Meet the DancEncounter Staff
TRACY ADAMS, Artistic Director, Owner (since 2001)
Tracy Adams has a long history with all forms of dance and theatre, having studied in her native England from the age of seven, to become a member of the International Dance Teachers Association. She has performed in many shows including “Cinderella”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Chicago” & “Damn Yankees”. After her transatlantic move Tracy joined the teaching staff of “Nanette’s DancEncounter” in 1994, working with children of all ages. Tracy is proud to own and serve as the Artistic Director of “DancEncounter, Ltd.”. She has taught at GymNasti and co-ordinated dance programs at various park districts and local theatres where she has a reputation for her choreography, working on many area productions including “Guys ‘n’ Dolls”, “The Music Man”, & “A Chorus Line”, "Drowsy Chapersone" as well as using her professional make-up artist talents on many theatrical and fashion shows. For the Glen Ellyn Park District she helped develop a theater program, choreographing the children’s productions of “Grandma’s Attic” , “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Annie”. Also, she was an instructor at Waubonsee Community College, specializing in dance for the young child and as choreographer for their musical theatre courses under Dr. Maria Bakalis . Tracy has also choreographed for many local area school district stage productions including many years for Batavia High School under Dominic Cattero's direction, Glenbard South's High School under Laura Samper and Geneva High School under Roxanne Curtis.
SAMI GOUGH, Instructor
Sami has danced from the tender age of three and studied ballet, tap, jazz as well as contemporary, lyrical, Hawaiian dance and other styles. She has been very active on the competitive dance and convention circuit as well as performed such ballet roles as Clara, Snow Queen, Mirlitons and Trepak, to name a few, in Nutcracker as well as numerous group, duet and solo Company dance pieces. Sami attended CoD earning her Associates Degree while continuing to pursue her own dance practice, training and teaching. She then finished her Events Planning Degree at Roosevelt University, where she earned a scholarship, dance team membership and graduated early. Now working full time in the event pllanning industry, Sami continuues to enjoy sharing her love of dance and has been a teaching member of DE team for over 5 years.
RACHEL DAY, Instructor
Dancing her whole life at renowned area studios, Rachel earned her Dance Performance degree at NIU, joining a long line of graduates from the tutelage of NIU professor faculty like Paula Frasz and Judith Chitwood. Professional in their own right, many of these graduates have become DE teachers or substitute teachers over the years. Upon her graduation, Rachel continued to dance in Chicago and is now an established professional member of Chicago Repertory Ballet. She has several years teaching experience at area studios between the city and suburbs and DE is delighted to share Rachel's training and experience right here in Geneva.
Tessa has had a passion for dance her whole life focusing on ballet, pointe, lyrical and contemporary and more recently adding hip hop and tap. She has several years teaching at suburban park districts as well as studios and has close ties with a theatre venue South of Chicago. She has performed there in The Wizard of Oz and more recently in the ballet Cinderella in Quincy IL, as well as other recitals and Nutcracker pieces.
Tessa's philosophy for patience and positivity is very encouraging to her students and DE is excited to share in her love of dance around the studio in various roles as well as in the dance room.
Tessa Macino Miller
JENNY DONAHUE, Sub Instructor
Jennifer Donahue holds her BFA in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University. She began dancing at a young age under the instruction of Bonnie Ardelene. From there, she studied with the Milwaukee Ballet and was also accepted as a VIP for Dance Olympus. While at Northern, she studied with Randall Newsom and Judith Chitwood. She has danced with NDT in numerous performances such as Coppelia, Les Sylphide, Paquita, and The Nutcracker. She was also a member of SoFlo Ballet Company in South Florida. Since moving back, her most recent performances were with In Flight Dance Company and Free Space, besides mounting various choreographic pieces on her many students and theatrical choreography for shows like Seussical The Musical and The Wizard of Oz. Jennifer and husband Jeff have 2 daughters and a son.
MEGAN DALY, Instructor
Megan has danced her whole life and has travelled extensively focusing on all elements of Irish Dance. She has been testing to gain the necessary Irish dance accreditation and has reached completion on that journey. Megan hails from the Fox Valley area and by day, currently works as a member of a Montessori school in the local community. On staff with Bailey Murray Academy of Irish Danceing, she is excited to share her love of dance and introduce the beginning concepts and foundations of moving to music to pre-schoolers and youth, all of which are important to all dance techniques and styles, as well as the more advanced details of Irish Dance.
Kyle Donahue brings with him an extensive background in theater and dance. He is a graduate of Rockford College with a BFA in Musical Theater Performance. His history includes traveling the world as a performer with training in all areas of dance, voice and instruments! He has directed such shows as "The Secret Garden" and "Grease", has choreographed for CoD, GHS, BHS and performed at Drury Lane Stage in Oakbrook in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". He has served as the Performing Arts Supervisor for the Fox Valley Park District and Arlington Heights, to name just a couple, although the favorite role is Dad to his four young children.