Meet our Creative Director
Andrew Mahan trained under Jill Beardsley of RDC and the Joffrey, and Stephen W. of RDC and the Joffrey for over 10 years. He has danced with major companies, regional, community, and professional theater companies throughout the greater Chicago and St. Louis area for over 20 years and has won regional and Chicago area theater and Choreography awards.
Andrew has trained with international master teachers in traditional world styles such as; long sleeves, Dai, Silk fans, Indian Kathak and Classical styles, African styles, and Native American Eagle dance. Andrew also has over 26 years of power tumbling, gymnastics, competitive cheer, and cirque training all at the national and world level.
Andrew has taught at multiple studios and companies throughout the greater Rockford and greater Chicago area for 20 years. His training and knowledge of all six schools of ballet has made him a sought after and greatly respected technician in classical ballet with young and professional performers alike. His passion for community has led him to teach in multiple public schools and programs offering great technique and passion to students who do not have easy access to great dance education.
Andrew has taught dance, theater, and music education and social courses alongside his mother Ellen Mahan with Gigi’s Playhouse for over nine years for individuals with down syndrome. Together they have also provided the same classes with Easter Seals of Rockford and TAPS for four years. In 2023 Andrew helped revive the Cheer Gems program for Gigi’s Playhouse, providing quality Cheer training for individuals with down syndrome. Andrew also introduced the Project Dance program to CYT Chicago 16 years ago; a program that is still running strong in over 10 counties throughout Illinois. Andrew also developed Diversity Crew in Rockford, which created a competitive dance quality program for individuals who could not afford to join a mainline competitive studio.
Andrew has produced students of high caliber currently performing with the LA ballet and opera, touring Broadway shows, regional professional companies, mainline cruises, Disney parks and Disney cruises, and professional theater companies throughout the United States.