THE FACULTY
MEET MS. JULIE
Julie Matolo (she/her) is an accomplished dancer, acrobat, aerialist, stunt performer, actor, choreographer and teaching artist. She is based out of California and Chicago. Her artistic goals have led her to travel, tour and perform in the majority of our fifty states, in addition to Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and throughout Europe.
She is a Senior Company Member with The Joel Hall Dancers. Additional concert dance companies Julie has performed with are; Andrea Kelly Dance Theater, Aerial Dance Chicago, Dance Avondale Collective, Thwack Dance, The Willingham Project, Corpo Dance, The Kirby Reed Project, Duwane Pendarvis and Company, Dereque Withurs, and Innervation Dance Cooperative. In recent years Julie
graduated from The Actor's Gymnasium Professional Circus Program and later completed the Aloft Aerial Arts JOLT Program.
A teaching artist with Chicago Public Schools, several private schools, multiple studios in the city and a choreographer to high schools and youth companies/ensembles. Julie has taught a diverse range of students and has worked with many children in Chicago and surrounding areas, California, Tennessee and Iowa. Inspiring artistic growth, imagination, self-confidence, community, and
discipline, are class staples. Julie enjoys being inspired by all of the youth she has instructed over the years!
A few notable companies she has performed with include Dhar Mann Studios, FELD Entertainment, On the Fly Productions, Royal Caribbean, Jockey, Sutter Health, 20th Century Fox, Lookingglass Theatre Company, The Black Dance Legacy Project, The Actor’s Gymnasium, BIPOC Circus Alliance and more. Julie can be seen performing in film, television, music videos, large arenas, theaters, stages, corporate venues, festivals and beyond!
MEET MS. GIANNA
Gianna Curless is a professional dancer, choreographer, and dance educator. She was adopted from Hunan, China and has moved over twenty times with her family across the U.S. and internationally. During her travels she has had the privilege of training in all styles with instructors from the Royal Danish Ballet, Idaho Ballet, Tap Dogs, Turkish National Ballet Company, Ballet West, Bloc Talent Agency, Hedwig Dances, and many more. She has been teaching for over ten years for ages two - adult. Gianna is certified in Mat Pilates and has completed ballet exams for the Cecchetti Council of America. She has choreographed for dance productions including an original ballet called Variations on Spring.
In 2016, Gianna co-founded Bravura Dansu, a dance production company offering performance opportunities and private lessons for dancers who need coaching for dance competitions, auditions, and personal training. She has performed as a freelance dancer for The Dance Project-Austin, Alamo City Dance Company, Bartlesville Civic Ballet, Dancing with the Stars-Bartlesville, ConocoPhillips, Bravura Dansu, Dance Company of St. Charles, OKM Music Festival, and The Muny.
Most recently, Gianna attended the Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program where she had the opportunity to perform in Spain as part of the Contrapunto Festival de Danza. She is also working as a freelance photographer and model in the Chicago area.
MEET MS. MIKALA​
Mikala Curless is a global dancer who has performed in Spain, China, and Colombia. Her training spans across seven states and includes working under the direction of cruise ship choreographers, Muny performers, and international professionals from Cuba, Lithuania, Mexico, and Brazil. Notable instructors include Buddy & Susan Trevino, Debbie & Tracy Davenport, Chelsea Howell, Victor Alexander & Maray Gutierrez, and Bruce Stegmann. Mikala also trained on scholarship with Joffrey NYC and Nashville Ballet, and has completed seven exam levels through the Cecchetti Council of America.
Her most recent freelance work includes dancing with Chicago Festival Ballet, Delve Dance, We Call It Ballet, and Ruth Page Center for the Arts. She has performed works by Steve Rooks, Kenny Ingram, Francisco Aviña, Adrián Marcelo Sáenz, Gus Giordano, and Noelle Kayser. Mikala is currently a Main Company Member with Ardent Dance and a Second Company Member with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. In addition to her performance credits, Mikala is a certified Pilates Mat instructor and an accomplished choreographer and director.
MEET MS. KAYA
Kaya Gravely is a dedicated aerial artist specializing in Aerial Silks, Aerial Lyra and Aerial Pole. Kaya has been training in the aerial arts since 2019 and performing to much acclaim for 5 years. Kaya is proud to be the first aerial artist to introduce aerial pole curriculum in Chicago. A three-time title winner, Kaya continues to push boundaries in the aerial arts discipline. Passionate about building a strong and supportive community, Kaya is excited to share their knowledge and love for the aerial arts with students of all levels
MEET MS. MAYA
Maya Tupek (she/her) is a versatile artist, choreographer, and educator from Vero Beach, Florida. She holds a BFA in Dance from Valdosta State University, where she performed in faculty, student, and guest artist works, as well as musical theatre productions including 9 to 5 and The Addams Family. Maya also presented original choreography at the Southeast ACDA conferences, debuting her piece Frisson in 2023.
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A member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, Maya was recognized by the VSU College of the Arts with awards in Creative, Service, and Academic Excellence. She has recently performed with Break the Mould Dance Company and participated in Howl-O-Scream in Tampa.
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Maya is trained in jazz, modern, contemporary, ballet, tap, hip hop, musical theatre, aerial silks, West African, and social ballroom styles. She has taught dancers of all ages and is passionate about creating inclusive, joyful spaces where all students can express their authentic selves. Maya recently relocated to Chicago and is thrilled to join the Dance Avondale community.
MEET MS. EMMA
Ms. Emma began dancing at the age of 5, and has practiced teaching dance since the age of 14. Growing up in Tacoma, Washington, she learned how to dance tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, Horton, and theater style jazz. She recently graduated from Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance, where she had the pleasure of dancing in major production ballets such as Swan Lake, Cinderella, and the Nutcracker. She also performed in original works by Susan Mcguire, David Ingram, and Ramon Flowers. Currently, she dances in the second company at Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre. Emma is new to the Chicago area, and is excited to join the amazing faculty and students at Dance Avondale!
MEET MS. FANCY FONTINA
​Fancy Fontina has been cheesing around the United States with her unique and quirky burlesque performances since 2015. She’s studied ribbon dancing, feather fan, and boa techniques, as well as improv, classic, slapstick/comedic, rock ‘n roll, and neo-burlesque styles. Fancy has served on several burlesque production teams in Chicago, but her crowning achievement has been co-founding and co-producing Fat Cat Cabaret, the only all-plus-size burlesque and variety show in Chicago. This cheesy diva couldn’t brie more excited to join the Dance Avondale family!​
MEET MS. PENELOPE
Penelope Higgins began training with Dance Avondale in 2017 and has been dancing for nine years. After a brief interruption during the pandemic, she continued her training at the Chicago Ballet Center in 2021 before returning to Dance Avondale in 2023. She currently continues to develop her artistry as a member of the Dance Avondale Youth Company and hopes to pursue a career as a professional dancer.
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This year, Penelope expanded her role into assistant teaching with Ms. Gianna, supporting Beginning Ballet and Ballet 1 on Tuesdays and Youth Hip-Hop on Wednesdays.
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Her performance highlights with the Dance Avondale Youth Company include Generation US(A) at Ruth Page (December 2025), Strange Humors on WGN Spotlight Chicago, Strange Humors at the Chicago Cultural Center (December 2024), and They Tried to Bury Us at the Logan Center for the Arts (March 2024).
The Board
Justine Palmisano - Board President​
Justine B. Palmisano is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and community leader with over sixteen years of experience with the Chicago Park District, where she now serves as a Playground Supervisor in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Her work centers on developing inclusive, community-based programming for children, youth, and families, with a strong emphasis on early childhood engagement, accessibility, and creating environments where all participants feel welcome and supported.
Her leadership is grounded in thoughtful program design, strong community relationships, and the ability to adapt services to meet evolving neighborhood needs. She brings extensive experience in program development, staff leadership, and partnership building across diverse populations. Within the Chicago Park District, she has served as an Ambassador for the Nike Swoosh Academy, contributed as a member of the Data and Editing Committee for the Out of School Time initiative, coached with CPS Score Soccer, and facilitated trainings for both area and regional staff across the district.
Justine brings over a decade of experience as a freelance Production Stage Manager, supporting twenty-nine theatrical productions across seven Chicago theatre companies. Her work includes serving as part of the management team for the 12-hour theatrical event All Our Tragic, which was later presented at the Getty in Los Angeles and remounted in Chicago; collaborating the event One Night Vermont; and beginning her work in children’s theatre production in Oak Park. She was part of the inaugural performances at what is now the multi-space venue The Den Theatre and has contributed to numerous productions at the historic Chopin Theatre. A founding member of the Ruffians Collective, she stage managed eight seasons of the Chicago holiday production Burning Bluebeard, originally developed by the Neo-Futurists and over the years presented at The Den Theatre, The Ruth Page Center for Performing Arts, Stage 773, and The Neo. This breadth of experience informs her collaborative, detail-oriented, and solutions-driven approach to leadership.
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She has been involved with Dance Avondale since 2018 and, as Board President, supports the organization’s mission through thoughtful leadership and a strong commitment to community. She works closely with executive leadership to expand access to dance and help ensure programming remains inclusive, responsive, and reflective of the community it serves.
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Kiersten Solis - Accessibility Advisor
Kiersten Solis, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner, community leader, and advocate committed to advancing health, equity, and opportunity in underserved communities. She has more than 15 years of experience in nursing and over a decade of practice as a board-certified family nurse practitioner.
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Kiersten began her career in emergency medicine, caring for patients in fast-paced, high-acuity environments. In 2017, she transitioned to primary care at Erie Family Health Centers, where she focuses on improving access to quality healthcare for diverse and historically underserved populations. Her work centers on building trust with patients, addressing barriers to care, and supporting healthier communities through accessible, culturally responsive healthcare.
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In addition to her clinical work, Kiersten is deeply committed to mentorship, leadership development, and growing the healthcare workforce. She has served as a dedicated preceptor for many nurse practitioner students and emerging clinicians. In 2019, she became the Preceptor Development Lead for Erie’s HRSA-funded APRN fellowship program, Advancing Practice, helping strengthen training programs that prepare new providers to serve communities with the greatest need. She currently serves as Program Director of the fellowship, where she works to expand pathways for mission-driven primary care providers.
Kiersten’s leadership also extends into community organizing and civic engagement. She previously served as Chairperson of a Local School Council and currently serves as Vice President of a Chicago Park District Advisory Council and Board Director of Gompers Park Athletic Association. She is also the founder of the North Albany Park Community Organization, a grassroots initiative dedicated to strengthening neighborhood connections, supporting local schools, and revitalizing shared public spaces. Through this work, she has helped mobilize community members and partners to raise over $1 million for infrastructure improvements at her neighborhood public school.
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Kiersten believes strong communities are built through collaboration, advocacy, and access to resources. Her work brings together healthcare, education, and community leadership to help create healthier and more equitable neighborhoods.
Elizabeth Tuckwell - Treasurer
Elizabeth Tuckwell brings over a decade of experience shaping strategic communications, content ecosystems, and engagement programs that resonate deeply and deliver measurable results. With a foundation in wellness and a passion for user experience, Elizabeth leads with empathy, clarity, and insight, designing programs that not only inform, but inspire.
Currently, Elizabeth leads community engagement at ASUG, where she manages a portfolio of virtual events, speaker programs, and content initiatives. Elizabeth applies audience analytics and engagement metrics to refine strategy, increase discoverability, and deepen member relationships, successfully transforming pilot programs into benefits for 100,000+ users.
Elizabeth's work spans SaaS, higher education, and professional communities, and she is especially drawn to mission-driven sectors like health and wellness platforms, education, public benefit corporations, and nonprofit organizations that prioritize storytelling, research, and impact.
Elizabeth thrive's at the intersection of content and community, where data, creative thinking, and cross-functional collaboration come together to create powerful audience experiences.
Sam Moryoussef - Board Member
Sam Moryoussef is pleased to be working with Dance Avondale . He is a Chicago-based production manager and live event professional working across theater and event production. With a strong blend of hands-on technical experience and operations-focused planning, he helps teams move from concept to execution with clarity and momentum. Sam is known for calm leadership, clear communication, and an ability to solve problems quickly in fast-changing environments. He holds a Master of Science in Management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Ken Gutierrez Cruz Montijo - Board Member
Ken Gutierrez Cruz Montijo is an accomplished automotive executive with extensive experience leading dealership operations throughout the Chicago and surrounding Midwest markets. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership positions across multiple communities including Chicago, Merrillville, and the greater Chicagoland region, where he has built a reputation for operational excellence, team development, and consistently driving profitable growth.
Known for his hands-on leadership style, Ken specializes in restructuring dealership operations, implementing strong pay plans and processes, optimizing used vehicle inventory strategy, and improving performance across sales, finance, service, and fixed operations. His ability to build disciplined teams and establish clear accountability has allowed him to successfully turn around underperforming stores while maintaining a strong focus on customer experience.
Beyond dealership operations, Ken has always believed that successful businesses should be connected to the communities they serve. Throughout his career, he has actively worked to build strong relationships between local businesses and the communities around them, supporting local initiatives, strengthening partnerships with nearby employers and local nonprofit organizations, and helping create opportunities that benefit both customers and neighborhoods.
Ken is widely recognized for his ability to lead organizations through change, develop strong management teams, and create sustainable growth while fostering meaningful connections between businesses and the communities they serve.