Get to Know Us
Why Strut?
“Over my 15 years as a dancer and instructor, I have witnessed first-hand the extent of what dance can be. For some, dance is a sport, for others it’s a fun and social hobby. It can be used to relieve stress, or as a healthy workout alternative. For many, it winds up being all of the above. The purpose dance serves for me changes daily. It is and always will be my favorite workout alternative, and my competitive nature doesn’t allow me to look at dance as anything but a sport. But dance has a magical quality that goes so far beyond the logical. It is a gift that picks me up on days when I'm down, and reflects the spectrum of emotions that my life takes me through. Through dance, I found my voice. I found a strength in myself that I didn’t even know I had. I found a style that was uniquely mine. I found my STRUT so to speak.”
– Brittney
Are you ready to find yours?
Meet the Instructors
-
![]()
Brittney Valdez
American & International Style Ballroom, Latin, Country, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Hustle
-
![]()
Devin Ryan
American & International Style Ballroom, Latin, Country, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango
-
![]()
Rodolfo Blanquicett
American & International Style Ballroom, Latin, Jazz
-
![]()
Eric Nava
American & International Style Ballroom, Latin, Country, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Hustle
-
![]()
Harrison Ramsey
West Coast Swing, Country, Hustle, East Coast Swing, American Style Ballroom
-
![]()
Elizabeth Gutzwiler
Hustle
-
![]()
Julie Hein
Country, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Hustle
-
![]()
Don Leynes
Country, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Hustle
-
![]()
Susan E. Cole
American & International Style Ballroom, Latin, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Hustle
-
![]()
Matt Rivers
American & International Style Ballroom
-
![]()
April Blanquicett
Adult Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Fitness
-
![]()
Michele Broviak
Tap, Adult Ballet, Jazz
About Brittney Valdez
Strut Dance Studio is the studio of award-winning dancer and instructor Brittney Valdez. Brittney found her love of dance in college, spending most of her time at school salsa dancing. At the age of 21 she began formal dance training while working for Fred Astaire, Buffalo Grove. It was here she earned her silver level certifications in American style ballroom and met her competitive partner Aleks Nashev.
In 2010 the two of them would go on to have an undefeated competitive season in the rising star rhythm category, ending it with the title of United States Rising Star Rhythm Champions. In 2011, Brittney began her career as an independent instructor at Ballroom City and was exposed to many more dance styles outside of ballroom, such as West Coast Swing and Country. In West Coast Swing, she has worked her way to an All-Star level and actively competes on the West Coast Swing circuit.
Country dancing became her new competitive venture beginning in 2016. Since then, she has won two UCWDC World Championship titles which ushered her into the coveted Masters Category. As a Masters level dancer, she placed 5th and then most recently 3rd at the 2020 UCWDC World Championships. 2021 marks the beginning of her latest dance endeavor – owning and operating Strut Dance Studio!
Our History
The iconic Ballroom City has now become Strut Dance Studio. Brittney Valdez, one of Ballroom City's dedicated dancers and instructors, took ownership of the studio in February of 2021. Ballroom City had a 25-year history of providing the Chicagoland area a place to social dance, take dance lessons, and most importantly, make lifelong friendships.
The many cherished memories made over that amazing 25-year history provides the foundation for Strut Dance Studio. While the studio's name has changed, the mission to provide the dance community with somewhere to call home remains. The multi-talented group of instructors at Strut will continue to share their passion for dance with students, building on the sense of community that came before it.