OUR TEAM
Freddy Fuelling
Frederick Fuelling is a graduate of Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne with a B.A. in Theatre with an emphasis in Dance. Freddy has trained at the Razz M Jazz Dance Studio, The Fort Wayne Ballet, Fort Wayne Dance Collective, and Purdue University. Freddy was a Company Dancer with the Mikautadze Dance Theatre, a professional modern dance company in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Freddy's recent credits include the follwoing: Bye Bye Birdie, Cabaret, Beauty and the Beast (Anthony award winner), Frankenstein an Act of Creation, Little Shop of Horrors, Stupid F*#%*#G Bird, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Merrily We Roll Along, Anything Goes. When not performing, Freddy is choreographing and teaching his passion for the arts. Freddy is excited to bring his passion and love of dance to the Zoi Arts Family.
MADDIE PINER
Maddie Piner is a local teacher, choreographer, and performer and a proud graduate of Oklahoma City University, where she received training in ballet, tap, jazz, theatre dance, dance teaching, and choreography while completing a degree in dance performance. She has been teaching dance and fitness classes to students of all ages for the past eight years, primarily in her hometown of Austin, TX, at Ballet Austin Academy and the Butler Center for Dance and Fitness. After spending two years in Austin post-graduation, Maddie and her husband relocated to Chicago to expand her opportunities as a musical theatre performer. Since relocating, she's professionally performed at various theatres in the Chicagoland area and teaching at Lincolnshire Academy of Dance in Lincolnshire, The Academy of Dance Arts in Downers Grove, The Dance Workshop in Orland Park, and MaZi Dance Fitness and SALT Fitness in Chicago. Maddie has spent the past couple of years falling in love with the Chicago theatre and dance community.
PRISCILLA RUIZ
Priscilla Ruiz is a fun-spirited individual who believes in art expression, particularly in dance as an outlet for everyone. Priscilla danced as a "PomKit" throughout High School, continuing her dance training and technique at Hope College. After leaving Hope College, Priscilla started a dance company, creating a program that taught training and routines to the at-risk youth in Daytona Beach, FL. Priscilla continues her coaching and dance journey at Evanston Township High School coaching High school boys and girls. She currently serves as Head Cheer Coach. This season the team qualified for Nationals, taking 2nd place at the National Competition. You can still find Priscilla on the dance floor, training to stay sharp and keep up with the kiddos.
Jonathan SAillant
Jonathan Saillant grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, where he found a love for music at an early age. He began as a self-taught musician until eventually attending Northern Arizona University (NAU), where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a focus in jazz performance, classical performance, and composition. While attending NAU, Jonathan performed in a variety of jazz ensembles, classical ensembles, contemporary ensembles, and the NAU Mariachi Band. While a member of the NAU Jazz Ensemble, Jonathan lead music clinics for high school and middle school bands. He also performed concerts with world-class musicians such as Joel Frahm, Lucas Pino, Denis Roland, Brice Winston, and more. Jonathan has since moved to Chicago to continue performing as a musician and begin a career as a music teacher. Jonathan carries an abundance of musical knowledge to teach and inspire students through the language of music while fostering a fun and creative environment.
Benjamin Viette
Benjamin Viette is a midwestern-raised optimist with a knack for situational comedy and is so excited to be a part of the Zoi Arts Team! Originally from a rural town in Illinois, Ben has recently moved to Chicago to pursue all forms of theatre and performance. He previously worked as Co-Director of Programming at Shakespeare Corrected, a not for profit that aims at providing theatre to underserved communities in the Decatur area. From performing and teaching to producing and programming, Ben has gathered a plethora of skills to ensure you and your child have a wonderful time here at Zoi Arts.
Melissa BEbel
Melissa is thrilled to be working with the Zoi Arts team! She has a degree in Psychology with a minor in Music from Illinois State University and has studied techniques used in music therapy with voice as her primary instrument. Most of her experience is in working with children with special needs, and she has often used music and song to teach various concepts in academics and communication skills. In her youth, she was a member of Young Naperville Singers and has performed with them and her school choirs in such places as Vancouver, British Columbia, and Lincoln, UK! More recently, she has been developing skills in songwriting and has performed at open mic venues in the suburbs.
COLE BURDICK
Mr. Cole just graduated last May with a degree in commercial music from Millikin University. After graduation, he moved to the city and has been working with kids in music ever since. Cole has been working with kids ever since he could get a job and has been playing music since he was 8. Music and kids are his two passions, and he is so excited to continue to pursue his passion with Zoi Arts!
VINCE WILLIAMS
Executive Director
Vince, an enthusiastic-creative and entrepreneur- has committed himself to inspiring youth through entrepreneurship and performing arts. With his entrepreneurial background, Vince has led several business endeavors targeting inner-city youth development. Through his love for the arts & education, Vince studied theater at DePaul University’s Theater School & The Second City. Vince most recently served as Cultural Arts Director at the Chicago Park District for the past nine years. In this role, Vince managed the day-to day programming needs & development for all performing arts programs, additionally serving as musical director for the Annual Fall & Spring Musicals. Vince Williams is a graduate of National Louis University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Vince is currently pursuing the Master of Organizational Leadership degree at North Park University.