La VERNE LEHMAN began her studies at age five with two Ballet classes a week and her professional career at age eight with Balaban & Katz theatres. She began teaching at age 15 and has choreographed innumerable shows, both professional and amateur, videos, competitions and commercials. She spent several years putting together a program that was specifically designed to be integrated with an athlete's training to better stretch and strengthen their bodies. La Verne traveled and spoke at athletic seminars and had some articles published in COACH magazine. She has also worked with physically and emotionally challenged children and adults. "Lehman School of Dance, Inc." was born in 1976 at the original studio in Glencoe. Since moving to Northfield, she has devoted all of her time to expanding the studio to include all forms of dance, music and theatre, as well as her work on the Board of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. Even though she is a certified master teacher, she continues to study dance and different teaching techniques.

VICKI GUTMANN holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Illinois Wesleyan. Her dance training began at the age of four and she continues her studies in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Hip Hop and Theatre. Vicki also has her master teaching certification from the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. She has taught performing arts at magnet Chicago public schools, as well as Regina High School and St. Isaac Jogues. She has performed as an actress, dancer and musician in dozens of productions at regional theatres. She began teaching at Lehman's while she was still in high school and we're happy that she is still with us.

KIM SHEETS is a graduate of Columbia College. She has been teaching Ballet, Jazz, Creative Movement, Tap and Modern Dance since 2001. She is a most energetic and enthusiastic teacher. Her Ballet technique is Cecchetti based; she studied Tap with Jimmy Payne and has had various Modern techniques. We're all very happy to have Kim as a part of the Lehman family

CAITLIN GUDOT-HAYWOOD is a graduate of Pointe Park in Pittsburg, which is a conservatory for the performing arts. Caitlin, too is well-trained in every dance discipline as she grew up in her mther's dance studio in Indiana. She is currently dancing with the Chicago Tap Company and Zephyr Dance.

MARY-MARTHA ROEMER came to Chicago via Texas because she won a scholarship to Gus Giordano's. She danced with his company and with Hubbard Street. "Miss Mary" has many years of teaching experience as well; but then took time off to have her family. Now that she is settled in Wilmette and her children are in school, she decided to return to her love of dance - and we're glad she chose us.

NELL HEFLIN began her dance training in Nashville with the Nashville Dance Ensemble. She attended dance intensives at Nashville Ballet and the River North Chicago dance companies. She received a scholarship from Birmingham College and trained under Mira Popovich and Ruth Henry. She graduated Cum Laude with degrees in Dance Performance and Business Administration. She danced with the Atlanta Festival Ballet and is currently dancing with Inside Chicago Dance company. We're delighted to have Nell as a part of our staff.

LAUREN MARCHETTO will, again, be holding her Poms class on Saturdays. Lauren has focused on her studies in classical Ballet, but has enjoyed adding Jazz and Hip Hop to her curriculum. She has been on the Varsity Poms Squad at Glenbrook South High School for the past three years and has brought her knowledge and experience to our students.

COLLEEN WELCH will be a permanent member of our staff this season - having subbed for several classes last season. She majored in Dance and Kinesiology at Indiana University; but before attending IU, she trained at the Dance Company in Indianapolis with Diane Gudat. Colleen is currently a company member with the Zephry Dance company and also dances with Drop Shift Dance and Ology dance company as well. In addition to performing and teaching dance, she enjoys her work as a fitness instructor and personal trainer, and is certified in Yoga and Pilates.

CLAIRE LINDSTROM has been dancing here and at Interlochen since she was a little girl. She is now a lovely young woman, a fabulous dancer and will continue this year as a teacher. We're happy to have Claire as an "official" member of the staff!

And, in the same footsteps is DANA FORD, who will be using her special talents to teach her experience with Poms, Jazz and Hip Hop to our students. We are very excited and proud to present Dana as a member of the Lehman dance staff!

We also have a fabulous Music Department, headed by Shannon Barker and Jeff Merrill.

Mezzo-soprano, SHANNON BARKER, is a California native, who has studied classical voice for more than fifteen years. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, where she performed lead roles in "INTO THE WOODS" and "HANSEL & GRETEL". In 2005 she completed her Masters in Vocal Performance at Northwestern University, where she sang Zita in Puccini's "GIANNI SCHICCHI" and Alma March in Adamo's "LITTLE WOMEN". She has also sung with the Grant Park Chorus. She is an outstanding pianist and teaches all of our Voice and Piano students.

JEFF MERRILL has been a professional guitar player for over 20 years. He has studied jazz guitar with Arbor recording artist, Gerry Beaudoin, and internationally acclaimed blues great Dave Specter. Jeff is currently playing and singing in the blues band, "Shantytown". The group has been performing for the past twelve years at local venues, private parties and corporate events. Jeff's schedule is such that he is available on Saturdays only.

Our office staff is also fabulous. CLAIRE ASUAN, MARGO MULLADY and DIANE PILOLLA keep everything running smoothly for us.

We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful and talented staff ready to serve you!