KIMBERLY BLEICH, from Cary, IL, graduated high school from North Carolina School of the Arts with a major in ballet and was recognized as an NC Scholar. Upon graduation, Kimberly joined The Joffrey Ballet as an Arpino Apprentice, where she danced for two years under the direction of Mark Goldweber. She was a member of Luna Negra Dance Theater for the 2007-2008 season and has been a principal guest artist for State Street Dance Studio's Nutcracker. Kimberly joined DanceWorks Chicago in August 2008.
SARAH CECILE GOLDSTONE, from Santa Fe, NM, began her training with Moving People Dance, performing extensively in works by choreographers Sam Watson, Robert Moses, Max Stone, Gail Gilbert, and Ronn Stewart. Sarah received her B.F.A. from The Juilliard School where she danced in repertory of Ohad Naharin, Julian Barnett, Twyla Tharp, Lar Lubovitch, and José Limon as well as in new works by Larry Keigwin, Aszure Barton, Nicolo Fonte, and Matthew Neenan. A certified Gyrotonic® instructor and in the process of becoming a licensed Gyrokinesis® instructor, she relocated to Chicago in 2009 and is thrilled to be part of its vibrant dance community. Sarah joined DanceWorks Chicago in July 2010.
AMBER JACKSON, from Madison, WI, trained at Monona Academy of Dance and Dance Wisconsin, performing in classical works such as The Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardée, and Coppélia. After graduating from high school, she was an apprentice with the Louisville Ballet for one year before attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she received a degree in Elementary Education. During college Amber was a member, as well as team captain, of the UW Dance Team and also performed with Jazzworks, an award-winning jazz, modern, and contemporary ballet company. After graduation, Amber moved to Chicago where she was an apprentice with River North Chicago Dance Company. Amber joined Dance Works Chicago in July 2010.
LOUIS JAMES JACKSON, from Detroit, MI, began his dance training at the age of 10 under the direction and guidance of longtime mentor and friend Rita Mosley. He has studied at Grand Valley State University, Dance Theatre of Harlem School, and The Ailey School. Louis has worked with noted teachers and choreographers such as Milton Myers, Pedro Ruiz, Denise Jefferson, Birute Barodicaite, Julie Nakagawa and performed works by Alvin Ailey, Eduardo Vilaro, Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, and José Limón. He has received awards from the NAACP ACT-SO Competition as well as the James Tatum Foundation of Detroit and was a 2008 Princess Grace Award Nominee. Louis performed with Luna Negra Dance Theater for two seasons before joining DanceWorks Chicago in February 2010.
JAMES JOHNSON, from Chicago, IL, trained at Chicago Academy for the Arts and continued his education at SUNY Purchase. He has worked with choreographers Robert Battle, Sidra Bell, and Lauri Stallings and danced with Hubbard Street 2, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, Muntu Dance Theater, West Indian Folk Dance Company, the Willingham Project, and, most recently, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. A recipient of NAACP awards for choreography and solo dance performance, James, joined DanceWorks Chicago in April 2009.
JOSEPH KUDRA, from Chicago Heights, IL, began training at the age of 9 under the direction of Jack and Kathleen Villari at the American Dance Center with subsequent studies at Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, and Visceral Dance Center. He has worked with choreographers Robert Battle, Frank Chaves, Nick Pupillo, Lauri Stallings, and Sherry Zunker and performed with The Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker, Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, Visceral Studio Company, and Dance Chicago. Most recently he was an apprentice with River North Chicago Dance Company. Joseph joined DanceWorks Chicago in February 2010.
