Rachel Wehner Shapiro - Owner, Instructor
Rachel has been passionate about dance for as long as she can remember. She began her dancing career training at Steps Dance Center and Center Stage Dance Studio in the Kalamazoo, MI area. Training in ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and contemporary, Rachel competed both at the regional and national levels - taking multiple titles and top ten awards. Growing up, she also attended numerous dance intensives - including training with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Broadway Dance Center NYC, Ballet Internationale, Hubbard Street Dance, and more.
Rachel then went on to continue her dancing career - joining the University of Michigan Dance Team. At U of M, Rachel danced at home football and basketball games, competed with the team at the UDA College Nationals in both jazz and hip hop (consistently placing in the top ten nationally), and served as Dance Team Captain. After college, Rachel moved to Chicago and performed with the Chicago Bulls Dance Team (Luvabulls) for two years. She continued her love of fitness by getting her Yoga Sculpt certification at CorePower (where you can still catch her on the schedule).
As Lead Instructor at Lincoln Park Dance and Move, Rachel is excited to help children learn and grow through dance.
Natalie Kirk Sams - Instructor
Natalie received her early dance education at Revolution Dance Company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She grew up in the competitive dance scene, acquiring multiple honors including the 2013 National Elite Dancer title at West Coast Dance Explosion. Natalie graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in May of 2018 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance. While training at UNCSA, she performed works by Twyla Tharp, Merce Cunningham, and Larry Keigwin.
Following graduation, Natalie moved to Chicago to apprentice with Visceral Dance Chicago. Since moving, she has performed in Nick Pupillo’s world premiere TAKE, Kehoe Design’s Annual Holiday Party, and the MCAA National Conference. She has also choreographed for RAVE Performing Arts Company, Youth America Grand Prix, and Visceral Dance Chicago’s WITHIN.
Natalie is thrilled to be joining the incredible team at Lincoln Park Dance + Move!
Joey Castillo - Instructor
Josephine Castillo was born and raised in Frisco Texas, where she started her training at Hathaways Academy of Ballet under the direction of Kirk and Linda Hathaway and Ballet Academy of Texas under the direction of Lisa Slagle. Joey continued her training and education at George Mason University, graduating in 2019 with a BFA under the direction of Susan Shields. While at GMU, she had the opportunity to perform works by renowned choreographers such as Doug Varone, Donald Byrd, and Yin Yue. Joey had the privilege to attend the Doug Varone Summer intensive with a choreography focus and Northwest Dance Project AP program, among others.
Since moving to Chicago Joey has joined Alluvion Dance Chicago and Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre for their 2020 season. Joey had the honor of having inspiring teachers, mentors and experiences throughout her dance career that have informed her life and shaped her career as a dancer and dance educator.
Joey is motivated by her love for dance and all the rich experiences dance has to offer. Joey is excited to be joining Lincoln Park + Move family!
Ava Wichser - Instructor
Ava Wichser was born in Stillwater, Minnesota and began her dance training at St. Croix Ballet at the age of 3. She furthered her dance training at The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Harid Conservatory, Classical Ballet Academy, and Indiana University. In 2020 Ava graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Conservatory at the University of Missouri Kansas City where she received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with an emphasis in Ballet and a minor in Communications. While at UMKC she performed works by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Gregory Dawson, Cleo Parker Robinson, and Paula Weber. She has danced professionally with Kansas City Ballet, Wylliams Henry Contemporary Dance Company, and performed the role of Louise in Musical Theatre Heritage production of Carousel. Ava has danced internationally in Athens, Greece at the 51st World Congress on Dance Research.
Since moving to Chicago in 2020 Ava is exploring the dance scene and is excited to share her passion of teaching, and dance with the students and team at Lincoln Park Dance+Move!
