Leadership
Lindsay & Matt Gopin | Founders
Meet Lindsay and Matt, founders of Rootz. As parents of four children in the North Shore, they are excited to be able to provide so many opportunities for our children, families, and amazing staff.
Lindsay studied Education and Kinesiology at Indiana University and earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University. In addition to Rootz, Lindsay also owns a private therapy practice focusing on children and families. She grew up performing in both Dance and Theater and the performing arts remains strong in her heart. Working with kids and impacting their lives is her greatest joy!
Matt studied business at the University of Iowa. He has spent the last 20+ years working in large corporations and consulting firms. If you see him around town, he probably will be coaching a sports team or have a child in his arms. We are thrilled to have his expertise at Rootz.
Lisa Panizo | Executive Director
Lisa brings multiple years of experience to the Rootz administrative team. A native of Deerfield, Lisa has worked with families on the North Shore for many years. Most recently, Lisa was the Executive Director at Starland and also worked as the Early Childhood Director at the Glencoe Park District. Lisa has also worked as a year-round Director at Banner Day Camp.In addition to her administration experience, Lisa was a classroom teacher with children from pre-school through middle school. After attending the University of Texas for her undergraduate degree, Lisa went on to receive her Masters of Arts in Teaching from National-Louis University. Performing is a passion of Lisa’s. A previous board member of the Highland Park Players, Lisa has appeared on stage with multiple theatre groups in the area, including Up and Coming Theatre, Deerfield Family Theatre, North Shore Theatre of Wilmette, Center Stage Lake Forest, and many others.
Jordyn Frelk | Dance Director
Jordyn is thrilled to bring Relevé Dance to Rootz! After 10 years at Starland, many spent as the Director of Dance, Jordyn created Relevé. Relevé is a program where dancers rise to their fullest potential in a nurturing and creative way. Jordyn has been teaching dance for 19 years all around Chicago and danced professionally with Core Project and Irreverence Dance. Jordyn is most proud of her role as “mom” to her two boys, Charlie and Blake.
Rori Soffer | Customer Experience Director
Rori holds a BA in Theatre from Florida State University as well as a Masters in Special and General Education from Queens College in New York. Combining her passion for theatre and education makes a fun match for teaching theatre, dance and enrichment. She has taught for over 10 years in both public and private education before moving to raise her family in Deerfield. She has performed, danced and sang on the stage since she was a little girl and loves getting a chance to watch her daughters do the same!
Dani Bitout | Dance Company Co-Manager
Amber Giudice | Dance Company Co-Manager
Amber is from Lake Zurich and started dancing at the age of three. She studied dance through high school at Bataille Academie in Barrington and went on to minor in dance at Elmhurst College. While there she was involved with a growing dance program as well as the dance team, but Amber’s involvement doesn’t stop there! She was active with St. Anne Community Theater starting in 2003 until it ended in 2013. The last three years of the program she worked as a choreographer. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater dance, and social dance (cha-cha, fox trot, tango, waltz). Aside from dance and musical theater, Amber is also a golfer. She was on both the high school and college golf team where she became the captain senior year. The previous Dance Company Competition Manager at Starland, Amber is excited to bring her dance training and experience to Releve. She is beyond thrilled to be working with so many wonderful kids of all ages. “Live life to the fullest and never look back. There’s always something in the future waiting for you”.
Instructors
Amanda Nach
Amanda is a teacher at Half Day School in Lincolnshire. She has directed in the past for Sarah Hall Theatre Company and Starland for all ages. You will also see Amanda performing in community theatre shows around the North Shore. Theatre is one of her favorite activities and this is a dream come true!
Amber Giudice
Amber is from Lake Zurich and started dancing at the age of three. She studied dance through high school at Bataille Academie in Barrington and went on to minor in dance at Elmhurst College. While there she was involved with a growing dance program as well as the dance team, but Amber’s involvement doesn’t stop there! She was active with St. Anne Community Theater starting in 2003 until it ended in 2013. The last three years of the program she worked as a choreographer. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater dance, and social dance (cha-cha, fox trot, tango, waltz). Aside from dance and musical theater, Amber is also a golfer. She was on both the high school and college golf team where she became the captain senior year. The previous Dance Company Competition Manager at Starland, Amber is excited to bring her dance training and experience to Releve. She is beyond thrilled to be working with so many wonderful kids of all ages. “Live life to the fullest and never look back. There’s always something in the future waiting for you”.
Andrea Shekhter
Andrea was born and raised in Deerfield, IL. Growing up, Andrea always had a competitive nature involved in many athletic events, however quickly fell in love with gymnastics and cheerleading. While studying at Illinois State University majoring in Kinesiology and Recreation, Andrea decided to go a different athletic route and joined Rugby all while continuing her love of cheerleading as a choreographer for the surrounding schools of Bloomington, Illinois. Upon Andrea’s homecoming, she had tried several different career paths involving her degree and found in her heart of hearts her passion lies with coaching. Andrea has worked with several different athletic facilities including Starland, however she decided to take a backseat to become a mother of now four children! While loving every minute of motherhood she is eager to get back into teaching and is beyond thrilled to join the Rootz family!
Arianna Rozen
Dancing since the age of 3, Arianna or “ Ari” has been trained in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Broadway, Ballet, Modern, Tap, and Footwork. Arianna has appeared as a dancer in music videos with Chance the Rapper & Elephant Man, and has performed with Wiz Khalifa, Snoop Dogg, Mac Miller, Train, Afrojack, and Selena Gomez. She was also part of two Hip-Hop competition teams from 2012-2017, The Puzzle League & CODA, both of which have held #1 championship titles in the Midwest. While Ari teaches dance during the week, she also holds the proud title of owner & MC of Vibe Entertainment, an interactive DJ company providing entertainment for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, school socials, birthdays, and other special events.
Audrey Pam
Audrey has practiced art education and art therapy for over 25 years. She has worked in several settings with many different populations including children with special needs and adults with mental health illnesses. She taught art at Starland for 10 years and is currently working with children in schools promoting creativity, problem solving and healthy self-esteems while using a variety of art materials. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters of Art in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Beth Pieti | Stretch-N-Grow
“Coach” Beth has been teaching Stretch-n-Grow around the North Shore for the past 5 years. Beth’s passion for children and fitness led her to her career in leading Stretch-n-Grow’s EXERCITING movement sessions. Throughout her classes Coach Beth’s goal is to teach children the joy of living a healthy lifestyle and developing good habits to last a lifetime.
Camden Stacey
Cathy Jacobson
Cathy has been teaching dance and acrobatics throughout the north and south suburbs since the age of 14. She believes it is never too late to start dancing, and most enjoys teaching teens and pre-teens that are new to the dance world. Cathy spent 10 years as a professional dancer in the south suburbs, but has since stepped off the stage to focus on teaching. A former dance and gymnastics instructor at Starland, Cathy joined Rootz in January 2017. She loves everything about teaching.
Chelsea Goldman
Chelsea is from Northbrook and has been dancing since she was three. She is trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. Chelsea is currently on the Glenbrook North Varsity Poms team. She continues to train at Driven 2 Dance and Studio 18. Chelsea loves being able to share her love of dance with her students!
Christine Bennie
Christine is a physical therapist and, former competitive gymnast, gymnastics coach, and loving wife and mother to four young children. With a Masters degree in physical therapy and ten years of hands on experience, Christine will surely enjoy using her skills to captivate your children. As a former level ten USGF national qualifying gymnast, Christine will definitely keep your children on the move. Christine also has two years experience in coaching recreational gymnastics with children ages five through 14. Christine is very excited to join Rootz and help develop your child’s love for movement and gymnastics.
Dani Bitout
Danner Self
Danner hails from the very northern part of the state in Roscoe, Illinois. Danner’s passion and love for dance started at age three when she attended her first dance class. She started dancing competitively at age five and teaching and choreographing at age fourteen. It was then she realized her true passion resonated in performance and entertainment. Danner continued her training in college, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There she trained under industry professionals, such as Sara Hook, Endalyn Taylor, Tere O’ Connor and Kirstie Simson, as well as being a member of the University of Illinois Illinettes Dance Team. Danner’s love for choreography and teaching has brought her to Rootz, and she can’t wait to share her joy for dance with everyone!
Jordyn Frelk
Jordyn has been teaching dance for 19 years all around Chicago and danced professionally with Core Project and Irreverence Dance. Prior to joining Rootz, Jordyn spent ten years teaching dance and directing the dance program at Starland. Jordyn is most proud of her role as “mom” to her two boys, Charlie and Blake.
Katie Phillips
A theatre girl at heart, Katie has performed in, taught, and directed shows for over 20 years. Katie caught the theatre bug when she entered high school at New Trier, having already spent countless hours dancing and singing around her house as a kid – anything from Disney to Sinatra Katie eventually took her love for being onstage to making the productions happen backstage. Later in high school and at the University of Illinois, Katie began to discover her love of directing and choreographing. She has since served as the camp and theatre director for the Wilmette Park District’s Broadway Bound Camp, director and choreographer for multiple Edgewood Middle School musicals, and teacher/director/choreographer at Starland Kids for over five years. In addition to the stage, Katie’s other passion is kids! In 2009 she received her K-9 Master of Education from DePaul University.
Lauren Archibald
Lauren was trained in several genres of dance including contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, and jazz. She started her dance journey in Park Ridge where she was raised and grew up. Since the age of 12, Lauren competed across the country and currently holds two senior titles from Legacy & Energy dance. Her passion for dance continued after she stopped competing after high school by coaching new and aspiring dancers. She looks forward to sharing her creativity and technique in a nurturing environment to everyone. Lauren currently attends Loyola University, double majoring in Marketing and Dance. From master classes to small classrooms, Lauren puts all of her efforts and positive energy into each class.
Marchello "Chello" Lee
“Chello” is an accomplished professional dancer and master instructor who attended Columbia College and Northeastern Illinois University. He has performed across the world where his fusion of Hip Hop styles, break dance, house, jazz, and ballroom were spotlighted. His passion and versatility has led him to many lead roles as an actor and dancer. He has worked with renowned artists across the world including choreography featured in music videos, dance teams/ studio, and Winner of 2005 Chris Brown dance down. Chello formerly was an instructor at Starland and continued his dance teaching with Rootz starting in January 2017.
Maegan Bohac
Maegen has been in the tumbling world since she was three years old. At the age of five she started competing in tumbling and trampoline and continued for the next nineteen years. Throughout that time Maegen was part of the USTA National Team and competed at numerous National competitions for USTA, USAG, and AAU Junior Olympics. She was highly ranked, received countless gold, silver, and bronze medals, and was awarded the Joel Ferrell Outstanding Performance Memorial Award that recognizes the athletic ability and sportsmanship of an athlete. Maegen has been a tumbling / acro coach for roughly 15 years and loves sharing her knowledge at Rootz!
Nook
Nook, The Entertainer Xtraordinaire, comes from a highly decorated performance background. Nook has been seen on stage opening for and/or performing with Ciara, B.O.B., Mike Posner, Bruno Mars, Jason Derulo, Method Man & Redman, and LMFAO, to name a few. Not only is he an incredible entertainer, Nook also teaches hip hop & bucket drumming classes and coaches teams throughout the city and suburbs of Chicago. Working with Chicago’s juvenile youth detention centers is something he holds close to his heart because he comes from those same streets & wants to show all that you can achieve your goals no matter the situation you come from. Nook currently teaches for multiple dance studios in the Chicagoland area & suburbs. He is the Hip Hop Director coach of KDF (Kinetic Dance Force) and recently took 3 first place awards in Illinois & 2nd place at a National Hip Hop Championship! In the past 10 years Nook has won numerous awards including best choreo and crowd favorite.
Rebecca Watson
Rebecca Van Poucke
Rebecca began dancing at the age of 3 and never stopped! She trained in ballet, tap, and jazz throughout her childhood, but fell in love with pom and hip hop in high school. As a member of her high school dance team she led her squad as captain, competing in numerous competitions and becoming state champions two years in a row. She continued her dance training as a member of the Northern Illinois University Silverette Dance Team. While dancing in college, Rebecca majored in education and has since worked as a licensed educator for over 15 years. She has had the opportunity to teach, choreograph, and coach dance during her time in the classroom, and recently decided to focus her teaching abilities solely on dance. Rebecca hopes to spread her love of dance with her students while creating fun, challenging, and rewarding classes.
Robin Taxman
Robin taught special education for 10 years before becoming a mother of two and deciding to teach at her daughter’s pre-school. Her love of yoga inspired her to bring the practice to children of a young age. After realizing that she could combine her passion for yoga with her love of children, Robin became a certified children’s yoga instructor through Mini Yogi’s, and continues to grow with every yoga class she teaches. A previous teacher at Starland, she continues her yoga practice with The Movement Junkies.
Rori Soffer
Rori holds a BA in Theatre from Florida State University as well as a Masters in Special and General Education from Queens College in New York. Combining her passion for theatre and education makes a fun match for teaching theatre, dance and enrichment. She has taught for over 10 years in both public and private education before moving to raise her family in Deerfield. She has performed, danced and sang on the stage since she was a little girl and loves getting a chance to watch her daughters do the same!
Sara Dolins
Shameeka Choice
Shellie Kerzner
Shellie began dancing early on and trained at various dance studios in Northwest Indiana. She moved to Chicago in 2007, and attended Northeastern Illinois University where she ultimately decided to major in dance. She successfully graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2011 with a BA in Dance Performance and Teaching. In addition to previously teaching at Northeastern Illinois University’s community program, Shellie has also had the pleasure of learning as a work/study at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Youth Program. Since then, she has taught dance technique and gymnastic skills to students of all ages. As well as teaching, she dances with Reveries In Motion Dance Company, a non-profit organization that donates a portion of concert proceeds to a charitable cause. Shellie previously taught at Starland and continued her dance teaching with Rootz starting in January 2017.
Taylor Ioannou | Ciao Bella Sewing
Taylor is a twenty something from Chicago and founder of Ciao Bella Sewing. Taylor’s extensive background in fashion design and construction, from the School of the Art Institute and DePaul University, prompted her to pursue her passion and do what she loves. Taylor has a true passion for fashion; she loves being creative and original. Taylor and the Ciao Bella Sewing team have been teaching on the North Shore for the past couple of years. The team of expert sewers and designers love working together and teaching students of all ages.
Taylor Macaulay
Taylor started dance training at the age of 3 in Clinton Township, Michigan. Taylor joined the Macomb Ballet Company, a pre-professional performing company. After studying the Cecchetti Method of ballet, passing student exams I-VI and teacher exams I-IV, Taylor continued dance education in college, obtaining a dance minor at Wayne State University. Taylor has been teaching ballet, pointe, partnering, contemporary, jazz, and tap for the past 10 years. Taylor has also choreographed for multiple international and national dance competitions, winning various choreography awards. Currently, Taylor is pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at Rosalind Franklin University.
Teaching Partners
Breaking Program
The Breaking Program was founded by Ryley Mikos in 2017 to provide private and in class breaking classes from Chicago to the surrounding Suburbs of Illinois. The goal is to raise awareness about this dance culture while respecting its origins. The Program was designed as an extracurricular activity for grades 1-12 where students would learn authentic Hip-Hop/Breakdancing from certified teachers with years of training and experience.
The Breaking Program is also a performing arts company that provides live entertainment and services for corporate events, celebrations, theme parks, sporting events, festivals and more! The team gives you the ability to customize your performance, to fit and fulfill the needs of your event.
RoboThink
RoboThink is a STEM education company offering fun and exciting robotics, coding and engineering programs. We develop and manufacture a specialized robotics kit and leveled curriculum designed for students K-9. Our modular parts allow young students to use sensors, motors and electronics to build unique and creative robots. Our step-by-step, project-based workbooks introduce new concepts through fun activities and easy to understand ideas. RoboThink’s programs are academically driven. Our proven STEM system teaches real and valuable STEM concepts such as: critical thinking, problem-solving, and coding skills. We offer camps, after school programs, workshops, and birthday parties.