Frankie Baron
Dance Instructor

Frankie as a contemporary jazz and modern dancer, iis a passionate advocator for the arts. A Chicago-based artist, received her BA in Dance and BA in Psychology from Lindenwood University in 2016. While living in Chicago, she has performed in A NEW LIGHT presented by Trifecta Dance Collective, Elgin Fringe Festival, DanceChance presented by DanceWorks Chicago, Carnival’s Choreographer Ball, Visceral Dance Chicago’s Within, and in the evening length work Firstbite choreographed by Brian McGinnis. She’s had the opportunity to have her work be shown at ACDA (American College Dance Association), College of Dupage Annual Choreographer’s Competition & Showcase, and Lindenwood University. She has performed the works of numerous choreographers that include Larry Keigwin, Becca Lemme, Michael Mizerany, John Jasperse, Ohad Naharin, and Lar Lubovitch. Aside from completing the American Dance Festival 6-week school, she has trained with companies including Visceral Dance Chicago, River North Dance Chicago, and Keigwin & Company. Currently, Francesca is in her first season with Inaside Chicago Dance as an Apprentice. She also is a member of Project606 Dance. She looks forward to growing in the dance community as a performer and a choreographer as well as sharing her talents with the BISI Chicago Dance Company.

Michael Artrip
Dance Instructor

Michael is a professional dancer in Chicago, IL and company member/ rehearsal assistant with Inaside Chicago Dance. Michael also does freelance work— both touring and local—with AJA Talent and StageFactor. His previous work includes founding company member of AscenDance Chicago, performing with the Michigan branch of Hip Hop ConnXion, and as a guest artist for productions of the ballets Nutcracker and Cinderella. Michael is also a member of the BISI Professional Dance Company and has performed for PLMA’S Corporate Events in Rosemont, IL. Starting his training in Kalamazoo, MI, Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University studying ballet, modern, and jazz techniques. While at school, he also had the pleasure of working with such artists as Michal Sayfan of Gaga People, John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow of American Ballet Theatre, and Leslie Young of San Francisco Ballet. While dancing with ADC, Michael’s choreography has appeared in conjunction with Artistic Director Heather Carpenter for ADC’s annual fall benefit showcase, Resilient (2016, 2017) and it’s premier of Anarchy (Spring 2017). His original piece “Contagion” premiered in ADC’s concert HOPE (Spring 2018). In addition to dancing, Michael teaches dance and fitness classes in Chicago and the surrounding areas, and was a competition judge for Edge Talent Competition during the 2020 season.

Katie Kummerow
Ballet Dance Instructor

Katie attended the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Health and Wellness Promotion Minor. While at the UMN, she worked with choreographers such as Luke Olson-Elm, Brian Brooks, Sidra Bell, Gregory Maqoma, and Michel Kouakou. Her favorite moment was performing at Northrup Theatre with Brian Brooks Dance Company as a guest performer. Upon graduation, Katie joined Karen Charles Threads Dance Project, taught at various dance studios and traveled to choreograph on her alumnus company, Forum Dance Theatre. While with Threads, the company toured to Philadelphia, PA, and performed at the IABD festival. Shortly after, Katie accepted a contract with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines aboard the Brilliance of the Seas. Due to Covid 19, after a month of rehearsals, that experience was put on pause. Most recently, she now resides in Chicago teaching dance at various studios and joined Inaside Dance Chicago as a performing apprentice. She is very excited about this new endeavor. We are thrilled to have Miss Katie join our staff this season, where she will share her love and appreciation for ballet with our students and teach the strength & discipline needed in both ballet & pointe. We welcome her to our BISI team!

Julianne Deitz
Ballet Dance Instructor

Julianne began her training at the age of 7 in Newton, New Jersey at The Ballet Barre School of Dance. While there she studied the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and Vagonava techniques in Ballet and Pointe as well as Jazz, Modern, Tap and Acro. In 2004 she was accepetd to the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washingtn, D.C. where she contnued her taining in the Russian Style of Ballet. While there she studied with Master Teachers Ludmila Morkovina, Anatoli Kucheruk and Vladimir Djouloukhadze. Aftr graduatng in 2007, Julianne took a positon in the Joffrey Ballet School’s Trainee Program in New York City under the directon of John Magnus and George de la Pena and also studied at Broadway Dance Center and Steps of New York.

In 2009, Julianne moved to Chicago to contnue her teaching with ballet & pointe and to train more extensively in Jazz and Contemporary. She became a Performing Apprentice with Inaside Chicago Dance under Artistic Director Richard Smith in 2011 and remained there through 2014. She has partcipated as an independent artist in the Schaumburg Dance Ensemble’s producton of the Nutcracker since 2013, dancing such roles as Arabian, Reed Flute and Snow Queen. She is currently teaching throughout hte Chicago land area and working as an independent artist.

Heather Carpenter
Dance Instructor

Heather is a dancer and choreographer, based out of Chicago, IL. She has been dancing for over 25 years, with invitations to train at various classes, conventions and workshops in Michigan, Illinois, California, New York and London. Her training has included Joel Hall, Mia Michaels, Lou Conte, Grand Rapids Ballet, Pineapple Studios and more! She danced competitively for most of her youth as well as performed in numerous on stage productions; receiving a West Michigan Thespian award for her portrayal of Laura in The Glass Menagerie. She danced on the Big Red Boat Disney Cruise lines and even had the opportunity to portray the beloved character Tinker Bell. She was the owner of Inspirations Dance Studio before relocating to Chicago to pursue more performance opportunities. Her pieces have won numerous 1st place, overall and choreography awards both regionally and nationally. She is mostly known for her innovative, unique and theatrical concepts. She was the Dance Director with Chicago Performing Arts Academy and was one of 8 choreographers selected nationally for Charlotte New Music in 2017. Her choreography and performances have been featured at AscenDance Chicago, InasideChoreography Showcase, Chicago Dance Extravaganza, Carnival: Choreographers Ball, Mixtape, Dance Chicago, Followspot, FreeSpace, New Moon, Dance for Life; Dance Divas and in the movie Tug. She currently instructs and choreographs at numerous studios throughout the Chicago land area and is the assistant Poms coach at Niles North High School. Heather also teaches a variety of master classes, conventions and guest choreographs across the United States. She is a judge with Addiction Dance Competition, Precision Arts Challenge and Edge Talent Competition. She is the Artistic Director with AscenDance Chicago, a professional contemporary company based in Chicago. After having the opportunity to sub classes at BISI, she’s so excited to be coming on board and continue building relationships with all the amazing dancers!

Katie Duffy
Dance & Fitness Instructor

Katie graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a degree in dance and a minor in entertainment management.  She studied dance at various studios throughout the Chicago land area since the age of 3.  In 2009, Katie received a scholarship to the Gus Giordano Dance School where she continued her dance training for the summer.  She has performed and taught dance internationally in Seoul, Korea, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, and Mexico as well as throughout the US.  Katie has years of experience instructing both children and adults.  Currently, she teaches and performs with the b.i.s.i. Chicago Dance Company as well as at various studios in Chicago.  Additionally, Katie has found a passion in fitness.  She is a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor at the Chicago Athletic Clubs.

Erica Rose
Dance & Yoga Instructor

Erica born and raised in Morris, IL,  has been dancing since the age of 3. She started competing at age 11 and went on to win 10 state titles and ranked top 5 nationally three times by the time she graduated high school at the age of 17. Erica danced at Mesa College and Arizona State and also spent time in Los Angeles, CA where she completed the Immersion program at Edge Performing Arts Center and was on scholarship at Millennium Dance Complex. While in LA, she trained with leaders in the commercial dance world such as Kevin Maher, Leslie Scott, Miguel Zarate, and more. She has danced at the LA Music awards, and has had the honor of performing in venues such as the Whiskey A Go-Go, Double Door, and the House of Blues. She is Dance Masters certified and has received certification by the National Exercise Training Association (NETA) through her Yoga Sculpt Teacher Training at Core Power Yoga.  Upon moving to Chicago, Erica spent two years employed by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago where she, among other responsibilities, assisted in teaching youth camps, and served as the overseer for 75 minors at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's Junior Summer Intensive. Currently Erica is a BISI staff member teaching both dance and yoga. She also dances professionally with the b.i.s.i. Chicago Dance Company.  

Mitchell Haley
Dance & Yoga Instructor

Mitchell is a Kentucky native and started dancing at the age of 19. He received his B.A. in Dance from Western Kentucky University. After graduating in 2013 Mitchell moved to Chicago and is currently performing with the b.i.s.i. Chicago Dance Company. Mitchell is also a second year member and choreographer with Inaside Dance Company. He teaches throughout the midwest and judges for many dance competitions. Mitchell has also had the pleasure of  training with Lexington ballet, Carlos Dos Santos (Ailey), MamLuft & Co, Arcos, Inaside Chicago Dance, and Visceral Dance Center. One of his favorite performances was opening for Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks with the b.i.s.i Chicago Dance Company. Mitchell is also a certified yoga instructor and received his training with Forever Present Yoga and Yoga Alliance.