Originally from Sterling Heights, Michigan, Joey Fontana is a dynamic dance educator, choreographer, and performing artist based in Chicago. His artistic journey began unexpectedly at age nine when a flyer for Seussical: The Musical at the local community theater changed his path forever. What started with a frog costume and a community stage quickly evolved into a lifelong passion for dance, musical theatre, and storytelling.

   Joey trained extensively in jazz, lyrical, tap, musical theatre, and partnering throughout his youth while actively performing in multiple musicals each year. By his senior year of high school, he was president of his school’s drama club, directing productions and teaching at the very studio where he began dancing. His passion for performance and education led him to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre at Oakland University, where he graduated magna cum laude with Departmental Honors. While at Oakland, he gained experience assistant directing and choreographing university MainStage musicals, further honing his creative and leadership skills.

   After graduation, Joey was signed by the Daniel Hoff Talent Agency at his senior showcase and soon after moved to New York City. His professional performance credits include regional theatre, theme parks, and a national tour with Monty Python’s Spamalot. Following the pandemic, Joey shifted his focus back to education and choreography, working with competitive studios across the Midwest and East Coast. Most notably, he served as the Assistant Company Director for 94 dancers at Fusion Dance Centre in Roselle Park, NJ.

   In 2024, Joey relocated to Chicago, where he currently works full-time as a dance instructor, choreographer, and competition coach throughout the suburbs. He is also a sought-after adjudicator, emcee, and convention faculty member for national dance competitions including Impact Adjudicators, Turn It Up, StarQuest, Elite Dance Challenge, and CRU Dance, with whom he has proudly worked for the past four seasons.

   Joey is deeply grateful for the love and support of his partner Tim, his parents, his Aunt Lori, and his cat Obsidian. Outside the studio, he enjoys cooking, traveling, and watching RuPaul’s Drag Race.