Photo by William Frederking

Lucy Vurusic-Riner is a native Chicagoan who has been supporting and contributing to the dance community for over fifteen years. She received her BS Degree in dance and dance education from Illinois State University. Lucy has worked with many independent choreographers throughout the city, including Michael Estanich, Martha Mulligan, Kirby Reed, Anna Simone Levin, and Jennifer Grisham. She has also had the opportunity to be part of the community cast of White Oak Dance Project. Her work has been seen at Dance Chicago, Northeastern’s Up and Coming Choreographer’s Showcase, The Field Chicago, Duets for My Valentine and the Around the Coyote Festival. Lucy is also a founding member of MOTIVITY: A Choreographers Festival where she presented work for five years, and is also co-producer of Duets for my ValenSwine, an off-beat production that her and her husband, Jim, performed in for several years. Lucy has taught modern, hip hop, and jazz at numerous studios and high schools in the Chicagoland area. Currently, she is the Director of Dance at Oak Park and River Forest High School. In addition, she has been a member of Mad Shak Dance Company since 2001. In 2005, Lucy completed her Masters Degree in Education from National Louis University and also received the Illinois High School Dance Teacher of the Year award. Most recently, Lucy also received the Midwest Dance Teacher of the Year award and was the youngest of four finalists in the running for the National Dance Teacher of the Year award.