Our Instructors

Owner and Director

English Swanson has been dancing since 2001. Early on, she focused on classical ballet, training with the Judith Svalander Dance Theatre, Milwaukee Ballet, and Ballet Austin.

She was a scholarship student at Lou Conte Dance Chicago under the direction of Claire Bataille and worked with Thodos Dance Chicago, performing contemporary work in their annual summer performance of New Dances.

English began dancing professionally and teaching ballet and other styles in 2012. Her love and passion for dance led her to venture into social dances as well. She was awarded the advanced scholarship from Nino Digiulio at May I Have This Dance and quickly became an instructor with the studio, where she taught and performed ballroom, Latin, and swing dances locally.

In 2021, English transitioned from social dancing to fully dedicating herself to running Woodstock Dance Academy. As the owner and director, she now shares her expertise and passion for ballet and dance with her students.

Fun fact: As much as English loves dancing and performing, she can also be seen dancing classical ballet in season 4 of the popular TV series "Empire"!

Instructor

Allie Skurski is from Cary, IL and grew up training in classical ballet at the Judith Svalander School of Ballet, while also studying under former Joel Hall Dancer, Christina Luzwick. She attended the University of Missouri - Kansas City where she received her BFA in dance with an emphasis in ballet and modern in 2017. While at UMKC, she performed in works by Gary Abbott, Gregory Dawson, Mary Pat Henry, DeeAnna Hiett, Sabrina Madison-Cannon, Paula Weber and Wang Hong-yun of the Tianjin Conservatory in Tianjin, China.

Allie has participated in many summer workshops to broaden her training such as The Joffrey Ballet, Thodos Dance Chicago, DanceWorks Chicago, and the Alvin Ailey Extension Program in New York City.

Allie has performed with the Joel Hall Dancers, a Chicago based urban jazz dance company from 2018. Notable performance locations include the Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park, and Navy Pier. Allie has professionally performed in works by Emeritus Director and Founder Joel Hall, Artistic Director William Gill and former Artistic Director Jacqueline Sinclair.

In 2021, Allie aided in the choreographic process for Apple TV+'s Shining Girls with former JHD Artistic Director, Jacqueline Sinclair.

She is excited to be teaching with long time friend, English Patterson whom she grew up dancing with at JSSB.

Instructor

Kathryn's passion for dance ignited at the young age of 3, and since then, she has dedicated herself to the artistry and discipline of ballet. Currently based in Northwestern Illinois, Kathryn balances her love for dance with her studies as a part-time college student. Her dance journey has been influenced by the rigorous training of the Cecchetti Danish methods, emphasizing precision and elegance in movement. Kathryn specializes in ballet and pointe, where her years of dedication are evident in her graceful performances. Beyond classical ballet, she has also honed her skills in modern, contemporary, and character dance styles, broadening her versatility and artistic expression on stage.