Our Staff

Carly Klaus

Owner & Artistic Director

Carly Klaus has been a teacher and founder of a successful dance program for the past 23 years. She has an extensive background in many styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater. Carly also has taught poms as well as coached award winning cheer teams. She has created numerous memorable dance pieces and inspires every student she works with. After teaching hundreds of students from the ages 2-13 for years, Ms. Carly has discovered the importance in focusing on the younger dancer in order to build the strongest older dancer possible. She has seen that younger dancers are not focused on in the ways they deserve and has a mission to change that. With this, Wish Dance Academy was created. Carly aspires to instill confidence and joy in all of her students, and create an outlet where they can feel safe to be who they are no matter the circumstances.

Chelsea Shorkey

Studio Manager

Chelsea Shorkey has been dancing since three years old. Her training started off at a recreational level at a local dance studio, before making the switch to a pre-professional dance program in Naperville, IL.  When travelling across the country to different dance competitions and auditions, she received numerous scholarships and awards.  Chelsea has also trained with notable choreographers and dance instructors from The Julliard School, Pace University in New York, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, River North Dance Chicago, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, as well as training in the summer programs at Idyllwild School of the Arts in Idyllwild, California.  Chelsea gained poms experience from being on the collegiate level dance team at Lewis University, where she currently attends school.  Chelsea’s dance teaching career started at a nearby dance studio where she taught jazz, contemporary, and ballet technique classes, as well as creative movement.  She started assisting classes at Palos Heights Park District in November of 2016. Overall, Chelsea hopes to inspire others through the art of dance.  

Lily Cooke

Dance Instructor

Lily started dancing at the age of 14 at a local studio in the area. She became a competitive by the age of 15 where she won and placed multiple times with group dances and solos. She excels in contemporary and lyrical style dance as well as jazz technique. She is currently studying marketing at Lewis University where she is also on the cheer team.