STAFF


Julie Nakagawa
Co-founder & Artistic Director 2007-present

Julie is passionate about encouraging young artists along their journey from good to great. Her dance citizenship includes service to the commUNITY as a board member, consultant, mentor, peer review panelist, and teacher.

Brendan P. Behan
Executive Director 2018-2019

As a nonprofit professional, dancer, and choreographer, Brendan is an ardent advocate for dance as a vital form of personal, communal, and cultural expression.

Cole Vernon
NextGems Coordinator 2022-2025

Survival lies in sanity, and sanity lies in paying attention… the capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.
- Julia Cameron from The Artist’s Way

Emma Lambert
Operations Manager 2023-present

Emma has always loved being a part of the dance commUNITY and is grateful for all the lessons she’s learned in the studio. She is eager to apply those lessons outside the studio in her administrative role with DanceWorks Chicago.

Ginger Jensen
Operations Manager 2020-2023

Ginger brings a lifelong commitment to dance and a passion for developing sustainable arts organizations. She has a strong sense of personal responsibility to connect to and educate the community about the importance of supporting dance as an art form.

Sara Bibik
Dance360 Program Director 2016-2025

A Founding Dancer with River North Dance Chicago, Sara is passionate about training, mentoring, and inspiring future generations of dancers.

BOARD


Andreas Böttcher
Co-Founder & CEO Emeritus 2007-2020

Co-founder Andreas Böttcher brings stage experience, behind-the-scenes knowledge, and global thinking to Team DWC.

Jane Acker
Board Member 2019-2021, Past Secretary

Jane honors the outlaw status of dance and operates best in the space between Chicago’s real estate and movement arts.

Jimi Loc Nguyen
Board Member 2021-present

Returning as an alumni, Jimi never lost his passion for the arts. Having experienced firsthand the spirit that is cultivated at DanceWorks Chicago, Jimi is committed to help mentor and pave the way for the next generation of artists.

Julie O'Connell
Board Member 2008-2018, Past President

An avid athlete herself, O'Connell has worked with AthletiCo for 13 years in the pursuit of wellness and healing among performing artists. She values the longevity of the dancing body and is constantly seeking new ways to support athletes and dancers alike.

Katherine Hynan
Board Member 2017-2019, Past Secretary

A graduate of Loyola University Chicago, Katie brings her alma mater's guiding principle "to prepare people to lead extraordinary lives", to her support of the young artists of DanceWorks Chicago.

Kimberly Miller
Board Member 2019-present, President

A seasoned business advisor and consultant, Kimberly is a dance enthusiast with zeal for developing individuals, teams, and organizations to reach their full potential.

Kirstin L. Jones
Board Member 2020-present

A Barnard College alumna and lifelong dancer of various techniques, Kirstin relocated to Chicago to make a difference in the nonprofit sector and is eager to make dance accessible for all.

Lauren Vitale
Board Member 2018-present, Treasurer

A graduate of University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, investment banker and previous dancer, Lauren brings her unyielding commitment to furthering the opportunity, education and well-being of future dance generations.

Leah Kaiser
Board Member 2015-2021, Past President

An avid supporter of the Chicago arts scene, Leah brings a passion for the arts as well as successful strategies for fundraising and management to the DWC family.

Lena Ballantine
Board Member 2015-2022

As a business executive, Lena offers 15+ years of international working experience in the areas of finance, M&A, and consulting. Lena is a collaborative, relationship-oriented, and active mentor for talent, both personally and professionally.

Mazen Ghalayini
Board Member 2013-2017, Past Secretary

Mazen is a firm believer that you can have it all in life, all you need is the right intention and a little hope. With this in mind, he shares his business savvy with DWC in the pursuit of always moving forward.

Melody Hrubes, MD
Board Member 2015-2018

A Sports Medicine Physician, Dr. Hrubes specializes in the biomechanics of sport and injury prevention. Her work with athletes of all ages and competitive levels is a natural extension of her love of the performing arts and passion for helping individuals reach their full potential.

Parke Ballantine
Board Member 2015-2022

Parke's dedication to authenticity, diversity, and inclusion combined with her expert multimedia marketing strategies makes her at home within the DWC community.

Ula Widawska
Board Member 2019-2021

A graduate of Loyola University Chicago, Ula is a Certified Public Accountant with several years of non-for-profit work experience. Ula values collaboration and empowerment as means of success and goal achievement.

Vin Reed
Board Member 2008-2015, Past Treasurer

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS


Boss Ballantine
Honorary Board Member

Boss Monster Ballantine is the newest addition to team DWC. She graduated with honors from Dog Karma School of Puppies and is currently pursuing further education at Jumping Jack Dog Ranch.

Henry
Honorary Board Member

Henry is a smitten kitten to be the newest Honorary Board Member as he is so paw-ssionate
about dance. He’s looking fur-ward to making great memories!

Mōnō
Honorary Board Member

Mōnō is an accomplished, Chicago-based Corgi who is completing his studies at the the Urban Pooch Puppy School. He looks forward to turning that fur real ruff day into a paws-itive one.