Meet The Dance Gallery Instructors

Amy White Hanas
Director, Instructor
Amy White Hanas, Director, is a Northwest Indiana native who began her dance education at Indiana University with the intent of performing and taking her ability to the final step of dance education. While at Indiana University, she performed in the Indiana University Dance Theatre, for which she was also an assistant director and taught on a substitute basis. Amy continued her education at Duke University and, upon returning to Chicago, studied with Joseph Holmes and Nana Shineflug. Amy's education was furthered when she studied with Birute Barodicaite, Warren Conover and Ginger Farley at the Lou Conte Studios. Ms. Amy continues her dance education annually by studying in Chicago; feeling that her education prepares her to better educate her students. Amy is currently studying Pilates through the New York Authentic Joseph Pilates Guild, and is a certified Pilates instructor.

Taytum Bultema
Assistant Director, Instructor
Ms. Taytum began dancing at the age of 3 at the Munster Academy of Dance. She continued her study of ballet and jazz at the Dance Gallery until she graduated from high school and went on to Indiana University. Growing up Taytum performed with Ballet Legere in the Nutcracker for 6 years and had many leading roles including Clara understudy, Columbine and Angelica. She performed with the Indiana Ballet Theater Northwest in Cinderella and the Nutcracker. She was named All-American Cheerleader and performed in the half time show of the live broadcast Florida Citrus Bowl in 2001. She ranked in the Top 12 at the Miss Illinois Teen USA 2001 Pageant. After graduating high school she continued the study of dance while at Indiana University in ballet and jazz. During her time there she was a member of In-Motion Dance Company. She choreographed a musicale theater piece for Pi Beta Phi for the campus wide IU Sing competition and was also a dancer emcee for IU Sing. During her junior year she taught at the Dance Gallery and at Finale Studio in Illinois. Taytum graduated from IU with a B.A. in Communication and Culture. She is currently continuing dance training and education at Lou Conte Dance Studio and is very excited to be returning to the Dance Gallery.

Laura Brand
Instructor
Laura Brand has studied dance with Loretta Rozak, Ruth Page, Richard Avre, Larry Long, Lou Conte, and the University of Illinois. Ms. Laura has performed with The Chicago Ballet Company and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She has been a guest soloist with the Lithuanian Opera Ballet, appeared in the PBS production of Der Fledermaus and has performed for many years in the annual production of Ruth Page's The Nutcracker. Ms. Laura has been with us for 12 years.

Kris Koulianos
Tap Instructor
After owning her own studio for 15 years, Kris Koulianos returned to the dance world teaching in the EPAT program in Munster for the past three years. Ms. Kris' past experiences include ballet studies at both Ruth Page and Ellis Du Boulay studios in Chicago. Ms. Kris has toured for Radio City Music Hall and choreographed for several universities. Her tap instructors include the infamous Tommy Sutton and Jimmy Payne. Ms. Kris has been with us for 3 years.

Kaitlin Ritchie
Instructor
A Dance Gallery Alumnus, Kaitlin has danced with the Dance Gallery since the age of 4, appearing in many major roles, including Gretel in Hansel and Gretel. Kaitlin was a teacher assistant for 5 years under the direction of Ms. Amy where she learned curriculum and teaching skills. Upon graduation, Kaitling left for Dallas Texas where she spent a year with their training company "Ingredients". There she studied all disciplines of dance with a concentration on Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Hip Hop. Ingredients performed in many venues, but Kaitlin's favorite was taking the message of Hope to the inner city in places such as Texas and California. Kaitlin is excited to bring everything she learned to The Dance Gallery students where she is looking forward to expanding the repertoire of Dance In Love. Kaitlin will continue to study all discipline's of dance at Lou Conte Dance Studio where she has received full scholarship for her outstanding talent, discipline and character.

Cara Scrementi
Instructor
Cara Scrementi studied dance at The Dance Gallery until college. She graduated summa cum laude from Loyola University with a B.A. in Italian and Spanish, a minor in Dance, and was the recipient of Loyola's Dance Minor of the Year award. Aside from teaching at the Dance Gallery, Cara is Co-Director of the After School Matters Dance Ensemble and video editor for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

Kim Dooley
Instructor
Kim Dooley is a graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Communication Studies, as well as a double minor in Business and Dance. She began her dance training at The Dance Gallery under Amy White Hanas and continued at The George Washington University as a Presidential Arts Scholar. In 2009, Kim acted as the Artistic Director of Graffiti Dancers, Northwestern University's premier student dance company. Kim has performed works choreographed by Laura Wade, Jeff Hancock, Kirby Reed, Autumn Eckman, Dionna PridGeon, and Ruth Sherman. She is currently on scholarship at Lou Conte Dance Studio.