Jocelyn Davis
Co-founder/Owner
Jocelyn Davis has been teaching and dancing for over 15 years. She received her Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Jocelyn started her professional career in New York City where she studied at Broadway Dance Center and Creative Acting Company and toured with the Pepsi Dance Team and numerous modern dance companies. She also began her career in fitness at the Lotte Berk Method studio in New York City.
Jocelyn re-located to Chicago to help open and launch the core fusion program at Exhale. Jocelyn was the lead core fusion teacher and teacher trainer for the Chicago location. Jocelyn was one of the first lululemon ambassadors to help launch the athletic apparel in Chicago. She also helped launched Victoria's Secret new VSX Sport line in Chicago along with Victoria Secret's Supermodel Marissa Miller.
Jocelyn has appeared on CLTV, Fox Chicago, WGN9 and NBC5. She also appeared in Chicago Magazine, Time Out Chicago, Chicago Social Magazine, and Yoga Journal.
Jocelyn participated in the 2009 Cardiology Summer Academy for High School Girls and Beyond in Chicago. Jocelyn led fitness and dance classes for the team of young women and program facilitators.
Currently, Jocelyn teaches at the Fitness Center at Harpo Studios in Chicago. She is also a faculty member for the Oncofertility Saturday Academy/Women's Health Science programs.
Recently, Jocelyn participated in "Grove is in the Heart", "Moving your way to a healthy heart". She led fitness exercises with Dr. Martha Gulati at the Third Annual Women's Cardiovascular Symposium Community Portion.
Jocelyn is a Certified Zumba Instructor and certified in CPR with the American Red Cross and is a member of the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.
Madonna Nash
Instructor
Madonna Nash is an occupational therapist. She has been a Pilate's instructor, teaching in the Evanston community for the past 9 years. In May of 2010, she became certified to teach Zumba and completed Basics 2 and Zumba toning training this year at the 2011 Zumba Convention. She is passionate about fitness and dance and believes that the human spirit is nurtured through movement of the human body.
Rachael Lynn Berube
Instructor
Rachael began her dance education at Karyn Kelly Dance Center in Buffalo, New York. She recently graduated magna cum laude from Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance, concentrating in Jazz. Rachael is thrilled to have gained a wealth of experience while training and performing with a wide spectrum of the industry's leading professionals including Kiesha Lalama, Garfield Lemonius, Jason McDole, Doug Varone, Daniel Charon, Douglas Bentz, Kristina Fluty and Anna Howard. In addition to performing, she exhibits a growing passion for the art of choreography. Rachael is currently a second company member of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. She has been fortunate to have a variety of opportunities with both Point Park and studios throughout the states teaching as well as setting pieces for diverse projects. She is joining us this season for the first time, and is ecstatic to teach cardio dance fusion.
Sally Dickerson
Guest Instructor
Sally is a second year graduate student at the Kellogg School of Management. Originally from New York, she has been dancing for over 15 years. Her training encompasses a variety of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and modern (Isadora Duncan Dance and Graham technique). While receiving her B.A. at Williams College, Sally was a member of the Williams College Dance Company and head choreographer of the student-led hip hop group, Nothin' But Cuties.
Having spent her professional years prior to Kellogg in a cubicle as an investment banker, Sally is excited to be once again be teaching dance. Student's can expect to have fun learning the latest routines from popular music videos, as well as original choreography.
Instructor
Lindsey LaFountain has been exploring her passion for health and movement since the age of 5. Hailing from the East Coast, she was raised in New York and later attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. There she received her BFA in Dance Performance while performing in various projects and nurturing her teaching career. Currently Lindsey is a professional dancer with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, a company that tours nationally and internationally. She teaches at Gus Giordano Dance School, sharing many styles of dance with children, teens and adults. Lindsey enjoys the rewarding experience of working with inner city youth through Chicago Public School s Health & Science program. She is also a certified Zumba instructor. Lindsey believes in the healing power in movement and emphasizes training the body as an instrument for life!
Cesar G. Salinas
Instructor
(Canby, OR) As an inner-city student, Cesar began his formal studies in dance with Zohar School of Dance, under the direction of Ehud Krauss in Palo Alto, CA. There he was introduced to the classic jazz styles of Giordano, Luigi, and Mattox. He moved to Oregon where he studied at Willamette Ballet under Deborah Higginbotham. Cesar went on to further his training at the University at Buffalo, where he graduated with a BFA in Dance. The summers of '04 and '05 he received a scholarship to the Giordano Dance School and later joined Giordano II. Cesar is a faculty at Gus Giordano Dance School in Andersonville teaching dance to teen/adults. In '06, he came full circle becoming a part of GJDC's educational outreach program, teaching jazz dance to 4th and 5th grade students in undeserved CPS schools. In August '07, Cesar was honored to be on the cover of Dance Magazine as well as a Master Teacher at the Kids Congress and in '09 on Master Faculty of Jazz Dance World Congress. He is a teacher who gives his all to his students and challenges them to their fullest potential. Cesar is also certified in Zumba and teaches Floor Barre here at Akemi.
Akemi Fitness Method is not your typical gym. Our studio is creatively designed with decoratively wood ballet barres. Mirrors are also added to help clients visually see their alignment and form. Akemi Fitness Method is equipped with free weights, organic yoga mats, and exercise props.
"I had a great time. I was sore in my pecs (push ups) and knew I used all my other muscles."
--- Meg N
"I've been to two classes and loved them both. I've been ready to add something new to my workout routine and this seems like the perfect thing. I Love the mix of approaches/styles---it never gets boring. When I leave class, I always feel like I'm walking a bit taller!"
--- Renee M
"I'm slightly sore but a good sore. I had a lot of fun and will be back!"
--- Jennifer C
"Loved the class and ready for the next one."
--- Jane B
"LOVED it. Was sore for days :)"
--- Renee Z
"I had a great experience. I love how you conducted the class and made me feel welcome as a newbie."
--- Bonnie F
"I loved the class and am looking forward to coming back, we found this class on Groupon and it was worth it!!"
--- Peggy V
"Loved the burn----you make it a fun experience for everyone---and explain everything really well. We can't wait to come back!!"
--- Maggie Z