Dance Academy of Libertyville is a Little Lake County advertising partner.
The New Year has us all preparing for resolutions, fresh starts, and new experiences. Long-time Little Lake County partner Dance Academy of Libertyville is heading into the new year with new space, new classes and a growing group of elite dancers bringing the art of movement to Lake County. We have an insider look at the new classes, the new space and what to expect from them this coming spring and summer.
New Year – New Space – New Classes!
This past fall Dance Academy expanded its Libertyville school, building out a fifth studio space across from its main entrance. According to DAL owner Emily Winkler this project was in the works for a long time.
“We took over a year to make the decision to build out the 5th space. We had gotten to the point where we were running classes and rehearsals 7 days a week all day and had no space to add new programming.”
Emily Winkler, Dance Academy of Libertyville
The additional space has grown their studio to over 500 students and has given them the space to add more classes and more time spots for those dancers. The new studio opened with fall classes and has been bustling with new class opportunities.
This year Dance Academy of Libertyville has introduced 5 new programs, in addition to its already robust offering of classes in a variety of disciplines. The new offerings are:
- Acro for Dancers
- PBT, Progressing Ballet Technique
- Youth Tap Performance Programs
- Hip Hop Crew- Funky n’ Phresh
- Leaps and Turns for Middle Schools
One of their exciting new offerings is Hip Hop Crew. Hip Hop is growing as dance moves and challenges go viral. Dance Academy’s Hip Hop Crew allows students to express themselves in this style while really honing the craft and learning to perform.
“This group of Hip Hop dancers auditioned and were accepted into the crew (company). The Crew rehearses once a week, has multiple performances and one competition in the spring. Auditions for the Hip Hop Crew are held in September. Funk n’ Phresh is under the direction of Eilleen Mallary who is also one of the directors of Culture Shock Chicago.”
Emily Winkler, Dance Academy of Libertyville
Acro is another growing dance trend that blends some of the techniques you would see and use in gymnastics and combines it with dance. It focuses on balance, flexibility, strength, and tumbling. It is not a traditional gymnastics class, dancers work on skills that would be used in choreography such as extensions, advanced floor work, walk-overs, needles, scorpions, and aerials.
Dance Academy’s mission has always been to provide quality training for every student. They focus on basic foundations starting as young as preschool and build on these as the dancer grows. The school holds an annual recital to provide a performance opportunity for all students in the Academy and Pre Academy programs.
That performance aspect lead to the development of the Ballet Conservatory program to bring out the highest potential in serious young dancers while giving them the skills to succeed in a professional or higher education environment. For the more focused dancer who wants more performance experience, DAL not only houses two nonprofit, pre-professional companies but has also now added a Youth Tap Performance Program. The YTPP had the opportunity to perform with jorsTAP Chicago at the November MOVE concert. No audition is required and they are running a second session in the Spring.
These additions expand the quality training Dance Academy has been offering local students for over 20 years. Their careful attention to detail and encouragement allow dancers to learn the skills needed to excel not just in dance but in all areas they choose to pursue. Registration is now open and ongoing for the Spring Semester, the spring semester is not available online. Registration Requirements for Winter/Spring:
- Pre Academy: Registration closes January 20, 2020. See age requirements for placement.
- Academy Classes: Dancers with prior training registration closes January 20, 2020
- Summer enrollment opens March 2020 for those without prior training.
- Open Classes: Registration closes January 20, 2020.
Be on the lookout for their exciting summer camps and summer performance intensive. A preview of offerings will be available. January 14, 2020!
Take a look inside the studio:
Dance Academy of Libertyville
746 E. Park Ave. (Rt.176), Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 247-1327 | [email protected]
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Disclosure: Dance Academy of Libertyville is a paid advertising partner of the LLC. All thoughts and opinions are that of the writer. Interested in having your business featured? Contact us today.
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