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Meet the Crew

Donni Meyer Bane

donnih@netnitco.net

      Donni was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. Her background has been extensive having studied and performed coast to coast. She’s an accomplished performer, choreographer and instructor. Donni worked and studied with such greats as Matt Mattox, Luigi, Gower Champion, Michael Bennett, Carol Channing, Leonard Nimoy and Ginger Rogers among others. Donni’s trained in dance, voice, gymnastics, baton and acting. In the past 20 years, her performing history, has included Broadway, off Broadway, television and summer stock. Donni also performed with Carol Channing in “Hello Dolly”. Her choreography has been performed all over the world. Donni currently owns and operates her own dance studio outside of Chicago. Most recently she has done choreography for Carnival Cruise Lines, and various theme parks throughout the U.S.A. and Europe. Donni also has her work featured in Disney World in Orlando, Florida. 
           Donni is currently teaching ballroom with her husband Dean Bane.

Kari Gearhart

      Kari is an accomplished vocalist and dancer. She has performed in many regional and national theatrical productions, as well as being lead dancer for Carnival Cruise Lines. Kari has choreographed many regional musicals including “Grease” and “Hello Dolly”. Kari has danced professionally in “Cabaret”, “Bye Bye Birdie”, and “Sweet Charity” among others. She has studied with such greats as Bob Audy, Roy Lozano, Frank Chavez, Ron De Jesus, Omar Edwards and Chet Walker. She is an instructor in Jazz, Ballet and Tap. Kari is currently living and teaching in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Keeli Rue

    Keeli Rue has been a student at Dance Unlimited since the age of 4. She has been teaching for 6 years and is attending Columbia College in Chicago focusing on a degree in the Dance and Entertainment Field.
      Keeli has been cast in numerous Regional and National Commercials, Film, Theater, Runway Modeling, Print and Promotional jobs. She is a current member of a Dance Company in Chicago known as “Perfect Timing”. Keeli has also auditioned for, and was chosen, to entertain on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
      Keeli’s greatest love and passion is Dance where she spends most of her time studying and teaching. Her travels have taken her to numerous classes in New York City and Chicago. She has been blessed with many opportunities to study with the world’s greatest talents from Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Cholly Atkins, Luigi, Chet Walker, Lane Alexander, Frank Hatchett, and LaVaughn Robinson to…Mia Michaels, Zena Rommitt, Diane Walker, Debra Zalkind, Billy Sigenfeld, Josh Bergasse, and Michael Owens. The aforementioned is only a small sampling of the incredible teachers and choreographers that Keeli has had the opportunity to study under.
      Keeli’s motto is to Dance from the Heart – greatly influenced by Donni Meyer Bane, her guide and mentor throughout the course of her 16 years of training. Thank you Donni.

Darci Wring

      Darci Wring has had a love for dance since she could walk. She grew up in a home with a dance studio in the basement, which her mother owned. Thus the passion emerged! Originally from Omaha, NE, but most recently from Valparaiso, IN, Darci received her training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Tap at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, PA and Marymount Manhattan College in New York, New York. She has also studied those disciplines with Donni Meyer, Gail Benedict, Phil Black, Barbara Duffy, Joel Hall, Finis Jhung, Luigi, Matt Mattox, Ann Reinking, LaVaughn Robinson, Zena Rommet, Joe Tremaine, Chet Walker, Debra Zalkind, Billy Sigenfeld, and Michael Owens to name a few.
      Darci’s performance background has been extensive in musical theatre, television and club work and also includes an Off Broadway Show “Dancers at Work 2001”
      Her goal is not only to share her passion of dance with all ages, but also to also have a dance ministry. Her greatest desire is to teach students how to move from the heart out of love for dance!

Kim Kaye

      Kim began her formal ballet training at age 10 locally, and then at age 13 began studying in Chicago with Richard Ellis and Christine DuBoulay. The following year she received a scholarship to study at Chicago City Ballet, where she later began her teaching career as a student teacher for adult ballet. She was also the Assistant to the Children’s Ballet Mistress for Chicago City Ballet’s Champaign-Urbana, IL performance of “Cinderella” at Assembly Hall. Kim also spent two years at the National Academy of Art, a performing arts high school in Champaign, IL. Here she studied under the tutelage of many notable dancers such as Petrus Bosman of the Royal Ballet, Maria Youskevitch, ABT and Francesca Corkle and Jonathan Watts, Joffrey Ballet. Her further education includes Ruth Page Foundation, Chicago, IL and Washington Ballet School, Washington, DC.
      Kim began as guest faculty at Dance Unlimited in the spring of 2002 and has since become a faculty member teaching ballet, variations, pointe and workshop classes.