Faculty

Julie Simon has an extensive dance background in a variety of dance forms and has worked in a wide variety of dance education centers including dance studios, colleges and has taught master classes and workshops throughout the US. She graduated from Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance Performance; double-concentration in Ballet and Jazz and continued her dance education as a Scholarship Dancer at Visceral Dance Center in Chicago. Previous collegiate instruction experience includes teaching dance technique and choreography at Harper College, Robert Morris University, Northern Illinois University, and Point Park University and in the Chicago Public School system as a Ballroom Dance Instructor through the “Having A Ball” program. Julie’s choreography has won regional and national awards and has been highlighted in the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, IL, at various halftime shows for the NBA Chicago Bulls & WNBA Chicago Sky, in Dance Chicago at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, IL, as well as various musicals, recitals and regional and national competitions for various dance companies and studios. Her performance experience includes performing at the Super Bowl opening the Pre-Show Party for Katy Perry, as well as with various professional dance teams, contemporary dance companies including B.I.S.I. Chicago Dance Company under the direction of Lynn Arevalo and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater under the direction of Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abbott, musical theatre companies, and commercial/corporate events in Chicago, IL including McDonalds, Party City, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Pivot Point and KMS California. Julie is grateful to continue to share her passion for dance with the dancers at Pure Vibe and the opportunity to create a well-rounded dance education center in the Western Suburbs!

Marley Schmidt has been with Pure Vibe since its first year, and took on the role as Assistant Artistic Director in 2016. She loves to be a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to teaching, and has expertise in many different genres and across all ages. As a choreographer for Pure Vibe, her pieces have received recognition at both regional and national competitions. As a professional dancer, Marley has worked as a freelance artist for choreographers Rebecca Lemme, Autumn Eckman, and Kalin Morrow, and danced as a company member with Kristina Isabelle Dance Company and Same Planet Performance Project, under the direction of Joanna Read. Before living in Chicago, Marley graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Western Michigan University. In her years at WMU she had the opportunity to work with guest artists such as Harrison McEldowney, Autumn Eckman, Lauren Edson, and Nelly Van Bommel, and performed at the Dance Chicago Festival, Oakland Dance Festival, Eat to the Beat, and ACDFA nationals in Washington, D.C. Her additional training includes a semester abroad studying dance at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, England, and the scholarship program at Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago, IL.

Mariterese Altosino, a Chicagoland native, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance as well as Business and Entrepreneurship from Columbia College Chicago. Post graduation, Mariterese danced with Giordano Dance Chicago for four years, during this time she worked with world-renowned choreographers such as Ray Leeper, Peter Chu, and Marinda Davis and performed works by Ray Mercer, Christopher Huggins, Randy Duncan, Jon Lehrer and Gus Giordano. Mariterese has performed professionally in Dance for Life Chicago, Harvest Contemporary Dance Festival, Move Dance Festival, and has made TV appearances on Windy City Live and ABC 7 News. Altosino continued her professional career with the South Chicago Dance Theatre, Banks Performance Project, Water Street Dance Milwaukee, and participated in a choreographic residency with Choomna Dance Company of Seoul, South Korea. Mariterese is a veteran instructor with Universal Dance Association (UDA) and has been instructing summer camps at the high school and collegiate level for over ten years. Through UDA, she has taken her passion for dance internationally to teach, judge, and choreograph in Ecuador, Germany, Norway, Slovenia, Austria, London, and China. Mariterese continues to choreograph and teach for various studios and schools around the Chicagoland area, and is currently the head coach of the Downers Grove South Junior Varsity Dance Team.

Kiera Brown, originally from Wixom, MI, attended Western Michigan University, graduatingSumma Cum Laude in Spring 2021 with a B.F.A. in Dance. While at WMU, she had the pleasureof performing works choreographed by Yin Yue, Jennifer Archibald, BAIRA, Mike Esperanza,Katarzyna Skarpetowska, Jeremy Blair, Monique Haley, David Curwen, Carolyn Pavlik, SeyongKim, and Kelsey Paschich. Kiera had the opportunity to perform alongside PeridanceContemporary Dance Company and was also a company member of Western Dance Projectunder the direction of Whitney Moncrief during its 2018-2019 season. Kiera furthered her dancetraining at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Choreographic Summer Intensive, having theprivilege to work with Rena Butler, Robyn Mineko-Williams, Micaela Taylor, and RodrickGeorge. Since moving to Chicago in 2021, she has had the opportunity to be an Emerging Artistwith South Chicago Dance Theatre under the direction of Kia Smith, as well as train withrenowned artist Jackie Nowicki. Her passion for teaching and choreographing at youth studioscontinues to grow with her many positions throughout the Chicagoland area. Through thesestudios and her incredible students, she has had the honor of being recognized for her artistry by receiving multiple choreographic and standout awards at both regional and nationalcompetitions. Kiera is looking forward to what the coming year has in store, and to continuewatching her students evolve and advance their individuality!

Katie attended the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities, where she graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Health and Wellness Promotion Minor. While at the UMN, she worked with choreographers such as Luke Olson-Elm, Brian Brooks, Sidra Bell, Gregory Maqoma, and Michel Kouakou. Her favorite moment in college was performing at Northrup Theatre with Brian Brooks Dance Company as a guest performer. Upon graduation, Katie joined Karen Charles Threads Dance Project, taught at various dance studios, and traveled to choreograph on her alumnus company, Forum Dance Theatre. While with Threads, the company toured to Philadelphia, PA, and performed at the IABD festival. Most recently, she now resides in Chicago teaching dance at various studios and freelance dancing with the following companies; Movementum Dance Project and Still Inspired. She is very excited about this new endeavor at Pure Vibe!

Holly Lehnertz grew up in a suburb of Chicago. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance from the University of North Carolina, School of the Arts. While in college she studied numerous techniques including CounterTechnique, Graham, Cunningham, Limon, and Release. She performed works by José Limón, Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham and Kira Blazek-Ziaii. After 3 years at UNCSA, Holly moved to Israel to dance with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company - MASA. In Israel she performed works by Rami Beer and Mats Ek. Holly has participated in many summer studies including Cambrians Dance Chicago, Peter Chu’s Intensive,  Entity Dance Company, Countertechnique, Thodos Dance Chicago, Point Park Intensive and Saratoga Summer Dance Intensive. Holly is currently on faculty for teaching and choreographing at many studios in the Chicago and Milwaukee area. She recently performed with the Kate Jablonksi Statement in Croatia for the 2022 Sibenik Dance Festival. She currently dances professionally with Hedwig Dances in Chicago, as well as Water Street Dance Company in Milwaukee.

Christina Luebbe, grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago. She attended Concordia University Chicago, a private school in River Forest. She interned at CBS Radio and a Chicago Chamber of Commerce Association before graduating Cum Laude honors in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing Communications. Christina has worked in the marketing world in both corporate and agency settings, before finding her way to Pure Vibe in January 2021. Christina started taking dance at the age of 4, and continued on and off throughout her childhood and into her college years at the university. Chistina’s work at Pure Vibe Dance Center helps to support our owner, company/crew directors, instructors, and families. She loves that Pure Vibe provides a welcoming environment where students can learn and grow towards their goals!

Hayley Midea is a dancer, choreographer and teacher originally from Wixom, Michigan. In April of 2020, Hayley received a BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University where she has performed works by Jackie Nowicki, Monique Haley, Carolyn Pavlik, Kelsey Paschich, Jeremy Blair, Joseph A. Hernandez and BAIRA MVMNT/PHLOSPHY. Hayley was also a company member of Western Dance Project, under the direction of Whitney Moncrief. Hayley has trained in a variety of styles including jazz, ballet, modern and contemporary. The Michigan Dance Council awarded Hayley the Maggie Allesee Choreography Award for her piece “Dear Larry,” in 2019. Hayley also performed her work at the 2020 ACDA East-Central Regional Conference where she was selected to perform at the National Conference in Long Beach, California. She was also selected to perform at the SoloDuo Dance Festival in New York City, Detroit Dance City Festival, Trifecta Dance Festival, Chi Dance Fest and Simantikos Dance Chicago Choreography Kick-Off. Hayley’s work also won “Best Spoken Word Used in a Film” and “2021 Viewer’s Choice Award” at the inaugural Dance Is Activism Film Festival produced by Earl Mosely’s Diversity of Dance. Hayley teaches dance in the Chicagoland area and is entering her fourth season dancing with South Chicago Dance Theatre. With SCDT, Hayley has performed in works by Kia Smith, Crystal Perkins, Wade Schaaf, Ron De Jesus, Joseph Kim, Stephanie Martinez and Monique Haley. Recently, Hayley performed with SCDT and Choomna Dance Company in Arnhem, Netherlands. As a professional in Chicago, Hayley has also performed in the Dance For Life Finale choreographed by Randy Duncan. Hayley is excited for another great season at Pure Vibe!

Ciera Nolan, originally from Lake Zurich, Illinois, graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, a minor in Event Management, and a certification in Dance Studio Management. At WMU, Ciera performed in many student works and was a part of the WMU department of dance touring ensemble, Western Dance Project, under the direction of Whitney Moncrief. Additionally, she performed works by guest artists Jackie Nowicki, Mike Esperanza, and Melanie George, as well as faculty members Jeremy Blair, Monique Haley and Kelsey Paschich. During her time at WMU, Ciera represented her class serving on the board of Orchesis Dance Society. Ciera has also attended many intensives including DanceWorks Chicago, The Cambrians, Inaside Chicago Dance, and River North Dance Chicago. She is also a staff member at Masquerade Dance Competition and Chicago Dance Connection. Ciera teaches and choreographs throughout the Chicagoland area and enthusiastically shares her passion of dance with young dancers.

Since the age of ten, Jelyssa knew her feet belonged on the dance floor. Embracing her Spanish heritage, she began training in Bachata & Salsa before branching off into Hip-Hop. As a recreational, competitive and professional dancer, Jelyssa has been fortunate enough to train under premiere educators in both Chicago & Los Angeles. Her work spans across TV, film, award shows, music videos, and tours. Jelyssa offers ambitious style to her work. Connecting movement with fashion, intent, and love, Jelyssa loves to spread her unique approach to this ever-changing industry.

Jessica graduated from the University of NC School of the Arts with a BFA in Contemporary Dance. She was a dancer, choreographer, assistant rehearsal director and teacher for Thodos Dance Chicago from 2005-2017, where she performed and toured both Nationally and Internationally.Jessica Miller Tomlinson’s Award Winning Choreography has been commissioned or produced by the Chautauqua Ballet Company, NC School of the Arts, Aerial Dance Chicago, Hot Crowd, Alluvion Dance Chicago , DanceWorks Chicago, Chicago Repertory Ballet,The Joyce Theater Foundation, Moonwater Dance Project, The Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Idaho Dance Theatre, RDA MidWest, Columbia College of Chicago , Washington and Lee University, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival , Forum Dance Theatre, Nomi Dance Company, Dance in the Parks, The Dance Gallery Festival, Visceral Dance Chicago, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, The Harvest Dance Festival, The HSDC Youth Ensemble, UnEarth Virtual Arts Festival,The Take Up Space Dance Fest, SHIFT DANCE | FESTIVAL, Dance For Life, and Thodos Dance Chicago. She has collaborated with the Andy Warhol Silver Clouds Exhibit at the MCA and with Chicago band District 97. Jessica was most recently a Faculty member for the Hubbard Street Youth Dance Program, as well as The Joffrey Academy of Dance, where she taught Contemporary for the Joffrey Studio Company and Trainees.  She was Adjunct Faculty at Northern Illinois University for two years. She is currently a faculty member at Alma Dance School, Pure Vibe Dance Studio, and The Rooted Space. She currently serves as Ballet Mistress for Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre as well as Rehearsal Director for South Chicago Dance Theatre.