Julie-Hein

Julie Hein

Event Director
Couples Instructor with Don from Clarendon Hills, IL

Julie Hein is a household name around Chicagoland, as she & her dance partner Don have taught countless couples to dance over the years.  No one knows quite how many awards she’s won throughout her competitive dancing career, in which she still stays active by judging at competitions all over the country.  In her *spare* time, she is the Music Director and Dance Choreographer for yearly plays performed by her son Josh’s special needs group.  After her 22-year run instructing at Cadillac Ranch, she and Don continue to teach on Mondays (at St. Charles Singles in Bartlett), Tuesdays (thru Warrenville Park District in Warrenville) and Thursdays (at Strut Dance Studio in Villa Park).  Midwest Country Dance Party wouldn’t exist without Julie, and she’s thrilled to host for you!

Janet Kruse

Event Director
Line Dance Instructor from Elgin, IL

Janet went all-out with her dance passion when she incorporated Dance With Janet in 2012.  She broke into the bar scene by hosting dancing at Humdinger’s and then graduated to a 6-year stint as the last line dance instructor at Cadillac Ranch with DJ Dave.  She now runs a mobile dance studio providing small group & private lessons to adults in Chicagoland’s western suburbs, which are the step between lessons at a club and instruction at a brick-and-mortar studio.  Dave and she have reunited to host dances on Tuesdays (at Carmina’s Mexican Restaurant in Elgin) and Fridays (at the Moose Lodge in Elgin).  Her ocean cruises are returning, and now she’s hosting on land too, at the Midwest Country Dance Party!

Brian Barakauskas

Couples Instructor from Louisville, KY

Brian has been dancing professionally for over 25  years. Through competitive ballroom, country & swing dancing, he has danced in over 23 countries around the world as a competitor, performer, judge and teacher.  He’s a 5-time world champion and 2017 inductee to UCWDC Hall of Fame, and now runs Dance Louisville Studio, westcoastswingonline.com, and hosts two national events, Derby City Swing & Dance Mardi Gras.  We couldn’t be happier having Brian headline Midwest Country Dance Party!

Carol Tortorice

Line Dance Instructor from Wauconda, IL

Carol was the line dance instructor at Sundance Saloon, Chicagoland’s northern country bar, for over 20 years before striking out on her own.  She has since founded her own group, Kickin’ It With Carol, and hosts dances with her husband Patrick on Wednesdays (at Sideouts in Island Lake) and Fridays (at Durty Nellie’s in Palatine), as well as other events.  She has definitely taught the northern suburbs how to dance – and she’s not done yet!  Midwest Country Dance Party is delighted to partner with Carol!

Dave Thompson

DJ from Roselle, IL

Dave just celebrated his 30-year anniversary of DJ’ing for the Chicagoland country community.  He’s played for all the main country venues over the years, including Silver Saddle, At The Office, and Cadillac Ranch, and now hosts dances with Janet on Tuesdays (at Carmina’s Mexican Restaurant in Elgin) and Fridays (at the Moose Lodge in Elgin).  He is the most beloved country DJ in this area, and is the best at interacting with his crowd and keeping them on the floor.  You’re truly in for a treat dancing to Dave’s music at Midwest Country Dance Party all night long!

Don Leynes

Couples Instructor with Julie from Hanover Park, IL

Don is the other half of the Don & Julie teaching partnership (catch their moves on his YouTube channel, chi2stpr).  He and Julie have been teaching countless Chicagoland couples to dance for over two decades; they taught weekly during Cadillac Ranch’s 22-year run.  He’s currently teaching with Julie on Mondays (at St. Charles Singles in Bartlett), Tuesdays (thru Warrenville Park District in Warrenville) and Thursdays (at Strut Dance Studio in Villa Park).  Midwest Country Dance Party wouldn’t be complete without Don!

Kat Warner & Eli Wilson

Beginner Line & Couples Instructors from Schererville, IN

Kat may also be known as Kate (or Katie), as that’s what Janet calls her daughter; you’ll know how long people have known her by what name they call her.  She started line dancing at 6 years of age at Willowbrook Ballroom, and has become a fabulous competitive and instructional couples dancer with her beau and partner Eli.  These young next-generation dancers taught through Heart & Sole Dance Studio in Joliet and are now establishing themselves as leaders in the Indiana country and ballroom dance community.  Midwest Country Dance Party is so proud to present this elegant couple!

Lynn Card

Line Dance Instructor from Woodbury, MN

Lynn is an award-winning line dance choreographer who wrote a lot of the dances we love, including her breakthrough one, BANJO (which will be featured in Saturday night’s show).  Chicagoland line dancers were first introduced to her as a featured line dance instructor on the Dance With Janet cruises; she was an instant hit.  Her choreography is snappy and easy to learn, as the way she combines her dance steps hits the phrasing uniquely and just right.  You’ll love taking line dance lessons from Lynn; Midwest Country Dance Party is so pleased to feature her!

Patrick Wegner

DJ from Wauconda, IL

Patrick DJ’s for his wife, Carol, on Wednesdays (at Sideouts in Island Lake) and Fridays (at Durty Nellie’s in Palatine), as well as at other events.  He’s known for spicing up the evenings by playing different songs than you might expect to known line dances.  He is a former member of the DTLD (Down To Line Dance) instruction group at Cadillac Ranch and so helps Carol with line and couples instruction when they host dances.  You’ll definitely need your boots when Patrick DJ’s at Midwest Country Dance Party!

Rachel Mercedes & Eric Nava

Couples Instructors from Hickory Hills, IL

Rachel began her ballroom career at the age of 7. Rachel has been teaching for 17 years at Diamond Dancesport and specializes in  ballroom, country, swing and line dancing. She is the 2019 UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Council) Open Division 1 World Champion and currently competes in the Masters Division with Eric Nava.  We’re so excited to add Rachel & Eric to the Midwest Country Dance Party Staff!