Meet the Team
At Aspirations Dance Company we carefully select our staff for their professional experience, their ability to tailor their experience to every student, and their love of dance. Our instructors promote an atmosphere of excitement, professionalism, and creativity, allowing students the opportunity to learn and excel in dance.
Kelly Callese Nelms
OWNER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kelly Callese is the founder and Artisitc director of Aspirations Dance Company in Lombard, IL. Kelly has been dancing since the age of eight starting out at Gotta Dance Studio where…
Michael Nelms
INSTRUCTOR
Michael has been working with ADC for over 3 years. Formerly a competitive gymnast, Michael has a genuine love of the sport that shines through in his teaching. His Students…
Brittany Thele
INSTRUCTOR
Brittany Thele began dancing when she was just 2 years old. During her early years of training, she performed roles with Von Heideicke’s Chicago Festival Ballet. She attended River North…
Jackson Liee
INSTRUCTOR
Jackson is currently a choreographer and member of the New Jersey Ballet Company. His dance training started at the age of 16 in his home country of Brazil. Further training continued…
Penny Bovelli
Penny M. Bovelli (Owner/Director/Founder of The Dance Centre) has been dancing, teaching, and choreographing for more than 40 years. She loves her work and it is apparent in her…
Daniela Ivkovic
INSTRUCTOR
Daniela was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago. She has over 30 years of experience in the dance world as a performer, instructor and choreographer. Daniela started
Sidney Wiliniski
Front Desk Assistant
Sharon Holiday
Social Media/Events Manager
Bio Coming Soon!
Alexandria Gamble
Coach Alex
Bio Coming Soon!
Danielle Lofendo
Bio Coming Soon!
Destiny Barnes
INSTRUCTOR
Miss Destiny started dancing at three years old and has studied Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Tap. After dancing competitively for years, she joined her Orchesis team…
Kimberly Callese
INSTRUCTOR
Kim has been teaching jazz technique classes at the studio for over 7 years, Kim’s unique, thorough, & strict teaching style enhances jazz technique classes for our competitive dancers. With…
Mikie Thomas
INSTRUCTOR
Michael “Mikie” Thomas found his passion for dance at a very young age. As he grew up, Mikie perfected the style of foot-working, danced with various Southside groups in Chicago…
Steven Gorski
FIERCE Competitive Team Choreographer
“Scuba” Steve Gorski started dancing at the young age of 2. He received his training from Stage Door Dance Academy and Impact Dance Studio. Steve has won many titles, scholarships and…
Laura Mendes
Originally from Brazil, Laura just graduated from Joffrey Ballet School on merit scholarship. She worked with choreographers such as Greg Lau, Yoshito Sakuraba, Antonia Franceschi and Yin Yue. She was a company member and Rehearsal Assistant with Joffrey Ballet Concert Group for two seasons.
Emerald Whaley
Emerald Whaley is from Lombard, Illinois and began her dance career at the age of 3 years old at Aspirations Dance Company.