Ally Economou (Sanov)

Ally Economou, originally from Owasso, Oklahoma, is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic director of Chicago’s first faith-based contemporary dance company, Forward the Movement. A 2015 summa cum laude graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, Ally moved to Chicago in 2017 to pursue her professional dance and choreography dreams. In addition to performing, Ally always maintained a passion for dance education and youth outreach. Ally sees Forward as her vehicle to merge all these desires.

Since Forward’s inception, Ally has choreographed and produced three sold out performances in Chicago, and toured with Forward helped across the Midwest. In addition to her work with Forward, Ally teaches and choreographs at several studios across the Chicago area. Ally broadens her reach to grow student’s technique through traveling and judging with StageOne and Triple S Dance Competitions. In 2019, Ally went on her first mission trip to Thailand and merged her greatest joys -- dance and faith -- teaching dance to students across Thailand and Myanmar. Prior to starting Forward, Ally toured to Trinidad and Tobago to perform in The COCO Dance Festival, and also presented original choreography at the American College Dance Festival.

Ally also served as an apprentice with Flatlands Dance Theatre, based in Lubbock, Texas for two seasons. Ally performed with Alluvion Dance Chicago as a company member and choreographer for two seasons and performed with Visceral Dance Chicago in “Within.” Ally believes the art of dance can change the world and is excited to continue growing Forward’s scholarship program to reach students both locally and internationally.