TEPA Staff
Kristine Stickney, Co-Owner
Kristine Burdi-Stickney holds a BA in Theatre with a minor in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University. For the past 10 years, Kristine has worked as an actor, teacher and choreographer throughout Chicago and beyond. She has an incredible love and passion for dance, music and theatre and is so excited to pass that on to her students right here at That's Entertainment! Kristine has a strong background in Musical Theatre, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Acrobatics. She has performed regionally with many Chicago theatres, including Fox Valley Rep, Chicago Shakespeare, Drury Lane Oakbrook and the Metropolis Performing Arts Center. She has also had the privilege to perform with Six Flags Great America, The Shedd Aquarium, Walt Disney World and Royal Caribbean Cruises. She looks forward seeing you around the studio! https://kristineburdi.squarespace.com/
Carrie Vignali Rossi, Co-Owner
Carrie Vignali Rossi holds a BA in Musical Theatre from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Since graduation, she has been performing and choreographing for a variety of theatres in the Chicagoland area, including Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Big Noise Theatre, Light Opera Works, Circle Theatre, and Wagon Wheel Theatre. She also worked in entertainment for many years at both Six Flags Great America and Disney World. Her background is strong in method acting and musical theatre dance, and she can't wait to see new performers master these skills at That's Entertainment! Carrie is also a certified NASM personal trainer and certified Barre instructor. She can't wait to see you at TEPA!
Danielle Keys-Magaña
Dance Team & Technique Instructor
Danielle Keys is a graduate of the Northern Illinois University dance program. Prior to Northern, Ms. Danielle attended Chicago Academy for the Arts studying under Randy Duncan, Natalie Rast, and Guillermo Leyva. She also studied at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and performed at the Harris Theatre, as well as WGN. Ms. Danielle danced in various shows at Northern including Art for Life and the Student Choreographic Showcase. She was also selected to represent Northern Illinois at the American College Dance Festival and perform at the John F Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Ms. Danielle began teaching and choreographing while attending college, and she also serves as artistic director and artist for DanceLoop Chicago.
Rose Gould
Dance Team & Technique Instructor
Rose Gould is a dancer, choreographer and artist from Chicago. She graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Dance in 2023. Prior to UArts she attended Interlochen Arts Academy and studied ballet under Joseph Morrissey. Rose has trained in a large variety of styles but directs most of her focus to ballet, floorwork, Horton, contemporary, release technique, jazz, musical theatre, and Pilates. Rose holds certifications in Pilates Mat and Franklin Method: Art of the Plié.
Dorene Wackerfuss
Dance Technique Instructor
Dorene Wackerfuss is a dance teacher, dancer, and choreographer. Dorene has been teaching Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater Dance, Ballroom, HipHop, and more for over 50 years. Dorene owned Dorene's DanceXpress in Arlington Hts, where Miss Kristine was one of her students! As a dancer she was in a ballet company in Georgia and also danced in Jimmy Durante's club act at the Empire Room of the Palmer House in Chicago. As a choreographer, Dorene has worked on over thirty shows, many in the Northwest Suburbs. As a teacher, Dorene prides herself on her wide base of knowledge that she she enjoys sharing with her students. She is the current Educational Director of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, where she holds a MDE certification (Master Dance Educator). Dorene graduated from Northwestern University.
Amy Malouf
Voice, Piano, and Theatre Instructor
Amy Malouf is beyond thrilled to be a part of the staff here at That’s Entertainment Performing Arts. Amy has been teaching musical theatre and voice for over 10 years. She hold a BA in Musical Theatre from Illinois State University. She has performed professionally for 12+ years in a variety of musicals and cabarets as well as a touring band for 6 years. She is a singer/songwriter who currently performs locally all over the Chicagoland area. Nothing makes Amy happier than teaching her passion to children who are equally passionate about their future.
Emma Robie
Dance Team, Technique, and Theatre Instructor
Emma Robie is so excited to be part of the staff at that's Entertainment Performing Arts. She has been dancing since the age of 3, being trained in styles such as Tap, jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, and musical theater. Her favorite style to dance is Tap. When not performing or teaching dance classes, Emma is a special education teacher in an elementary school in Schaumburg. She is so excited to work with all of her talented students!
Robin Rowe
Dance Technique Instructor
Robin is a dedicated and experienced dance instructor with over eight years of experience teaching students of all ages. They received a BA from Long Island University in New York, and continued their dance teaching career at the Round Lake Park District where they specialized in Tap, Ballet, and Modern dance. They are also a member of CNADM (Chicago National Association of Dance Masters). Robin focuses on clear communication, comfort with self-expression and art, and treating students with respect and compassion.
Dominique Ruffalo
Dance Technique & Acro Instructor
Dominique is a multi-hyphenate creative, bridging the realms of art and education. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona, her passion for performance led her to a career as an educator and choreographer, driven by a desire to foster creativity in others. Dominique's versatility extends to film, and theater, where she has showcased her talents both on-screen and on-stage. Beyond her roles as a performer and choreographer, her passion for storytelling has led her to produce, direct, and choreograph her own projects. Her interest in directing has grown alongside her career, fueling her desire to explore new avenues of artistic expression.
Kaavya Senthil
Hip Hop Instructor
Kaavya is a passionate Hip Hop instructor, choreographer, and performer. She recently choreographed competition routines for Studio North Academy of Performing Arts where she also taught Hip Hop classes at all levels and built their cirriculum. She has experience as an instructor at multiple area studios, and previously choreographed for the 22 person Fremd Orchesis Team.
Mark Stickney
Theatre, Acting, & Private Lesson Instructor
Mark has been singing professionally since 16 and doing Musical Theater professionally since he moved to Chicago at 19. Mark has worked with Stage Right Dinner Theater, Metropolis, NightBlue, Theater Nebula, Music On Stage . . . to name a few. He has been teaching acting, creative writing and improv in the local area for a number of years. For the last 5 years he has also been doing fight choreography for many productions. He is always happy to meet new students and watch their craft grow into something wonderful!
Maddie Swets
Dance Technique Instructor
Maddie is a dedicated dance instructor and performer with experience teaching children and youth in a variety of settings. She has taught movement and beginner-level dance classes at the Park District of Forest Park and assisted at Synergy Dance Academy, where she supported classes and recital preparation. Maddie also choreographed and directed youth musical camps with Overshadow Productions for several years, blending her love for performance with her passion for working with kids. She recently graduated from Concordia University Chicago with a degree in Psychology, a background that enhances her ability to connect with and inspire her students. With training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and musical theater, she brings creativity, patience, and enthusiasm to every class she teaches.
Katelynn Pitzaferro
Voice Instructor
Katelynn Pitzaferro is a classically trained vocalist and performer with a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Palm Beach Atlantic University. With a vocal range of Bb3 to C6, she has played leading roles in The Little Mermaid, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Rock of Ages, mastering a variety of vocal styles from legit soprano to contemporary belt. Katelynn has studied under renowned instructors such as Dr. Jason Lester, Dr. Robert Sharon, and Marilyn Mims, focusing on healthy vocal production, breath support, resonance, and stylistic versatility. With a foundation in healthy vocal production, breath support, and stylistic technique, Katelynn is passionate about helping students grow in confidence, expand their range, and find their unique voice. Whether preparing for musical theatre, classical performance, or simply building vocal strength, her goal is to equip singers with the tools they need to reach their goals!
Moira Burdi
Theatre Instructor, Office Coordinator, Costume Mistress
Ms. Moira holds a Bachelors in Music Education with a minor in Drama and Art, from Northern Illinois University as well as a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and a Masters in Leadership from Concordia University. She has taught Music, Art, Drama and Movement Early Childhood to 8th grade for the past 34 years. She has performed locally in a variety of Theater Productions and enjoys both being on stage and working backstage. Ms. Moira is very excited to expand her role here at TEPA and looks forward to working with all our talented students - and especially with our youngest artists!