Philosophy: The River Trails Park District s Expressions Dance Studio is founded with the principles of providing participants with a safe and fun environment where child development is nurtured through both an expressive and structured based curriculum with outcomes focused on skill development, self-confidence and an understanding of dance technique. Meet Your Dance Teachers: Miss Rachel has been dancing for over twenty years. She graduated cum laude from Columbia College Chicago in 2010 with a BA in dance with a concentration in performance. Rachel fell in love with dance at a young age while performing The Nutcracker and Taming of the Shrew with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. During her high school years, Miss Rachel was a four year member in the Maine West Orchesis club and vice president her senior year. She also was a student choreographer for Orchesis for three years. During college, Rachel performed in over twenty student and faculty performances. After graduation, she served as a teaching artist with Zephyr Dance Company for an after school program in Roscoe Village. She also had the chance to perform professionally with dropshift dance company at events such as Produce, Milwaukee Ave Art Festival and dropshift s self-produced performance entitled PUSH. Miss Rachel is excited to start her fourth year at River Trails Expressions Dance. Miss Natalie Began her dance journey in 1987, Natalie has vast and varied experience in multiple dance styles, including, but not limited to; ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, pointe, modern, musical theatre, ballroom, Latin, swing, and country. Her first position as a dance instructor in 1998 quickly lead through promotions to lead instructor. In 2002, Natalie cofounded and led the competitive jazz and ballet team, The Starlettes. While pursuing degrees in Kinesiology and Dance, as well as a Teaching Certification, Natalie was a prominent dancer and choreographer studying at Columbia College Chicago and Western Illinois University. Dancing with University Dance Theatre, the school s classical ballet and modern company, and Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center Dance Troupe, highlighting hip hop. In addition, she co-founded Fusion, the school s first competitive dance team. Natalie s knowledge of the human body sets her apart from many of her fellow dancers and contributes to her successful teaching style. In 2013, Natalie founded Move The Beat, a dance studio focusing on the dance journey of the individual dancer, removing the complexities of social pressure, fear of failure, or corporate structure, and bringing it back to personal goals and customized lessons. Being able to show a person their strength and beauty through the art of dance is her life s mission, and she is excited to share her passion and knowledge with the students of the River Trails Park District.
Emails: In an effort to go green, the River Trails Park District Expressions Dance program will be utilizing email communication throughout the recital session of dance. Email correspondence will be used to deliver vital information about classes, costumes and recital information. Arrival: Dance students should arrive to class at least five minutes prior to the class starting time. Coat racks and areas for dance bags are available inside the dance studio. PLEASE CHANGE YOUR SHOES IN THE HALLWAY. STREET SHOES ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE DANCE STUDIO. Wet boots/shoes should be left in the hallway outside the studio. Dancers should line up against the wall in the hallway prior to class starting. Please do not come into the studio until the dance instructor says you may enter. Dressing for Dance: Important: Label all dance shoes! Many students have the same shoes and sizes! PLEASE NOTE: Dance shoes (ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop) should never be worn outside. Scuffs on tap shoes from outside wear can ruin the dance floor and we would like to keep the floor as clean and intact as possible. Class Shoe Suggested Attire Ballet/Tap Leather ballet shoes, tap Leotard & Tights shoes Ballet Leather ballet shoes Leotard & Tights Jazz Black Jazz Shoes Top & jazz/yoga pants or leggings Hip Hop/Poms CLEAN Sneakers** Top & jazz/yoga pants or leggings Performance Techniques Leather ballet shoes Leotard & Tights Contemporary Bare feet Leotard & Footless or Tights **Dancers who are wearing flip flops or snow boots will not be allowed to participate in class. Improper footwear for dance classes can lead to injury. Dance skirts, tutus, leg warmers or sweaters are permitted in dance classes. Jeans are not appropriate for any dance class. Ballet slippers are not appropriate for dance class. They are too slippery for classroom use.
Dance attire/shoes/stores: Discount Dance Supply; discountdance.com Dance n Tees; 1067 Salem Dr Hoffman Estates, IL 847.884.5924 Toe the Line; 4204 N Arlington Heights Rd Arlington Heights, IL 847.818.9800 Leo s Dancewear; 7601 W North Ave River Forest, IL 773.889.7700 Famous Footwear, Payless Shoes, Target, Walmart & Sports Authority carry ballet and tap shoes for younger dancers and some dance attire. Ivivva; 4999 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, IL 60077 847.675.4739 We have a limited amount of previously used dance shoes at Burning Bush and the Weiss Center on sale for $7. Please ask Miss Rachel or Miss Jackie for more information. Discipline: Students will be rewarded with a stamp on their hand at the end of each dance class. They will get three warnings before they will not receive their stamp. Reasons for a warning can include being disruptive, non-participation, arguing, misuse of property, aggressive behavior or being harmful to others. Recital Information: Our annual dance recital will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2015 at 11am at River Trails Middle School. Dress rehearsal for the recital is Friday, March 11 at 4:30pm at River Trails Middle School. The rehearsal schedule will be provided to participants at a later date. The River Trails Middle School is located at 1000 N Wolf Rd, Mt Prospect, IL 60056 All participants must attend the dress rehearsal in order to participate in the performance. In any instances where attendance is not possible, please talk to your instructor beforehand. Students will be measured in class by Miss Rachel & Miss Natalie in class for their dance costumes. Parents will need to sign off on their measurements to make sure we order the most accurate size. Costume fees are included in registration fees for the session. Students will try on their costumes in class when we receive them. (Usually late January/early February). Parents will get to observe students as they practice their recital dance in their costume. In an extreme case where a costume does not fit, we can do an exchange, but the
matter must be dealt with as soon as possible. Costume companies do not guarantee you will receive your costume by the show date if there is an exchange. Costume alterations may be necessary. Costume needs (accessories, hair, tights and shoes) and costume care information will be received with or soon after costume distribution. The only times costumes should be worn are: in class try on, picture day, dress rehearsal, during any alterations and the recital. They are never to be worn to class before the recital. DVDs of the recital will be available for order both prior to the recital and on-site at the River Trails Middle School. Pictures: Professional pictures will be scheduled with PMI during the recital session of dance. Parents will receive order forms and more information prior to the scheduled picture date on Thursday, February 25, 2016. Special Events / Important Dates: Classes Begin: Monday, September 14 Friday, September 18 Costume Measurements: Monday, October 19 Friday, October 23 Halloween Party Week: Monday, October 26 Friday, October 30 Dance T-Shirt Day: Saturday, November 7 No Classes: November 22 28 Costume Order: December Holiday Break: Sunday, December 20 Sunday, January 1 Dance Classes Resume: Monday, January 4 Friday, January 8 Dance Picture Day: Thursday, February 25 Orchesis Field Trip: To be determined DVD Order Forms Distributed: Monday, February 22 Friday, February 26 Recital Dress Rehearsal: Friday, March 11 Dance Recital: Saturday, March 12 End of the Year Party: To be determined