Meet the Team

At Aspirations Dance Company we carefully select our staff for their professional experience, their ability to tailor their experience to every student, and their love of dance. Our instructors promote an atmosphere of excitement, professionalism, and creativity, allowing students the opportunity to learn and excel in dance.

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Kelly Callese Nelms

OWNER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Kelly Callese is the founder and Artisitc director of Aspirations Dance Company in Lombard, IL. Kelly has been dancing since the age of eight starting out at Gotta Dance Studio where…

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Michael Nelms

INSTRUCTOR

Michael has been working with ADC for over 3 years. Formerly a competitive gymnast, Michael has a genuine love of the sport that shines through in his teaching. His Students…

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Brittany Thele

INSTRUCTOR

Brittany Thele began dancing when she was just 2 years old. During her early years of training, she performed roles with Von Heideicke’s Chicago Festival Ballet. She attended River North…

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Jackson Liee

INSTRUCTOR

Jackson is currently a choreographer and member of the New Jersey Ballet Company. His dance training started at the age of 16 in his home country of Brazil. Further training continued…

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Penny Bovelli

Penny M. Bovelli (Owner/Director/Founder of The Dance Centre) has been dancing, teaching, and choreographing for more than 40 years. She loves her work and it is apparent in her…

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Daniela Ivkovic

INSTRUCTOR

Daniela was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago. She has over 30 years of experience in the dance world as a performer, instructor and choreographer. Daniela started

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Sidney Wiliniski

Front Desk Assistant

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Sharon Holiday

Social Media/Events Manager

Bio Coming Soon!

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Alexandria Gamble

Coach Alex

Bio Coming Soon!

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Danielle Lofendo

Bio Coming Soon!

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Destiny Barnes

INSTRUCTOR

Miss Destiny started dancing at three years old and has studied Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Tap. After dancing competitively for years, she joined her Orchesis team…

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Kimberly Callese

INSTRUCTOR

Kim has been teaching jazz technique classes at the studio for over 7 years, Kim’s unique, thorough, & strict teaching style enhances jazz technique classes for our competitive dancers. With…

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Mikie Thomas

INSTRUCTOR

Michael “Mikie” Thomas found his passion for dance at a very young age. As he grew up, Mikie perfected the style of foot-working, danced with various Southside groups in Chicago…

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Steven Gorski

FIERCE Competitive Team Choreographer

“Scuba” Steve Gorski started dancing at the young age of 2. He received his training from Stage Door Dance Academy and Impact Dance Studio. Steve has won many titles, scholarships and…

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Laura Mendes

Originally from Brazil, Laura just graduated from Joffrey Ballet School on merit scholarship. She worked with choreographers such as Greg Lau, Yoshito Sakuraba, Antonia Franceschi and Yin Yue. She was a company member and Rehearsal Assistant with Joffrey Ballet Concert Group for two seasons.

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Emerald Whaley

Emerald Whaley is from Lombard, Illinois and began her dance career at the age of 3 years old at Aspirations Dance Company.

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