Kelly Ann Vitacca
Founder + Artistic Director
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 Dance Project and Vitacca Vocational School for Dance, Houston and Woodlands.
Ms. Vitacca’s vast 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. Recently Ms. Vitacca’s work has been awarded first place at Youth America Grand Prix Dallas and Houston. She was also awarded Top Choreographer Youth America Grand Prix, Houston and was privileged to accept the YAGP Most Outstanding School in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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, 2022, 2023)
