Our faculty

Rebecca Rosenberg has been teaching and training dancers of all ages for 20 years.  She is the proud Executive Director at Steps Dance Center where she is able to share her passion for helping young dancers build confidence as well as a foundation of technique.  Growing up training in all styles, she promotes a well-rounded dance education and infuses a blend of styles into her enthusiastic classes.  While pursuing her degree in Chemistry at the University of Illinois, she served as choreographer for the nationally ranked Illini Dance Team, and as the Artistic Director of the International Hip Hop Company, Dance2XS.  Rebecca continues to train regularly through classes and conventions in order to bring new styles and inspiration to her students, including her recent certification in Progressing Ballet Technique. She loves finding ways to enrich the dance program at Steps and provide opportunities for the Steps dancers. She feels lucky to teach alongside such an accomplished faculty and to be able to share her passion for dance with the students at Steps.

Cesar Bautista has been dancing for 14 years in many styles of dance ranging from Latin American to Hiphop. He has been teaching all levels of dance in studios for the past five years and loves all his students. 

Cesar leads with compassion, dedication and discipline. He is a member of the Professional Hip-hop Company Called Hiphop ConnXion HQ under the direction of Suave. He has been a member of the company for eight years.

Cesar believes dance is for all to enjoy and encourages his dancers to make happy mistakes in a safe environment.

With a career spanning across the globe, Alex Fetbroth has established himself as a unique, dynamic force in the dance industry. Originating from the small community of Woburn, Massachusetts, Alex has spent the past 25 years dedicated to the art of movement. His dance journey began in the humble New England dance scene, where he delved into a diverse range of styles, including hip hop, house, popping, ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, and more. Eager to master the technique and mechanics of each style, dance became his profound school of life. This search for knowledge took him from the Greater Boston area to the bustling streets of New York, and finally to the entertainment capital, Los Angeles.

Alex's talent and passion for dance have since taken him around the world, performing with iconic artists such as Miley Cyrus, Prince, Justin Bieber, and Becky G. His list of credits includes appearances on renowned platforms like the American Music Awards, Radio Disney Music Awards, Lucifer, Teen Choice Awards, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and X Factor. Alex can also be found on the big screen in movies like "Hannah Montana: The Movie”,  the Whitney Houston Biopic: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”, and Wolves with Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

Beyond live performances, Alex has left his mark on television shows as an assistant choreographer for programs like "So You Think You Can Dance," "Cougar Town," and Apple Music advertisements. His choreography has not only adorned music videos but has also shaped the stage for artists like Becky G, Britney Spears in the "Domination Vegas Show," KYLE, the Dallas Cowboys dance team, and J Soul Brothers. His newest venture as the Director for the 2024 Monsters Show is one of the dance industry’s most respectable accomplishments.

In addition to his performing career, Alex has shared his wealth of knowledge as a dance educator. He has taught at prestigious studios such as Millennium Dance Complex, Movement Lifestyle, Debbie Reynold’s Dance Studio, Broadway Dance Center, and various renowned camps and intensives worldwide. After facilitating his own charitable workshops and events back home in Boston, Alex developed Frequency Forward, a workshop for dancers that promotes physical and mental well-being. His role as a faculty member with Monsters of Hip Hop showcases his commitment to both choreography and mentorship.

Alex Fetbroth's dance journey has been shaped by strong values of family, connection, and integrity. These principles, instilled in him by his parents and solidified by MOHH, guide his approach to operating at the intersection of individuality and teamwork. Early challenges, including a memorable school teacher who doubted his dreams, fueled his determination to prove that nothing is out of reach with a strong work ethic, dedication, and passion. 

Alex's love for dance extends beyond performance and choreography. He is driven by a deep passion for honoring the legends who paved the way, pushing boundaries, and evolving the craft. His commitment to inclusion, encouragement, and humor reflects a desire to infuse love into every aspect of his career.

In essence, Alex Fetbroth's dance story is a journey of gratitude, perseverance, and a commitment to the craft. From the local scene to international stages, his impact is felt, reminding us all that true artistry thrives in humility and passion.

     Madelyn Kraynik is a dancer, educator, and choreographer, from Houston, Texas. In spring of 2023, she graduated from Sam Houston State University, Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Marketing. Madelyn is a former member of the professional contemporary company, Whirlwind Dance, under the direction of Joshua Manculich, and has been a guest artist with NobleMotion Dance, a professional company based out of Houston, Texas. Madelyn has had the privilege of traveling to Lucca, Italy to train and perform works by Milan Kampfer, Maya Orchin, Evan Supple, Stefano De Luca, Julian Barnett, and others at Dance Italia. Throughout her collegiate career, she had the great honor of working and collaborating with various choreographers including Travis Lake, Francisco (Cisco) Graciano, Adele Nickel, Joshua Manculich, Evelyn Toh, and Andy and Dionne Noble. Madelyn has been teaching dance to all ages since her high school years, and has choreographed various styles of dances for regional and national dance competitions. Recently, sh has moved to the Chicago area to continue pursuing her professional dance career, and is excited to be continuing her love for teaching at Steps Dance Center! 

Taylor Mitchell is a Chicago-based choreographer, performance artist, and dance educator and was just voted "Best Dancer" by the Chicago Reader (2023). He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of Arizona (2014) where he received the Creative Achievement Award for numerous works of choreography presented by the UA Dance Ensemble and also worked with the Department of Theater. Taylor has performed professionally with Thodos Dance Chicago, Cocodaco Dance Project, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater, AJA Talente, C5: Create No Limits, New Dances, Jessica Miller Tomlinson and Dancers, Dance For Life Chicago, Anna Long Project, Symbiosis Arts, 2 Men From The Windy City, and numerous other national projects. He has choreographed for DanceWorks Chicago, Visceral Dance Chicago, The Big Muddy Dance Company, Thodos Dance Chicago, Houston METdance, Aerial Dance Chicago, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Cocodaco Dance Project, New Dances (hosted by Thodos Dance Chicago), Symbiosis Arts, Dance in the Parks, Level Dance, and recently worked as a main movement/theatrical consultant with Trinity Irish Dance Company for their premiere of “Taking The Mick” at The Auditorium Theater this past March. Taylor has taught across the city of Chicago and has served as rehearsal director for Extensions Dance Company, under direction of Lizzie MacKenzie, for seven seasons. He currently serves as Artistic Director of MitchellMovement, his own project, while fusing his unique voice of contemporary dance with aspects of physical theatre/clowning techniques. MitchellMovement has presented work for the Harvest Contemporary Dance Festival (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), College of Du Page's Choreography Competition (2016, 2017), Inaside Dance Chicago's Choreography Showcase (2018, 2019), collaborations with Symbiosis Arts (2020, 2023), entertainment for Chicago House's annual fundraiser (2023), Trifecta Dance Festival (2024), and has co-presented work Internationally at the Kieler-Woche Festival (Kiel, Germany, 2017).
Taylor has also served as an Artist in Residence with Washington and Lee University (2018), Southeast Missouri State University (2018, 2021), The University of Louisiana Lafayette (2019), and Keshet Center for the Arts (2018). Currently, Taylor enjoys integrating Feldenkrais® ATM® as an exciting new part of his offerings in creation and education. He is continuing his 4th year of education with the Feldenkrais® Method to be a hands-on Functional Integration® practitioner.

Jackie Nowicki originates from Chicago, Illinois and is an acclaimed dance educator, choreographer, and artist. She received her BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University, where she graduated summa cum laude, was named Presidential Scholar, and was chosen as the Department of Dance's Distinguished Alumni in 2016. She danced for Pilobolus Dance Theater in their PCS company, performing for them all over the world, and is certified to teach for their Educational Outreach Program. Her professional credits also include dancing for Mike Esperanza's BARE Dance Company, Calen Kurka's :pushing progress, and Marlena Wolfe's The Wolfe Project. Jackie worked as a part-time faculty member at Western Michigan University's Department of Dance, and for ten years taught all over the New York dance scene including being on faculty at Peridance Capezio Center, and guesting at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. In Chicago, she has been on faculty at Visceral Dance Center, COMMON Conservatory, The Rooted Space, Steps Dance Center, Exhibit Three Dance Company, and is currently the Assistant Director of Extensions Dance Center. Jackie’s athletic, daring, and unique approach to movement has also landed her numerous master classes and conventions throughout the United States and even internationally in Rome, Italy.  She has been a faculty member for Celebrity Dance Conventions, Dance Device Labs, Turn it Up Dance Challenge, and Stage Door Workshops, specializing in Contemporary and Improv classes. Jackie is the artistic director of her own contemporary dance company based out of New York and Chicago, NOW Dance Project. Her choreography has been commissioned by numerous dance companies, studios, and universities including The Ailey School, Dancing in the Parks, Elon University, The HARTT School, Salve Regina University, Southern Florida University, Western Michigan University, Urbanity, the Peridance Certificate Program, Wayne State University, Visceral Dance Chicago, and many more. Jackie’s work has received numerous acclamations and awards and was even selected to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, for the American College Dance Association's 2016 National Festival. 

Ashley Cinq-Mars has become one of the most sought after dancers in the commercial dance industry. Ashley grew up and began dancing at age 3 in Norco, California. She trained at Just Plain Dancing and Company in Corona, California. In 2008, Ashley set her sights on Los Angeles and is where she began her illustrious dance career. 

Since her career began, she has choreographed and appeared on the hit TV shows, Hit
 

the Floor, VH1, BET, The Masked Singer, The Today Show, Jimmy Fallon, Bones, Modern Family, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Voice, Jimmy Kimmel, X-Factor, Good Morning America, Dallas Cowboy’s Thanksgiving Halftime Show with Selena Gomez, Dallas Cowboy’s halftime game with Meghan Trainor, Nickelodeon’s iCarly, Victorious, and Disney’s Choo Choo Soul. She has appeared on the Big Screen in Music by S.I.A, Harold and Kumar 3, and Cheer Camp. 

Ashley has hit the stage with the biggest music artist of today, including: Dua Lipa, Pharrell, Selena Gomez, Meghan Trainor, No Doubt, Will I Am, J.LO, Fergie, Nelly Furtado, and All American Rejects. She has traveled the world with Selena Gomez’s Stars Dance World Tour, Meghan Trainor Untouchable world tour, and American’s Got Talent with Jerry Springer. She can be seen on TV live with Dick Clark’s Rock’n New Years’s Eve, Teen choice Awards, Billboard Awards, Wango tango, American Music Awards, iHeart Music Festival, iHeart Music Awards, and Jingle Balls. Ashley can also be seen in ads for Apple, Toyota Cars, Black and Decker, AT&T, and Just Dance 3, in addition to the holiday commercials for UGG. 

When Ashley isn’t in rehearsal or performing in a packed out arena with Meghan Trainor, she can be seen in class perfecting her craft. She believes the more knowledge and experience you have the more you can give. She loves to give back and teach around at local studios in Los Angeles. She feels very blessed to pursue her passions and she hopes to help the younger generation find theirs. 

Brian Rabenda was the Owner/Artistic Director of Award winning and nationally recognized B-Discovered Dance Company in Chicago IL, as well as a freelance teacher/choreographer. With well over a decade of teaching experience Brian strives to share his knowledge and experience with his students-providing not only exceptional technique but also to develop a strong work ethic. His choreography/training has won dancers countless awards, including top scores, and national titles. His students have gone on to the countries top Universities and Conservatories such as USC, Juilliard Summer Program and University of Arizona. Along with training dancers Brian is a master adjudicator for top conventions and competitions around the country. Brian is known for pushing his students to their ultimate potential, allowing them to discover the talent within. His movement comes from his heart, creating, and refining works of art to share with his audience. 

Angela Williams started dancing at the age of 3. She began her training in Chicago at Mayfair Academy of Fine Arts where she studied tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, modern, hip hop and African dancing. She later continued studying at Joel Hall Dance Center. As a teenager, Angela performed in a number of performances throughout the Chicago area, some which include: Dance Chicago at the Athenaeum Theatre, “The Wiz” at Northwestern University in conjunction with the Make a Wish Foundation, the Opening Ceremonies of World Cup ’94 at Soldiers Field and “We Can Be Ballerina’s Too” at the Regal Theatre. Angela attended Illinois State University on a Track & Field scholarship and minored in dance where she performed with the Illinois State Dance Theatre and Noir Dance Troupe.  After earning a B.A. in Special Education in 2003 at ISU, she furthered her education by earning a M.A. in Special Education in 2006 and a  M.Ed in 2014 in Educational Leadership from Lewis University. Angela taught for 15 years at Mayfair Academy of Fine Arts in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, combination and contemporary as well as choreographing for the Mayfair Performing Company. Angela is currently a Special Education teacher at Metea Valley High School in Aurora. At MVHS, she has served as the Artistic Director of Orchesis Dance Company since the doors opened in 2009 and prior to that was the Assistant Artistic Director at Waubonsie Valley High School. Angela is thrilled to a part of this amazing Steps dance family!