Debra Nanni

Debra studied all styles of dance in growing up in Buffalo NY. In 1983, Gus Giordano gave her a scholarship to study at his school in Chicago which started her professional career. She then became a soloist with The Chicago Dance Medium, a contemporary modern ballet company and performed independently with many affluent dance companies until 2004. In 1998 she started to develop her love for teaching and has been mastering it since. Debra was the Studio owner of Progressive Movement Academy and taught in private studios throughout Chicago through 2019. Many of her students received college scholarships, dance with professional companies and perform with recording artists around the world. Nationally, Debra is known for her creative teaching of diverse styles in workshops and master classes. On the convention circuit, she passionately inspires dancers to love ballet and modern. She’s honored to be in her 12th year teaching in Austria and surrounding countries. Debra’s choreography has been given top awards and accolades on the recreational, competitive and professional stages. She created two international works on professional Vaganova ballet company, F.V.G Neu Space in Udine, Italy. Debra is in her 25th year adjudicating for various national dance and talent competitions and recently for the new Dance Moms season. Debra was honored to be the only American Judge to participate in A.S.D.U European National 2018 Dance Championships in Spittal Austria to sit alongside judges from Austria, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic. She now is a new resident in the Phoenix area, relocating in April of 2019 to be closer to her amazing 93yr old Mom.

Debra studied all styles of dance in growing up in Buffalo NY. In 1983, Gus Giordano gave her a scholarship to study at his school in Chicago which started her professional career. She then became a soloist with The Chicago Dance Medium, a contemporary modern ballet company and performed independently with many affluent dance companies until 2004. In 1998 she started to develop her love for teaching and has been mastering it since. Debra was the owner of Progressive Movement Academy until and taught in private studios throughout Chicago through 2019. Many of her students received college scholarships, dance with professional companies and perform with recording artists around the world. Nationally, Debra is known for her creative teaching of diverse styles in workshops and master classes. On the convention circuit, she passionately inspires dancers to love ballet and modern. She’s honored to be in her 12th year teaching in Austria and surrounding countries. Debra’s choreography has been given top awards and accolades on the recreational, competitive and professional stages. She created two international works on professional Vaganova ballet company, F.V.G Neu Space in Udine, Italy. Debra is in her 25th year adjudicating for various national dance and talent competitions and recently for the new Dance Moms season. Debra was honored to be the only American Judge to participate in A.S.D.U European National 2018 Dance Championships in Spittal Austria to sit alongside judges from Austria, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic. She now is a new resident in the Phoenix area, relocating in April of 2019 to be closer to her amazing 92yr old Mom.