Instructors

Tommye Giacchino

Tommye Giacchino

Tommye began her career raised in her mother's Chicago dance studio. Taking class in the studio every day was just a way of life. Whether it was Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modeling, Gymnastics or Baton Twirling (at which she really excelled), it was just what the family did every day.

Baton Twirling and modeling were Tommye's passion in her younger years, becoming a National Twirling Champion at 12, then coaching 2 teams and 1 individual to State Championships by the age of 15. Being featured in over 100 television and radio commercials, national print and media work, performing in professional theatre and winning numerous beauty pageant titles has also given her unique experiences.

Tommye's Ballroom career began after studying ballet and other forms of dance for over 26 years. Seeing a ballroom dance competition live was the hook. Competing Amateur Standard was the start, then many Rising Star successes in American Smooth after turning professional.

When a partnership with Gregory Day started in 1996 winning was immediate. In just three short years together the two became U.S. Rising Star champions, U.S. Open Cabaret Champions and the most prestigious title, winners of the British Open Invitational Exhibition Chamionship.

Gregory and Tommye have since traveled the world to perform and coach. Their travels have taken them through Asia, Europe and almost every state in the USA. They have performed extensively with major symphonies, world renowned jazz and ballet companies, as well as being featured artists on television around the world.

High popularity and visibility has led them to their most successful business adventures of making ballroom and latin dance accessible to the many people in Chicago. Together they are proud to own Chicago's most popular Latin and Ballroom school, Chicago Dance, as well as the National Dancesport competition: Chicago's Crystal Ball.