Debra Nanni

Growing up in Buffalo NY, Debra studied all styles of dance. In 1983, she pursued her scholarship to Gus Giordano’s in Evanston, IL which started her career. She transitioned to be a core member and a soloist in the contemporary ballet company, The Chicago Dance Medium. Alongside CDM’s Artistic Director Rosemary Doolas, she became Assoc. Artistic director and a board member. As a guest artist, Debra was also gifted to perform with many affluent Chicago artists and dance companies. While performing, she found her love for teaching which grew to her also owning her own studio, Progressive Movement Academy. Many of her students received college scholarships, now dance with professional national and international companies, perform with recording artists and are teachers themselves. Debra’s choreography has been given top awards and accolades on the recreational, competitive and professional stages. She created two international works on professional Vaganova ballet company, F.V.G Neu Space in Udine, Italy. On the convention circuit, she passionately inspires dancers to love ballet and modern. Debra is in her 31st year of adjudicating various national dance and talent competitions. In 2019 she loved judging 2 Dance Mom’s episodes with also judging the A.S.D.U European National Dance Championships in Austria. She sat alongside judges from Austria, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic. Debra moved to Phoenix in 2019 to be with her mother and continued to teach at 2 amazing studios. With her mom now being her Angel, she has returned to Chicago to continue her passion. Debra feels blessed to expand her education, in all styles of dance, to be able to pass on her experience and knowledge to all the wonderful dancers.