Someone you Should Know: Teanna Zarro

Jo's Footwork Studio Presents"Someone you Should Know"

Teanna Zarro

Ballet, Pointe, and Demi Pointe instructor at
Jo's Footwork's sister studio,
The Dance Workshop

 

“Dance gives me a chance to express myself in my truest form. It is the perfect mix of discipline and freedom."-Teanna Zarro

 

Teanna Zarro is no stranger to the invigorating dance world. She has been teaching for over 10 years and currently teaches ballet, pointe, variations (choreographed solos from classical ballets), and pas de deux (partnering). Her teaching start came after her performance as a guest artist with a particular company; they asked her to teach a master class and it was then that Teanna discovered a passion for teaching and realized she could relay her valuable experience to students.

Teanna plunged into the professional dance world of the Joffrey Ballet at the young age of 11 years old. Until she was 13 she danced with their Nutcracker children’s cast. From the ages of 14-16 she danced on a full scholarship at the Joffrey New York summer program. She was asked to join the apprentice company to Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Joffrey II, at 17 years old. After two years she was invited to join the main company. In 2003 Teanna left the Joffrey Ballet but continues to dance as a guest principal. Teanna has studied under and collaborated with fantastic mentors throughout her life: Julie Kent, Susan Jaffe, Allessandra Ferri, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and Jose Carreno to name a few. You may have seen her in the acclaimed dance movie, “Save the Last Dance,” with Julia Styles.

Teanna’s advice to dancers of all ages is to continuously support your peers. She believes in this field especially it is necessary to help out your friends and be supportive of one another because it is such a small world and you never know who you may run into in the future. As for the upcoming year, Teanna is most excited for her pointe and demi pointe students’ progression.

“[They] have been doing so well! I can’t wait for the parents to see what they have learned in such a short time.”

- Teanna on her current pointe and demi pointe students

BESIDES DANCING?

Teanna is a social dancer and can dance Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha, and Swing. She also loves going out to dance to popular music as well. Besides for social dancing, Teanna is a big fan of going to art galleries, concerts, and other social events. She also has a passion for fashion; she takes ideas from high fashion magazines and uses her own unique twist to create hair pieces, jewelry, and accessories.

Five Fun Facts about Jean Hartnett

So everyone, before we say goodbye to our November "Someone you Should Know" star- Jean Hartnett, we wanted to give you five random tidbits of information about her!

Enjoy!

Five Fun Facts about Jean

1. She is now reading her 98^th Star Wars book
2. She loves claw machines
3. Chinese is her favorite food
4. She likes to snack on cheese at night
5. Her husband is her very best friend

Someone you Should Know: Jean Hartnett

Jo's Footwork Studio Presents

"Someone you Should Know"

Jean Hartnett

Tap & Jazz instructor at Jo's Footwork Studio & The Dance Workshop

“I believe dance is a beautiful form of physical self expression. The more ways we can express ourselves, the better."
 –Jean Hartnett

 

After teaching dance for over 20 years, Jean Hartnett has learned the ins and outs of technique, physical expression, and choreography, and has relayed the importance of these mechanics to her students. Her teaching began after her mother opened her own dance studio; Jean thought it would be fun to get involved. Before performing with several small modern and improv dance companies and indie art projects throughout Chicago, Jean studied tap, ballet, jazz, modern, pointe, and even a little breakdancing from a wide array of teachers for over 16 years.  Bob Fosse, Keith Elliot, and her older sister, Mari Jo Irbe, all acted as mentors and helped guide her along the way. Jean loves performing modern dances, taking tap class, and teaching jazz class. Currently Jean teaches jazz and tap at The Dance Workshop and Jo’s Footwork Studio. Jean is most excited to explore new choreography with her students throughout the upcoming year.

“Dancers need to understand that some days are easy and some days are hard, just keep going and you will see how strong and talented you have become. If you’re a dancer just starting out, relax, have fun, and enjoy the moment. “

-Jean's advice to dancers of all ages and levels

BESIDES DANCING?
Jean has a passion for good food and playing video and board games. Oh and don’t try getting a hold of her via text or social media sites- she does not do either!

Join us for our 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Dance-Day Party!

Join us for Jo's Footwork Studio's 3rd annual Thanksgiving DANCE DAY PARTY BENEFIT where we like to come together and share the "goods" this Thanksgiving holiday by giving back to our community with free dance party classes for a good cause! Staff will be set up in the parking lot where you can drop off your non-perishable items and then come upstairs to join us for some fun! Pick your favorite dance party (or parties) from below. No dance experience is required to join in on the fun- just bring a non-perishable/canned food item donation or if you don't have that a $5.00 donation! All goods and cash will be donated to St. Francis Xavier Food Pantry. Details for the free parties are below!

Jo's Footwork Studio's 3rd Annual Dance Day Party!

November 20th, 2011
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Studio I at the Rec Center (2nd Floor)

PARTIES
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM: Pom/Jazz Dance Party with Amanda Freebeck

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM: Hip Hop Dance Party with Amanda Sammons

3:00 PM - 3:50 PM: Zumba/Zumbatomic Dance Party with Christa Rivera

Space is limited so you must RSVP to the studio for your FREE PARTY! You can register for more than one party, and anyone 6 years old and up is welcome! Make sure you reserve your space before Thursday, November 17th. To reserve your spot call the studio at 708-246-6878 or send an e-mail to josfootwork@gmail.com. 

Can't wait to see you there! 

New Classes Coming to The Studio!

We are very excited about upcoming additions to our class schedule starting January 7, 2012! Read below to find out what new classes we are offering at Jo's Footwork!


MOMMIE-ME & MOVEMENT: Tuesdays 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM 
*This class focuses on movement, coordination, balance, rhythm, stretching, and basic kinetic skills for your little one. The class is set to fun music and will incorporate basic dance steps in ballet, jazz, and tap. Yoga-style acrobatics are also integrated into the curriculum to help with flexibility and increased range of motion. This class is for ages 2-3 by December 31, 2011.


ZUMBATOMIC: Fridays 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
*This class consists of exciting, high energy fitness parties packed with specially choreographed, kid-friendly routines set to all the music kids love, like hip-hop, reggaeton, cumbia, and more! This class is for 5th-7th graders. 


LEAPS/TURNS/JUMPS: Wednesdays 8:45 PM - 9:45 PM
*This class is used as a supplement to ballet and jazz techniques in an effort to better the execution of turns and jumps! For ages 11 years and above, must be enrolled in ballet/jazz level III or higher. 


CHECK OUT OUR OTHER ADDITIONS: 


*PRE-BALLET: Tuesdays 10:45 AM (3 years old by 12/31/11)


*KINDERGARTEN BALLET: Tuesdays 4:00 PM


*KINDERTAP: Tuesdays 3:15 PM or Thursdays 4:00 PM


*JAZZ/TAP COMBO: Saturdays 11:00 AM (1st-3rd graders)


*JUNIOR JAZZ I: Tuesdays 5:00 PM (1st-2nd graders)


*Continuing Tap: Thursdays 6:00 PM (ADULT ONLY)


Like what you see? Then register for these classes today and tell your friends before the classes fill up! Any questions or concerns call the studio at 708-246-6878 or send an e-mail to josfootwork@gmail.com.

It's costume week at the studio!

Hey dancers, families, and friends!

One of our favorite weeks of the year has arrived at the studio-COSTUME WEEK! 

So come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume and be prepared to have a class with lots of Halloween fun! Just make sure you can still dance and move around in your costume.

Also don't forget to buy a Halloween cupcake at the front desk to benefit the Footwork Ensemble! They are $2.00 each and you can also enter to win a very special prize which is: 

*A GIANT HALLOWEEN CUPCAKE!* 

Now who wouldn't want that?

Have a fun and safe Halloween dancers!

5 things you don't know about the one & only: JAY FAGAN!

Five Random Jay Fagan Facts
1. He is an APPLE junky- he’s obsessed with all the new gadgets- iPod, iPad, iPhone, etc.

2. He has his own album he has never released.

3. He likes reality TV- do you think he’s a Jersey Shore fanatic?

4. He just drank Fresca for the first time.

5. He hates mosquitoes- just like all of us!