School of Dance

West Chicago Park District

School of Dance

Mission

The West Chicago Park District School of Dance is committed to providing excellent and professional dance training to all ages in a fun and inviting atmosphere.  We understand that students enroll in dance classes for various reasons and we strive to meet their needs.  Our mission is to inspire and continue to pass along to future generations an appreciation of the art form of dance.  Our instructors are professionally trained and are passionate about teaching.  We can’t wait for you to dance through our doors!   

Program Policies

Attendance

In the event of a class cancellation you will be notified by phone as early as possible.  Every effort will be made to make-up classes cancelled due to inclement weather or if an instructor needs to cancel a class.  Make-up classes are scheduled on the same day and time as a regular class day and will take place during make-up week, which follows the last week of the session.

Student missed classes cannot be made up and are non-refundable.  Please do your best to attend every class.  Consistency is important at any level. 

Dress Code

Girls and Ladies- Hair must be secure off the face.  No jewelry is allowed in any class.  No open midriff tops.

Mommy/Daddy & Me- any dance outfit that is comfortable for movement without causing distraction or harm to the child.  Ballet shoes, tennis shoes, or gripper socks.

Pre Ballet- leotard with tights is recommended or an outfit that is comfortable for movement without causing distraction or harm to the child.  Ballet shoes.

Pre Dance- leotard with tights.  Ballet and tap shoes.

Kindercombo- leotard with tights.  Ballet and tap shoes.

Jazz/Tap- leotard with tights and black jazz pants may be worn.  Tap and jazz shoes.

Hip-Hop- leotard with tights and black jazz pants may be worn.  Hip-Hop sneakers.

Musical Theatre- leotard with tights and black jazz pants may be worn.  Jazz shoes.

Boys and Men- Black sweat pants, t-shirt, and black ballet, tap, jazz, and Hip-Hop   sneakers are appropriate.

Parent Observation

Parents are invited to attend the last class of each session.  The purpose of Parent Observation Day is to show the parents what we have been working on in class and if appropriate, perform any dances learned.  Feel free to bring your cameras and video cameras.  

Classroom Guidelines & Reminders

• Students should use the bathroom before class begins.
• No food, gum, or drink, besides water will be allowed in the classroom.
• All dancers must be accompanied by an adult before the class begins and picked up promptly when class ends. 
• For dancers under the age of 6, at least one parent per student must remain in the lobby in case of emergency.
• Please label all personal belongings with child’s name, especially shoes. 

Performance Opportunities

Dance is a performing art and we encourage all our dancers to participate in our showcases and recitals.  Our program is a cumulative one which ends the Fall Session with a small winter showcase and our Winter/Spring Session with a larger recital in May. 

The winter showcase is a casual performance opportunity, at Norton Creek Elementary School, that gives dancers the opportunity to experience performing on a stage with an audience.  Costumes for this show will not be required. 

Our spring recital in May will be held at Community High School in West Chicago and will be a formal show with lighting, costumes, and professional staging equipment.  Costumes will be ordered at the beginning of the Winter/Spring Session and will be made as affordable as possible.          

Throughout the year different events allow for optional performance opportunities.  You will be notified of the event as early as possible to decide if you would be willing to participate.  This allows the instructor to adjust the choreographing and spacing as needed. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Throughout the year, particularly around recital time, parent volunteers are needed for various tasks such as ticket sales, costume help, backstage help, and show assistance.  This allows us to keep our show and program costs more affordable and allows you to participate in an activity your child enjoys!  If at any time you would be interested, please contact Chelsea McKone, Dance Coordinator, with your available time and talents!

Dancing Through the Decades

Join the West Chicago Park District's school of dance as we dance through  the decades for our annual dance recital! Don't miss swinging through the roaring 20's, bopping to the rock n roll era, and jamming to the hits of today.

Date:
Saturday, May 22, 2010

Location:
West Chicago Community High School - 326 Joliet Street

Fee:

$5 advance ticket/$7 at the door - Ages 3 and under are free

Time:
4pm

Class Descriptions

Creative Movement Classes

Focuses on teaching young children movement and imagination while helping to develop basic motor skills.

Mommy/Daddy & Me Dance & Tumbling (ages 1-3)

Through the exploration of song and movement, dance and tumbling will be introduced and a great bond will be established between parent and child.  Class will incorporate games, songs, play, instrument and props with the parent being a large part of the learning process through interaction, participation, and of course play.  Wear comfortable clothes that allow movement for both parent and child.  Class price is per couple and includes a CD of music to carry on what you learn in class at home and to sing along to in the car.

Combination Classes

A combination class combines more than one dance discipline and allows the student to gain confidence in the basics of both. 

Pre Dance (ages 4-5)

A combination class that introduces both ballet and tap in a fun environment. This class will cover the basics of both styles and aid in development of rhythm and coordination. Leotard, ballet, and tap shoes required. Level: Beginner

Kindercombo (ages 5-6)

A combination class that covers ballet and tap techniques. Pre Ballet, and Pre Dance graduates welcome. Leotard, ballet, and tap shoes required. Level: Beginner

Jazz/Tap (ages 6-12)

This class will introduce technique in both jazz and tap in a fun environment. We will encourage creativity while learning. Children will be introduced to arm, leg and feet positions, gentle stretches and appropriate body alignment, while exploring jazz & tap technique and terminology. Basic skills are repeated each week to develop a strong foundation for the dancers.

Ballet

Classical dance form emphasizing grace, strength, flexibility and technique.

Pre Ballet (ages 3-4)

Children will be introduced to the basic ballet positions and their terminology, along with creative expressions through the exploration of movement and imagination. Class etiquette, following directions, and rhythm will be taught. Level: Beginner

Beginner Ballet (ages 6-12)

A formal instruction to the basic ballet steps and terminology will be taught, along with the development of rhythm and coordination. Leotard and ballet shoes required. Level: Beginner

Jazz

Fast paced dance form, isolating individual parts of the body to contemporary music while increasing coordination, flexibility and strength. Enhances rhythm, balance, and coordination.

Just Jazz 1 (ages 6-12)

An energetic and fun class consisting of isolated warm-ups, across the floor progressions, and dance combinations.  Work on your turns, leaps, rhythm, performance skills and more.  Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Adult Jazz (ages 18 and up)

Always wanted to learn how to dance or get back into it again?  Then this class is for you!  A relaxed and encouraging approach to movement in ballet and jazz, while you learn or refine your basic skills and develop good technique.  This is a great class for anyone looking to build or enhance technique, increase overall strength, endurance, flexibility and to have fun doing it!

Tap

 Upbeat dance form using your feet to create and enhance rhythm, coordination and sound.

Totally Tap 1 (ages 6-12)

Technique will be taught through warm-up, rhythm exercises, short combinations of steps, and across the floor work which is then put together into longer combinations.  Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Specialty Classes

Classes offered to students who wish to enhance their technical ability or explore additional dance forms.

Musical Theatre Dance (ages 6-12)

Incorporating dancing, singing, and acting skills, this class will focus on performance, musicality, and learning fun routines!  New choreography and combinations taught each week will encourage character development, performance skills, and how to tell a story through dance. Technique will be taught during warm-up and across the floor exercises.  Come prepared to move, show your personality, and most importantly have fun! 

Hip-Hop

Energetic street form of popular, urban, youth style culture of dance that uses rhythmic body articulation. Emphasis is on attitude and finding one’s individual style.

Jr. Hip Hop (ages 9-12)/Teen Hip Hop (ages 13-18)