Ballet behind every dance, master instructor says

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Former professional dancer and teacher Rebecca Aleman is a master instructor in the community engagement program at Joffrey Ballet.

"I believe ballet is the basic of all dance," she said.

Ballet may be her passion, but she also instructs students in Latin dances.

"She is strict, but in a good way," Jayda Perry, student, said.

"I call her The Contessa. She brings a vast knowledge of Latin dancing and life lessons through her discipline of dance," Homer Hans Bryant said.

Aleman began competing in dance at a young age. She now uses dance to teach students life lessons- determination, discipline, motivation and commitment.

"Ms. Rebecca is this spicy Latin woman. She expects us to have knowledge of ballet and to incorporate it in everything else that we do," Evan Gayles said.