MaZi™ Dance Fitness Centre
Marisol
Marisol has trained on full scholarships and performed in renowned ballet companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Ballet El Paso, Ballet Austin, and The First Vaganova Workshop in Ghent, Belguim. She performed in productions such as The Nutrcracker, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, Vivaldi, Stars and Stripes, Don Quixote, and Swan Lake. Marisol taught ballet as an undergraduate. She also independently set and choreographed children’s performances. Despite working full time as an engineer, she has continued her own training in Ballet, Zumba®, and Pilates-Ball. She is eager to share the benefits of building a strong core and of keeping exercise an ongoing part of your life. Her classes are intense but offer modifications and will work out your entire body. Your body will thank you!
Ziba has over 20 years of dancing, choreographing, and performing experience and 7 years of teaching dance and setting various productions. She has trained and performed with renowned companies including, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet El Paso, San Francisco Ballet, and The First Vaganova Workshop in Ghent, Belgium. After her professional career, Ziba’s passion for dance expanded into teaching ballet form conditioning, dance boxing, cardio dance, Zumba, and private lessons. Meanwhile, she completed a Master’s in Business Administration and enjoyed a career in marketing before deciding that her heart will always be in dance. Her classes are about driving results and maximizing each individual’s potential while celebrating the gift a movement and music.
Born and raised in France, Fabrice Calmels began ballet training at age 3. In 1991, Fabrice entered the prestigious, 300-year-old Paris Opera School, under the direction of Claude Bessy. Through his training he worked with world-renowned dance masters such as Serge Golovine, Gilbert Mayer, Max Bozzoni, John Neumier, Jirí Kylián, Violette Verdy, and also performed at the beautiful Opera Palais Garnier theatre. In 1998, Fabrice was spotted by John Meehan, director of American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company, and moved to New York. He furthered his training by joining The Rock School, and danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet. At Boston Ballet, under the direction of Anna-Marie Holmes, he learned the Russian technique with ballet masters Tatiana Terekhova and Sergei Berezhnoi, and also the Balanchine style at The School of American Ballet. In September 2001, Fabrice returned home to France and joined Paris’s most famous cabaret, LIDO de Paris. There he was fortunate to hone his pas de deux skills by performing the show’s acrobatic pas de deux. In 2002 , Fabrice settled in Chicago with the Joffrey Ballet, under the direction of company co-founder Gerald Arpino. Fabrice is currently a lead dancer at the Joffrey Ballet.
Rachel graduated as an Exceptional Honor Student from Advanced Anatomy Massage Academy May 23, 2003. She began practicing in Chicago; then moved to the East Coast and started a wellness center in Mount Holly NJ where she worked for the last 6 years (2003-2009). In Chicago she practices massage therapy at corporate offices, spa parties, and events. Her website is RachelMassage.com . Rachel is also Pilates certified and teaches all levels of Pilates. Last year she discovered Zumba® and was a huge fan since it's not only fun, it's an awesome workout as well. Rachel has been teaching Zumba® for over a year. Her classes offer endless variety and fun!
Jessica is originally from Detroit, Michigan. She is studying fashion design at Columbia College Chicago. You can find some of her jewelry designs for sale at MaZi! Jessica has training in ballet, jazz, Tahitian, pointe, modern, yoga, and has danced in various productions. Jessica has also taught children ballet and jazz at Grosse Academy of Dance in Michigan.
Miguel was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he was introduced to dance & dance training by his mother. During his time in Puerto Rico, Miguel worked in theater and a few Jazz dance companies until moving to Chicago in 2001. Currently, he is a Spanish Interpreter at CMH and is starting his own business with 4Life Products. Miguel has taught Ballroom Dance for 3 years at Arthur Murray Dance studios. He has also competed professionally with his dance partner and placed in the Future Champions Division regional and national competitions. He is now starting to teach ZUMBA and Social Dancing at MaZi Dance Fitness Centre. With his knowledge in Ballroom, his natural high energy, and his eagerness to help people accomplish anything on the dance floor…Miguel rocks the house!
Stephanie Williams graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2009 with a B.F.A in dance. Williams currently teaches in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. She was recently certified in ZUMBA® and continues to choreograph independently for her company, Stephanie Williams and Dancers. Under professional direction she has performed in works by Beth McNeil, Paige Cunningham, Matthew Hollis, and Twyla Tharp. Come experience Stephanie’s enticing style and choreography by taking Dance Tease!
Once the Executive Director of Dance2XS Michigan, Marja moved to Chicago to dance with Boom Crack Dance Company in residency with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Marja has performed at the 2011 Billboard Awards and Oprah’s Farewell Spectacular as a backup dancer for Beyonce, was featured in Twista’s latest music video, and was a chosen choreographer in Freelance Dance Chicago’s spring 2011 showcase. Marja has extensively training with Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio (Los Angeles), Broadway Dance Center (New York), Lou Conte Dance Studio (Chicago), and the University of Michigan Dance Program and has performed in Michigan's Best Dance Crew, Prelude Dance Competition, Urbanite, The One, and the Vogue Show. Certified in Zumba, Turbo Kick, and Vinyasa, Marja is passionate about art, community, and creating spaces for people to access both in their own engaged and passionate way.
Kiley has 10 years of studio training in tap, jazz, ballet and point. She continued dancing with her high school pom team and then as a member of the University of Notre Dame Pom Squad. Originally a native of suburban Detroit, Kiley moved to Chicago in 2008 after graduating from The University of Notre Dame. Here she began her career in architecture and is currently working for a high end residential firm in Skokie. Kiley discovered Zumba about a year ago and immediately fell in love. It is the perfect way to combine dance and fitness! Her classes are both fun and challenging!
Autumn has many years of ballet training and has trained and competed for over 15 years in a variety of sports, including running, swimming, rowing, cycling, rock climbing, and yoga. She has instructor training experience in Gyrotonic and Stott Pilates. Autumn discovered MaZi soon after moving to Chicago in 2009, and has applied her knowledge of other sports to dance. She works full time as a medical writer and freelance editor, but is most passionate about helping people find strength and expression through dance.