Who’s MaZi
Marisol
Marisol trained on full scholarships and performed in renowned ballet companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Ballet El Paso, Ballet Austin, and The First Vaganova Workshop in Ghent, Belguim. She performed in productions such as The Nutrcracker, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, Vivaldi, Stars and Stripes, Don Quixote, and Swan Lake. Marisol taught ballet as an undergraduate. She also independently set and choreographed children’s performances.
Despite working full time as an engineer, she continued performing and developing her own training in Ballet, Zumba®, and Pilates. She is eager to share the benefits of building a strong core and of keeping exercise an ongoing part of your life. Her classes are intense but offer modifications and will work out your entire body. Your body will thank you!
Ziba 
Ziba has over 20 years of dancing, choreographing, and performing experience and 7 years of teaching dance and setting various productions. She has trained and performed with renowned companies including, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet El Paso, San Francisco Ballet, and The First Vaganova Workshop in Ghent, Belgium.
After her professional career, Ziba’s passion for dance expanded into teaching ballet form conditioning, dance boxing, cardio dance, Zumba, and private lessons. Meanwhile, she completed a Master’s in Business Administration and enjoyed a career in marketing before deciding that her heart will always be in dance. Her classes are about driving results and maximizing each individual’s potential while celebrating the gift a movement and music.
Dorion Rhea
Dorian trained at Mayfair Performing Arts Academy where he studied jazz, modern, ballet, and contemporary. While he had no former training, his passion for combining his urban surroundings with his love of dance led him to the realm of hip-hop.
Dorion is an intern at Gallery 37′s Hip-Hop Culture/Dance Ensemble, and was the last choreographer to work with and establish a piece for Maggie Daley and her annual After School Matters Gala. An active performer, he’s danced/choreographed for shows at Lollapalooza (2011), the Taste of Chicago (West Side Story), and the Museum of Contemporary art (Step Afrika!). He’s also performed with gospel singers Mary-Mary at the Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights, and choreographed the promotional Chicago tour of “Happy Feet Two”. Dorion currently teaches Hip-hop Cardio at MaZi, where we mix fitness with our passion to dance.
Marissa Hirsh
Marissa brings over 15 years of gymnastics and figure skating training to MaZi, including several years of experience coaching group and private skating lessons. She has seen how the results of MaZi have greatly impacted her own life since she first started taking classes after the studio opened. Marissa works full time at a Chicago non-profit where she manages an after-school program for an elementary school on the West side of the city. She is excited to combine her love of teaching with her love of movement.
Lindsay Burch
Lindsay has always been very sporty and has been participating in group exercise classes for over 10 years. When Lindsay moved from the UK to Chicago in 2009 she decided to turn her passion for dance and fitness into a career. Lindsay has been teaching Booty Beat since 2010. You may have also seen Lindsay on stage at Self Workout in the Park in May 2011. Lindsay takes great enjoyment from seeing her class participants having fun during their workout and from knowing that she is playing an important part in helping them to stay fit, healthy, and feeling fabulous. In addition to being a Group Exercise Instructor, Lindsay is also a certified Craniosacral Therapist. In June 2007, she completed training in Craniosacral Therapy with the Institute of Craniosacral Studies in the UK.
Krista Ellensohn
Krista Ellensohn moved to Chicago after receiving her B.B.A in Business Management, Dance Minor, and Performing Arts Entrepreneurship certificate from The University of Iowa. Over the years she has trained in a variety of styles including: ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, tap, hip hop, and modern. Krista has been a featured soloist for the Nutcracker and Holiday Spectacular productions in N.W. Iowa. Krista had the opportunity to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgivings Day parade, several NYCDA showcase performances, and the Joffrey Summer Showcase performance – all held in New York City. In addition, she had the honor of working with Joshua Bergasse, Choreographer of the NBC T.V. series “Smash,” as a dance assistant.
Krista has been working as a teacher and choreographer for the past 8 years. She received her teaching certification through Dance Masters of America in 2009. Her love and passion for dance led her to discovering ZUMBA® and has been hooked ever since. Her class is truly a party you do not want to miss!
Miguel Arroyo
Miguel was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he was introduced to dance & dance training by his mother. During his time in Puerto Rico, Miguel worked in theater and a few Jazz dance companies until moving to Chicago in 2001. Currently, he is a Spanish Interpreter at CMH and is starting his own business with 4Life Products.
Miguel has taught Ballroom Dance for 3 years at Arthur Murray Dance studios. He has also competed professionally with his dance partner and placed in the Future Champions Division regional and national competitions. He teaches private Ballroom and Social Dancing at MaZi Dance Fitness Centre. With his knowledge in Ballroom, his natural high energy, and his eagerness to help people accomplish anything on the dance floor…Miguel rocks the house!
Stephanie Williams
Stephanie Williams graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2009 with a B.F.A in dance. Williams currently teaches in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. She was recently certified in ZUMBA® and continues to choreograph independently for her company, Stephanie Williams and Dancers.
Under professional direction she has performed in works by Beth McNeil, Paige Cunningham, Matthew Hollis, and Twyla Tharp. Come experience Stephanie’s enticing style and choreography by taking Dance Tease!
Marja Lankinen
Once the Executive Director of Dance2XS Michigan, Marja moved toChicagoto dance with Boom Crack Dance Company in residency with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Marja has performed at the 2011 Billboard Awards and Oprah’s Farewell Spectacular as a backup dancer for Beyonce, was featured in Twista’s latest music video, and was a chosen choreographer in Freelance Dance Chicago’s spring 2011 showcase. Marja has extensively trained with Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio (Los Angeles),BroadwayDanceCenter(New York), Lou Conte Dance Studio (Chicago), and theUniversityofMichigan Dance Program. She has performed inMichigan’s Best Dance Crew, Prelude Dance Competition, Urbanite, The One, and the Vogue Show. Certified in Zumba, Turbo Kick, and Vinyasa Yoga, Marja is passionate about art, community, and creating spaces for people to access both in their own engaged and passionate way.
Kiley Elfring
Kiley has 10 years of studio training in tap, jazz, ballet and point. She continued dancing with her high school pom team and then as a member of the University of Notre Dame Pom Squad. Originally a native of suburban Detroit, Kiley moved to Chicago in 2008 after graduating from The University of Notre Dame.
Here she began her career in architecture and is currently working for a high end residential firm in Skokie. Kiley discovered Zumba about a year ago and immediately fell in love. It is the perfect way to combine dance and fitness! Her classes are both fun and challenging!
Autumn Kelly
Autumn has many years of ballet training and has trained and competed for over 15 years in a variety of sports, including running, swimming, rowing, cycling, rock climbing, and yoga. She has instructor training experience in Gyrotonic and Stott Pilates.
Autumn discovered MaZi soon after moving to Chicago in 2009, and has applied her knowledge of other sports to dance. She works full time as a medical writer and freelance editor, but is most passionate about helping people find strength and expression through dance.
Alexander Tomas
MaZi’s jack of all trades, Alexander is a Registered Nurse, since 2009, with a specialty in ICU/Cardio-thoracic Surgery. He has a love to not only take care of patients, but also to dance. At an early age he was into drawing, playing the piano, and dancing with dance groups. When he is not working at the hospital, you can find Alexander at MaZi shaking it up at Hip Hop Choreo/Cardio, WERQ and Zumba. MaZi has helped him enjoy music and dance even further. It has also given him great results… “Body By MaZi TM”.
Ballerina Bum Trainers – Full Bios Coming Soon!
Sabine Kollwitz
Kiley Snowaert