DIRECTORS
Grace Luttrell Nanavati received a B.A. in dance from Butler University. She was the owner and director of Dance Arts Studio from 1973-2017, and continues to teach there today. She served as Artistic Director of the original Copper Coin Ballet Company, and was instrumental in founding Springfield Ballet Company where she served as Artistic Director from 1975 – 1997. Among her many awards are; YMCA’s Volunteer Service Award; Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Artist; and Illinois Women in Leadership’s Athena Award.
Julienne Ratz has worked in Springfield, Il for 30 years as Artistic Director, Instructor and Choreographer. She received a BS in Dance Performance Choreography from ISU, and is an ABT-NTC Certified Teacher. She received the Rosie Richmond award for choreography and served on the Illinois Arts Council’s Dance, and Partners in Excellence Panels. Julie developed education and outreach programs with Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, ALPLM, Girl Scouts, and SBC. Julie is an instructor at Dance Arts Studio and has choreographed for Muni, STC, HCFTA, and the Legacy Theatre.
Ronda Brinkman has been a member of the Springfield arts community most of her life as a dancer, actor, choreographer, and volunteer. Teaching for over 30 years, she is the CEO of Springfield Dance, a non-competitive dance and performance academy. As a creator of children’s dance programming for the past two decades, she is the Artistic Director for Springfield Dance Theatre, a large children’s arts organization dedicated to enriching the community through the performing arts. She creates hour-long children’s ballets such as Aladdin, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, and Peter Rabbit in order to introduce young performers and audience members to the art of dance.
Gina DeCroix Russell is the owner and director of Dance Arts Studio and is also the artistic director of Dance Arts Youth Company. She holds a B.A. in Dance Performance from ISU, as well as a B.A. and M.A. in Communication from UIS. Gina is an Affiliate Teacher with American Ballet Theatre and has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Staff
MARSHA TWEEDT BUTCHER - REHEARSAL ASSISTANT
LAUREN PUMPHREY - REHEARSAL ASSISTANT
BECKY GOWIN - COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
EMILY STANDLEY - OUTREACH COORDINATOR
RICK STEWART - LEGAL COUNSEL
Board of Directors
DOUG HAHN - PRESIDENT
LEIGH STEINER - PAST PRESIDENT
JIM LEACH - SECRETARY
JAMIE CRAVENS NICHOLS - TREASURER
DR. AMY ARAI
MARJ BERCHTOLD
JOHN CLARK
LISA COAKLEY
JULIE HENDREN
RONÉE KENNEDY
BERIT RABIN
JAMES REED
LAUREN STAAB
Advisors
SAMANTHA BERGER
MARY MEGAN CADY
MARGI COLE
REGGIE GUYTON
STEVE KAPLAN
JOHN DALE KENNEDY
ANNA MAISENBACHER
JOHNNY MOLSON
PAUL PRESNEY JR.
SCOTT RICHARDSON
GARY SHULL
MARY KATE SMITH
DR. LYNN SPECK
MATTHEW VALA
CRAIG WILLIAMS II
TERRY WHITT BAILEY
MARY YOUNG