Alison Rootberg, founder of Wellness4Every1®, is an education consultant whose primary focus is arts and wellness programming. She completed her MFA in Dance and Integrated Media at the California Institute of the Arts. Rootberg also has a BFA in Dance and a BS in Inter-Arts and Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She completed her 200 hour yoga certification in 2011.

Rootberg has taught/developed programming for grades PreK-12 for over 100 Chicago Public Schools. She has also taught/developed workshops for hundreds of students at the Allstate Arena, Mayor Daley's Book Club Conference, Millennium Park and the Taste of Chicago. Additionally, she has taught at CorePower Yoga, Jewish Child and Family Services, Lurie Children's Hospital, and Roosevelt University. While in Los Angeles, Rootberg developed/initiated new class curriculum for over 60 public and private schools. She also taught art/technology classes at over 30 public and private schools.

Her work has been presented throughout the United States, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico and the United Kingdom. Rootberg was selected/attended the Sydney Kahn Summer Institute at the Kitchen in New York, the Music and Dance Exchange at Dartington College of Art in Devon (United Kingdom), and STEIM in Amsterdam (Netherlands) for a residency in the Electronic Performance Arts. She has also been accepted to and presented her work at the Artificial Reproduction Technologies Conference (NY), the Bellingham Electronic Arts Festival (WA), the International Computer Music Conference, the International Digital Media and Arts Conference, the MacWorld Conference, and the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. Rootberg has served as a board member of the New West Electronic Arts and Music Organization (NWEAMO) and the Dance Resource Center (DRC).

Christine is an international fitness educator, chronic disease wellness specialist, and recipient of the IDEA World 2023 Fitness Professional of the Year. She is the CEO of CONTI: a woman-owned enterprise offering keynote speaking, chronic disease wellness, mindset coaching and continuing education for fitness professionals, schools, and private companies. Christine is the best-selling author of SPLIT-SECOND COURAGE, the podcast host of the Two Fit Crazies & a Microphone Podcast, co-founder of REINVENTING THE WOMAN INTERNATIONAL, a triathlete guide for special needs athletes, and a 4x IRONMAN. After receiving a life-changing diagnosis at age thirty, this former investment banker, board certified teacher, and all-American athlete believes that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

Molly is the Director of Education for Wellness for Everyone. Molly's work is rooted in creating arts and wellness opportunities for students to improve their interpersonal skills, build positive relationships, and master life skills that will be used for years to come. Molly has been with Wellness for Everyone since 2022. Prior to joining W4E1, Molly was a middle school teacher and athletic coach in Chicago Public Schools for 13 years. She earned her B.A. in Education with endorsements in Math, Science, and Language Arts from Loyola University Chicago. She is also a 200 hr certified yoga instructor. In her free time, Molly enjoys exploring Chicago's numerous parks with her dog, traveling, practicing yoga, and checking out new restaurants and spots throughout the city.

With over 25 years of movement coaching experience, Steve Feinberg is a creator of global fitness brands and programming, most notably SpeedBALL Fitness and HIPBOX. Steve was a competitive amateur fighter, a conditioning coach for professional world and regional champions, 2nd assist professional cornerman, and head coach to local amateur champion fighters. Along with having run and developed class formats for a martial arts school with 500+ active monthly students in his youth programs, he’s also the architect and teacher of the KidzBoxing program (PS 6, Manhattan, grades 2-6) and most recently the Art of Boxing through Wellness4Every1® (Chicago, virtual grades 4-6).

Susanna is Wellness4Every1’s Education Manager. She taught dance and movement residencies in Chicago for over a decade, working in public, private, and charter schools throughout the city. Susanna holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Dance from Macalester College, and has completed professional development with the Creative Dance Center in Seattle, Luna Dance Center in Berkeley, the National Dance Institute, and Lincoln Center Education in New York. She is an avid salsa and swing dancer, a fitness instructor, and enthusiastic world traveler.

Zach is the Marketing Director for Wellness4Every1. He has 10+ years of marketing experience and has worked with top-tier businesses specializing in health and wellness. He also holds a BFA from Baylor University in Acting and grew up in the arts. Zach's unique blend of creative skills and background in business help him to drive Wellness4Every1's mission of providing equity and access for ALL students. He is also the founder of The Christian Breathwork Foundation, an inclusive faith-based space for trauma healing.

Amanda Cox has been dancing since she was a child and started teaching 20 years ago in Vermont. She has a passion for teaching dance and yoga and loves teaching kids the art of mindfulness and meditation as well. She exudes a confidence that keeps her classroom calm and focused. She comes up with her own choreography that fits the technical skills and vibe of the classroom that she's teaching in and she ends every session with a group meditation that helps the kids stay calm and focused throughout the rest of their school day.

Amber Chambers is a dedicated health educator and group fitness instructor, passionate about empowering others to lead healthier lives. Graduating with a BS in Health Education from Central State University in 2017, she ventured into entrepreneurship in 2018, launching a successful line of resistance bands and hosting dynamic workout sessions. With a profound dedication to promoting overall well-being, Amber continues to inspire individuals on their fitness journeys.

Anita Nicole Brown took a swing dancing course while a student at Columbia College Chicago, after regaining the ability to walk from her battle with Diabetic nerve damage in her legs and feet. From 2000 until 2017, Brown engulfed herself in the world of swing dancing. She took part in all the social dances, the balls and even competed often, always finishing in the top three places. In 2017, Brown joined Dancing with Class. Brown has continued her position as a Teaching Artist of Dance & has never looked back.

Christina Noel is a Teaching Artist, photographer, and yoga instructor originally from Toronto, Ontario, whose style is informed by having practiced, taught, and trained in various healing modalities all over the world. Certified in collective trauma healing, Christina brings a deep awareness of the needs of the spirit and a rich knowledge of the body and nervous system to her instruction of yoga and meditation. Her unique, adaptable, and intuitive teaching style supports connection while honoring all differences -- whether in the studio, online, in an elementary or high school, corporation, police department, or prison. With gentleness, grace, and humor, Christina brings her students into the 'now' and helps each practitioner reach toward their intention safely. Spontaneously adapting her mindful movement practice for the population she is serving, Christina helps students dissolve any barriers in their bodies and minds and nurture their own nature.

Danielle Gilmore began her yoga practice journey in 2001. Learning and receiving the benefits, her yoga practice became a part of her daily ritual to complement her dance training. Yoga has been a guide in Danielle’s self-discovery and injury prevention. Danielle received her 200 Hour Teacher Training under Suddha Weixler in 2011. She has taught at Chicago Yoga Center, Dovetail fitness studio, Elate Yoga, Xport fitness, and many corporations/residential buildings in Chicago. Danielle had the honor of working with Chicago Blackhawks in 2012-2013, focusing on injury recovery, meditation and mental wellbeing for the players. Danielle is also certified in Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga (2015). She has a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Dance Performance from the University of Arizona.

DeePaola Picasso creates space that allows you to connect with yourself and the physical practice on a deeper level, aligning mind, body and spirit. She studied 500+ hours under the late Maty Ezraty in Los Angeles and New York. DeePaola teaches a wide range of students, from new students to seasoned yoga students, kids, prenatal, professional athletes to residents of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Elena Soultanska, known as Elena Bali, is a dance instructor at May I Have This Dance, and a Teaching Artist for Wellness For Everyone, Dancing with Class, and Academy of Music and Art. Elena graduated from National Music Academy of Bulgaria. Her skills are dance performing, teaching all ages, choreographing, managing show teams, and editing music and videos. She is mostly experienced in Latin Dance (Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha, Merengue), Ballroom, Hip-hop, Zouk, and Kizomba. Her favorite program for children is Dance Around the World. Elena also teaches Line dance and Latin Dance at District 214 Community education, at Triton College Continuing Education, and at Oak Park Township. She is a founder and choreographer of AMAZONIA Dance Project, a dance troupe in Europe. Elena speaks English, Bulgarian, Russian, French, Portuguese and a basic level of Spanish.

Eliza Weekley, originally from Athens Ohio, has been teaching dance in Chicago since 2016. She began her formal dance training with BalletMet Columbus, where at the age of 16, she became a trainee with the company and was given a chance to perform works by Gerard Charles and Edwaard Liang. Since moving to Chicago, Ms. Weekley has had the opportunity to dance with companies such as Cocodaco Dance Project, Chicago Repertory Ballet, and most recently The Ruth Page Center for the Arts as a guest artist in their production of “The Nutcracker”. She has also taught for Foster Dance Studio, Chicago Repertory Ballet, and Dance and Music Academy.

I was born and raised in Mexico where I began my formal training in dance when I was 12 years old. I received my Bachelors and Professional degree in Stage Dance from the Centro Universitario de danza de la Universidad de Colima. My undergraduate dance education focused on technique, theory, and movement in ballet, modern, jazz, folkloric, and performance dance. After graduating, I worked as a professional dancer performing in nightly shows at five-star resorts in the internationally-popular Mexican vacation regions. My training and performances included many numbers based on Latin, Ballroom, Jazz, Salsa, Folk, and Disco dance. I moved to Chicago in 2010 and has been part of the MayI family since 2010. Itza has worked with Dancing with Class for 10+ years and is thrilled to be part of the Wellness4Every1 family!

Lindsey Cocom, aka Ms. Blaze, was born and raised in the city of Chicago, dancing since the 7th grade. She went to performing arts high school Senn and graduated with the first generation of IB dancers. She danced with Senn partners Joffrey, Gus Giordano, and Joel Hall, as well as competitive studios. Lindsey attended Illinois State University as a dance performance major, with a second major in design production and a focus in costuming. She has taught all around the city in all different types of school and studios. She has truly fallen in love with teaching!

Liora Lahav is a professional dancer, singer, and actress with over 20 years of performing experience. Liora began as an assistant dance teacher, and had her own classroom for the first time at age 14. She holds a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre from Laine Theatre Arts College in England, a BA in Musical Theatre from The University for the Creative Arts in England, and a Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education from the International Society for Teachers of Dancing.

Love Marie (they/them) is a freedom dreaming joy conjurer, educator, and multi-dimensional performing and creative artist. Their creative foundations are rooted in their experience growing up as a concert dance performer from age 2 until age 21, with a background in modern, ballet, tap, West African, and hip hop dance. Love is also a poet, DJ, Black queer feminist theorist, healing justice & abolitionist scholar, and healing arts practitioner.

Meghan McDonough is a certified Veda Yoga instructor from Dancing Shiva Yoga & Ayurveda in Los Angeles. She has taught privately and in group classes in both Los Angeles and Chicago for almost two decades. Since returning to Chicago in 2016, Meghan has taught with Chicago Park District teaching yoga to toddlers, seniors and students of all ages and experience levels. Meghan has taught workshops and yoga classes through Anne’s Haven and currently teaches yoga at Deep Roots Chiropractic & Wellness Center. She continues her yoga studies with Dr. Vartika Dubey and KaivalyaDham Yoga Institute in Hatha/Raja Yoga. Meghan is also a student of Earth Magic Academy where she has learned to cultivate, sharpen and listen to her intuition and use intuitive skills to help others with her Magnetize Your Light book, and workshops.

Meghan McDonough is a Certified Yoga Instructor, Intuitive Spirit Guide, Actress and author of Magnetize Your Light, a coloring book and journal to help ignite intuition, creativity and purpose. Meghan has been teaching yoga for over two decades. She has developed Ignite Your Life & Magnetize Your Light Jr, ( a program to support pre-teen/teen girls through their transitional time into woman-hood) by utilizing her yoga knowledge, creativity and intuition. As a yoga instructor she has taught workshops in Yoga & Ayurveda in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

Melanie Zehner (She/Her) is an actor (AEA/SAG-AFTRA), writer and teaching artist from Upstate NY. She is currently living in Chicago, IL. She graduated with her Bachelors in Theatre from SUNY Potsdam, received her Masters in Physical Acting from the University of Kent Canterbury and is a graduate of the Second City Conservatory. Currently, Melanie is working on receiving her 200 RYT certification through Zen Yoga Garage. Melanie has worked as an actor with multiple theatre groups, as well as participated in different film projects. Melanie has written theatrical works for Laugh Index Theatre and Museum of the Bible. Melanie has been a teaching artist since the age of fifteen. She has taught with the Syracuse Children's Theatre, Imagination Stage, Sitar Arts, ArtStream Inc, Museum of the Bible, Bear Book Club, A.B.L.E Ensemble, The Viola Project and Music House Chicago. With Bear Book Club, Melanie created the curriculum for the first online Korean improv classes. In her spare time, Melanie likes to drink tea, read books and eat new vegan desserts. Defy Gravity!

Nicole Gifford is the Artistic Director of Nicole Gifford Dance and has been performing, choreographing & producing dance in Chicago since 1998. A graduate of Western Illinois University, she earned her BAS in English, with minor degrees in Dance and Creative Writing. Nicole has received support for her choreography through the Chicago Cultural Center’s Department of Cultural Affairs, with a Dance Bridge Residency and her work has also received support from the Illinois Arts Council. Since 2007, Nicole has been teaching social dancing to adults at May I Have This Dance and through their youth program, Dancing with Class. She is also the co-founder and producer of Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival.

Prerna Bajaj is a trained Hip Hop dancer from Chicago, originally born and raised in India. With a background in software engineering, she made a bold career shift a few years ago to pursue her passion for dance wholeheartedly. Today, Prerna is proud to work with Wellness4Every1, teaching dance to students across various grade levels. She also serves as the assistant director of a Hip-Hop crew in Chicago, where she and her team perform and compete annually.

Prerna continuously grows in her craft by training with diverse choreographers in Chicago, embracing different music styles, cultures, and histories to enrich her choreography. Dance holds a huge part of her heart, and she brings all her energy and dedication to each class, striving to make every student feel included, energized, and happy.

Reyna Hoerdeman is a women's health and fitness professional who enjoys helping women build their dream life one daily wellness habit at a time. She has been a fitness & wellness professional for 10+ years with modality certifications in barre, boxing, yoga, yoga sculpt strength training, HipBox, Speedball, and more. Reyna is also completing her nutrition certification and helps busy women utilizing nutrition, fitness, and accountability. Reyna believes to build daily habits you have to enjoy them or it won't turn into a happy & sustainable lifestyle. If you are a busy woman who is ready to take the journey to build your happy and healthy lifestyle, she is your gal.

Sadira Muhammad is a senior Teaching Artist. She is a seasoned Chicago teaching artist of Modern and Afrocultural dance with a specialty in integrating history and literature. Her work in the classroom focuses on developing accessible structures for learning and promoting student voice and identity. She has the unique experience of having been an arts education administrator at Columbia College Chicago in support of a cadre of multidisciplinary artists and educators. Sadira has extensive performance experience. She is well versed in various forms of dance through classes at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana/ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, training under many African and Caribbean nationals such as through her liaison work with the international artists of Dance Africa Chicago, and through the Muntu Dance Theater's community classes. Sadira has traveled to dance conferences and workshops throughout the US and abroad, and has studied Horton and Graham technique under scholarship at the Joseph Holmes School (re-emerged as Deeply Rooted Dance Theater). She is a long-standing principal performer and Assistant Artistic Director of the West Indian Folk Dance Company. Sadira holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Dramatic Interpretation from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Robin Goldberg is a certified Nutrition and Wellness Coach and cookbook author.

After 10 years of a high-paced, high-stress career in marketing, Robin decided to leave her job to follow her passion of nutrition and wellness. She started Robin Goldberg Nutrition + Wellness, LLC as a way to share her knowledge and help others create a lifestyle change that will better their overall health and wellness for the long term.

Robin's philosophy is about moderation and balance, not about diets or quick fixes. She believes in teaching people about nutrition and how food works for our bodies. She knows there is not one path that is best for everyone but believes in the power of knowledge and understanding the benefits food and nutrition have on our overall health and wellbeing.

Robin started curating recipes after a few friends came to her asking for some suggestions on how to get their kids to eat more veggies. The success of the recipes lead her to developing her cookbook, Hidden Veggies, Recipes Even the Pickiest Eaters Will Love. And her second book “Hidden Veggies 2: Snack Attack”. The cookbooks are filled with easy, fun and delicious recipes all with hidden veggies.

Although originally curated with the picky kid in mind, the recipes have been enjoyed by people of all ages. To find more information about Robin or to purchase her cookbook visit her website RobinGoldbergNutrition.com

Rachel recently graduated from Wilbur Wright College and is beginning a career as a certified occupational therapy assistant. She enjoys integrating the arts and wellness to create meaningful experiences. Her creative practices are rooted in breath, body awareness, community, communication and interconnection. In her recent fieldwork placement at a brain injury clubhouse, she collaborated with individuals with brain injuries to devise a theatrical production with puppetry called, Why the Sky is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale. She is passionate about puppetry and began exploring her interest in puppetry at Redmoon Theater in 2007. In 2023, Rachel was an artist-in-residence at Access Living to further develop her work as disabled artist. She was also chosen to be an artist in Chicago Puppet Lab in 2022-2023, an 8 month incubator and residency to develop and perform a work in progress puppetry and dance show. Developing her show, Eve of a Great Remembering, gave her an opportunity to unify and further blend together her work in disability, dance, visual art, and puppetry.

Since 2007, Rachel has taught dance combined with social and emotional learning in the Chicago Public Schools. Currently, she is teaching dance, yoga, puppetry and movement classes for people of all abilities.