloomingdale), Midwest Edge Dance
Academy, Xtreme Dance Studio, and more. Danielle singlehandedly designed a thorough
curriculum for jazz tech, ballet, and strength, stretch and conditioning for Elevate Dance
Academy in 2022. Through the years, her passion for understanding body mechanics and
functioning has honed her skill to transform dancers into top tier athletes. Danielle’s teaching
philosophy is that dancers are capable of anything when well educated about their body’s
mechanics and dedicated to the training required to optimize its functioning. She is currently a
lead educator and rehearsal director at Artistry Dance & Co where she’s expanded her teaching
repertoire, training dancers in contemporary ballet, creative movement, improvisation, and
phrasework. Danielle freelances as a master instructor and guest choreographer at various
studios and conventions throughout the midwest. She served as resident choreographer for
Marlowe Middle School's annual musical production for nine consecutive years, and enjoys
judging in the regional competitive circuit seasonally.
Danielle is a 500hr RYA certified Yoga Instructor, passionate about teaching mindfulness,
somatic awareness, and body restoration with the goal of improving the mental, physical, and
emotional health of all dance artists and communities. She was the creator and host of
AltDanceExpo, a podcast promoting conscious leadership in the dance community, elevating the
stories of dancers, dance makers, and dance educators who break barriers, carving their own
paths and careers from the seeds of their passions and purpose. Danielle takes her role as
leader, teacher, and choreographer to young artists very seriously, utilizing her position to
motivate, empower and nurture dancers during their most formative years. Her gift for guiding
young artists has not gone unnoticed, as she never ceases polishing her craft–committed to
growing as an artist, leader and force within the dance community, always.
Danielle Wilson
Ballet and Pointe Instructor Technique, Contemporary, Ballet
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Isabel was enrolled in dance at the age of 3. As she got older, her passion for dance grew, and she continued to train in many styles including: Tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical / contemporary, musical theater, poms, and tumbling. She was introduced to the competition world at the age of 13, and began taking hip hop classes at the age of 14. She has spent the last 5 years focusing on building her hip hop foundation. She has trained under instructors such as Nicki Niemet, Chris Zarate, Keenan Morales, Annie Franklin, and Karlo and Angelina Familara. Her most recent team at Steps Dance Center called Funk Effect achieved many awards during their 2017/2018 season including: 3rd place at World of Dance Chicago, 2nd place at Prelude Midwest, and many 1st places, as well as choreography awards throughout the season. Isabel is very excited to be involved with a Chicago dance company, as well as get the opportunity to teach at Artistry this season.
Isabel Colado
Hip Hop Instructor
Guest Choreographers
Mallauri Esquibel-Hansen
GUEST TEACHER & CHOREOGRAPHER
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Mallauri Esquibel-Hansen, a native to Colorado, moved to LA at 17 and quickly made a name for herself. Mallauri's film/TV credits include LaLa Land, High School Musical 1,2,3, Frozen, Fame, Valley Girls, Behind the Candelabra, Princess and the Frog, Dancing with the Stars, Gilmore Girls, The Academy Awards, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Bunheads, House, Bones, Vegas, The Mindy Project, CSI, The Grammy's, 2008 Beijing Olympics, Billboard Music Awards and much much more. Broadway and stage credits include: Taylor Swift's RED tour, Shaping Sound, Wonderland, Twyla Tharp's Come Fly Away and more. Mallauri has worked with many artists including Florence and the Machine, Camilla Cabello, Joss Stone, The Gypsy Kings, Jordin Sparks and Paula Abdul. Mallauri was named "The Commercial Ballerina" by Dance Spirit magazine as well as the magazine's cover model. Mallauri currently travels the country with NRG Dance Project. Artistry is beyond thrilled to have Mallauri with us this summer.
Tiffany Krause
GUEST TEACHER & CHOREOGRAPHER
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Originally from Dundee, Michigan, Tiffany attended Columbia Chicago College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Teaching and Public Relations. After graduation, she received an internship with Thodos Dance Chicago and made her professional debut performance at the Harris Theater in “A Light In The Dark” choreographed by Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos. After her experience working with Reinking, Tiffany realized her passion for musical theater. Her regional credits include On The Town (Marriott Theater), West Side Story (Paramount Theater), and Wonderful Town (Goodman Theater) where she became a member of the Actor’s Equity Association. As for commercial work, Tiffany was a featured dancer in the Indian Bollywood film Dhoom 3, and has performed with global brands, such as T Mobile and McDonalds. Throughout her training experience, she was fortunate to attend many remarkable programs with Hubbard Street Dance Company, River North Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, and American Ballet Theater. She has received many awards and scholarships from various dance conventions and toured as an assistant with LA Dance Magic Convention at the age of 17. Along with being an active performer, Tiffany has been noted as an up and coming choreographer of the Chicago area. She was nominated twice as a featured artist for InAside Dance Chicago’s Choreographic Sponsorship Event, where she presented her works “Embrace Against Time” (2014) and “Those Left Behind” (2015). Last year, she was chosen as the Featured Bravo Choreographer for the Dancewerks National Werkshop, where she presented her work “Read Between the Lines.” Tiffany has choreographed many award-winning pieces within the competitive dance scene. As a performer, choreographer, and instructor, Tiffany is driven to craft, mentor, and inspire the next generation of dancers with the knowledge that she has gained throughout her diverse dance career and help them lead a healthy and enthusiastic passion for dance artistry.
Lacey Schwimmer
GUEST TEACHER & CHOREOGRAPHER
Lacey Schwimmer is perhaps best known for her success as a finalist on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance (season 3) and as one of the most popular professional dancers on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars for six consecutive seasons. Lacey has choreography and artistic direction credits on DWTS, Strictly Come Dancing, and So You Think You Can Dance. Other choreography credits include Las Vegas shows, Frankie Moreno Live and Pin Up starring playmate Claire Sinclair, as well as Holland America’s Dancing with the Stars at Sea and Lions Gate’s Dancing with the Stars workout DVD. She has worked with Grammy award-winning artists such as Christina Aguilera, Nikki Minaj, LMFAO, One Republic, Reba McEntire, One Republic, Backstreet Boys, and New Kids On The Block. Lacey is currently on staff with NRG DanceProject and also owns her own Ballroom Convention, The Ballroom Project.
Nathan Lopez
GUEST TEACHER & CHOREOGRAPHER
Originally from the Chicagoland area, Nathan Lopez is a passionate choreographer who radiates confidence in his work. He explores the idea of dance being an idealistic, yet abstract reaction to the everyday life around us. Nathan received his BFA in Dance from AMDA College & Conservatory of the Performing Arts in 2021. The intensive training and professional level mentorship Nathan has experienced has impacted his knowledge in the craft greatly. Nathan has been very grateful to have had many live stage/film opportunities. He has worked with "Sweet but Psycho" singer Ava Max as a dancer in her music video. Nathan has also choreographed for grammy nominated artist K.Flay. Nathan is a resident teacher at the prestigious Orange County School of the Arts. He is very passionate about setting students up for success in the dance industry.
Chris Zarate
GUEST TEACHER & CHOREOGRAPHER
Former director of Work In Progress, Chris first honed his performance skills working with DJ Too Kool opening the B96 BBash amoung other performances. Chris and built his technical foundations under the guidance of Karlo Familiara and Suave at Hip Hop Connxion, Angelina Grima and Karlo Familiara at Design and a variety of instructors with The Puzzle League and the Chicago Onyx Dance Alliance (CODA). In 2013, Chris and The Puzzle League won 1st place at World Of Dance.
Today, as Director of City Nation Studios, Chris enjoys sharing his experience with a new generation as they embark on their journeys through the world of dance.
Emma Bradley
GUEST TEACHER & CHOREOGRAPHER
Emma grew up and trained at Buffa’s Dance Studio where she fell in love with dance and the power that movement has to transform lives – as it has hers, and for which she is truly grateful. Emma is a tours the country with NRG Dance Project as a faculty member and judge.She apprenticed with Conteur Dance Company in Toronto, Canada and has had the privilege of teaching and choreographing throughout the United States, Australia and Canada including NRG Australia’s 5 city tour of Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne. The past three years she has taught and judged at Australian Dance Festival in Sydney, Australia. Aside from dance, Emma is Fluid Yoga Certified and holds a Graphic and Digital Design Certification through The Parsons School. Emma was named by Dance Spirit Magazine as one of the top 15 competition dancers to watch, was a Cover Model Runner-Up and was featured in their “Flying Solo” article about her choreography. Her training includes American Ballet Theater, The Kirov Academy of Ballet, Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet 360, BodyTraffic and Sidra Bell Dance New York. Performance experience/work includes Conteur’s “Fill in the Blanks” at The Winchester Street Theater in Toronto; Industry in Sydney, Australia; Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet 360 and 180 Installations directed by Alexandra Damiani; Capezio 125th Anniversary Gala at City Center in NYC; Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles; Bright Lights Shining Stars Gala at Skirball Center in NYC.
LOCATION
Our two studios:
146 S Western Ave, Carpentersville, IL 60110
198 S Western Ave, Carpentersville, IL 60110
PHONE
1-630-740-4922