REGISTER FOR CLASSES HERE!
Extensions Dance Center
  • Classes
    • Youth Classes
    • Company Training Program
    • Register For Classes HERE!!!
  • Faculty & Staff
    • Faculty and Staff
    • Guest Faculty
  • Learn More
  • Facility
  • Companies
    • Senior Company
    • Teen Company
    • Junior company
    • Extensions Too!
    • Petite company
    • All Companies
    • Chicago City Classical Ballet
  • Donate

Artistic Director and Co-founder

Lizzie Mackenzie

Bio

Awards & Recognitions


  • Chicago Dance Crash (Board President)
  • Planet Earth Agency
  • C5 Entertainment & Aerial arts
  • The Cambrians

Lizzie Mackenzie has been dancing, teaching, coaching and choreographing in Chicago and the Chicagoland area for 21 years.  She is the co-founder of Extensions Dance Company, now in its 18th year and also of Extensions Dance Center, currently in its 10th year.  Lizzie is originally from Toronto, Ontario and she is a graduate of the performing arts boarding school, Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen Michigan.

After graduating from Interlochen, Lizzie, recruited by Nan Giordano, became a scholarship student at the Giordano Dance Center in Evanston IL, just outside of Chicago.  Spending one year as a scholarship student and 2 years as an apprentice to the company, she was hired by Giordano Dance Chicago in the Spring of 2000.  She enjoyed 5 years of learning and growth under the direction of Nan Giordano and rehearsal director, Jon Lehrer.  By age 21 she was living her dream of dancing and touring the world performing repertory works by some of the most relevant contemporary and jazz choreographers of the time including Mia Michaels, Liz Imperio, Ron De Jesus, Randy Duncan, Davis Robertson, Tony Powell, Mark Swanhart, Alberto Arias, Jon Lehrer, Nan Giordano, Gus Giordano and so many more. Lizzie was honored to also tour with Gus Giordano as his teaching assistant for some time and she was part of the professional faculty at the Giordano Dance Center for 5 years, where she was able to learn and continue to refine her teaching abilities.  Searching to expand her network and seek out new opportunities for growth, Lizzie left Giordano Dance Chicago in 2005. 

In the summer of 2006, Lizzie was hired by River North Dance Chicago, under the direction of Frank Chaves, an opportunity that allowed her to continue to learn and grow as an artist on many levels.  With River North she was also able to travel internationally and nationally, performing works by Frank Chaves, Sherry Zunker, Lauri Stallings, Sidra Bell, Robert Battle, Harrison McEldowny, Kevin Iega Jeff, Julia Rhoads and many others.  She became a staple faculty member at the famous and highly sought after River North Workshops and Intensives and she was a regular teacher for the company, giving the company warm up class on tour and also at residencies and master classes all over the world.  The training, guidance and opportunities provided with River North Dance Company propelled Lizzie forward as a dancer and also as a teacher, choreographer and director.  She retired from River North Dance Company and full time dancing after River North’s spring concert at the Auditorium theater in 2011.

Between the years of 1999-2014 Lizzie was a principle dancer in the Chicago Symphony Orchestras yearly holiday production “Welcome Year” where she also became and maintained a membership with AGMA, American Guild for Musical Artists.  She has danced with C5 Entertainment under the direction of Jeremy Plummer, Lehrer Dance under the direction of Jon Lehrer, LEVELdance under the direction of Eddy Ocampo, Chicago Repertory Ballet under the direction of Wade Schaff,  The Cambrians under the direction of Ben Wardell and she has danced for many independent choreographers particularly Harrison Mceldowney from 1999-2017.   Lizzie was accepted and attended Springboard Danse Montreal under the direction of Alexandra Wells, where she had the opportunity to work with Ms. Wells, Amy Shulman, Andrea Miller, Margi Gillis and Laurence Lemieux and in 2016, 2017 and 2018 she attended the GAGA intensive in Tel Aviv under the direction and guidance of O’had Naharin and artists of Batsheva Dance Company.  In 2014 Lizzie appeared as Victoria, (the white cat), in Paramount Theater’s production of CATS choreographed by Harrison McEldowny and directed by Shawn Stengel and Jim Corti.  She has also served as assistant to the choreographer, (Rhett Guter), for Drury Lane Oakbrook’s Jeff nominated production of West Side Story, and to Alex Sanchez for The Marriott Theater’s 2022 production of West Side Story.  

Lizzie has taught and coached dance all over the world with various organizations including the Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance Masters of America, Chicago Dance Connection and RDA (Regional Dance America).  She has been an artist in residence at Northwestern University, East Carolina University, Illinois State University, University of Illinois, Webster University, Western Michigan University and Grand Valley State University, her class was listed by Dance Spirit Magazine as one of the top 3 dance classes to take in Chicago and she has been quoted and featured numerous times in Dance Teacher Magazine.  She has appeared on the cover of DANCE magazine and she has been featured on ads, posters, t-shirts and billboards for Dance For Life Chicago, River North Dance Company, Giordano Dance Chicago, Illinois Theatrical, Leos Dancewear and others.  She was also the featured model in Gatorade’s launch of its new branding, booked through her then agency “Planet Earth Agency”.

Lizzie’s choreography can be seen on various professional companies including Inaside Dance Chicago, Nomi Dance Company, Chicago Dance Crash,  Dance In The Parks, Still Inspired and Aerial Dance Chicago.  Her choreographic work can also be found on a variety of collegiate dance programs and youth dance companies across the country. She has received countless awards for her choreography including the “New Voice” honor from Dance Chicago in 2006, the “Choreographer of the year” from Dance Chicago and the Cliff Dwellers Foundation in 2007 and she was a finalist in the “AWARD Show” for the Chicago region.  She has been a teacher and adjudicator for Chicago Dance Connection, Dance Fest Canada and VIP productions and she continues to teach, choreograph and coach across the country for various organizations, studios and schools.  

At the core of Lizzie’s love for teaching is the joy it brings her to see her students gain confidence as people and artists through their work in, and knowledge gained, in the dance studio.  She is known for an intense teaching style with high expectations yet she continues to foster a loving and supportive learning environment through mentoring and the expression of respect she shows her students.  Through her extensive and continued education in the field, her ability to communicate and share her knowledge with all ages and levels of dancers is unmatched.   Her students have gone on to various collegiate dance programs such as The Juilliard School, USC (University of Southern California), Ailey Fordham BFA, New York University (Tisch School of the Arts), Boston Conservatory, University of Arizona, Chapman University, Relativity School, CalArts, Point Park University among others.  She has numerous students currently working in the dance world in numerous professional dance companies, Sleep No More in New York and Shanghai, on broadway and also in videos, commercials and with performing artists on the West Coast.   Lizzie is also the founding director of the Wolfpack Orchesis at Saint Ignatius High School and she works in recruitment and photoshoot direction and choreography for Revolution Dancewear and Tenth House costume companies.  

Instagram

Happy pride month from all of us at Extensions!!! Happy pride month from all of us at Extensions!!! 

We are a safe place 
♥️🧡💛💚💙💜
#allarewelcomehere
Senior announcement #4 is the wonderful @jordiland Senior announcement #4 is the wonderful @jordilandry. Jordi will be attending Florida State University on an out of state tuition waiver and is currently undecided, but will likely pursue something something on the pre-vet track.

From Jordi: “College is a big word and something I always imagined as so far away, but here we are. The next chapter in my life is going to be very transformative, and something I plan to take full advantage of. Florida State University seemed at first to be an incredibly hard choice among several other fine schools. Looking back, however, it now appears to have been no-brainer. This institution will allow me to explore many areas of academic study, including veterinarian sciences which currently sparks my interest. I also hope to continue with dance while there. I plan to audition for a fosse part in next year’s theater play, and for the FSU Golden Girls or Seminole Dance Force team.  So many options and did I mention it’s Florida…and it’s warm! I am both anxious and excited! Preparing me for the journey ahead I owe credit to not only my parents, but also the fierce training I received at Extensions Dance. I remember so long ago walking into the studio and instantly feeling like it was home. The past seven years training under Lizzie Mackenzie has prepared me well for this new chapter. The passionate, kind, and driven EXD faculty have help me gain confidence in myself and develop characteristics that know will contribute to the many successes ahead. While being a part of EXD company was far from easy, it definitely has taught me some lifelong lessons. Without Extensions, I would not be who I am today. I greatly appreciate Lizzie’s guidance, mentoring, sometimes tough love, and absolute unwillingness to accept anything less than my best efforts. I will take the many valuable skills learned at EXD with me for the rest of my life.” We can’t believe you’re graduating from Extensions, you were so little just yesterday! We can’t wait to see what you do, and follow your journey!!❤️❤️

Photography by @chloealexisham
Senior announcement #3 is our beautiful @__kendall Senior announcement #3 is our beautiful @__kendallscott! Kendall will be attending Texas Christian University 
with a major in health sciences on the pre-pa track selected as a faculty scholar.  

From Kendall: “When I began my college search, I wasn't really sure where I wanted to spend my next four years. Did I want a big school? A small school? Did I want to study dance? Did I want to go really far away? I truly didn't know. Ironically enough, the first school I visited was TCU, and when I stepped foot on campus, I knew that I'd be back. It's not only a beautiful school, but it has many opportunities that excite me. And even though I will be studying medicine, I plan to audition for the TCU showgirls, which will allow me to continue performing and sharing my love for dance. While I'm super excited for what's to come, I've also found myself a bit anxious. With high school and dance winding down, reality has started to set in and the thought of moving 836 miles away from my family and community kind of scares me. I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave my bubble yet. However, I often remind myself of the lesson Lizzie Mackenzie has taught us in our contemporary class. She always told us, “You have to get comfortable in the uncomfortable.” This is just one of the many lessons I've learned throughout my time at Extensions that I will carry with me. As I look back, I fondly think about how the past four years at Extensions have been so meaningful. Never in my thirteen years of dance have I been at a studio that has truly made me recognize my personal growth. I have learned not only how to become an incredible student but also a person as well. A special thanks to all of the faculty, especially Lizzie Mackenzie, for creating such a supportive and inspiring group of dancers. Thank you for giving me my lifelong best friends and a second home. I will miss everyone dearly.” We are so proud of you and everything you have accomplished! We will miss you so much, but cannot wait to see what the future holds for you💜💜

Photography by THE @chloealexisham
Senior announcement #2 is the gorgeous @chihiro_ta Senior announcement #2 is the gorgeous @chihiro_taira! 

From Chihiro: “For the upcoming year, I’m excited to take a gap year to explore my options and to pursue my interests. When I first joined Extensions, I was still new to the dance community. I worried about the difficulty in transitioning from figure skating to dancing. However, with the help of my amazing teachers, I was able to grow as both a dancer and a person. My teachers taught me to be confident in the choices I make and to always strive towards improvement. Through Extensions, I learned not only how to implement my own style into the way I dance, but also how to implement the creative aspects of dance into my personal life. Being in a healthy, supportive community like Extensions is rare, and I will always cherish the moments I spent there. Thank you to Lizzie and Lauren for always supporting me in my creative endeavors. I’m excited for the next chapter of my life to see whatever new opportunities come my way!” We are so proud of this girl for all of her hard work and amazing growth throughout her time at Extensions. We continue to be amazed by her, and are so excited to see where life takes her❤️❤️

Photography by @chloealexisham ✨
Senior announcement #1 is our beautiful @s.menaker Senior announcement #1 is our beautiful @s.menaker who will be attending Princeton University next year! She will persue a concentration in molecular biology and a certificate in dance! 

From Sally: “I am absolutely thrilled to be attending Princeton in the fall! While I plan to take a pre-med track, I was really drawn to Princeton because of the way it encourages students to explore any and all of their academic interests. This was especially important to me because I have never been able to narrow my interests to a single academic field. My time at Extensions has taught me that I shouldn’t have to, and will be stronger for not doing so. Lizzie has always asked us to refrain from putting ourselves in a box and thinking of ourselves as one type of mover. She instead encourages us to simply take all of the “tools in our toolbox”, whether they be from a somatic-based improvisation or classical ballet class, and apply them to whatever the task is at hand. I plan to carry this mentality with me as I head to Princeton in the fall. While I am somewhat overwhelmed by the breadth of new opportunities before me, I feel confident that by using the skills of deep listening, investigation and perseverance that I have acquired at Extensions I will be able to make the most of all that the future holds. I can’t thank Lizzie and all of the Extensions faculty enough for teaching me to approach dance in a completely new way and for all of the support and love they have offered me over the last few years. When I joined Extensions I knew that I would leave a stronger dancer. I realize now that I am leaving as a stronger person as well. I will miss the extraordinary Extensions community that welcomed me with open arms and I will definitely be back to visit as much as possible! I have so much love for each and every one of you!” We are so proud and excited to continue to be a part of Sally’s journey and hear all about her endeavors at Princeton🧡🧡

Photography by the brilliant @chloealexisham
As we approach our last competition of the season, As we approach our last competition of the season, we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. We are so excited to compete our pieces once more before Showcase and for our Petite Company’s debut @headlinersdance!

We found a highly requested video of “Scraping By” from our 2016-2017 senior company at Headliners, choreographed by the one and only @mitchellmovement. We couldn’t resist posting it in honor of our countdown to this weekend!
We finally have our permanent reminder of @livserg We finally have our permanent reminder of @livsergot installed over the door to the front studio at Extensions. Every day we will all remind ourselves to “Live Life Like Liv”… with grace, passion, tenacity, hope and love.  We miss you, beautiful soul. 🤍
Breaks during rehearsal days are 🔥 @_nicole_noe Breaks during rehearsal days are 🔥 @_nicole_noe @fiona.doy @_miagooch
Follow us

Links

  • Youth Classes
  • Faculty
  • Family Login
  • Staff Login
  • News
  • About

Contact Us

Extensions Dance Center
Lizzie@extensionsdance.com
3933 N. Elston Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
773.299.9202
© 2020 Extensions Dance Company. All Rights Reserved. Website designed by COVERT NINE