Rachel Martin
Owner/Head Instructor

Rachel grew up in Ottawa, Illinois, dedicating her life to her passion for dance. Her journey began at Jeannie Marie School of Dance and led her all the way to Columbia College in Chicago, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance.

During her time in Chicago and beyond, Rachel gained extraordinary professional experience:

  • Performance: She had the privilege of working and dancing with renowned artists like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Trisha Brown, David Dorfman, and Liz Lerman. She performed with Chicago-based modern companies, including The Dance COLEctive, Anatomical Theatre, and Breakbone Dance Company. Her performance career even extended to film (like Roll Bounce) and commercial gigs.
  • Teaching & Choreography: Rachel taught dance across Chicago for organizations such as the Chicago Children’s Museum, Chicago Park District, the Jewish Centers of Chicago, and the Chicago Public School District.
  • National Travel: As part of the staff for Marching Auxiliaries and Dance (based in Dallas, Texas), she traveled extensively across the country to teach, judge, and choreograph young dancers at summer camps and at the Capitol One Citrus Bowl.

After years of performing, teaching, and traveling, Rachel was ready to continue her dance career in one place. She was drawn back to her hometown to fulfill her dream of opening her own studio: Adagio.

Now, after relocating, she has been happily married and added a daughter, Maya, and a son, Bodie, to her family.

Clayton Cross
Guest Instructor

Clayton Cross works nationwide as a choreographer, performer and master teacher. He is Choreographer in residence with Music Theater Works of Chicago where he choreographed and/or performed in Into The Woods, Anything Goes “Ensemble”, Pirates of Penzance “Ensemble”, Peter Pan “Nana/Croc”, Gypsy “Tulsa”, Mame “Ensemble”, Candide, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, Die Fladermaus, The Fantastiks “Mute” and Damn Yankees “Eddie”. Clayton performed at Marriott Theatre in La Cage as “Mercedes”. Clayton is a master teacher for M.A. Dance, a Texas based traveling convention circuit, where he has been choreographing, teaching, and judging since 1999. Clayton has 3 times been a consultant and contributed choreography for the Capital One Bowl’s All American Halftime Show. Throughout his 20 year career as a dancer he has worked with Robert Battle, Fernando Bujones, Sherry Zunker, Paul Taylor & Anne Reinking. Clayton’s television credits include “Every Dancer Has a Story,” a PBS special on the River North Chicago Dance Company, where he was a company member for 10 seasons and toured nationally, and internationally. Clayton Cross is originally from Midland, TX where he received his early training from La Petite Dance Co., Coleman Academy, and the Midland Community Theatre as a member of the Pickwick Players. Clayton holds a double B.F.A. in Ballet and Modern Dance from Texas Christian University. Clayton is beyond thrilled to perform with Porchlight Music Theatre for the first time in A Chorus Line.

Lauren Pfeffer
Instructor

Lauren Urso grew up in Ottawa, Illinois and started dancing at the age of four at Jeanne Marie’s School of Dance. Over the years she trained in many styles, but tap quickly became her greatest passion. She spent her youth competing, choreographing, and even danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the local Nutcracker for several years.

At just twelve years old, she began assisting classes and went on to become a teacher at seventeen, sharing her love of dance with students at Ottawa Dance Academy and throughout the community. In high school, she was a cheer captain, later joined the Pomerettes, and was named a UDA All-Star and Captain her senior year. After graduation, she returned to her childhood grade school to coach cheer and pom.

Her dance journey continued through college at UW–Madison, where she performed with student groups like MadTappers, before earning her BFA in Fashion Design with a focus on dance apparel. She then completed the Disney College Program, working backstage in Entertainment Costuming at Walt Disney World. Upon returning to Illinois, she coached the Marquette Crusaderettes from 2014–2017 and performed with Meraki Dance Company.

Outside the studio, Lauren has built a ten-year career in graphic design and currently works in the marketing department at BERNINA of America. She joined the Adagio family in 2016 and loves having tap dance back in her life. When she’s not working or dancing, she and her husband are busy restoring their 1913 home, running their business Brickstreet Studios, and enjoying life with their daughter, two cats, and chickens.

Avery Glunt
Instructor

Avery Glunt is originally from Plainfield, Illinois. She received pre-professional dance training and her high school diploma from The Chicago Academy for the Arts. She graduated the Two-Year Certificate Program and Teacher Training Program at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in New York City.

While at the school, she danced with the Graham 2 Company for three seasons, dancing the iconic solo roles of Lamentation, Satyric Festival Song, and the lead in Steps in the Street, amongst other Graham repertoire.

Mya Bryant
Instructor

Originally from Fort Worth Texas, Mya Bryant is an artist who values inclusivity and community. Bryant attended Margo Dean School of Ballet led by Margo and Webster Dean where she had the privilege of being a company member in Ballet Concerto, their summer company. In May of 2022, Bryant graduated from Sam Houston State University with her B.F.A in dance and minor in kinesiology. During her time at Sam Houston State, she had the privilege of performing works by Gabrielle Lamb, Francisco Graciano, and Joshua Manculich. In 2022, Mya joined South Chicago Dance Theatre as an Associate Artist and is grateful to be a Main Company Member for SCDT’s seventh season!

Lauryn Crowell
Instructor

Lauryn Crowell, from Birmingham, Alabama, is an explorative-driven artist. She started at Robinson’s School of Dance, whilst exploring visual and performing arts at Dunbar Magnet School of The Creative and Performing Arts. In high school, she furthered her dance training at Alabama School of Fine Arts. Lauryn graduated from George Mason University receiving a BFA in Dance and an Excellence in Choreography Academic Award. She has performed works by Jonathan Alsberry, Jennifer Archibald, Robert Battle, Rafael Bonachela, Frank Chaves, Tsai-Hsi Hung, Mark Morris, Doug Varone, Kia Smith, assisted Susan Shields and more. She has intended intensives at BodyTraffic, RUBBERBAND, Vim Vigor, and Doug Varone devices workshop. In Chicago, Lauryn joined South Chicago Dance Theatre in August 2024.