Dance Instructors at MWE Dance of Aurora/Naperville

MWE Instructors

Michelle Masciopinto

Director/Instructor

Michelle Masciopinto began her dance training as a young girl at Denise Sabala’s School of Dance in Lake Zurich, Illinois. There she began dancing all styles of dance, including tap, ballet and jazz and later danced competitively at that studio. As a young dancer, Michelle earned dance scholarships to dance conventions all over Chicago. At the age of 12, Michelle was scouted out and chosen to be a part of the Sesame Street Production which toured across the United States. She performed various dance numbers with the entire cast and dancers of all ages.

Michelle continued to dance through high school and was a member of Neuqua Valley’s orchesis troupe and Pom Squad. When she wasn’t entertaining a crowd at high school football and basketball games, Michelle continued to commit herself to studio dance and also began assisting and teaching classes at local studios at the age of 16.

Michelle went on to graduate with honors from Columbia College Chicago in 2006 with a B.A in broadcast journalism. During her 4 years in college, she continued to teach dance at Steps Dance Center in Aurora. There, she had the opportunity of working with all levels of dance and founded their hip hop program which she grew to become one of the most successful troupes in the area. Her award winning choreography and creative hip hop pieces earned the highest scores at competitions and her dance was chosen to be a part of the Dance Olympics in Germany.

Michelle has put years of hard work and dedication to her passion and is excited to finally have the opportunity to begin her own business and build what will become one of the most successful studios in the area. Surrounding herself with the best instructors and the most creative and innovative choreographers, Michelle is proud to call Midwest Edge Dance Academy her new home.

Danielle Masciopinto

Office Coordinator / Instructor

Danielle Masciopinto started dance at the age of 7. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap and hip hop at some of the top studios in the area. Continuing to enjoy the art of dance Danielle became a member of Varsity Poms at Neuqua Valley Highschool and Orchesis Dance Troupe as a young freshman. At 16 she began teaching at local studios where she created award winning hip hop pieces at many competitions. Danielle is currently taking classes at Waubonsee Community College majoring in Business Management and minoring in Dance. She is excited to continue with dance as an instructor at Midwest Edge Dance Academy.

Cindy Berkley-Mooney

Instructor

Cindy’s passion for dance began at the age of three. At Denise Sabala’s Dance Studio in Arlington Heights, she began her dance education in ballet, tap, and jazz. As a member of their performing group, Cindy danced in competitions earning scholarships to Gus Giordano and Joel Hall. During high school, she was a member and choreographer for Waubonsie Valley’s Orchesis Dance Troupe, Varsity Pom Squad, and Swing Choir, as well as performing in Crazy For You, Music Man, and Grease. Cindy continued her education in dance receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance Performance and Business Management from Ball State University in 2004. There she studied several styles of dance: ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, musical theatre, clogging, and hip hop. As a member of Ball State Dance Theatre, Cindy danced on stage for the American College Dance Festival receiving a student choreography award. She participated in Junior and Senior Choreography showcases and choreographed Violet and The Fantasticks. In 2002, Cindy spent her summer dancing in the Character Show and parade at Six Flags Great America. Studying abroad in Australia, she had the opportunity to dance with Edith Cowan’s Dance Company in 2003. For the past four years, Cindy has taught a variety of styles to all ages at Steps Dance Center. During this time, she continued her education receiving a Masters degree in Special Education. Cindy currently teaches at Oswego East High School. She looks forward to this wonderful opportunity to work with the talented instructors and students at MidWest Edge Dance Academy.

Marisa Harris

Instructor

Marisa Harris trained at the Boston Ballet School from age three to 18. She performed various roles in Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Wang Center in Boston for 8 years. She has also attended summer programs such as Burklyn Ballet, The Kirov Academy of Washington D.C., and most recently the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in New York City on scholarship. She has had the opportunity to dance as a principle dancer in Franco DeVita’s Nutcracker with the Plymouth Ballet Company. She is currently a senior at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School earning her degree in Dance Pedagogy and holds a student internship teaching children’s ballet at the Hartt School’s Community Division. While at Hartt she has performed in Paquita, Les Sylphides, Panorama by Martha Graham, and other various works by Adam Miller, Alla Nikitina, Douglas Graham, and Kiki Lucas.

Beth Netzly

Instructor

Beth Netzly was born and raised in Holland Michigan. She began her training under Rick and Lara Faucher and performed many lead roles with the Turning Pointe Ensemble for seven years. Her technique advanced as she attended various summer intensives across the country including Ballet Mag, Ad Deum, and Paul Taylor. Beth attended Grand Valley State University and was selected as a freshman to perform in the ensemble. In addition to college classes Beth trained under James and Lucia Martin and performed as a guest artist in Grand Rapids Michigan. She has been teaching for eight years, from beginning level to master classes. Beth has choreographed for many dance studios, as well as high school dance and theater competitions. Her choreography won Michigan’s state competition for Holland High Theater in 2006 as well as second place in 2007. She was asked to join Rasa in 2008 under the direction of Van Collins. Beth continues to dance professionally and is thrilled to pass on the knowledge she has learned over the years to her students.

Teddy Chavez

Instructor

Through his endless determination, dedication and drive, Teddy Chavez has become an undeniable force with the brightest of futures ahead. As a performer, choreographer, instructor and director, he truly understands and appreciates all facets in the art of dance. Currently represented by Lily's Talent Agency/Clear Talent Group, his skills have led him to share the stage with multi-platinum selling music artists such as Twista, Ying Yang Twins, Nick Cannon, and others. He is frequently training at local studios and participating in intensives all over the U.S. with some of the hottest choreographers in the industry such as Marty Kudelka (Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson), Gil Doldualao (Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Jennifer Lopez), Brian Friedman (Usher, Britney Spears, Mario Vaquez, Beyonce), and Kevin Maher (Missy Elliot, Alicia Keys, Rihanna) to name a few. It has been through constant exposure to knowledge and inspiration that Teddy has honed and continues to evolve his craft. He helped lead his Hip Hop Dance Company, CODA, to 6th place in the Nation at the U.S. & World Hip Hop Championships which is organized by Hip Hop International (now made famous through MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew"). Teddy has made appearances on seasons 1&3 of FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance", placing top 100 (Vegas Finalist) in the nation on season 3.

Aside from his love of performing, Teddy's other passion is passing on his knowledge and acquiring knowledge through instruction. As a Hip Hop Dancer, he presses upon students the need to understand the roots and foundation of true Hip Hop Dance because "you can't understand where you're going until you know where you've been!" As an instructor Teddy focuses on quality over quantity in a learning environment to ensure that students are walking away with an enriching experience. His versatile, energetic, challenging and non-stop teaching style has made him a favorite among his students.

"To inspire and educate someone through dance gives meaning to what I do..." ~Teddy Chavez~

Debbie Ford

Instructor

Debbie Ford was born in St. Louis, MO. At an early age, it became very apparent as to where Debbie’s gifts and passion laid. She began dance lessons at the age of five. By the age of ten she was accepted into the junior company of a regional ballet company and by age 13 she was performing with the senior company. Also during this time, Debbie explored many other forms of entertainment. She took piano, voice, drama, acrobatic and even trapeze lessons.

Ms. Ford has appeared with the St. Louis Municipal Opera, Six Flags Over Mid-America, and supered with several international and national professional ballet companies (Stuttgart Ballet, The Royal Ballet Company, Harkness Ballet Company, New York City Ballet). At the age of 16 she was chosen to be a recipient of a scholarship to Juilliard School in New York. During her senior year in high school, she tore the ligaments in her knee and lost her place with the ballet company, as well as her scholarship.

Debbie decided that her ballet career was over and decided to switch over to Broadway. She has performed with Dick Van Dyke in “Music Man”, Carol Channing in “Hello Dolly”; as well as several other touring companies and has appeared in numerous commercials.

In 1998, Debbie decided to share her passion of dance with other eager young dancers and opened a ballet studio in Portland, Oregon. In June 2001, her husband was transferred to the Chicago area. Since being in Chicago area she has taught for Steps Dance Center, Gold Star Dance and Storm Dance Alliance. But it wasn’t until she began teaching at Midwest Edge that she finally felt like she found her “studio” home!

Sara Fragen

Instructor

Sara has been dancing since the age of three. She trained in jazz, lyrical/contemporary, ballet, tap, and hip hop at some of the most well-known studios in the midwest. She earned many awards competing for Midwest Movement Dance Company. During high school she participated in poms and orchesis at Neuqua Valley High School. Currently Sara is on the dance team at North Central College. She began teaching at the age of nineteen at Midwest Movement and as an working as an assistant for Xtreme Dance Force. In addition, she is a coach for Owsego East High School's poms team. Sara is excited to express her passion for dance by working with the dancers at Midwest Edge Dance Academy.


	630-978-0200 \| 3682 Prairie Lake Court, Unit B - Aurora, IL