Kelli C. Lichtenberger
Owner-Director
Elite Dance Co was started in the summer of 2007 under the direction of Penny Knox and managed by Kelli Lichtenberger. In 2014, Penny retired to Florida and Elite Dance Co was under the directorship of Kelli. In 2017 Kelli took over full ownership and continuing the pride and dedication it takes to run a dance studio that is family friendly yet professional in every manor and saw the need to expand the studio and gain more visibility with adding storefront and additional retail/lobby space for our growing program. In August of 2017 Elite Dance Co added an additional 1000+ sqft to our already 6000+ sqft space where we now offer a full line of dancewear, shoes and accessories.
Kelli grew up in the dance studio environment dancing for 10 years at The Dance Factory, as well as working in the office and retail store in Mundelein. We make sure lines of communication are always met when concerning your studio account and customer service. Any questions regarding our program curriculum, class availability, billing and payments as well as properly fitting dancewear can be discussed as Kelli is at the desk for open hours making sure needs are met.
Kelli and her husband Mark have been residents of Wauconda for the past 25 years where she is a devoted wife and mother to their children Cameron, Logan and Chloe.
We welcome you to Elite Dance Co!
Elite Dance Co Teaching Staff
Children's Development Program - Ballet - Lyrical - Modern
Ms Amy began dancing when she was two years old at The Dance Factory, under the direction of Penny Knox. While there, she danced competitively for 12 years under the instruction of Penny Knox, Lizzie Mackenzie, Nick Pupillo, Mary Cromer and Fury Gold. Amy is a graduate of The University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Minor in Anthropology. While at The University of Iowa, she performed works by faculty members, Armando Duarte and Alan Sener. Amy also studied under the late Linda Crist and Basil Thompson, as well as Charlotte Adams, Eloy Barrigan, Jeffery Bullock, George De La Pena, Deanna Carter, Jennifer Kayle, and Dan Stark. After graduating, she became a company member of Duarte Dance Works – a Contemporary Dance Company. Out of college, Amy began teaching multiple styles of dance and after many years, began working at Six Flags Great America, where she choreographed for four years and was the Head Choreographer for three years. She is thrilled to be entering her 15th year with Elite Dance Co, the place that sparked her passion for dance as a young child.
Miss Amy
Miss Laura
Competition Team/YAGP Assistant Director
Children's Development Program - Ballet - Tap - Pointe - Lyrical - Contemporary - Jazz -
Progressing Ballet Technique
Laura Biernacki, from Vernon Hills, Illinois, began her dance training at the age of five. She graduated with high honors from Western Michigan University with a minor in Sociology and Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Laura is a certified teacher in Progressing Ballet Technique, founded by Marie Walton-Mahon, and believes in its many benefits. She has had the pleasure to choreograph dances for Adali E. Stevenson High School’s Melangé and Concert Dance Companies while acting as a member of each ensemble. Participating in these different ensembles offered her the opportunity to work hand in hand with Liz Lerman and her Critical Response Process to enhance her dance, “It’s Not Goodbye, I’ll See You Later”. Laura has choreographed for multiple dance companies, and has presented numerous competitive entries across the country. Laura has won Technique, Choreography, and High Point Awards across the Regional and National Competitive Circuits. Most notably, in 2021, Laura’s pieces, “Divenire'' and “One, Two, Three” tied for second place at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Regional Competition. Laura is excited to continue to share her love and passion for dance with her students here at Elite!
Jazz - Hip Hop - Ballroom
Ms Teddy started dancing when she was 2 years old, and hasn’t stopped since. Not wanting to limit her abilities, she has immersed herself in all styles including jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, heels, and even ballroom. She views dance as the language that the soul speaks, and continues to become more fluent and expressive in that language. Her continued education has culminated in a minor in dance and constant attendance of classes, workshops, and even competitions in order to keep honing her craft. Some of her credits include, World of Dance Three time champions with Puzzle League, Velocity Finale Piece under Dee Caspery, Talia Favia’s Chapters Member, Finalist at a ShowCase Jack & Jill, as well as countless training under some of the top industry leaders in LA. She keeps pushing her own boundaries so she can help grow the boundaries of those who want to learn this language she loves so much.
Miss Teddy
Children's Development Program - Ballet - Tap - Lyrical - Musical Theater
Anna formally dancing since the age of 4 and performed in her studios annual Magic of The Nutcracker, Spring Collectives, and Summer shows from 1st-12th grade and into college. She was also a member of their Junior and Senior Ballet Performance Companies, Tap and Jazz Companies, as well as their Pre-Professional Track Programs. She began teaching in 2009. During her time training in dance, she also studied martial arts and received her black belt from Northshore Academy of Martial arts at the age of 14. After graduating high-school, Anna went on to perform with and work for Chicago Christian Youth Theater, CYT. As of 2020 Anna is currently in her 6th year coaching CYT Kenosha's Project Dance Teams, as well as choreographing her 12th musical with the company.
Anna has had her dancers and choreography win overall at dance competitions such as Starpower, Hall of Fame, Revolution, Nextstar, Showstoppers and more. She continues to actively pursue any and all opportunities to continue strengthening her dance education, and developing her strengths as a dancer, educator, choreographer and performer.
Ms Anna
Adult Ballet Program
Ms Sandy grew up in the Northwest suburbs and currently resides in Vernon Hills. She first started taking dance and acrobatics at age 7 and has studied the art of dance since then. She studied at various studios and with many instructors in ballet, pointe, jazz, acrobatics and tap in the Chicagoland area. She decided that she wanted to share her love of dance with others and has been teaching dance for over 15 years and has also coached local performing dance teams. Her main passions are ballet, pointe and tap. She truly loves being able to instruct and inspire those she teaches and also strives to continually enhance her dance education by attending dance conventions designed for dance teachers. She is excited to be able to continue sharing her love of dance as an instructor at Elite Dance Company this coming year.
Ms Sandy
Ballet
Ms Carol holds a BFA in Theatre & an MA in Performance from Univ. of Wis-Milwaukee & West Virginia Univ. She trained in all forms of dance at both universities, with special focus on Ballet, & continued her training in numerous studios, including The Place-London, Steps on Broadway-New York & Giordano-Chicago, among others.
Carol has performed in many Midwest productions, including Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Skylight Opera Theatre, Milwaukee Florentine Opera, Great American Children's Theatre, Chicago Actors Project, Theatre on the Bay & more. She's been a choreographer & dance instructor for more than 15 years.