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A Foundation of Belief: The Alesia Alpert Foundation’s Impact on ICA

A Foundation of Belief: The Alesia Alpert Foundation’s Impact on ICA

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Behind every thriving nonprofit is a circle of believers. At ICA, one of our first and most faithful was the Alesia Alpert Foundation, led by philanthropist and arts advocate Eden Alpert, daughter of legendary musician Herb Alpert.

Since 2021, the Foundation has provided annual support to ICA—helping us offer scholarships, expand programming, and reach more young artists across Chicagoland. Eden’s commitment to youth empowerment and the transformative power of the arts is deeply personal, and her support has made a profound difference.

“The arts shape our courage, our confidence, our voice,” Eden said in an interview with Voyage LA. “They help us become more of who we are.”

Eden’s leadership extends beyond ICA. Through the Eden Alpert Therapeutic Music Program and other projects, she has helped bring music and healing to children around the world.

We are proud to honor Eden Alpert and the Alesia Alpert Foundation as true champions of ICA’s mission—and invite others to follow in their footsteps.

ICA’s Spotlight Forward campaign is raising $50,000 by June 30 to provide scholarships, fund summer programs like IMPACT, and help us launch the new school year with strength. A gift of any size helps fuel the kind of transformative training that changed Emmy Chan’s life—and so many others.

Join us in celebrating, reflecting, and giving back.
Donate today at ILConservatory.org/spotlight

Illinois Conservatory for the Arts
The Illinois Conservatory for the Arts (ICA) is an independent, nonprofit arts institution dedicated to empowering the next generation of artists through rigorous, pre-professional training in the performing arts. Located in Naperville, Illinois, ICA offers a unique blend of high-level arts instruction and academic excellence, serving middle and high school students from a wide geographic region. With a core commitment to creativity, inclusion, and access, ICA provides year-round programming—including intensive summer training, after-school courses, and masterclasses led by renowned industry professionals in musical theatre, dance, and beyond. Over 50% of ICA students receive financial assistance, reflecting the organization’s mission to make high-quality arts education accessible to all talented young artists, regardless of background. With plans to launch a full-time day school in Fall 2026, ICA continues to grow as a transformative force in arts education, building a vibrant and diverse community of students who are prepared to lead, perform, and create with confidence and purpose.

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Justice Moore / MUSICAL THEATRE

JUSTICE MOORE is a New York based performer and choreographer. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, she trained in all styles at Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center. Upon graduating from Allen High School, she had the amazing opportunity to open Hamilton in Chicago as ‘The Bullet.’ She then went on to open the second national tour of the show and join the Broadway production. Moore had the honor to work on projects by Keone and Mari Madrid such as Once Upon a One More Time on Broadway and The Karate Kid: The Musical in St. Louis. She worked on seasons four and five of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” with choreographer Marguerite Derricks. She made her movie debut in Disney+’ Better Nate Than Ever, directed by Tim Federle and choreographed by Zach Woodlee, and her television choreographic debut in CBS’ “East New York.” She was the associate choreographer for London’s Fangirls (under Ebony Williams) and New York City Center’s production of Jelly’s Last Jam (under Edgar Godineaux). Never limiting herself to one side of the dance industry, she continues to keep expanding her community, training, and possibilities. She performed with Doja Cat for MTV’s VMAs, Tyla for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and Stray Kids for the 2024 Youtube Brandcast. She is currently in Broadway’s Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger. Moore has captivated audiences online and off through her story telling, choreography, and comedy. She hopes to continue exploring the many ways dance and storytelling can connect with humans of all avenues. Instagram: @justicemoore_.

PRINCE NII / HIP HOP

PRINCE NII is an award winning dancer, actor and choreographer from Vancouver, Canada. With a unique style that blends versatility and creativity, Prince has become a source of inspiration for artists across the globe. His work has been featured in major productions for Disney, Netflix, Apple, CBS, NBC, and more, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft.

He travels worldwide teaching multiple dance styles including Modern Afro Dance, Hip Hop, Jazz Funk and other Street Styles, and teaches at Harbour Dance Centre and A3 District locally in Vancouver. His goal is to spread the knowledge and culture of the African Diaspora so that in educating others about the past we can strengthen our present and build a better tomorrow.

CRAIG D. BLACK JR. / CONTEMPORARY

Craig D. Black Jr. from San Jose, CA is a dancer, educator, stager, and the Rehearsal Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. He was appointed to this role in 2022 for the company’s 45th Anniversary: Sapphire Season. 

At the age of ten Craig began dancing at South Bay Dance Center and continued his dance training at Abraham Lincoln High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. In 2011, Craig received his BFA from The Juilliard School. He obtained additional training at Springboard Danse Montréal, Nederlands Dans Theater, and the School at Jacob’s Pillow. Craig is a recipient of the 2010 Princess Grace Award in Dance as well as the 2011 Lorna Strassler Award for Student Excellence from the School at Jacob’s Pillow. 

For six seasons Craig performed and toured with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet under the direction of Tom Mossbrucker and Jean-Philippe Malaty. In 2017, Craig joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago where he danced for five seasons before transitioning into the HSDC Rehearsal Director position. Now in his third season as rehearsal director, Craig has been a guest artist with HSDC, a guest rehearsal director for FLOCK, and a stager for Alejandro Cerrudo. He has had the privilege of dancing works by Kyle Abraham, Aszure Barton, Cherice Barton, Rena Butler, Alejandro Cerrudo, Peter Chu, Nacho Duato, Jorma Elo, William Forsythe, Rennie Harris, Johan Inger, Jirí Kylián, Fernando Melo, Robyn Mineko-Williams, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, and Cayetano Soto Ramirez among many others. 

Craig has had the pleasure of co-choreographing and rehearsal directing Cardi B and Offset’s 2019 BET Awards performance as well as assisting Robyn Mineko-Williams with the official music video for Sen Morimoto’s Pressure on the Pulse. 

Craig is a passionate teacher and mentor. He is certified in IMAGE TECH for Dancers introductory through advanced level. He has been a guest company class instructor for DanceAspen, Giordano Dance Chicago, and South Chicago Dance Theatre. Additionally, Craig is on faculty for Dupree Dance and has served as guest faculty for the Hubbard Street Professional Program, The Joffrey Academy, New York City Dance Alliance, Peridance Center, and Steps on Broadway.

KATLIN MICHAEL BOURGEOIS / BALLET

Katlin Michael Bourgeois (they/them) began dancing in their hometown of Gonzales, Louisiana. They graduated from Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program in 2014 and began a dancing career that allowed them to dance with Dance Theatre of San Francisco, DanceWorks Chicago, FLOCK Works, Hubbard Street 2, M/Motions, The Cambrians, and others.  Katlin started their own project dance company, “Ensemble180,” in 2018 and has been an active performer, choreographer, and educator internationally for almost a decade. In 2022 they spearheaded and took leadership of Contemporary Ballet Trainee Program at The Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet, and in 2023 was named “Best Emerging Voice in Dance” by Chicago Magazine. Katlin brings a unique perspective and approach to dance training, and a philosophy that asks dancers to tap into rigor, technical prowess, creativity, and a love for dance.

JONNO VETSICH / MOCK AUDITIONS

Originally from Australia, Jonno’s career as an entertainment professional spans over 25 years and has allowed him to explore six of seven continents. He studied Dance & Musical Theater at Brent Street Studios in Sydney before heading overseas to work for Disney, Royal Caribbean & on the Las Vegas Strip. Favorite credits include, Hairspray, Chicago, Tokyo Disney, Mamma Mia!, Vegas! the Show, The Donnie & Marie Show and The 66th Annual Tony Awards. 

While performing for Royal Caribbean he realized a passion for leadership and progressed to the roles of Dance Captain and Company Manager. This experience led him to work as a New Build Production Assistant and Audition Choreographer before joining their Casting Team. In his current role, Sr. Specialist, Casting Dancers & Featured Artists, he is jointly responsible for casting over 300 dancers annually and also supports Musical casting operations. He has a passion for educating and inspiring future entertainment leaders and is committed to recruiting, developing & retaining talent. His passions beyond the arts include travel and other languages.

NICOLE CLARKE-SPRINGER / MOCK AUDITIONS

Nicole Clarke-Springer began formal training under the guidance of Claudette Soltis (Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and Joliet Ballet Society) and the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre under Dace Diodonis. She received her B.S. in arts administration-dance from Butler University in Indianapolis, where she was honored as Butler Ballet’s Outstanding Performer.

Shortly after graduating from Butler, Clarke-Springer found her dance home within the Deeply Rooted Dance Theater family—first as an apprentice and later as company member. As a member of DRDT, she had the opportunity to perform with Roberta Flack in Kevin Iega Jeff’s Flack, as well as Jennifer Holiday in the world-renowned Penumbra Theatre’s Black Nativity. She briefly left the company in 2007 to serve as adjunct professor in Western Kentucky University’s Dance Department. While there, she was asked to join the Clifton Brown Dance Company, performing on its tour to Istanbul, Turkey. The same year, Clarke-Springer returned to the Deeply family as program director of its Summer Dance Intensive. During this time, she began deepening her choreographic voice, creating and later setting works including Nine, Dounia, and Femme for the main and second companies. She also served as assistant choreographer to Kevin Iega Jeff for Congo Square Theatre’s Nativity for two years.

In 2013, Clarke-Springer joined Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abbott as the newest member of the Deeply Rooted Artistic Team and was named Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s Emerging Choreographer for the program “Generations.” Among the critical responses to her work Hadiya were these thoughts from Lynn Colburn Shapiro, See Chicago Dance:  “a poignant memorial tribute…filled with…ritualistic gestures [that] carry a ceremonial theme…a living eulogy not only for the slain Hadiya Pendleton, but for all children who have lost their lives to violence.” 

In August 2015, she traveled with Deeply Rooted to participate in JOMBA! Dance Festival hosted by Flatfoot Dance Company, where she set her ballet Until Lambs Become Lions on the host company.

In 2016, Clarke-Springer choreographed the opening number for the nationally syndicated Steve Harvey Show- Halloween Celebration. She teaches and choreographs throughout the country and has been on faculty as an adjunct professor at Chicago State University and Western Kentucky University and is currently on staff at Northwestern University.

Crediting Deeply Rooted’s mission, Clarke-Springer works to create an environment where artists participate in a process that is not only spiritually affirming but requires open and honest dialogue that leads to self-reflection, constructive feedback, and accountability to the work required. She was appointed Artistic Director of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in September 2019.

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Justice Moore / Dance

JUSTICE MOORE is a New York based performer and choreographer. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, she trained in all styles at Next Step Dance Performing Arts Center. Upon graduating from Allen High School, she had the amazing opportunity to open Hamilton in Chicago as ‘The Bullet.’ She then went on to open the second national tour of the show and join the Broadway production. Moore had the honor to work on projects by Keone and Mari Madrid such as Once Upon a One More Time on Broadway and The Karate Kid: The Musical in St. Louis. She worked on seasons four and five of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” with choreographer Marguerite Derricks. She made her movie debut in Disney+’ Better Nate Than Ever, directed by Tim Federle and choreographed by Zach Woodlee, and her television choreographic debut in CBS’ “East New York.” She was the associate choreographer for London’s Fangirls (under Ebony Williams) and New York City Center’s production of Jelly’s Last Jam (under Edgar Godineaux). Never limiting herself to one side of the dance industry, she continues to keep expanding her community, training, and possibilities. She performed with Doja Cat for MTV’s VMAs, Tyla for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and Stray Kids for the 2024 Youtube Brandcast. She is currently in Broadway’s Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger. Moore has captivated audiences online and off through her story telling, choreography, and comedy. She hopes to continue exploring the many ways dance and storytelling can connect with humans of all avenues. Instagram: @justicemoore_.

Samantha Pauly / Voice

Samantha Pauly is a Grammy nominated and Drama Desk Award winning actress best known for originating the role of Katherine Howard in SIX the Musical on Broadway. She was most recently seen starring as Jordan Baker in the premiere of The Great Gatsby at Papermill Playhouse. In the summer of 2019, Samantha was hand picked by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jamie Lloyd to play Eva Peron in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s critically acclaimed revival of Evita on the West End. The production went on to receive nominations and wins at The Evening Standard Theatre Awards, the WhatsOnStage Awards, and the Oliviers. After returning to the U.S., Samantha went on to tour with SIX the Musical and made stops at The Citadel Theatre, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts before landing on Broadway in the early spring of 2020. She has starred in many regional productions including Mimi inRENT, Betsy in Honeymoon in Vegas, Eva Peron in Evita, Jovie in Elf the Musical, and Amber von Tussle in Hairspray, to name a few. In 2018, Samantha joined the first national tour of Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell as Valkyrie, before an abrupt cancellation. Soon after, she was cast as Katherine Howard in the US premiere of SIX the Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre for which she received a Joseph Jefferson Award. She also tours and performs her solo cabaret An Evening with Samantha Pauly, and has performed in NYC, LA, Chicago, and more. Samantha’s TV credits include: Chicago PD (NBC), and ads for Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Purina, and T-Mobile. Since her journey with SIX began, Samantha has also been seen and reviewed in The New York Times, Vogue Magazine, The New York Post, The Associated Press, andthe Washington Post.

Kara Lindsay / Acting

KARA LINDSAY Broadway: Wicked (Glinda), Beautiful (Cynthia Weil), Newsies (Katherine Plumber) Original Cast/ Fathom Events Film, Once Upon a Mattress (Winnifred Standby for Sutton Foster). National Tour: Wicked (Glinda), Little House on the Prairie (originated role of Laura). Paper Mill Playhouse: Newsies, Jolly Holiday, Little House…Prairie. Sacramento Music Circus: Singin in the Rain (Kathy Selden). NCT: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins). Kansas City Starlight: Cinderella (Cinderella). Kansas City Rep: Cabaret (Sally Bowles). 5th Avenue: Lone Star Love (Miss Ann Page). Geva: A Christmas Carol(Belle). Film: Wicked Movie Part One ensemble vocals. TV: “Murphy Brown”, ABC’s “Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong”, ABC’s “The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II”, Tony Awards, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. BFA Carnegie Mellon University. Huge thanks and LOVE to my family and to Stewart Talent/ Amplified. @karalindsay1

Maggie Spanuello / Casting

MAGGIE SPANUELLO (she/her/hers) works at Gray Talent Group as an Associate Agent on the Chicago On-Camera and Voiceover team after working as a director and music theatre educator for ten years in Chicago, Off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally. Selected credits include work at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Brightside Theatre, and Hope Summer Repertory. She was the Associate Director on the award-winning Off-Broadway Production of THE WOMAN IN BLACK (“Best Play Revival”-Off-Broadway Alliance Awards, “Critic’s Pick”-NY Times) and the US Tour (Royal George Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Pasadena Playhouse, Seattle Rep, American Conservatory Theatre) directed by Robin Herford.

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