Our Staff

The family-friendly North Shore Dance Center has gained recognition as one of the Chicago-area’s top dance studios by embracing a philosophy of actively recruiting a full staff of acclaimed International professionals from the performing arts world. Artistic Director and studio owner Arla Faye's staff offers students the chance to learn from instructors with years of professional performance experience. Several North Shore Dance Center staff also hold degrees in education and delight in teaching and inspiring not just the advanced student but even the youngest pre-dancers.

Arla Faye,
Artistic Director & Studio Owner

Arla Faye opened North Shore Dance Center nearly 15 years ago. A prominent member of the Skokie and North Shore fine arts and dance community, Arla holds a BA in Dance Performance from Butler University. She also earned an MA from Northeastern Illinois University. She has dedicated much of her life to bringing the fine arts to students of all ages, adults and children alike.

Ali Fran Potter,
Managing Partner & Take Two Producer

Ali Fran Potter is the Recital Coordinator for the annual full-company recital and is the founder of North Shore Dance Center's new Take Two Children's Theater. She has a BA in Education, with minors in Dance and Drama, and a MS in Fine Arts Curriculum from National Louis University. Ali has taught for—and been published by—Pearson-Scott Foresman Skylight Lesson Lab. In addition to her work with North Shore, she is also a drama specialist for Glenview School District 34.

Ruben Zapata, Dance Instructor

Ruben Zapata is the director/choreographer of North Shore Dance Center's peforming group Showstoppers as well as an instructor for several of the studio's ballet, funk, modern dance classes. During his professional dance career, Ruben has toured Europe and the United States with different dance troupes.

Kirsten Markham, Dance Instructor

Kirsten Markham is the director/choreographer of Take One, one of North Shore Dance Center's peforming groups, as well as an instructor for several of the studio's ballet and lyrical dance classes. In addition to her work at North Shore Dance Center, Kirsten is a very active professional choreographer, dancer, and stage actress. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Victor Taylor, Dance Instructor

Victor Taylor teaches Hip Hop classes at North Shore Dance Center. He holds a MA from Northwestern University and a BA from Coe College. Victor is an experienced choreographer and dance instructor.

Sasha Mechetner, Ballroom Dance Instructor

Sasha Mechetner is a an award-winning ballroom dancer and specializes in International Standard and Latin Style. Sash began her training in Odessa, Ukraine, and is now a ballroom dancing Regional Champion and National Finalist. In addition to dance instruction, Sash also tutors math and French.

Deepali Darji, Indo/Indian Dance Instructor

Deepali Darji trained in Bharatanatyam (Indian Classical Dance Style), Fusion, Garba, Raas, Bhangra, Folk, and Hip-Hop for 12 years. She completed her Arangetram, graduation for Bharatanatyam, and received her dance diploma at a very young age. Since then she has recieved numerous first place dance awards and has judges for many dance compeitions. She has been teaching dance to kids ages 4 and up. Her enthusiasm and innovative choreography allows a diverse group of people to continue to enjoy their passion of dance.

William Bercini, Ballroom Dance Instructor

William Bercini started dancing later in life and believes there is a dancer inside of every one of us. He began his dance career with C&W couples dancing, competing on the UCWDC circuit. Eventually, William won the Pro-Am World Championships. Moving onto ballroom dance, he became versed in all the dances in the American syllabus. William brings his enthusiasm into the classroom. He believes dancing, first and foremost, should be FUN – regardless if your goal is Dancing with the Stars, or dancing with your sweetheart.

Amanda Lasher, Dance Instructor

Amanda Lasher holds a B.A. in Arts, Entertainment and Media Management and a Dance minor from Columbia College Chicago. She has danced with the Mathis Lockett Dance Company for 5 years, with Kirby Reed at Joel Hall and in NSDC Performing Groups. She also is a talented vocal performer and choreographer.

Anne Neumann, Student Instructor

Anne Neumann is a student teacher at North Shore Dance Center, where she is also a member of our Show Stoppers performance group and a past member of our Take One performance group.