Dance Programs

2024-2025 DANCE SCHEDULE AND FEES - Available August 2

Norridge Park District's dance program begins in September and typically runs through May. Dance students can sign up for classes offered at various times and days of the week. Dance classes take place over two sessions (Fall & Winter/Spring). Participants are required to sign up for both the fall and the winter/spring sessions consecutively. Fall session classes generally begin in September, Winter/Spring in January. All program payments must be completed prior to the first day of classes in fall and Winter/Spring. Check out the brochure for most up to date dance class fees.   

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Ballet:  The basic ballet positions and techniques will be taught as students learn to appreciate the grace and beauty of the dance.

Ballet Technique:  This class will help dancers perfect their ballet positions and techniques with the goal of enhancing overall dance skill level and ability. (This class is a required class for Movers and Shakers Competition groups but available to other students that may be interested. Inquire with the Park District regarding age and skill level requirements if interested in signing up for this class and are not a participant of the Movers and Shakers performing groups.)

Creative Cuties Combo: NEW This class is a joyful way for children to explore movement through music, develop physical skills, channel energy, stimulate imagination and promote creativity all while beginning to learn the basics of technical dance.

Contemporary Dance: This class takes elements from many dance forms and combines them to create an expressive form of dance unique to our time. Ballet, jazz and modern dance technique are learned in combination with fun choreography to popular music.

Just Dance Club:  In order to participate in Dance Club, students must be enrolled in at least one other dance class with Norridge Park District. Dance Club is for dancers who want more performance experience and does not require an audition. Dance Club is a fun way for dancers to gain valuable performance experience and build confidence in order to take their dancing to the next level.

Dance Strength & Conditioning: This fun and structured class combines yoga, core work and barre’ to stretch, strengthen and refine your body. It can be taken in conjunction with other dance classes to round out an athletic dancer’s education or it may be taken as a stand alone class as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Fairytale Ballet:  This imaginative pre-ballet class combines ballet fundamentals and creative movement with fairytale stories.

Hip Hop Babies:  This class will introduce young students’ to the basic vocabulary and style of hip hop movement. Hip Hop is about personal style and expression. This high energy class can be taught to anyone with a passion to move, so no dance experience is required.

Hip hop: A fun, energetic style of dance in which students will learn a variety of freestyle dancing and the latest dance moves.

Jazz: This class will focus on learning, applying and perfecting dance technique and increased flexibility through the use of floor, barre, and center exercises. Students will learn routines for which they will apply and practice the fundamentals and more advanced movements as skills are perfected.

Movers and Shakers Dance Company:  Students must audition for Silver, Gold and Platinum level Movers and Shakers performing groups. The Movers and Shakers typically participate in one competition per month during the months of January – May. Competitions typically take place in various locations around the Chicagoland area. All Movers and Shakers are required to participate in a Ballet Technique class as well.

Parent / Tot Dance Class:  This class is specifically designed for the young child that loves to move and dance with music. Emphasis is placed on motor skill development, coordination and balance in a safe, nurturing environment that encourages parent involvement.

Tap:  A fun and exhilarating class that will focus on coordination and learning a variety of rhythms and tempos which will build every week.

Lyrical: NEW  Lyrical dance is a style that combines ballet and jazz dancing techniques. It is performed to music with lyrics so that it inspires expression of emotions the choreographer feels from the lyrics of the song. This style concentrates on an individual approach and expressiveness of such emotions as love, joy and illustration of song lyrics, and, in group form, exact unison.

POMS:  POMS class focuses on sharpness and timing along with showmanship. In this class you will use pom-poms and combine skills from dance and cheer to learn high energy crowd pleasing routines.

Private Dance Lessons:  Brush up on your skills, improve your technique or learn a choreographed routine to perform at a later date. Lessons are available in several dance style including jazz, tap, ballet lyrical and contemporary. After you register a Dance Instructor will contact you to schedule your private lesson.

Dance Shoe Requirements:

Each dance class requires a specific type and color of shoe. Please see the key below to determine the appropriate style and color of shoe that you will need for participation in your dance class:

Dance Recital:

The Norridge Park District Dance Recitals generally take place at the end of the season in May.  The Dance Recital will take place at Ridgewood High School, participants will be notified when recital tickets go on sale. An allotted number of tickets will be on sale solely to dance participants for a period of time at which point the remainder will then be sold to the general public on a first come first serve basis. A dress rehearsal will take place prior to the recital.

Dance Pictures:

Professional dance pictures are taken of individuals and classes participating in the dance program, details will be provided by Program Supervisor and your child's Dance Instructor. 

Picture day will take place in April prior to the dance recital. Participants must wear their full dance costume for pictures. Participants will be notified once pictures will be available for pickup at the Norridge Park District's NRC East location.

Dance Picture Day Schedule - 

Dance Costumes:

Dance costumes are ordered in fall after measurements are taken of each individual in the dance program. Measurements will be taken by the child's teacher and will take place during a specified dance class. A parent or guardian will need to be present during this dance class to agree to the correct dance costume size to be ordered.

Dance costumes are NOT RETURNABLE OR EXCHANGABLE.  Parents or guardians are solely responsible for any alterations needed.   It is suggested that if the size to be ordered is questionable as in the child's measurements fall between sizes or fall at the high end of a specific size, that parents agree to order the size up to allow for potential growth before the recital or alterations if needed.

The price for dance costumes is included in the fall session payment for dance. The Winter/Spring session does not include a dance costume fee. The dance costumes will be passed out to participants during classes.  If a participant is absent from class the week that costumes are passed out, they may pick up the costume as early as the following day at the Norridge Park District's NRC East location.  Please note, dance costumes will only be given to participants that have paid for both the Fall and the Winter/Spring session and do not have any additional balances owed on their Park District account.  Participants may pick up the costume from the NRC East once the balance is paid.

Bathroom Usage During Class:

Students should try and use the bathroom prior to coming to dance class.  Students are allowed to use the bathroom during class, but please be aware that they will be going to the bathroom without their dance instructor's assistance.