Maria is a licensed cosmetologist who approaches her craft from the perspective that true beauty comes from within and with a little help a person can grow in that confidence and come to see themselves as beautifully and wonderfully made, just as God intended.

In her spare time Maria enjoys crocheting, baking, singing, writing letters and of course dancing.

Maria began her ballet training at the age of 3 by taking classes at the local park district.  Maria went on to train in classical ballet at Dance West Academy where she danced until an unfortunate knee dislocation during Nutcracker rehearsal sidelined her in 2009.  Never one to give up Maria went through physical therapy and resumed dancing until another knee dislocation in 2011 sidelined her again.  Her passion for dance motivated her through physical therapy, she dusted herself off and began dancing once more until a third dislocation in 2014 resulted in surgery.

Though the sun had set on her classical ballet training her passion for dance never ceased.  

Attending quarterly dances held at her parish, Mater Dei, in Irving, Texas, Maria learned various contra dances and went on to learn swing dancing by attending dances held at another parish.  Upon moving back to Illinois with her family in 2016 Maria quickly discovered the lack of ballroom/contra style dance opportunities among her peers.  Five years later Maria attended a Theology on Tap program in Lockport where she connected with a group of young adults and presented the idea of monthly dances, her passion for dance and teaching others to dance never waning; thus began the journey to what would eventually become known as One Dance at a Time.

Undeterred by 9 knee surgeries, Maria’s motto is “anyone can dance, you just have to be willing to take the first step.”  

Mrs. Garcia is a former high school Spanish teacher who has dedicated herself to homeschooling her 7 children.  Mrs. Garcia is also a Wilson Reading Dyslexia Practitioner who is currently in the process of becoming a Wilson Reading Dyslexia Therapist.

Mrs. Garcia has a passion for hospitality and enjoys hosting, event planning and helping out with various events.

Mrs. Garcia began her dance training at the age of 3 at Ingman’s School of Dance in Nogales, Arizona where she took tap, & classical ballet.  She trained up till the age of 10 when a podiatrist advised her parents to take her off pointe.  Mrs. Garcia went on to learn Folklorico in high school and started The Mexican Dance Company, a school club, that brought together other students who enjoyed dancing.  The club was not only dedicated to learning and performing Folklorico dances, for various school and community events but also to teaching fellow peers how to dance cumbia, corridos, polkas, etc.

Mrs. Garcia continued her passion for learning and performing Folklorico through college by training under Alma Dolores who also began teaching her Flamenco before she moved back to Texas to finish her education at Southwestern University, where she served as her sorority’s new member education & social chairs during her senior year.

As a teen growing up in Sierra Vista, Arizona, some of Mrs. Garcia’s fondest memories are of attending community dances with her parents, & brother.  Dances which were also attended by her peers and their parents and older siblings.  Instilling the importance of familial involvement in the social lives of teens.

As Mr. & Mrs. Garcia raised their family they instilled that same importance in their 7 children.  The result has been a closely knit family who has enjoyed making many memories, either in shared activities or cheering on siblings as they branch off and find their passions.

Diego began his dance training at the age of 6 at Dance West Ballet Academy when he was recruited for a role in their Nutcracker. Always one to try new things, Diego dabbled in various interest while growing up: recreational baseball, fencing, rugby, hip hop, tap.

Diego began his classical ballet training at Ballet 5:8 School of the arts in 2019, he continued training under Altin Naska until the summer of 2023.

Diego enjoys reading, swordsmanship, studying Theology and history as well as working on his book project.

Sonia is a certified Level III PBT instructor who is currently training in, and teaching classical ballet at Plainfield Dance Academy under Mr. Altin Naska.  Sonia served as co-dance & music instructor for Riverside’s former Studio program with her sister Ana Maria (2022-2025) & continues in that role with the House of Bethany program for girls. 

Sonia began her classical ballet training at the age of 3 and has trained under professionals at: Dance West Academy, Ballet Academy of Fort Worth, & the Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Conservatory Program where she was also a teacher’s assistant and was first introduced to PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) & plyometrics for strength training. Sonia also trained directly under Ms. Angela McGarity (AMA Dance Academy), & Ms. Ashlie Anderson (State Street, A Step Above Dance Academy, & Fox Valley Ballet Company). 

Sonia’s performance history includes dance recitals and several roles in The Fox Valley Ballet Nutcracker (2017, 2018, 2019 & 2024) and Plainfield Dance Academy Nutcracker (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), along with her debut musical performance as Mrs. Darling in Peter Searby’s original musical “Lost Boy, a Peter Pan story” (2024). 

Sonia enjoys sewing, baking, dancing, singing and plans to enter the Culinary Arts program at JJC in January 2026.

Ana Maria began her classical ballet training at the age of 3 and has trained under professionals at: Dance West Academy, Ballet Academy of Fort Worth, & the Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Pre-Professional Program where she was also a teacher’s assistant. Ana Maria also trained directly under Ms. Angela McGarity (AMA Dance Academy), Ms. Ashlie Anderson (State Street, A Step Above Dance Academy, & Fox Valley Ballet Company), & Mr. Altin Naska & Miss Olena Nalyviako (Plainfield Dance Academy). 

Ana Maria’s performance history includes: dance recitals, several roles in The Fox Valley Ballet Nutcracker (2017, 2018, 2019 & 2024), her debut musical performance as Angela Darling in Peter Searby’s original musical “Lost Boy, a Peter Pan story” (2024), as well as an ensemble role in Overshadowed’s “Hello Dolly” production (2025). 

Ana Maria served as co-dance & music instructor for Riverside’s former Studio program with her sister Sonia (2022-2025) & continues in that role with the House of Bethany program.

Ana Maria enjoys acting, singing, playing various instruments, writing music, working on her books and drawing.

 Miguel began his dance training with tap at 10 years of age with A Step Above Dance Academy. He began his classical ballet training at Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Pre-Professional Program in 2019. Miguel went on to train at Wish Dance Academy under Mr. Chance Ennis and Mr. Ford Tackett. Miguel is currently training at Plainfield Dance Academy under Mr. Altin Naska. 

Miguel’s performance history includes: dance recitals, various roles in The Fox Valley Nutcracker (2018, 2019 & 2024), and Plainfield Dance Academy Nutcracker (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), his debut musical theater performance as Da’Vinci in Peter Searby’s original musical “Lost Boy, a Peter Pan story” (2024), and as an ensemble member in Overshadowed’s production of “Hello Dolly” (2025).

 Miguel enjoys playing the guitar & piano, drawing, voice acting & video editing with his brother Gabriel in addition to airsoft.

Gabriel began his dance training with tap at 8 years of age with A Step Above Dance Academy. He began his classical ballet training at Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Boys Program in 2019, and went on to train at Wish Dance Academy under Mr. Chance Ennis and Mr. Ford Tackett. Gabriel also briefly trained at Plainfield Dance Academy under Mr. Altin Naska. 

Gabriel’s performance history includes: the part of Fritz in The Fox Valley Ballet Nutcracker (2017, 2018, & 2019), Don Quixote in Plainfield Dance Academy’s production of “Don Quixote” (2025), Drosselmeyer in Plainfield Dance Academy’s upcoming Nutcracker (2025), his debut musical theater performance as Captain Black in Peter Searby’s original musical “Princess and the Pirate” (2024),  Brickhead in Peter Searby’s original musical “Lost Boy, a Peter Pan story” (2024), Gilbert in Willows Academy’s  production of Anne of Green Gables (2025) and as a member of the ensemble for Overshadowed’s “Hello Dolly” production (2025).

Gabriel enjoys the outdoors, drawing, digital animation, acting & video editing with his brother Miguel as well as airsoft battles.

Vicente began his classical ballet training under Ms. Bridget Christianson at A Step Above Dance Academy. He continued his training at Ballet 5:8 School of the Arts Children’s Program and Wish Dance Academy under Mr. Chance Ennis and Mr. Ford Tackett. Vicente is currently training at Plainfield Dance Academy under Mr. Altin Naska. 

Vicente’s performance history includes: various recitals, various roles in Plainfield Dance Academy’s Nutcracker (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), and The Fox Valley Ballet Nutcracker (2017, 2018, 2019) with his debut as Fritz in the 2024 production, and Sancho Panza in Plainfield Dance Academy’s production of “Don Quixote” (2025), his debut musical performance in Peter Searby’s original musical “Princess in the Pirate” (2024), and Curious in Peter Searby’s original musical “Lost Boy, a Peter Pan Story” (2024). Vicente will reprise his role as Fritz as well as various other roles in Plainfield Dance Academy’s upcoming Nutcracker (2025).

Vicente enjoys drawing, painting, playing board games, airsoft, and participating in Riverside Tutorial.

Patrick first learned English line dancing at his old parish in Fairbury, but dove into a more regular and immersive dance experience when he started attending the dances hosted by the Garcia family in 2022.

Aside from some usual recreational sports such as basketball and soccer, Patrick’s main passion was in marksmanship.  He spent 2007-2012 working his way up from Sporter to pre-collegiate precision air rifle with the River Valley Sharpshooters team.  Patrick still keeps up his skills when life allows with some occasional range time and impromptu skeet shooting events.

Having a love for music at a young age, Patrick has dabbled in many instruments including recorder, piano, organ, alto and tenor saxophone, mandolin, ukelele, guitar and bass guitar.  Since 2012, Patrick has been involved with the Institute of Christ the King’s music program largely as a Gregorian chant aficionado.

Patrick also enjoys all things trade from commercial and residential electrical, home plumbing and water system installs, carpentry, tiling to other remodeling tasks. Patrick currently works as a woodworker at Altare Design LLC programming and operating CNC machines.  Working at this small shop since 2017, has afforded Patrick the opportunity to build high end church furniture and intricate custom wood pieces.

Along with staying busy with personal and never ending side projects, Patrick is looking forward to marrying his dance partner, Hailey, September 2026.

 Hailey has been with the dance corps since the fall of 2024 and has enjoyed learning from Maria and her family. 

She has grown up in the world of sports playing golf, basketball, and soccer in her high school years and continuing her soccer career at the juco and DII levels in college. She received First Team All-American honors along with many other awards during her collegiate years. 

Hailey currently coaches junior college and high school soccer as well as high school basketball. In the past she has also been an assistant coach for college track and cross country on teams that have made National Championship appearances. She has received her associate in Culinary Arts from Joliet Junior College and her bachelors in Hospitality Management from Purdue Northwest. 

Hailey enjoys baking, cooking and just staying active and busy any way possible. She has currently taken up the hobby of sewing and is slowly learning how to make her own clothes. She’s also looking forward to her future with Patrick as they are set to be joined in marriage in September of 2026.