Our Teachers

Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary

Favorite Treat: Popcorn!

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​Kait wears many hats in the dance community, but is primarily a dancer, teacher, and
choreographer. They grew up dancing recreationally in Cleveland, Ohio and studied theater at Loyola University. For the last ten years Kait (literally) wiggled their way into a bunch of cool dance projects, most recently with Laboratory Dancers, Such Creatures, Mandy Milligan, and (fellow Art House teacher) Nik Graves. Kait has taught at schools and park districts across Chicago and is delighted to be on the team at Art House! When they aren’t dancing, Kait enjoys biking, sharing meals with friends, and watching reruns of their favorite childhood TV shows (looking at you Gilmore Girls and Project Runway!).

Acro Dance I & II

Favorite Treat: KitKat or Hot Cheetos!

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​Reign Drop is a dancer/director/choreographer based in Chicago, Illinois. While completing their degree in Dance from Columbia College Chicago they were mentored in choreography and improvisation by Darrell Jones and Lisa Gonzales. In the community, they have led an Improvisers’ Dance Jam for Chicago Dancemakers Forum, performed for Erin Killmurray, created work for Synapse Arts and Danceworks Chicago, choreographed for the iconic Shea Coulee’s "Rewind" music video, and is the co-founder of We Are Collective. They are also a Company Member for LOUD Bodies and are teaching artist through Synapse Arts. Throughout all of their artistic practices, they focus on researching contemporary movements that demonstrate autonomy, liberation, and connection. They also act as Company Lead for Queer Dance Freakout, the largest trans dance organization in the Midwest, which aids them in their mission to be heard—to share their story—to honor the stories of all magical trans people.

Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Breaking, & Spanish Immersion

Favorite Treat: Snickers Bar

A recent dance graduate, Tristen Sanborn is just freshly stepping into the Chicago dance scene. Doing various works across Chicago and the Twin Cities, Sanborn is truly interested in the human connection that comes with the art form. Throughout these two cities, Tristen has worked with various companies, such as The Walker Arts Center, The Cowles Center, Shapiro & Smith Dance, NBC, The Seldoms, The Joffrey Ballet, Kaleena Miller Dance and more. Tristen is also a company organizer of the Chicago dance collective, WE ARE.  An emerging choreographer, Sanborn has showcased choreography at a few different Chicago festivals, such as The Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival, and Delve Dance Showcase.

Fiber Arts, Ballet, Jazz & Contemporary

Favorite Treat: Truly anything sweet!

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Nik Graves (they/he) graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Dance. Graves co-founded We Are Collective, a nonprofit with a focus on queer inclusivity within Chicago’s dance community. They have also performed the works of Reign Drop, Robyn Davis, Michelle Haskell, and Mandy Milligan. They have worked with Perceptual Motion, Neocortex Dance Theatre, The Human Experience Dance Project, and Queer Dance Freakout. Graves has choreographed works found around Chicago for Alluvion, Still Inspired, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble, Delve, We Are Collective as well as for events such as Expo Chicago, Wave Wall, and at the Centre National de la Danse in Paris, France. Nik is a 2025 Body Passages resident at Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. Through their research and appreciation for education, they have developed a unique and supportive style that fosters a lifelong love of movement. They have previously been an educator at Dance Beat, Precision Arts Challenge, and We Are Collective.

Youth Yoga & Ballet

Favorite Treat: Dirty Chai

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Alicia René is a strong and expressive dance artist and movement educator from Baltimore, MD. With passion and gratitude at the forefront, they value empowerment, balance, and expansion in their artistic practice. Since earning their BFA in dance and choreography from Towson University, and their RYT200 from YogaCentric, they have danced with the Ruth Page Center, Dissonance Dance Theatre, and the Dance Institute of Washington. When they are not in the studio, they enjoy caring for their two cats, and visiting local coffee shops.