"Tracey,
I just wanted to take the time to thank you and your staff for performing today! Most importantly I wanted to thank you for helping to raise awareness for Down Syndrome throughout your entire program! We are blessed to have found such a great place for Ella to become a part of!
Thanks again!"
- Tom and Ella Veith
Enjoy family discounts today!
Call Now: 217-816-3888
Meet your dedicated staff
At Tracey & Heather's Dance Synergy, you'll find educated, trusted teachers with 25+ years of combined dance studio ownership. We're a locally owned business and offer family discounts. Meet your teachers below, then call us to schedule a dance lesson!
Co-owner and artistic director Miss Tracey Sims Kopecky
As a student, Tracey was named as Miss Dynamite and an All-Star dancer at many dance conventions. One of her many awards came as she was a cast member in the 1996 FedEx Orange Bowl half time performance.
In addition, you may have seen her in the Heartland Magazine and the television programs Life Without Limits and What's Up, What's Happening!
As one of the strongest instructors in Illinois, Tracey is well known for her extraordinary choreography. Tracey has instructed many students who have received numerous dance scholarships. Tracey is a regional and national title winning dance instructor and had studied at both the EDGE Performing Arts Center and Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, California.
She has been awarded such honors as: Top Teacher, Top Studio, Overall Studio, Best Choreography, Most Entertaining, High Power High Energy, Show Stopper and the list goes on. Tracey brings unique, cutting edge choreography and incredible energy to each dance. She continues her own studies in classes and workshops and was recently awarded a Teacher Scholarship to “Pulse on Tour.”
Miss Tracey and fellow colleagues participated in the opening act for Soulja Boy at the Prairie Capitol Convention Center. As a teacher and choreographer, she teachers Master Hip Hop classes for other dance companies, high school and college dance teams. Tracey is also certified in Kripalu DanKenetics and Shake Your Soul, which draws from Movement Therapy, Qi Kung and Yoga.
In these therapeutic forms, mind and body are connected as an outlet for emotions and a pathway to finds meaning in the movement of our bodies.
In addition to her impressive dance and choreography abilities, Tracey has expanded her passion for teaching into the college classroom. As an adjunct instructor in the Psychology program at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Tracey is able to share her expertise and passion for working with at-risk special needs populations.
Tracey earned a B.S.W. degree in Social Work as well as a Master of Arts degree in INO- Movement and Wellness from the University of Illinois at Springfield. A judge for Star Systems National Talent Competitions, Tracey strives to help dancers of all levels achieve success. Miss Tracey was nominated by readers of the Illinois Times and was chosen as Springfield's Best Dance Instructor in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. This honor clearly reflects Tracey's dedication, passion for and commitment to dance.
Tracey Sims Kopecky B.S.W, M.A.
Owner / Artistic Director ~TurnOut Movement Arts Studio
Co-Owner / Artistic Director- Tracey and Heather's Dance Synergy; Team KoMo
traceyheatherdancesynergy@gmail.com
Certified Kripalu DansKinetics Instructor
Founder "Gettin’ Down” ~ The movement program for individuals with Special needs
Instructor ~ Jane Mannion School of Dance, Highland, Illinois
Instructor ~ Sara’s School of Dance, Jacksonville, Illinois
Instructor ~ St. Johns Hospital and Kohl’s Cares
Heather Morris
Heather has 29 years of dancing experience, 1 year of teaching assistant experience, 14 years of teaching experience through her previous studio, Heather’s Dance Centre’, 1 year of teaching experience with Tracey & Heather’s Dance Synergy, and is a certified dance instructor through Dance Educators of America.
She has received scholarships to the Broadway Dance Centre in NYC as well as LA Danceforce and Dupree Dance Convention Scholarships. She was chosen as a “Sweetheart” scholarship winner at the I Love Dance dance competition, and was also chosen to participate in the “Success America” scholarship program through the Star Systems nationals competition, where she was invited to attend several classes in New York and participate in a special performance for industry professionals.
She has studied under many professional instructors from all over the nation, including NYC and LA. She has also competed in many regional and national competitions, and has performed in the “Nutcracker on Broadway,” Disney’s Magic Music Days program in Orlando, Florida, and was a half-time performer at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
She also performed in the opening act for Phyllis Diller at the PCCC, was a Universal Dance Association Instructor, and was a member of the Illinois State University’s competitive dance team. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Springfield where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management.
Following in her footsteps, many of her students have also received scholarships on the convention circuit, All-Star scholarships, and the most notable was a two-week scholarship to the Edge Performing Arts Centre through the Tremaine Dance Convention.
Her students have performed at several local events, as well as Disney’s Magic Music Days in Orlando, Florida and aboard the Carnival Cruise Line. Miss Heather and Miss Emma combined their artistic talent for choreography, and one of their routines was awarded the “Ultimate Achievement” award at the Star Systems talent competition.
Several of her dancers have continued their dance career through outlets such as college dance teams, college dance programs, and professional dance companies in NYC. Miss Heather would like to say thank you to all of her students, past and present, for helping to shape the person and educator she is today!
Alvin Ramirez
Mr. Alvin Ramirez started his dance training with Sam Renezetti at age sixteen. He has performed in countless productions and competitions all over the country. He has been awarded perfect scores and numerous scholarships for his performance proficiency. His latest accomplishments have been displayed with Xtreme Dance Alliance.
His choreography and unique style has made Alliance a reputation for being one of the youngest talented Hip Hop groups in the Midwest. Alvin teaches Hip Hop classes for local dance studios and sets choreography and master Hip Hop classes for high school dance teams and dance companies.
Alvin was recently featured as a finalist on MTV’s America’s Best Crew Season 2.
Emma Lavin
Miss Emma Lavin started playing the violin and dancing at the age of 3. Even though the violin helped her timing and musicality, her first love was always dance. She started with Ms. Linda Ushman for the first 5 years of her education and continued to take lessons from Ms. Heather Morris for the next 9 years.
She was a teacher’s assistant for 5 years, on the competition team for 6 years, on the company team for 10 years, and performed at locations like Disney World and Carnival Cruise Ships with Heather’s Dance Centré. In high school, she was on the Scarlet Line Dance Team and named captain her senior year. She was also chosen as a UDA All-American and later hired to be a NDA instructor.
Although high school ended, she continued to find ways to dance by becoming a teacher at Heather’s Dance Centré. Soon after, she worked on becoming a certified dance teacher through Dance & Gym USA. While in college, she was on the Dancing Stars Dance Team at University of Illinois Springfield and was named co-captain her last year.
Miss Emma has not only been educated inside the dance studio, but outside too. She attended Lincoln Land Community College and earned an Associates of Science in Biology. She then moved on to University of Illinois Springfield where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Biology. After UIS she decided to continue her education by attending St. John’s College of Nursing, where she just recently graduated.
Kelly Fulton
Kelly Fulton grew up dancing on the competitive stages of the Midwest and is trained in all styles of dance. As a competition kid, Kelly held numerous regional and national titles. At age 11 she became the youngest member invited to join The American Dance Company under the direction of famed choreographer Mark Marino.
She traveled to Europe as a featured soloist in the company, where they won The World Dance Championships two years consecutively, bringing home the World Cup from both Spain and Italy. She also competed in Canada and Australia representing the United States as the American Dancer of the Year in The Battle of the Countries.
Kelly has performed in choreography showcases at The Duke Theater in New York City as well as The El Portal Theater in Los Angeles. She started teaching and choreographing for studios and dance teams at age 17 and has since received several choreography awards at dance competitions nationwide.
Her students have gained acceptance into prestigious dance programs at universities across the country and can be seen working professionally in Hollywood. Kelly has judged multiple competitions and is currently on staff with Fire and Ice Talent Competition and Hall of Fame Dance Challenge.
Traveling to studios and conventions nationwide, she assists and teaches alongside today’s top choreographers in the industry. She is recognized for her innovative style and invigorating classes. Most recently her choreography was featured at the Furhmann Auditorium in Covington, LA where she taught for Breathe The Intensive.
Miss Kendra Sagle Schmulbach
At the age of 2, Miss Kendra began taking dance classes. After a couple of years of sitting the wrong way and blundering through recitals, her parents and dance instructors thought gymnastics might just be a better fit. In 1980 she started training at L & M Gymnastics School and ended up spending a majority of her adolescence there.
Through the years she has many notable accomplishments, including USGF, USTA and AAU/USA National titles. Among her most memorable accomplishments are qualifying as one of six gymnasts to represent Illinois at the Junior Olympic Games in Tallahassee, FL, as well as representing our nation at the Canadian National Championships, not once but twice!
A broken back derailed her gymnastics career for a short time. Not wanting to sit idly by, she set her sights on cheerleading. In 1992, she was chosen as a UCA All-Star. This honor enabled her to travel to London for the New Year's Day Parade where she was also chosen to perform for the Lord Mayor of Westminster himself.
Miss Kendra then moved on to Southern Illinois University as a Physical Education major with a specialization in Exercise Science. While at SIU she was a member of the Saluki Shaker Dance Team. As a member of this squad, she was selected as captain and then an NCA All-American.
Miss Kendra believes that she has been so blessed and somewhere along the way she found her calling. Teaching at L & M throughout high school, college and the birth of her daughter, Breanne, she expanded her knowledge by becoming a USATTA Tumbling Judge. She continued to further her love of the sport by coaching the cheerleaders and dancers at Riverton High School from 2001 – 2006.
In 2009, Miss Kendra became part of TurnOut Movement Arts Studio. Despite her noteworthy accomplishments, Miss Kendra feels that “After all of the wonderful things I have been honored to achieve and accomplish, my family is what I am most proud. The best part...I get to work with my family and those I consider my family every day. Who could ask for anything better?”
Seth Hammond
Choreographer and Co-Director of He [ART] Movement and assistant choreographer to Alvin Ramirez, Hammond has helped teach students all over the Midwest. Hammond began his training at the age of fourteen in hip-hop. Hammond now travels the Midwest teaching, assisting, and taking class from top named choreographers in the dance industry.
Originally from Springfield, IL Hammond trained under some of the best in the Midwest such as, Miss Tracey Sims Kopecky of TeamTurnOut & Tracey and Heather’s Dance Synergy. While training in Springfield Hammond took on a college course in dance and theater where he was put to the test of other cultures of dance.
After his minor studies in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, etc. Hammond then carried his studies north and trained under Sam Renzetti’s Xtreme Dance Force. During this time, Hammond had competed with the best of the best while dancing in minor shows and even traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada for a Nationals competition taking first place earning a National Title with his team.
This past year, Hammond auditioned for Madonna’s 2015 World Tour and even though he did not make the cut, he still continues with his modeling / dance career with the help of Lily’s Talent Agency. Hammond has been featured on the runway of the 2015 Sperry’s Fashion show in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Hammond has also turned to modeling to develop a better understanding of other cultures of art where he can be seen in New Balance runway for fall clothing and even websites and catalogs such as Groupon and Home Depot.
After graduating from the competition world as a dancer, Hammond continues to assist Mr. Alvin Ramirez while furthering his training and teaching in the Midwest. Hammond plans to keep up his studies of dance and inspiring his students and mentoring them on life lessons along the way.