Crystal Lake Dance Studio Offering Classes for All Ages
Serving Crystal Lake, Huntley, McHenry, Cary, Woodstock, Algonquin & surrounding areas
Our unique triple-track approach offers recreational, competitive, and advanced dance opportunities for every dancer
Precision. Empowerment. Passion.
Our experienced faculty brings decades of professional training, performance experience, and teaching expertise to Engage Dance Academy. More importantly, our instructors are passionate about helping every dancer feel supported, challenged, and inspired—from their very first class through advanced training.
Owners & Artistic Directors
Courtney & Marc Petrocci
Teachers
Kym Banner
Dance Instructor
Ms. Kym has been a valued member of the Engage Dance Academy faculty for over 30 years. She teaches dancers in both our Engage Dance Theatre and Open Division programs, working with students from 18 months through their teen years.
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Known for her patience, kindness, and nurturing approach, Ms. Kym has a special gift for helping young dancers feel comfortable and confident in the studio. She gently guides children as they adjust to class, build independence, and discover a love of dance, making those first steps away from parents a positive and encouraging experience.
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Over the years, Ms. Kym has had the joy of teaching multiple generations of dancers. Many of today's students are the children of dancers she taught years ago—a testament to the lasting relationships she builds with families and the positive impact she has on her students.
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In addition to her work at Engage, Ms. Kym has coached the Harper College Dance & Pom team and has worked with gymnasts at various gymnastics facilities, helping them develop the dance technique, artistry, and performance skills needed to excel in competition.
Amanda Gee
Dance Instructor
Ms. Mandi began her dance journey at the age of 5 in her hometown of Danville, Illinois, where she studied jazz, tap, ballet, and tumbling at Laurel School of Dance. Her passion for dance and teaching was evident early on—at just 12 years old, she was selected as a student demonstrator, and by age 16, she was teaching dancers ranging from preschoolers to adults.
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During her years at Laurel School of Dance, Ms. Mandi continued to grow as both a dancer and educator, attending seminars throughout the Chicago area and participating in competitions where the studio earned overall high-score awards each year.
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After earning her Associate's degree in Arts & Science, Ms. Mandi moved to the Chicago area to continue her dance education through the Dance Program at Columbia College Chicago.
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Today, Ms. Mandi teaches Extreme Jazz & Hip Hop, rotational classes, specialty tap classes for Engage Dance Theatre dancers, and adult classes in tap, ballet, and jazz/hip hop. She has a special gift for working with adult dancers, creating a welcoming environment where beginners feel comfortable learning while experienced dancers continue to challenge themselves and grow.
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Ms. Mandi's passion for dance is matched by her ability to make every student feel successful, whether they are stepping into a studio for the first time or continuing a lifelong love of movement.
Annia Hidalgo
EDT Dance Instructor
Annia Hidalgo began her training in the province of Holguín and continued at the Cuban National Ballet School in Havana under Professor Ramona de Saa. In 2004, she was awarded the Gold Medal in the International Ballet Competition. That same year, she joined The Cuban National Ballet as a soloist under Alicia Alonso. Her repertoire includes soloist and principal roles in La Fille Mal Gardée, Coppélia, Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Paquita, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, Scheherazade, and Prince Igor. Hidalgo has performed as a principal with Media City Ballet and as a soloist at Los Angeles Ballet.
Since joining Milwaukee Ballet, she has danced as Alice in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in Wonderland) and featured roles in Michael Pink’s ballets, including Musetta in La Bohème, Odile in Swan Lake, Lucy in Dracula, Snow White in Mirror Mirror, Belle in Beauty and the Beast and the title roles in Giselle and Cinderella. She also appeared in the winning pieces from Genesis 2013 (Gabrielle Lamb’s Manifold) and 2015 (Garrett Smith’s Mortal Form).
Hidalgo has danced as a guest artist with Rockford Dance Company and was proud to appear in the premiere performance of Refuge Foundation for the Arts. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of classical ballet as a teacher in various summer programs around the country.
Charlee Morris
Dance Instructor
Charlee is thrilled to be returning to Engage Dance Academy after taking a year away from teaching. Having grown up dancing at Engage, she's incredibly grateful to be back at the studio that sparked her love of dance and helped shape her as both a dancer and teacher.
Charlee has trained extensively in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip hop, and K-Pop for nearly two decades. She was a member of her high school's Varsity Dance Team before continuing her dance education at Loyola University Chicago, where she studied ballet and pointe and performed in multiple mainstage productions.
From 2019–2025, Charlee taught and choreographed at Engage, instructing classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary, K-pop, and more. As a competition coach, her choreography earned numerous overall placements, national recognition, and NYCDA Critic's Choice nominations.
Outside the studio, Charlee earned her Master of Social Work and now works as a pediatric mental health therapist, supporting children and families through play-based therapy. She loves bringing that experience into the studio by creating a positive, encouraging environment where every dancer feels supported, challenged, and confident. Charlee is so excited to be back home at Engage and can't wait to share her love of dance with both new and returning students!
Alyssa Guzman
Dance Instructor
Alyssa has been a part of the studio family since she was two years old. After growing up as a student at the studio, she joined the teaching staff during high school and has continued to share her passion for dance with students ever since. Now a college graduate, Alyssa remains dedicated to inspiring the next generation of dancers in the same supportive environment that helped shape her own journey.
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Throughout her years of training, Alyssa has been recognized for her technical skill and performance quality, receiving the DancerPalooza Ballet Scholarship, SouldeSoul Dance Convention Contemporary Scholarship, Institute of American Musical Theatre Scholarship, Broadway Bound Award, NUVO Musical Theatre Scholarship, and Artists Simply Human Entertainment Pick. She has also earned First Overall Solo awards at Odyssey Dance Competition and the Cougar Challenge Collegiate Dance Invite.
Alyssa served as captain of her university dance team for two years and continues to share her leadership through coaching a high school dance team and the studio’s competition team—a team she once competed with as a student herself. Her experiences as a dancer, leader, and instructor allow her to create a positive and encouraging environment where dancers can build confidence, strengthen their technique, and develop a lifelong love of dance.
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Erica Zafiriou
Dance Instructor
Erica began teaching dance at the age of 17, sharing her love of dance with underserved youth throughout the Chicago area. She has trained at renowned studios including Gus Giordano Dance School, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, and Broadway Dance Center in New York City.
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Her professional career has spanned both the dance and entertainment industries. Erica has choreographed and performed in productions such as Brigadoon and Oklahoma, performed with the NY Beat Dance Troupe and Brooklyn Performance Center, and worked with Atlantic Records on projects featuring artists including Missy Elliott, T.I., Sean Paul, Lil' Kim, Kid Rock, Panic! At the Disco, and Danity Kane. She has also collaborated with colleges on dance program development, produced the nationally distributed PBS talent search program Celebration of Music, and continues her work in entertainment as Director of Development for Sun and Sky Entertainment.
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At Engage Dance Academy, Erica brings her professional industry experience into the classroom through creative, high-energy instruction that encourages dancers to express themselves, build confidence, and enjoy the art of movement.
Instructor Training Program
At Engage Dance Academy, we are committed to developing not only skilled dancers, but also future dance educators and leaders. Qualified students who demonstrate dedication, responsibility, and a passion for teaching have the opportunity to train alongside our experienced faculty.
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Student teachers begin by assisting instructors in class, where they develop classroom management, communication, and teaching skills. As they gain experience and confidence, they may also have opportunities to substitute teach under the guidance of our faculty.
Administrative Staff
Our administrative team is an essential part of the Engage Dance Academy experience. From welcoming families and helping dancers feel supported to keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes, their dedication makes our studio experience possible.
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As current and former dance parents of Engage dancers themselves, our administrative staff understands the journey families experience—from a child's first class to watching them grow as dancers. Their personal experience allows them to provide the care, guidance, and support that make Engage feel like home.
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We are incredibly thankful for the time, dedication, and heart they give to our dancers, families, and studio community.
Administrative Staff:
Marcy Chevalier, Michelle Baumgart, Tricia McCann​