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Winter Spring 2024 Dance Schedules

LFDA 2023-2024 brochure & schedules

Winter Spring Registration Opens Dec. 5!

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The Lake Forest Dance Academy is proud to celebrate our 48th year of providing quality dance programs for all ages! We offer a variety of classes including Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Irish, Hip Hop, Acro, and Tap. We offer challenging programs designed for the serious dance student. We also provide classes for children, teens, and adults

Founded in 1974, Lake Forest Dance Academy is the most established dance studio in the area and is the only local studio that...

  • Offers induction into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts
  • Offers a complete certification in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet
  • Provides you with the most cost-effective, comprehensive dance program available
  • Has highly educated and trained faculty dedicated to total student development

If you have any questions about our dance program, please contact:

Valerie Gonzalez, Director
Lake Forest Dance Academy
Phone: 847-810-3948
Email: [email protected]

DRESS CODE

The following is our guide to appropriate clothing and hair for dance classes. We welcome students of all gender identities and gender expressions. Dancers are free to wear what best matches their gender identity. We have chosen these attire expectations with everyone's safety and comfort as our top priority. If you have any questions, please ask your teacher.

ALL CLASSES:

  • Hair is to be worn in a bun, ponytail, and off the face at all times for all classes.
  • No jewelry is to be worn in class.
  • No loose fitting garments are to be worn over leotards.
  • Please label all attire and shoes.


early years

Tippy Toes:

  • Comfortable clothes, bare feet or ballet slippers, solid color leotard and tights are optional

Ballet Tap Combo:

  • Solid color leotard, tights and ballet shoes that most closely match the dancer's skin tone
  • Solid color shirt, black pants
  • Black tap shoes (Please no laces. Replace with elastic tap ties or Velcro.)

Pre-Hip Hop:

  • Comfortable clothes and clean athletic shoes

Acro:

  • Form fitting dance attire: black leggings, mid-thighshorts, leotard, form fitting tank/t-shirt, no longsleeves


BALLET

  • Hair is to be worn in bun and off the face
  • Solid color leotard, tights and ballet shoes that most closely match the dancer's skin tone
  • Solid color shirt, black bottoms, ballet shoes
  • Short dance skirts may be worn only at the discretion of the teacher


JAZZ

  • Solid color leotard, tights or black leggings
  • Solid color shirt, black bottoms
  • Tan jazz shoes: Level 1 & 2
  • Black jazz shoes: Level 3 & up
  • Dance shorts may be worn at the discretion of the teacher


TAP

  • Solid color leotard, tights or black leggings
  • Solid color shirt, black bottoms
  • Black tap shoes (Tap 3 & up black tap oxford)
  • Dance shorts may be worn at the discretion of the teacher


MODERN

  • Solid color leotard, convertible footless or stirrup tights
  • Solid color shirt, black bottoms, bare feet
  • No shoes worn for class


HIP HOP

  • Athletic clothing granting movement and clean athletic shoes
  • No Jeans


ACRO

  • Form fitting dance attire: black leggings, mid-thigh shorts, leotard, form-fitting tank/t-shirt, no long sleeves

Places to purchase dancewear and shoes:

Toe the Line Dance Store
302 McHenry Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Body and Sole Dance Boutique
300 N Happ Rd, Northfield, IL 60093

Allegro Dance Boutique
2114 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

Online: discountdance.com

POLICIES

CLASS PLACEMENT

All classes higher than Level I require placement confirmation for registration. Class progression and advancement is determined by the LFDA faculty. This promotes progress and minimizes the risk of physical strain. Returning students receive placement information by mail. LFDA reserves the right to determine necessary class re-assignment for students who are not registered in the appropriate level class. New students must attend a placement class prior to registration. To schedule placement evaluations please call the Dance office at 847-810-3948.


WITHDRAWAL & REFUND

All requests for withdrawals must be received in writing at the Recreation Center. The amount credited will depend on when the written request is received. For withdrawal requests received in writing no later than 7 days prior to the beginning of the class, a credit equal to 90% of the fee paid for the class will be placed on your account. From 6 days prior to the start of class until before the 3rd meeting of the class, a credit equal to 80% of the class fee will be placed on your account. No refunds will be given after the 3rd meeting except in the case of documented medical reasons or moving out of the local area.


INSTALLMENT BILLING:

Full year tuition payments may be made in two installments. First payment is due at time of registration. The second payment will be automatically charged to a credit card on file per schedule below.

ACADEMY TUITION - December 1 COMPANY TUITION - November 1


ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is essential to maintain/advance level(s).

  • If sick, please do not attend class.
  • Please notify dance office of absences: email [email protected] or call 847-810-3948.
  • At the time of notification, you may request a makeup class.
  • Makeup classes must be reserved in advance.
  • If injured, attend to observe and learn lesson.

VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION

In the event that we cannot hold in person classes due to a government stay at home order, all dance classes will be held virtually until the order is lifted.


INCLEMENT WEATHER

Should the Recreation Center close due to the weather or circumstances beyond our control, dancers should makeup classes in another class at the same level or below. Teachers may choose to schedule a makeup day should the calendar allow.

We are committed to offering our dancers a safe and clean environment. You can count on us to stay on top of the current guidelines and safety measures. Thank you for dancing with us!

Please read the following procedures that have been implemented:

  • Class sizes will be limited.
  • All students should be dropped off no more than 5 minutes before class and picked up immediately after class.
  • Please keep your child home if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms or if you/your child have had close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID- 19.
  • Upon entering and exiting the studio, students will sanitize hands with antibacterial gel.
  • Staff will sanitize and disinfect shared surfaces frequently.
  • Dancers should limit the amount of belongings they bring with them to class.
  • Dancers should all bring their own reusable water bottle with water to class. Refillable stations will be open..

LFDA COVID-19 Policy:

  • Program participants should stay home if they are showing COVID - 19 symptoms.
  • In the event any participant or staff member or immediate family member of either tests positive for COVID- 19, or knowingly comes in contact with anyone that has tested positive, LFDA should be notified immediately.

Our inspiring LFDA faculty credentials include:

  • Masters Degrees from Surrey University UK and Tisch School of the Arts, New York University and undergraduate degrees from Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, University of Wisconsin, University of Akron, and other top university dance programs
  • Graduates of London's Royal Academy of Dance, the Kirov Academy of Ballet and Ballet Theatre of St. Petersburg Conservatoire, Rambert School of Ballet.
  • Former American Ballet Theatre soloist.
  • Past members of the Gus Giordano Jazz Company, Joel Hall Dancers, River North, Luna Negra, Thodos Dancers & Chicago Tap Theatre
  • Certified members of the National Dance Education Organization, National Honor Society for Dance Arts, Dance Masters of America, the Cecchetti Council of America, Progressing Ballet Technique, and Acrobatic Arts.

Meet Our Staff

Donations to LFDA are appreciated and accepted though the Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Foundation.

Donate here