About Tommye Giacchino

Tommye Giacchino will be the Master Teacher teaching the vocational Dance Teacher Training Program and Certification at Ballroom University.

On any given day you can find Tommye training teachers, dance studio managers as well as top amateur and professional dancers.  She travels the country as one of the top competing Pro/Am females and as a judge for National dance competitions. She is sought after to train staff and students in other schools throughout the U.S.  She is also a DVIDA examiner for amateur students wanting to pass graded examinations and professionals wanting to earn a teacher’s certification.

She has been honored with numerous Top Teacher awards, as a highly recognized Pro/Am teacher at numerous competitions, and holds 5 NADTA championship Certifications. She tirelessly works to make Latin and ballroom dance accessible to everyone in the Chicagoland area by advising schools, festivals, and dance programs on curriculum as well as by offering expert commentary at public events and on television.

Tommye Giacchino began her career in her mother’s dance studio in Chicago, where taking class every day was a way of life.  In her younger years, baton twirling and modeling were Tommye’s serious hobbies, becoming a National Twirling Champion at 12 years old, then coaching two teams and one individual to State Championships by the ripe age of 15.  In addition to twirling, Tommye’s modeling career took off with more than 100 television and radio commercials, national print and placements, professional theatre performance and numerous beauty pageant titles. Tommye’s ballroom dance technique is supported by a foundation of 26 years of training in ballet and other forms of dance.

After seeing a live ballroom dance competition, she was hooked.  She soon began competing in Amateur Standard and then, after turning professional, had numerous Rising Star successes in American Smooth.  This was followed by a partnership with Gregory Day in 1996. In just three short years, the two were “United States Rising Star Champions,”  US Open Cabaret Champions and winners of “The  British Open Invitational Exhibition Championship” known to most as Blackpool.  Gregory and Tommye have since traveled the world to perform and coach, taking them throughout Asia, Europe and almost every state in the USA.  In addition to working for world-renowned jazz and ballet companies such as Gus Giordano, River North Dance Company and The Joffrey they have also performed extensively with major symphonies such as The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Elgin Symphony. They have been featured artists and have provided expert commentary on television programs around the world: PBS’s Championship Ballroom Dancing, “America’s Ballroom Challenge,” Eurosport, ESPN, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and WGN.

Tommye’s business career started in marketing for the Marriott’s, which turned into traveling the country and covering projects for Hanna-Barbera, Hallmark Cards, United Artists, and special events at the White House.  That training gave her an edge to take over and grow a family manufacturing business.  The family business was not her passion but working the company for years and making it grow allowed Tommye to sell the company and follow her passion for ballroom dancing. Eventually she co- created one of the  area’s most successful ballroom competitions, Chicago’s Crystal Ball, and then her most rewarding and successful business adventure yet -Chicago’s most popular Latin and Ballroom dance schools, Chicago Dance.   Now she continues to follow her passion for sharing her love of dance by launching the Ballroom University.

About Gregory Day

I have a passion for dance.

Over the last 25 years I’ve built my career as a dancer, teacher and school owner. I have been teaching dance for over 20 years and have coached many professionals and amateurs to achieve their goal, whether that is to become a United States champion or simply learning a few moves to use at the local night club or the first dance of a wedding.

I’ve performed internationally, been featured on television and worked with some of the most renowned dance companies in the world. My success is built on seeking out the best coaches and the best training. I’ve always thought,

“Why not take advantage of what other people have already learned and are willing to share?”

Now I want to share with you what I have learned about dance and the business of dance.

Knowledge is the key to success, and I wanted to learn more so I could create a more comprehensive approach to business success. I earned an MBA from one of the best business schools in the world, the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, with concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance and Business Strategy. I studied with a world-class faculty – such as the Chief Franchising Officer for McDonald’s – and learned from my fellow students who were affiliated with top companies such as Google, Facebook, Procter & Gamble, and other top-notch entrepreneurs.

Today, I continue to seek out people that can help me learn and grow. I keep my business at the forefront of new, proven and innovative marketing – especially internet and social media marketing and I also keep learning and applying sound business principles in all areas. Because of the visible success, many dance and music school owners ask for advice.

I’m one of those people who is always looking for a better way. After almost 30 years of dancing, I’m still finding ways to improve. In my training, I am looking for the most efficient and effective way to train. In my work, my passion is helping people like you discover a better way to be better dancers, have more free time and grow your business.

My partner, Tommye Giacchino and I were two-times United States Champions (defeating the then US & World Champions) and capturing the World Invitational Exhibition title at the British Open (Blackpool).
Featured on NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS and abroad on BBC, ESPN and Eurosport. For 7 years we were soloists on the PBS shows “Championship Ballroom Dancing” and “America’s Ballroom Challenge”
Performed and coached extensively in Europe, Asia and the USA
Performed with symphonies in a full concert written around us
Performed for world-renowed jazz and ballet companies such as the Joffrey Ballet and Giordano Jazz Dance
I am a National Judge and I have judged extensively, including for the largest and most prestigious competitions in the US – and I’ve judged or danced with the dancers on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’
For 12 years we organized a major ballroom dance competition in Chicago before selling it.
I am a National examiner and trainer for professionals wanting to earn a teacher’s certification.
Tommye and I also founded a comprehensive vocational Dance Teacher’s Training Program. We have been training professionals for over 10 years.
I danced professionally with the San Francisco Ballet, the Milwaukee Ballet, the American Folk Ballet, and many other smaller ballet and modern dance companies.
Training in ballet (both Vaganova and Ceccheti), modern dance (in particular Graham and Cunningham), Flamenco and African.
Studied acting, singing and technical stagecraft.