Faculty Members

Beatris Mineva owner and dance director of Royal Academy of Dance (aka “Miss. Bea”) fell in love with dance at the age of 4 as a child in Sofia, Bulgaria where she is from.

Jackson’s Ballet classes will focus on the strength and development of your technique as a dancer, working on discipline and perfecting your talent.

Marcus Williams is the head coach of the Power Tumbling program at Royal Academy of Dance.

Patricija Ivanauskaite is a former Rhythmic Gymnastics USA National Team Member, placing top 8 in the U.S. She has competed as an individual and in group, on both the national and international level, representing the U.S. in competitions. Following in her mother’s footsteps she began her career very young, around the age of three, she was a gymnast for over 14 years. She has trained alongside Olympic athletes and alongside the best coaches. “Rhythmic gymnastics is not a widely known sport here in the U.S. as it is in Europe, but I think it is one of the most beautiful sports to watch and one of the most difficult to learn. One of the best memories I have from the sport was traveling to Europe and competing there, it truly opened my eyes to how big this sport actually is”  Now, Patricija is back to the sport but in a different way, she is now coaching Rhythmic Gymnastics. Her main focus is to build the technique needed for gymnasts to be successful in their later careers. She is very excited to be the newest Head Coach for Rhythmic Gymnastics for Royal Academy. 

Klaudia began dancing at the age of 3. With time, her passion for dance only became stronger. Klaudia danced competitively at DanceXplosion for 8 years and then later continued dancing at Visceral Dance Center.

Van Collins, a graduate of the first graduating class from Chicago Academy for the Arts, went on to train on scholarship with Chicago Multi-Cultural School for Performing Arts, Lou Conte, Joel Hall, and Ruth Page.  Mr. Collins danced professionally with Joel Hall, Tyego, Anatomical Theatre, River North, and American Danz Theatre.  Mr. Collins won the National Choreography Recognition Award by Regional Dance America Festival and Best Choreography by Black Theatre Alliance Awards.  He has over 30 years’ experience teaching and choreographing all over the Midwest including Dance Dimensions, Joel Hall, Gus Giordano, Columbia College, and Milwaukee Ballet.  His unorthodox technique challenges and inspires to evoke the best artistic environment.  Mr. Collins is Founder and Artistic Director of Rasa Dance Chicago.  He is the Executive Director of Good Vibes Teen Prevention Theatre.  Good Vibes was established as a community outreach vehicle to increase and promote positive peer pressure through the performing arts.