Susan Sterba-Cole: Susan is owner as well as one of the instructors at DuPage Dance Center. Susan has been a Dance instructor for more than 20 years. With a childhood background of Ballet, Jazz and Competitive figure skating, Susan began her career of teaching Ballroom Dance at the age of 17. She initially worked for the Fred Astaire chain of dance schools for the first 5 years of her career. She then worked for an Independent dance school before opening her own studio in 1996. Susan teaches both International and American Styles of dance. She is a certified adjudicator through the NADTA and is a recognized member of the NDCA. She teaches both social and competitive dance to amateurs, and also coaches professional teachers and competitors. She currently competes regionally with her students.

Joshua Torres: (Manager, Ballroom, Latin, Rhythm and Club Dancing) Josh began his steps toward dance with the study of theater and vocal performance in the summer of 1994. Partner dance had begun to grow as his main focus during the spring of 1997. Josh’s credentials consist of six years professional training, instruction and competition in the city of Indianapolis, IN prior to moving to Naperville. Along with instructing private lessons (single and couples) Josh has experience teaching groups ranging from four to two hundred. The typical age range of students has consisted of five to seventy five years. Josh also has experience teaching at educational facilities including Indiana State University, Indiana University, and Purdue University. Besides instructing, he currently competes regionally with his students. Upon entering the Pro/Am circuit Josh was awarded top teacher for the growth and excellence of his students. His current goal has been to put more focus on the growth of the competitive edge of his students, studio, as well as himself.  Josh is available for lessons Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 1 - 10 pm, Thursday 5 - 10 and Saturday 11 - 6 pm.

Vanda Varni: (Ballroom, Rhythm and Club Dancing) Vanda moved to the U.S. from Hungary a little over five years ago, where she had launched her career as a child actress at age 9. She has performed in a dozen classical and modern plays on stage and appeared in 3 television series and numerous feature films in supporting and leading roles. She has majored in theater directing and also obtained a degree in teaching drama. Alongside with acting she is passionately involved in ballroom dancing. In her first year in Chicago, she had taught at Dupage Dance Center under Susan Cole. The past few years she has expanded her experience with a variety of dance studios throughout the Chicago land area. She most recently comes from the Halo Academy of the Performing Arts in Bolingbrook. Vanda has also choreographed musicals and dance routines for Second City, Firststreet Playhouse at Batavia and Halo Academy. She is also in charge of teaching ballroom dancing for young children and choreographing the first “Dancing with young Woodridge” Showcase in May of 2007. She is happy to return to Dupage Dance to resume instructing students and group classes. Vanda is currently available by appointment during the week.

Eurika Porto: (Ballet, Jazz) Eurika has choreographed, toured and produced dance in all parts of the world.  A short list begins with Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, France, Holland, Switzerland, and Germany but includes many more.  The most recent being Mexico City and England.  She has had the opportunity to experience amazing choreographers like Pinna Bausch and Susanne Link of German, Luigi of Luigi’s Jazz Center New York and the Geoffory Ballet of New York. Eurika currently teaches ballet and jazz at Dupage Dance Center, her favorite place to be!

Candice Kaminski: (Hip Hop, Tap) Candice graduated from Slippery rock University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in dance.  While studying there she received the award for Choreographer of the Year and Dance Major of the Year. Her choreography was chosen to represent SRU at ACDFA, a competitive college dance festival , and was then selected to perform in the Gala concert two years in a row. Some performance credits include the Eloquence Performance Company (modern) in New York and Seattle, Break the Floor (tap) in New York, Latshaw Productions (dance and theater) in Pittsburgh, Caution Crew Productions (Latin, Hip Hop, Break Dance) in Pittsburgh. She taught hip hop for the Dance Alloy Company and other styles of dance in other studios throughout the Pittsburgh area. She moved to the Naperville area last year to study with Jump Rhythm Jazz in Chicago, and also to take advantage of what Chicago has to offer in the field of dance. She hopes to continue her education of dance here and to “be a teacher that always has something new to offer to her students” Candice joined our staff in 2006 and will be teaching Hip Hop to ages 8 and up.

Kristin Chase: Coming Soon!

Alissa Schirtzinger Baird: (Ballet, Pilates, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Modern) Alissa, a native of Westerville, Ohio, began her formal dance training at BalletMet Columbus and continued her training at the Ohio State University, earning a bachelor's degree in dance. Alissa has danced professionally  and taught for more than 10 years with prestigious dance companies across the country such as, Columbus Dance Theatre, Lancaster Ballet, Repertory Dance Theatre, Desert Dance Theatre, Naganuma Dance, and The DanceWright Project.  She is also a certified Power Pilates instructor and has taught students of all ages and needs in Arizona, the Czech Republic and California. Alissa recently relocated from San Francisco and is excited to make Naperville her new home.

Rebecca M. Grabenstetter: (Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Modern) Becca has been dancing since the age of 6.  She has studied all areas of dance; Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theater & Modern. During her many years of dance she has also taken classes with numerous master dance instructors.  She danced competitively for 10 years and her ability achieved her high scores at all Regional & National Dance Competitions.  Becca was an Intern at Walt Disney World, Florida in 2004.  She was a Cast Member in the Entertainment Department.  She enjoyed being several different Disney Characters.  She also danced in the parades and she took lessons in Stilt Walking.  As a student of Gotta Dance Studio, she was awarded the well sought after title of “Miss All Star” awarded by her dance instructors for her dedication to dance, love of dance and her all around ability.  Becca has also performed semi-professionally for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Coldwell Banker Conventions, Taste of Chicago & numerous local area festivals.  Becca has taught in every capacity for the last 10 years, as an assistant teacher, substitute teacher and teacher.  She has worked with adults & children of all ages in all levels of dance.  Most recently she choreographed a Jazz solo that placed first overall at Showstoppers Regional Competition.