Judith Svalander School of Ballet

Lynne Alberding, a student of the JSSB for eleven years, trained and performed in 2004 in St. Petersburg, Russia with Russia Vaganova teachers from the Marinsky Theatre and Conservatory. A graduate of Butler University, she is also a Certified Pilates Instructor through the BASI Method and on faculty at the JSSB.

Tony Flannigan starting dancing at the age of three with the JSSB. He was awarded full scholarships to attend The Rock School and Ballet Austin Summer programs. Tony attended Indiana University and was a ballet major for two years. He then transferred to Loyola University of Chicago to pursue a Marketing Degree with minors in dance and spanish. Tony is also pursuing a modeling career with Elite Models in Chicago.

Amanda Goerlitz has been dancing for thirteen years, training at the JSSB for all of them. She has had the wonderful opportunity to perform in Dance Chicago for multiple years and as Clara in the 2007 Nutcracker.

Julie Fiore Hirsch is a recipient of the Carey Rose Winski Artistic Achievement Award. She studied at the JSSB for 15 years and has been involved with the JSDT for nine years as both a soloist and choreographer. A teacher with the JSSB for 12 years, she is both the school’s Children’s Ballet Director and Character Director. Julie guest teaches throughout Chicagoland and is Pilates Certified. For the past seven years, she has been Assistant Director/Staging Repetitur for the JSDT’s Nutcracker production.

Marielle Jacquez began dancing at the age of 4 in Atlanta. She has been happy to work with such guest artists as Valery Lantratov and has performed in Dance Chicago numerous times. Marielle intends to attend college as a dance major and aspires to dance for many years to come.

Jourdan Morales began dancing at the age of 2 and has danced with the JSSB for the past 11 years. She was Clara in the 2007 Nutcracker and has performed multiple times in Dance Chicago.

Fabi Santiago has danced for 13 years and studied at the JSSB for 12 years. She has performed in Winter Magic and Dance Chicago. Her favorite roles have been Sugar Plum Fairy Court Queen, Ballerina Doll, Spanish Doll, and Rose Queen. She hopes to pursue a professional dance career in the future.

Lauren Spoehr began dancing with JSSB at age 4. She danced the roles of Snowflake, Spanish soloist, Colombine doll, He/She doll, and others in the Nutcracker. She has performed in Sleeping Beauty, Can-Can, Carnival of the Animals, Gift of the Magi, Winter Magic, and Dance Chicago. She will never forget dancing a solo in JSDT’s 2007 special performance for Maria Tallchief.