Anne Gugliuzza Founder and Artistic Director
Batavia Academy of Dance is the life-long dream of Anne Gugliuzza. A dancer since the age of three, Anne’s thirst and passion for dance have lead her to study almost all forms of dance under some of the world’s most renowned dancers
A graduate of the prestigious Chicago Academy of the Arts, Anne was classically trained by the legendary ballerina and author Anna Paskevska, she herself trained by Cleo Nordi a student of Legat and fellow dancer with Anna Vaganova. Anne has the great privilege to study under, dance with and observe some of the greatest dancers in the world including Claire Bataille, James Kelly, Ben Vereen, Anne Reinking, Winifred Haun, Tulsa Ballet Theater, and Muntu Dance Theater. She continued her studies as a dance and theater education double major, psychology minor at Columbia College Chicago and has now been a dance educator for over twenty years.
Anne is a national award-winning director and choreographer whose work has been featured in DanceChicago and whose dancers have been seen in music videos, movies, Fox’s SYTYCD, MTV’s ABDC, and BET’s 106 and Park.
Anne now a mother to a wonderful seventeen-year-old son, feels extremely fortunate and blessed to have found her bliss in life and sincerely hopes to pass along and inspire her love for this beautiful art form to all those she has the privilege to teach.
Bryn Michaels
Bryn Michaels, a native of Detroit, Michigan, developed a love for ballet early on. Upon relocating to Chicago, Bryn continued to follow her passion for ballet and refine her technique under the tutelage of Corinne Alimbetov, Steve Norman and Tatyana Mazur.
Bryn is a YAGP and World Ballet Competition alumna and has trained with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Nashville Ballet, and the American Academy of Ballet (AAB) in New York. While at AAB, Bryn had the privilege of studying with Ballet Masters Karen Averty (Paris Opera Ballet), Craig Salstein (American Ballet Theatre) and Paloma Herrera (American Ballet Theatre).
In 2017, Bryn joined the company of Louisville Ballet performing roles in George Balanchine’s Rubies, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Firebird, Romeo and Juliet and more.
Bryn is very excited to join the faculty of Batavia Academy of Dance and to teach and inspire the next generation of ballerinas and all who share a love and passion for dance!
Emily Hammack
Emily is a remarkably talented individual whose love affair with the arts began at an early age. An accomplished musician, thespian, vocalist and dancer, Emily has been seen onstage throughout the Chicago-land area.
Emily began dancing at the age of eight and studied numerous dance styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary and ballroom. A student of Anne Gugliuzza for many years, Emily is a gradate of the Dance Education Training Program at Batavia Academy of Dance and was also a National award-winning member of the B.A.D. Competition Team.
Emily has graced the stage in numerous theatrical productions including The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast and Guys and Dolls, and is also an pianist and sought after piano instructor.
Emily holds both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology and is a licensed speech-language pathologist.
She is thrilled to be back and working with the amazing students of her Batavia Academy of Dance Family again!
Haleigh Hutchinson
Jean Paul Walker
A student of Anne Gugliuzza for many years, Jean had never danced before stepping into the classroom with Anne. Now Jean is an accomplished and classically trained ballet dancer who has studied and danced under some of the most renowned dancers in the Chicagoland area.
Jean is currently persuing his aspirations as a professional dancer and can be seen dancing with Lou Conte, Ballet Chicago, and the school of the Joffrey Ballet. He has performed in numerous venues and events and for such greats as Emmy Award winning Mandy Moore.
Jean's passion, dedication, and love for the art of dance is awe-inspiring and evident in his brilliancy as a teacher and choreographer. Jean holds a degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and is ecstatic to be back and dancing again with his B.A.D. family!
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Julie Ann Slaby
A student of Annie Gugliuzza for a number of years, Julie Ann’s love of dance began at the age of five. She has studied various styles of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and musical theatre throughout the Chicago land area.
Julie Ann is an award-winning competitive dancer and was the Captain of her High School dance company. Julie was also an original member of the teacher training program developed by Annie Gugliuzza , which continues at B.A.D. today.
A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Julie Ann holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, and is now a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) in Illinois.
Julie Ann works full time as a service coordinator for individuals with developmental disabilities and is excited to lead the new ability dance program with Batavia Academy of Dance, allowing her to combine her two loves, enriching the lives of those with special needs and dance.
Julie Ann is excited to be back dancing again with Annie and feels blessed, privileged, and honored to have the opportunity to be a part of B.A.D.!
Haleigh Hutchinson
Haleigh is very excited to be teaching at Batavia Academy of Dance! She has been dancing since the age of three. Haleigh has trained at The Dance Center at Columbia College of Chicago, Pineapple Studios in London, England, and North Central College.
Haleigh has a BA in Musical Theatre Performance with a Minor in Dance from North Central College. In 2009 Haleigh was accepted to the Rockettes Summer Dance Intensive in NYC.
In the fall of 2014 she performed in King Lear at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier. Haleigh has performed in a variety of professional musical theatre venues in the Chicagoland area and Connecticut.
Haleigh is trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and musical theatre dance. She enjoys sharing her love for dance and the benefits of an education in the arts with her students young and old.
Haleigh is very excited to be teaching at Batavia Academy of Dance! She has been dancing since the age of three. Haleigh has trained at The Dance Center at Columbia College of Chicago, Pineapple Studios in London, England, and North Central College.
Haleigh has a BA in Musical Theatre Performance with a Minor in Dance from North Central College. In 2009 Haleigh was accepted to the Rockettes Summer Dance Intensive in NYC.
In the fall of 2014 she performed in King Lear at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier. Haleigh has performed in a variety of professional musical theatre venues in the Chicagoland area and Connecticut.
Haleigh is trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and musical theatre dance. She enjoys sharing her love for dance and the benefits of an education in the arts with her students young and old.