Ms. Jamie earned a degree in Special Education K–12 from Purdue University and began her career as a Special Education teacher, serving students and families from 2002-2006. This experience established a strong foundation in education, communication, organization, and advocacy. Leadership experience expanded through her work at Our Savior Lutheran Church, where she served as Superintendent from 2012–2015, overseeing Sunday School teachers, programs, and day-to-day ministry activities. She also served as the Director of Vacation Bible School from 2014–2017, leading the planning, organization, staffing, and implementation of the church’s VBS program. Ms. Jamie first came to Leap of Faith because her daughter chose to dance at the studio. What began as a place for her daughter to learn dance quickly became something much more meaningful for both of them. Over the years, Leap of Faith not only helped her daughter develop her dance skills and technique, but also encouraged her to grow in her relationship with the Lord. Along the way, they both found a true dance family. Many of the parents she met through the studio have become some of her closest friends.

After becoming involved as a parent, Ms. Jamie began serving Leap of Faith as a Board Member. In 2017, she joined the nonprofit professionally as Administrative Assistant. In 2022, she stepped into the role of Director of Operations and Finance, where she oversees the organization’s operational and financial functions, ministry, building strong teams, creating effective systems and building management.  Helping to ensure our programs, mission, and culture of our studio are carried out effectively. In addition to her administrative and leadership responsibilities, Ms. Jamie has served as Costume Manager since 2017. In this role, she works closely with dancers and their families to measure dancers, determine appropriate costume sizing, coordinate costume orders, and ensure that costumes are organized and ready for performances. There are many moving pieces involved in costume coordination. Throughout her years at Leap of Faith, Ms. Jamie has experienced the organization not only as an employee and leader, but first as a dance mom. Having witnessed firsthand the positive impact the studio has had on her daughter and their family, she is passionate about helping create that same experience for other dancers and families. Her diverse background in education, ministry, administration, finance, nonprofit operations, and dance allows her to bring a unique combination of leadership, organization, compassion, and servant-heartedness to her role at Leap of Faith. Most importantly, she is grateful to be part of a community where faith, family, and dance come together.

Heather has been dancing since she was just 2 years old which is probably why teaching the littlest of our dancers is her favorite! Heather trained in Ballet, Tap and Jazz up until her teen years when she decided to focus on Ballet and Pointe at a studio in Chicago. She began teaching as a student assistant teacher and found her true calling of teaching during that time. She has taught the little dancers for 17 years and has loved getting to help form a foundation of love in dance. Heather has been with LOF for 10 years. Since teaching at LOF, Heather has been able to combine her love of Christ with her love of dance & pass that same joy onto her students. In 2022, Heather stepped into her role as Director of Studio Development to help LOF grow and reach more families. She has helped increase LOF's student enrollment and outreach within our community. Heather has been married to her husband Mark since 2002 and has 3 adult sons and one wonderful daughter-in-law and a beautiful grandson. She has lived in Plainfield since High School and graduated from Plainfield High School (when there was only one!). Her favorite Bible verse that helps to calm her spirit is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength."

Emily has been a member of Leap of Faith since 2005. She has grown up dancing at the studio and now enjoys teaching the current LOF students. Emily has trained in multiple styles of dance including: Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical, Contemporary and Pointe but she particularly loves Tap! She strives to help her students find their true artistry and connection with the Lord in their dance experience and believes that Leap of Faith fosters a dancer’s faith through serving, application of truth and godly friendships. She has earned titles for her work at local competitions including "Best in Choreography" and special judges awards & recognition. Emily also has a heart for children with learning differences/special needs and holds a certification with the “Rhythm Works Integrative Dance” Program. Emily has stepped up in directorship and works as the studio's Program Manager as well as the Shining Lights Teams Manager. She is committed to her dancers and studio and will continue sharing her heart with everyone who steps into her classroom!

Ms Jamie has been dancing since the age of three and teaching since 2002. Starting her training under Kathleen Sims Villari (Ballet Russe De Monte Carlo) and Maria Villari at American Dance Center where she trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Modern. She performed nationwide including the International Dance Festival in California. She was a cast member of Chicagoland's longest running original ballet "Hansel and Gretel" from 1995-2000. She also performed in The Joffery Ballet's "Nutcracker". Jamie's modern training (Graham, Horton, and Cunningham) came from Melody Geraci. Jamie also trained with Olga Ravasi, Joel Hall, Dardi Mcginley-Galivan, Christie Lowe (ABT), Eduardo Vilaro (Ballet Hispanico), Adam Sklute (Ballet West), and John Magnus (Joffery Ballet) to name a few. She is a certified instructor for Joel Hall technique. She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique. Jamie has also been certified in Discover Dance, a child dance and development program. She has been teaching in the Chicagoland area for 25 years and continues to guest teach and substitute teach where she is needed. She has taught for conventions such as Dance Masters Wisconsin. She enjoys judging and teaching at local conventions and competitions. Some of Jamie's favorite musical credits include, Gypsy, 1776, Music Man, and Cats. Jamie is the founder of the Child Exploitation Awareness Task Force (CEAT) which is an organization promoting awareness and education on child exploitation, abuse, and trafficking. Jamie, her husband David, and their two children Lila and Killian reside in Plainfield IL.

Mrs. Ana grew up in the Washington DC area, training at The Washington Ballet and competed at a local studio lead by Gloria Hampton. During her professional career, she has performed with a multitude of ballet companies; from the Maryland Youth Ballet to the Royal Danish Ballet. She has performed on Broadway, completed several national tours and performed in multiple productions by Debbie Allen and numerous productions with The Dance Institute of Washington. 

She has done choreography for multiple professional dance teams, dance companies, and theaters nationwide. As a teacher and choreographer for the past 15 years, she looks forward to sharing her experiences and knowledge with the next generation of dancers and performers. 

Kimberly began dance lessons at the age of 5, studying under Anna Targonski and Anna Marie Aragona. She has 18 years of experience teaching dance and has been trained in several different styles including: Jazz, Tumbling, Acrobatics, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Tap. She was accepted and attended beginnings workshop in New York City where she studied dance, voice, musical theater and acting. She has taken master classes with experts such as Al
Gilbert, Diana Rizzo, Peter Sklar, and Tokyo. Also while studying for her Business Degree at Harry S Truman College, she attended dance classes at various studios in Chicago. She has competed at and choreographed many routines for competitions nationwide winning several awards and titles for her work, such as National Champion for top solo in Las Vegas, Nevada at Showstoppers National Finals and Best Choreography at BravO! National Dance and Talent Competition. She has been invited to perform for the Secretary of State, Jesse White and also for Star Search. She is the former owner of Lily’s Academy of Dance where she operated as Studio Director for 6 years until she decided to step down from the position in order to be home more for her family. Since then she has very much enjoyed being able to continue sharing her knowledge, passion and love for dance while teaching at other dance studios. She is a dedicated and nurturing instructor who is excited and thankful to work with dancers of all ages.

Victor has been dancing Hip Hop/Street dance for 13+ years. Victor started dancing at the age of 11 on the dance crew LIWBYL (Like It Would Be Your Last), a dance company that he founded with his brother in 2014 to honor their late mother. Victor continues to train & hone his skills and eventually joined one of the best Hip Hop dance companies in the Midwest, Hip Hop Connxion. Victor has been training & performing with Hip Hop Connxion since he was 15 years old. While under the guidance of his mentor and founder of Hip Hop Connxion, Suave, he has learned the history and foundation of Hip Hop/Street dance. Victor says "I am just a basement kid who did not have the privilege of dancing in studios, but that never stopped me." Through dedication, commitment and strength, Victor has had many successful experiences in the professional dance world including Runway shows, Choreographers Carnival, THE ONE Street Dance Showcase and even as a back up dancer for the music artist A$AP ROCKY. Victor has conquered many adversaries and milestones since his dance journey began and he is blessed to be part of a studio where he can help educate the youth. Victor says "I’m never above learning and will always share my knowledge for the next generation to come."  

Ms Alyssabeth has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She trained at The Atlanta Ballet for 5 years and at Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival School of Ballet for 7 years. She has brought multiple roles from Mr. Von Heidecke’s Productions of the Nutcracker and Cinderella to life on stage, including a principal role in the Chinese dance and as one of the evil step sisters in his first production of Cinderella. Alyssabeth graduated from Bethel University in 2009 earning an Educational Studies degree with an emphasis in dance. During that time, she joined Bethel University’s worship dance team, leading and choreographing for the group for 3 years. They incorporated lyrical and hip-hop elements into their dances for the chapel worship time. She also organized this group to dance during church worship services in the local area. Since then, Alyssabeth went on to teach preschool for 15 years, utilizing movement and dance to help develop little minds. It is a core belief of hers that creative movement is an impactful learning
tool for children. Her experiences and background in dance have inspired her to help children learn the curriculum and develop basic fundamental motor skills through movement. Alyssabeth is excited to be a part of Leap of Faith, helping the next generation of dancers as they discover dancing for Jesus and artistic expression.

Bio coming soon!

Sophia Bernar has been dancing at Leap of Faith Dance Studio since 2010, where her passion for dance and worship first began. After graduating, she moved to Texas to further her training with Ingredients Dance Company before returning home to teach at the studio that first inspired her love for dance.

As an instructor and choreographer, Sophia is grateful for the opportunity to invest in the next generation of dancers while sharing her love for the Lord through movement. She believes dance is a powerful form of praise and worship, and her desire is to create an environment where students not only grow in their technique and artistry but also learn to use dance as an expression of their faith. Through teaching and choreography, Sophia’s goal is to blend her passion for dance with her love for God, inspiring others to glorify Him through every movement.

Bio coming soon!