Dance Instructors

Trish Light

Dance Coordinator & Dance Instructor

Trish Light has been drawn to dancing and performing as far back as she can remember. A hairbrush in hand as her microphone, living room as her stage, and music from the record player guiding and inspiring her every move. Trish started taking ballet and jazz instruction, even dabbling in tap, at the age of 5 yrs old. Trish continued her dance education throughout her school years, leading choreography on her high school dance team and performing any chance she could get. Trish has a deep passion for choreography, production, teaching, and performing a variety of dance styles, with modern ballet, lyrical, and contemporary being among her favorites. Performing and collaborating with a diverse variety of artists and dancers over the years, Trish continues to cultivate creative expression and inspired storytelling through dance and movement. Trish also has over 10 years’ experience in aerial arts, performing as a silks artist in recent years with Aloft Circus in Chicago. Trish continues to teach with a variety of private studios and dance companies offering group fitness, dance, and aerial arts classes. As founder and owner of Art of Aerialist, LLC, Trish incorporates a variety of dance, aerial, and fitness techniques into her courses as well as offers customized programs focused on creative movement and dance as a therapeutic avenue inspiring the body to move towards healing.

Lindsay Stein

Lead Dance Instructor

Lindsay started dancing when she was three years old and began teaching in 2007. She is trained in all styles of dance but her favorites are Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre & Poms. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Marketing/Advertising and a minor in Dance Choreography. She has taken many master classes over the years and is a former UDA All Star, Gus Giordano dancer, Hip Hop ConnXion leader, and Junior Luvabulls Choreographer. Lindsay has won many Special Judges awards from numerous dance competitions over the years and led our own Elan Dance Company to win Most Entertaining, Strong Teamwork and Best Choreography. Lindsay loves watching her dancers grow year after year and prides herself on creating a class environment where dancers feel confident & challenged while having fun! 

Jazzy Abella

Dance Instructor

Jazzy began dancing at the age of three. She has trained and competed with local studios at a number of regional and national dance competitions. The styles in which she has trained include Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Open, Ballet, and Poms. In 2025 she was a four-time National Champion at Nexstar Talent Competition with Freedom of Movement Dance Company. Throughout all four years of high school, she was a proud member of the Oswego High School Halftime Dance Team. She was a UDA All-American and was voted as Senior Captain by her teammates for the 2024 season. She was proud to be able to lead her team to a successful year and represent her school every week during dance season. Jazzy is excited to share her love for dance as she pursues a degree in Psychology. She is passionate about developing a positive and creative learning environment where dancers can thrive and truly enjoy their passion for dance with the Naperville Park District!

Susan Bell

Dance Instructor

Susan enjoyed a distinctive career in the performing arts, beginning at Ohio's Dayton Ballet studio. She subsequently earned a BFA in Dance from Ohio University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Six years in New York City followed, where she performed in two Modern Dance companies, along with numerous Musical Theatre productions, earning entry into Actor's Equity Association. Next came relocation to Chicago, family, and teaching/choreographing/performing gigs at College of DuPage, Salt Creek Ballet, as well at numerous area high schools and colleges, including Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. She stepped away from dance for a significant stretch, working in Healthcare as a PT Administrative Supervisor and Certified Medical Coder. Susan is now honored to return to dance, in joining the Naperville Park District program. 

Miranda Colin

Dance Instructor

Miranda began dancing at the age of three through Aurora’s Steppin’ Out Dance Studio. After twelve years of training in tap and jazz, she continued dancing and performing with Waubonsie Valley High School’s show choirs and in the spring musicals. Upon attending Millikin University, she joined Physical Graffiti - her university’s hip-hop dance team - and began to study other styles such as ballet, modern, and musical theater at Millikin University which she graduated from with a B.M. in Commercial Music. Now she works as a freelance choreographer, dancer and dance instructor. She has been seen performing for Walt Disney World, Six Flags Great America, and local theatre companies. Her choreography for musicals and show choirs have been displayed in schools and theatre companies throughout the Midwest Region, and she received a Lou Award in 2019 for Best Choreography. Miranda is ecstatic to share her passion for dance with the Naperville Park District dance family, and hopes to inspire her students to aim for and achieve their highest potential.

Abby Epstein

Dance Instructor

Abby has been dancing since the age of 3 and has been passionate about it from the very beginning. She began her competitive dancing career in 2018 as a company member at Steps Dance Center, where she has trained in a variety of styles. Her favorite dance styles include hip hop, pom, jazz, and contemporary. Abby is also a member of Naperville Central Varsity Dance Team, performing with her team at many school events and competitions. Previously, she has been captain of Naperville Central JV Dance Team, a UDA All-American, and a teacher-assistant at Steps. Abby cannot wait to further her dance journey and begin her teaching career with the Naperville Park District!

 

Stacey Fontechia

Dance Instructor

Stacey has been dancing since she was three and has been teaching since 2001. She is trained in hip-hop, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and pointe, and has been competing and coaching competition teams since 2001. She has competed twice in the Miss Dance Illinois Pageant and went on to compete twice in the Miss Dance USA Pageant ranking 18th in the country. Her credentials also include The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s “Nutcracker"; UDA All-Star; and Dancing in the New York City Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Stacey was also the captain of the Waubonsie Valley High School Poms team leading her team to the UDA Nationals in Orlando Florida and the WVHS Orchesis Troupe. Along with this she’s a graduate of the Comedy Studies Program at The Second City Chicago, former intern at CNN, FOX Chicago News, and Windy City Poker Championship. Stacey is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Marketing. She currently works as the Sales and Sponsorship Manager at the Naperville Park District. Stacey has been teaching for the Naperville Park District since 2006 and is thrilled to be part of the Naperville Dane Academy & Élan Dance Company and have the opportunity to work with so many wonderfully talented dancers!

Lindsey Lukas

Dance Instructor

Lindsey grew up dancing at the Naperville Park District and was part of the first season of Élan Dance Company under Melissa Sallée. She was honored to be a student choreographer in the 2010-11 season and teach at the Park District during the summer of 2011. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lindsey furthered her dance education by training in a variety of styles and joining OPTIMA Dance Student Organization, where she choreographed numerous routines for college-aged students. In 2015, she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication and moved to Rockford, Illinois where she began her career at Hughes Media while teaching ballet and jazz at Rockford Dance Company (RDC). During the 2019-20 season, she was part of RDC's Dance L.I.F.E. company under Mary Read. Now working remotely as the senior editor at Hughes Media, Lindsey is thrilled to return to her roots by teaching once again at the Naperville Park District. Her hope is to motivate her students and instill confidence in them the way Melissa Sallée originally did for her. She would also like to give a special shout-out to her husband, Mike, her son, Elliot, and her daughter, Isabelle, who inspire her daily.

Annemarie Peterson

Dance Instructor

Annemarie has been dancing and loving music since before she could walk. She began her training at the age of three; where she took classes at a local studio in Bolingbrook. She is trained in many styles including ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, modern, contemporary/lyrical, musical theatre, and West African. She was a member of a competition dance team for six years and had the opportunity to perform at the Orange Bowl Halftime Show alongside the Goo Goo Dolls. From there she spent four years training at the Joffrey Ballet. Annemarie received her Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College Chicago in Dance with a minor in Photography.

Kristin Petrella

Dance Instructor

Kristin started dancing when she was 3 years old and it has been a part of her life ever since.  She trained and competed for local studios in a variety of styles including tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, and pom.  She attended Grand Valley State University where she was a member of the dance troupe for 4 years.  She received a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Grand Valley State University.  Kristin has been the assistant dance team coach at Plainfield East High School for the past 4 years and is excited to continue her journey teaching at Naperville Park District. 

 

Katie Sowa

Dance Instructor

Katie began dancing at the age of three and has followed her passion for dance since. From training in studios across the Chicagoland area, to being captain of her high school's dance team, and even her university's dance team, has performed and competed nationally, winning several national titles for routines she choreographed. Over the years, she has continued to choreograph for high school and college dance teams, including teaching private summer camps for schools and organizations. Katie expanded her dance repertoire by becoming a professional Latin and Ballroom dancer, teaching all ballroom styles for over 10 years. She loves to choreograph and her favorite styles across all genres of dance are jazz, hip hop, bachata, and foxtrot. Katie loves creating a positive and encouraging environment for students to express themselves creatively and fall in love with dance!

Lora Vodicka

Dance Instructor

Lora Vodicka started her dance journey at the age of 3 at Nanette’s DancEncounter where she studied ballet, tap, jazz & modern through high school. She is also a proud Summa Cum Laude graduate of Illinois State University with a B.S. in Theatre Education/Acting Performance. At ISU, Lora was a member of the Illinois State Dance Theatre and performed in, directed and choreographed multiple theatrical productions. After graduating Lora received her AFAA Group Fitness certification and also teaches group fitness classes for all ages. During this time Lora choreographed many High School and Community theatre productions. Lora is a member of Revolution’s Dance Studio Owner and has completed the DiscoverDance, Rhythm Works and Youth Protection Advocates in Dance training. Lora currently works at multiple suburban park districts and private studios teaching dance, tumble and theatre and choreographing competition pieces, musicals and events. With over 20 years of teaching experience Lora has developed strong classroom management skills, creative lesson plans and a true passion for education. Lora is very excited to share her knowledge of dance, theatre and fitness with the Naperville Park District.