Meet Our Team
Cheryl Veglio
Owner/Director
Christina Bies
Instructor |
Kristen Bruns
Instructor |
Julie Connley
Instructor |
Kimmy Matas
Instructor |
Colleen Panega
Instructor |
Jennifer Krisch
Guest Instructor |
Bios
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Cheryl Veglio: Owner/DirectorCheryl has been in and around the dance community for over 30 years, and has been the owner of Creative Dance Center for 19 years. Prior to that, she was in the business sector.
Cheryl was introduced to the dance world when her daughters, Christina and Jennifer, were very young. She became actively involved as a dance parent, and became familiar with all of the various forms of dance, competitive and performance based. After the studio her daughters were attending closed, Cheryl wanted a better dance education for her daughters. With the help of several dance instructors, Creative Dance Center opened it's doors in 2003. Cheryl has been the operator ever since. Cheryl is very proud of the legacy Creative Dance Center has created over the years. They have had dancers compete and perform at numerous and well known conventions and competitions such as: Starbound, the Pulse on Tour, Tremaine Dance, The Groove - both regional and national, League of Champions, Kids Artistic Revue (KAR), and Dupree Dance just to name a few; each time receiving platinum and high gold awards. Several dancers have also been recognized for outstanding awards during competitions and conventions. Recently, Cheryl has been enthusiastic about planning out-of-studio opportunities for the four dance companies; including the Dance the World event in Orlando, FL, various dance events in New York and San Diego, the Groove Nationals 2021 competition in Milwaukee, WI, and the Groove Nationals 2022 competition in Myrtle Beach, SC. |
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Christina Bies: Instructor
She danced throughout junior high and high school, at both private studios and park districts. After dancing at Creative Dance Center for a few years, she became an assistant teacher, and began working with some of the younger students; teaching them the basics of ballet, tap, and jazz. When she went away to college to earn her bachelor of Arts degree at Millikin University, Christina continued dancing with Millikin's dance team. After she returned home from college she went back to Creative Dance. She began taking several classes, and was soon teaching a few of her own. She is now in charge of the Senior Elite Company, and says she loves choreographing for her senior dancers for competitions and recitals. Throughout her dancing career, Christina has attended numerous conventions and has danced under the direction of Mia Michaels, Dave Scott, Chris Judd, and Wade Robson. |
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Kristen Bruns: Instructor
Miss Kristen has a BA in education with a minor in dance from Western Illinois University. While at W.I.U she spend 4 years as a member of the University dance company (modern) as well as the dance line (Hip Hop). She has had the privilege to train with wonderful teachers including Gary Flannery (orginial Fosse dancer), Michelle Plescia (Royal Ballet), & Tanya Praird. As of June 2018, Kristen was also certified in the teaching of junior, senior and advanced programs by Progressing Ballet Technique. Kristen also recently completed her 200 hour yoga teaching certification with the Yoga Alliance through Edge School of the Arts in Naperville. Miss Kristen is married and a very proud mother to 4 boys: Cameron , Payton , Devin , and Logan. |
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Julie Connley: Instructor
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Kimmy Matas: Instructor
In high school, Kimmy was on her school’s varsity dance team where she competed at State, as well as Nationals each year. Kimmy helped choreograph competition routines for this team, and was named All Conference her senior year through IHSA. Kimmy attended North Central College and was a member of the Cardinal Dance Company where she performed and choreographed for their showcase each year. As a junior, Kimmy was nominated to the company’s executive board, and as a senior led the company as President. Kimmy graduated Cum Laude from North Central in 2017 with her BA in Elementary Education. Currently, Miss Kimmy is an elementary school teacher and is still dancing and training with an adult contemporary company. Miss Kimmy loves working with all ages of dancers, and is thrilled to share her passion and knowledge with all of her students! |
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Colleen Clark-Panega : Instructor
Miss Colleen has been involved with the dance world for over 40 years and has worked in almost every role, from instructor to director to owner. She has extensive jazz, and tap training and specializes in all levels of ballet. She has received her masters in Instruction and Curriculum from National Lewis University as well as a bachelors' of Science in Education from University of St. Francis. She began teaching at the Beverly Art Center in Chicago as an instructor and specialized in Creative Movement, tap, jazz, and pre ballet. After that she opened her own studio, The Longwood Dance Studio in Chicago and not only operated the studio but also taught various classes and was the Company Director for her high school students. She has also worked at the Village of Orland Park as an instructor and company director for the middle and high school students, the boys only program, tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, and the adult program for ballet, tap, and jazz. |
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Jennifer Krisch: Guest Instructor
Jennifer’s energetic personality pairs well teaching the little ones to the advanced company dancers, saying that “experiencing her students evolve and advance in their creative abilities, flexibility, as well as technique is why she teaches.” Jennifer works in Physical Therapy, which connects to her dance background and visa versa. This gives her a more scientific outlook on how the body is moving, seeing why the dancer’s specific muscles are firing in certain movements, and what smaller muscles that are not commonly activated can be used for a dancer’s optimal performance. Miss Jen currently lives in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and visits us often. |