WORKSHOPS
Join my upcoming classes and workshops
FALL 2025 CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Location: Wilmette Park District Dance Studios (3000 Glenview Rd, Wilmette, IL 60091)
CLASS: TUESDAY 7:00–8:45 p.m.
Adv/Pro Contemporary Improvisation & Combination (Traditional)
Focus: Eko (Jana's Neuroplasticity Improv Technique) + European/American Style Contemporary Combinations
Session: September 2, 2025 - October 28, 2025 (8 Weeks)
No Class on Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Ages: 13+
CLASS: WEDNESDAY 7:00–8:45 p.m.
Adv/Pro Contemporary Improvisation & Combination (Theatrical)
Focus: Contemporary Storytelling, Theatricality, Musical Theater/Movie-Inspired and Expressive Improvisation
Session: September 3, 2025 - October 29, 2025 (8 Weeks)
No Class on Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Ages: 13+
CLASS: TUESDAY 6:30–7:00 p.m.
NeuroTools for Dancers
Brain-Body Conditioning based on Debra Vogel’s Aligned
Session: September 2, 2025 - October 28, 2025 (8 Weeks) | No Class on Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Ages: 13+
Step into the future of dance training with this cutting-edge brain-body conditioning class rooted in applied neurology and movement science. Developed in collaboration with my mentor Debra Vogel and based on her innovative Aligned app, this class explores how brain function directly influences dance performance. We will dive into the visual, vestibular, proprioceptive, and respiratory systems, learning how each relates to mobility, stability, coordination, and injury prevention.
You will learn to assess and train your brain with targeted drills, breathing techniques, and sensory work designed to optimize your body's responsiveness, reduce compensation patterns, and unlock your movement potential. This is not just cross-training, it is performance reprogramming. I am honored to be among the first teachers nationwide to offer this work in the studio setting, and I cannot wait to share its transformative power with you.
Whether you are a seasoned dancer or new to neuro-based training, this class will expand your understanding of dance technique from the inside out and give you tools that can make an immediate difference both on and off the dance floor.
CLASS: TUESDAY 7:00–8:45 p.m.
Adv/Pro Contemporary Improvisation & Combination (Traditional)
Focus: Eko (Jana's Neuroplasticity Improv Technique) + European/American Style Contemporary Combinations
Session: September 2, 2025 - October 28, 2025 (8 Weeks) | No Class on Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Ages: 13+
This is my signature contemporary class, the one that sold out every season at Skunkworks and became a favorite among advanced and pre-professional dancers for good reason. It is a full-bodied, full-hearted class that blends improvisation, performance artistry, and powerhouse contemporary combinations.
The first part of class is rooted in my original improvisation method: Eko, a neuroplasticity-based approach to improvisation that integrates brain-body connection, sensory responsiveness, and cognitive flexibility. Through Eko structures and movement scores, dancers build adaptability, deepen their self-awareness, and cultivate their unique artistic voice.
After this, we move into open improvisation, where dancers get the chance to integrate and assess the impact of the Eko training on their movement choices and expressivity.
And finally, we dance. Each class culminates in a bold, highly physical, emotionally rich combination inspired by contemporary performance vocabularies from across the American and European professional concert dance scenes. Fast, athletic, nuanced, and musical, these phrases push dancers to embody technique, presence, and heart at a high level.
This Tuesday class is a completely different experience from Wednesday’s theatrical storytelling-focused session. Dancers are encouraged to take both classes to gain the full breadth of training and artistic growth offered this fall.
CLASS: WEDNESDAY 7:00–8:45 p.m.
Adv/Pro Contemporary Improvisation & Combination (Theatrical)
Focus: Contemporary Storytelling, Theatricality, Musical Theater/Movie-Inspired and Expressive Improvisation
Session: September 3, 2025 - October 29, 2025 (8 Weeks) | No Class on Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Ages: 13+
This is a brand-new class I am incredibly excited to debut this fall, an evolution of what I have been calling Contemporary Theater, born out of experimental sessions with advanced collegiate and post-grad dancers this summer. Their response was overwhelming: “You have to teach this more.” So, here we are.
This class is all about storytelling through movement. It is designed to help advanced and pre-professional dancers develop a resonant, emotionally expressive artistic voice. One that goes beyond a sea of disconnected movement, and instead, connects deeply with audiences through intention, clarity, and meaning.
We will explore improvisational structures, tasks, and scores that center narrative, theatricality, and emotional authenticity. Dancers will learn how to speak with movement and channel stories through physical choices. Each session includes a period of open improvisation to integrate these ideas and reflect on how they are shifting your presence and performance in real time.
Class always concludes with a bold, expressive combination that draws inspiration from musical theater, film scores, dramatic monologues, and narrative dance forms, but is interpreted fully through the lens of advanced contemporary dance technique. Expect echoes of Fosse, jazz, and cinematic drama woven into powerful, contemporary phrasework.
This class is entirely different from the Tuesday traditional, contemporary-focused session and offers an entirely new creative and technical pathway. Dancers are strongly encouraged to take both classes for a full-spectrum experience.
Note: While this class is theatrical in nature, it is not a traditional musical theater or acting class. This is a contemporary dance class, approached from a choreographic, conceptual, and professional dance performance perspective.
WORKSHOP: FRIDAY 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Intermediate Contemporary Workshop: Improvisation & Combination
A joyful, high-energy workshop that helps young dancers explore creativity, technique, and expressive movement through my signature Eko Improvisation method and powerhouse combinations.
Workshop Dates: September 5, 12 & 19
Ages: 9-12
This three-week mini-series brings the joy, energy, and creativity of my most popular Skunkworks class to a limited-time workshop experience for intermediate dancers ages 9–12.
Rooted in my original Eko (neuroplasticity-inspired) technique, each session will guide dancers through playful improvisation structures, open improv exploration, and an expressive contemporary combination inspired by professional company work, tailored specifically for intermediate dancers in a fast-paced and empowering format.
This is a rare opportunity for younger dancers to train with me in a focused and inspiring setting, with new material each week. If you are looking to build confidence, artistic voice, and technique in a short amount of time, this workshop is for you!
WORKSHOP: FRIDAY 6:00–7:15 p.m.
Conditioning & Cross-Training for Dancers Workshop
Build strength, control, and mobility, plus take home three personalized, pro-designed training programs to keep forever.
Workshop Dates: September 5, 12 & 19
Ages: 13+
This limited three-week workshop delivers targeted, dancer-specific cross-training like you have never experienced before.
Each session begins with a brief NeuroTools warm-up to activate brain-body connection. From there, dancers will dive into focused training based on trunk stability, intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), and full-body resistance exercises to support extensions, jumps, turns, and alignment.
You will leave each session not just stronger, but smarter. Each dancer will receive a take-home printout of that day's full training plan, designed and created by me, so you can continue the work long after the workshop ends. These programs are part of my signature conditioning approach and can be used for years to come.
This is a powerful opportunity to build performance capacity and gain practical tools you can carry with you into class, rehearsal, and the stage.
WORKSHOP: FRIDAY 7:15-9:00 p.m.
Contemporary Technique Workshop: Pirouettes & Jumps
An intensive lab to rewire your turns, power up your jumps, and finally break through your technique plateau.
Workshop Dates: September 5, 12 & 19
Ages: 13+
This immersive 1.75-hour workshop series is for dancers ready to break through blocks and take their pirouettes and jumps to the next level.
We will use my background in dance science, anatomy, conditioning, and neuroplasticity to help dancers understand how the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems impact turn and jump technique. You will train smarter, not just harder, with innovative drills and tools that challenge how you approach balance, momentum, and lift.
The final portion of each session will apply that technical work to full-bodied contemporary technical moments that mirror real-world choreography challenges: off-center pirouettes, directional changes, floor-to-air transitions, and more.
Dancers will leave this workshop series with greater confidence, new skills, and a deeper understanding of how to train their body and brain for consistent performance.
