Kelly Ann Vitacca is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She received her Bachelor’s
in Performing Arts in Dance Performance at Oklahoma City University and
extended Arts Management master studies at Columbia College, Chicago.
Vitacca currently choreographs and master teaches nationally while directing
Vitacca Ballet and Vitacca Vocational School for Dance, Houston & Woodlands.
Ms. Vitacca’s artistic achievements, arts management experience, industry
networks, and dedication to advance the dance art form allowed her to pioneer
Vitacca Vocational School for Dance in 2012 and Vitacca Ballet in 2020.

 

TEACHING
She served on the dance faculty at Joel Hall Dance Center, State Street
Dance Studio, and the Wright College Dance Program. In addition, Vitacca
spearheaded the Youth Trainee Program (YTP), offering an advanced training
and performance program for emerging dancers, which supports their
professional career goals and future education. Ms. Vitacca continues to
choreograph and master teach nationally.
 

AWARDS + ACCOLADES

Leo’s International Choreography Award
Jazz Dance World Congress (2005)
Outstanding Choreographer
Dance Chicago (2005)
Illinois Artist Fellowship Award
(2006)
Top Choreographer
Youth America Grand Prix, Houston
Most Outstanding School
YAGP (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021)

LEADERSHIP

ARTS MANAGEMENT
In 2008 Vitacca joined Houston Ballet’s artistic staff as Artistic Coordinator
and the Dance/USA Host Programming Committee as Chair. With the support
of Dance Source Houston and fellow Committee members, Vitacca curated
and produced the opening program for the Dance/USA Annual Conference,
Houston Dance Inside Out in 2009. On behalf of the committee, Vitacca had
the honor of receiving the official Houston Dance Day certificate from Ms.
Minnette Boesel, Mayor’s Assistant for Cultural Affairs.
In 2010 Vitacca was appointed Dance Houston Director of Programming where
she developed the Dance Houston Spotlight Tour, Houston Youth Showcase
(Jones Plaza), H-Town Get Down (Warehouse Live), and Dance Houston Youth
Festival (formerly known as No Limits) (Wortham Theater). She has also served
as Production Manager for the professional festival, Dance Houston, and the
five-stage ROOTS Festival in Baltimore, MD. She has served as Programming
Panelist for the Texas Weekend of Contemporary Dance (Miller Theater).
Vitacca also acted as the Educational Programs Liaison, supporting dance
educators and filling the dance class needs within Houston Independent
School District (HISD) schools and at-risk facilities.

CHOREOGRAPHY
In 2003 Vitacca founded the professional contemporary jazz company Inaside
Chicago Dance and received invitations to perform her work in Dance Chicago,
Espacio Cultural Metropolitano, International Choreographers Showcase
(Madrid, Spain), and Duets For My Valentine, in addition to guest performances
with NorthWest Ballet, Evanston Arts, and the Dance Chicago Tour. As Inaside

Chicago Dance Founding Artistic Director, Vitacca conceptualized, co-
choreographed, and produced the Jackson Pollock inspired evening In the

Painting, which received the acclaim “shows technical moxie” by Chicago
Tribune critic Sid Smith.
She has served as a guest choreographer for former Cedar Lake II, Forum
Jazz Dance Theater, Equity Fights Aids NY Events, and Dance Houston to
name a few. She has also acted as Choreographic Adjudicator for Houston
Royal Academy of Fine Arts; and has been a Guest Master Teacher at the ISAS
Arts Festival. Ms. Vitacca was cast as an expert ballet coach on MTV’s MADE
television series, which continues to air nationwide.
 

TRAINING + PERFORMANCE
Vitacca’s extensive training on scholarship at Giordano Dance Chicago, Steps
on Broadway, and the Kirov Ballet Training Program afforded her guest artist
roles with Instruments of Movement, Cirque Rivera Dance Theatre, LA Jazz
Dance Company and as lead soloist at Espacio Cultural Metropolitano (Tampico,
Mexico). In 2003 Vitacca joined the national Equity, Broadway Tour of 42nd
Street The Musical. Vitacca was invited to return to complete the national tour
run in 2005.