KRDS Board

My name is Aisha Torres. I received my B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UIC back in 2018 and have been working as a Process Engineer since. I have been dancing under the direction of Kimberly Rivera since 2013 as a member of her various teams throughout the years (Urban Vibe, Island Touch Chicago, Tun Bere, Diosas, and MG Chicago). I don’t think I could’ve been in better hands for training in the styles of salsa, chachachá, pachanga, and bachata. I’m so excited to be a part of the KR Dance Studio Journey. I already know the impact she’s already made on myself and other dancers will only be multiplied with this new space.

Carolina is the director of research for a small background screening company in the Chicago Suburbs. Carolina brings over 15 years of dance training and 5 years of coaching experience to the KR Dance Company Board. She is trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, competitive team pom, hip hop, and mambo shines. Carolina earned her master's degree in Management Health Care Administration at Robert Morris University where she was a scholarship student-athlete. She was on their nationally-ranked competitive dance team, and after graduation coached the team for 5 years. Carolina has taken the stage throughout the Midwest under the direction of JiggNation, CODA, Kinetics Dance Company, Diosas, and MG Chicago.

Jonathan Uriostegui has been dancing since he was in high school, where he joined Lane Tech’s Latin dance club, Aspira. Since then, he has had the opportunity to train and perform with multiple teams in Chicago and across the country incuding Gifted Souls, Kachimbo, Urban Vibe, ProjX, MG Chicago, Somos Candela, and Tun Bere. His passion for dance led him to direct a Lane Tech Latin dance club, OLAS, for four years. Working with youth has fueled his personal career goals so he can be an example for others. Today, Jonathan is a Registered Nurse and takes pride in being a resource for his family and friends. He is very passionate about sharing opportunities in dance and higher education with young people to support them in creating their futures.

My name is Maria Iman. I am an After School Matters Latin dance instructor alongside Kimberly Rivera. I am also currently an undergrad student at Dominican University and Wilbur Wright Community College pursuing a degree in History. I started dancing back in 2017 in an After School Matter’s Latin Dance program taught by Kimberly. Six years later and I am now Kimberly’s co-instructor for the same Latin Dance program where my love for dance was ignited. Not only am I her co-instructor but I am also a dancer in all her dance teams in Chicago; Tunbere, Diosas, and Mg Dance Company. Currently, I am also the choreographer for Ritmo Caribe which is the Cuban Club at Lane Tech High School, and I also run my own side business Iman Quinceañeras where I seek to provide quality choreography for any special occasion such as Quinceañeras, Sweet Sixteens, Weddings, etc. 

Working alongside someone as hardworking as Kimberly has definitely inspired and motivated me to want more for myself. I can wholeheartedly say that I am the student and dancer I am today because of Kimberly, and I will forever be grateful to have such an amazing teacher and friend. Being a part of the KR Dance Studio Board and helping support Kimberly with her dream has been such a blessing and I am truly looking forward to seeing how KR Dance Studio will continue to grow and impact the Albany Park community and Chicago.

I'm Maria - currently a dancer in Tun Bere, and dancing under Kimberly's direction since the Chicago Touch days in 2012. A testament that anyone can dance, as I had two left feet back in middle school myself! Dancing has facilitated friendships, provided new experiences, and been a creative outlet for me.

During the day, I'm an executive assistant, keeping others organized and staying on top of everyday happenings. In my free time,  catch me hanging w Pippa and Poppy (my dog and cat), doing all the crafty things (creating/event decorating), or planning the next event, trip, or outing!

Stephanie Viruet, also known as Little Jessica in the Chicago Dance Community, received her B.S. in Psychology at Dominican University in May 2021. She is currently serving as their Academic Success Coordinator for Undergraduate Students. Beginning the pursuit of her Master’s in Social Work, Stephanie will be evolving her knowledge and skill set to further her professional devotion to “empowering others to be their own rescue.” Outside of her career, Stephanie is passionately involved in the dance scene. She was introduced to this world when she joined Lane Tech’s OLAS (Organization for Latin American Students) at 16 years old and began dancing salsa/mambo. Since her start here, Stephanie has branched out over the years to train on various mambo teams under the direction of Jessica Montalvo (Sospiro), Angel Martinez (Kachimbo Dance Company), Rocky Quinones (Gifted Souls: GLAM 2.0), and the Lady of Soul herself, Kimberly Rivera (Tun Bere, Diosas, MG Chicago). Stepping out of her mambo comfort zone, Stephanie also began training in various styles of dance on MG Chicago once the MG LA fam brought their vision of this team to life in 2022, with the direction of Kimberly Rivera. Currently, Stephanie is a member of the KR Dance Studio board and is ecstatic to be a part the group of individuals helping Kim bring the visions of her studio and teams to life. Stephanie looks forward to helping Kim move her mission forward through creating community, fostering the growth of leaders, empowering others through movement, and instilling the value of endless growth and humility to anyone and everyone open to our message.

Susana has a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and Genetics from the University of Arizona and a Master’s in Public Health.  Currently, she is a Senior Clinical Study Manager for Astellas Pharmaceuticals Division of Research and Development for Oncological Therapies. Susana has taken the stage for Chicagoland dance teams since 2017. She joined the KR dance family in 2021 and has since danced for Diosas, Urban Vibe, Tun Bere, and MG Chicago. She is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, HipHop, Bachata, and Salsa/Mambo. Susana has a passion for training as a dancer. You will see her in the studio taking class and traveling the globe to develop her skills.

My name is Tatiana Torres. I am a high school English teacher, an after school matters instructor, and a 2nd year doctoral student in the Literacy, Language, and Culture program at UIC. I am interested in researching the role of mentorship in after school programs and working with after school instructors and their students directly to enhance and develop 21st Century Skills while feeling a sense of belonging and community in a safe space. I have been dancing for over 10 years, mainly focusing on Latin genres, but at KR a dance studio, I am widening my horizons and training in different genres as a member of MG Chicago. I look forward to growing as dancer and working towards bringing opportunities for youth mentorship to KR Dance studio. ​

My name is Victor Perez and, for as long as I can remember, there have been three constant areas of interest in my life: law enforcement/criminal justice, wrestling, and dance. I am currently a Chicago Police Officer and hold a Master of Jurisprudence Degree from DePaul University. I coach wrestling at Evanston Township High School and have been dancing for 14 years. During this time, I have been able to train under Island Touch Chicago, Urban Vibe, and now, Tun Bere. I continue to look for opportunities to grow in these areas that I am passionate about and am excited to be a part of KR Dance Studio and witness its growth.