Dance Lessons - Course Descriptions

Our ballet classes are strongly encouraged for all school aged students. Through ballet dance lessons, students learn ballet terminology, positions, steps, combinations, stretching and ballet dances. The student gains an understanding of balance, grace and freedom of movement through proper body alignment and placement. All forms of western dance taught at the studio - jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop, and Mexican Folkloric - require knowledge of basic ballet technique and terminology. Beginning through advanced levels. 

Students will grow their abilities in both smooth and hard-hitting Hip Hop styles and develop their rhythm, coordination, and attitude! Learn to dance the greatest grooves to the latest beats in Hip Hop dance lessons. These powerful, high energy classes are great for kids who love to move and have plenty of drive. Group classes are available for students aged 6 and up, beginning and continuing levels. We use clean music. 

Mexican Folkloric Dance showcases the Mexican culture and heritage in the traditional dance, music, song, dress and history of Mexico. Mexico's modern folk dance tradition is a blending of elements from its Indigenous, African, and European heritage. Mexican Folkloric dance has had an important impact on the culture of the United States, especially in Mexican American communities such as Berwyn, Cicero, and Chicago's Little Village and Pilsen neighborhoods. We offer beginning through advanced levels and a performance group.

Pointe class is the part of classical ballet technique that concerns training "sur les pointes," supporting all the body weight on the tips of fully extended feet in specially crafted  pointe shoes. Only advanced ballet dancers 12 years of age or older, who pass a readiness test, and have the instructor's permission are eligible to take pointe class.

Contemporary dance is considered an independent discipline that melds jazz, ballet, and American modern dance together. It is usually performed to instrumental music and also makes greater use of the floor to diversify the movement. Lyrical is contemporary dance performed to music with lyrics so that it inspires expression of strong emotions the choreographer feels from the lyrics of the song. The dance can tell a story or not, be an pure exploration of movement, or be a combination of patterns that evoke a certain feeling in the dancer, and ideally also in the audience. 

Ever been so happy you wanted to do backflip? Learn how here! Acrobatics is tumbling and much more! Our students are taught skills and movement on a professional mat along with balance beam work and other equipment skills. From the time children start to crawl, they are using their muscles and learning coordination. Our students learn the importance of agility, concentration, coordination, and strength in order to use their muscles properly to perform acrobatic skills. We offer beginning and continuing classes. 

Learn to play piano on our beautiful baby grand piano!  Piano lessons will not only teach students to read music, but they will learn the progressive finger techniques involved in playing the piano.  The student learns basic music theory such as the major and minor scales, and how to build  arpeggios into chords and harmony study.  Piano students perform at the studio recitals. 

The purpose of the ¡Baila Conmigo! / Dance With Me! competition team is  to represent the studio, its core values and artistic excellence to the general public. These are the studio's elite dancers and ambassadors! Team members have the unique opportunity to grow as people, young artists, and to learn the art of nonverbal communication. Another purpose of the team is to gain valuable experience dancing a variety of dance styles - classical ballet, contemporary, modern - in front of new and expanding audiences, whether as a soloist or as a group.

Dance team rehearsals are one hour/week and run every week the entire school year. Additionally, dance team members are required to enroll in at least one technique class per week.  Please see the Director if you are interested in being on the dance team.