Dance

Performances are held at Prisco Community Center (150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora) unless otherwise noted. All tickets are available for purchase at Prisco Community Center, or online at foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/tickets.

Spring Dance Showcase

March 25

Auditions held at the Prisco Community Center unless otherwise noted.

Summer Dance Concert: A Mermaid’s Tail

Free auditions: May 22, 5:45-9 p.m. (ages 7-18Y)

For all auditions: please bring dance shoes (ballet, jazz, tap –  not all required, but preferred), dance/comfortable clothing, and a water bottle. More information will be provided at auditions.

Questions? Email Cristin Handlon, Recreation Supervisor – Dance, at chandlon@fvpd.net.

Eola Community Center
Prisco Community Center
Vaughan Athletic Center

Year-round Class Fees:
30-minute classes: $180(R)/$270(N)
45-minute classes: $216(R)/$324(N)
60-minute classes: $288(R)/$432(N)

Fairytale Ballet: Music, costumes, and dance props encourage 2-year-old princes and princesses to use their imaginations as they learn basic ballet steps through the magic of fairytales.

Tutu Toddlers: This class is designed for the 3-year-old who loves music and wants to dance. Participants will concentrate on creative movement using large motor skills choreographed to all their favorite songs. Dancers must be potty trained.

Budding Ballerinas: This class is designed for the 4-year-old who will learn ballet fundamentals which is similar to Tutu Toddlers.

Tappin’ Tots: Toe, heel, step. Three-year-old dancers will learn their first tap steps in this class. This class will focus on coordination and rhythm.

Tiny Tappers:  Four-year old children will improve their coordination and rhythms as they practice first tap steps. Classes include dance combinations designed especially for this level. No previous dance experience is necessary.

Jazz N’ Juniors: Kick, turn, and develop coordination in this beginning level jazz dancing class.  Dancers may be three or four years old.

Lil Jammers: This class teaches hip-hop basics with upbeat music.  Dancers may be three or four years old.

Level I: The class structure includes isolation and flexibility warm-ups for Jazz, barre and centre work for Ballet and Tap. Students will build on the terminology and technique learned in the Basic Level.

Levels II-V: Dancers must have completed the level prior to the satisfaction of the instructor and have permission to enroll.  These levels build on skills learned in the previous level. Students will clarify technique to become stronger dancers. Each level will introduce more complicated technique and combination work. As students advance, a more disciplined atmosphere is enforced, and highly technical steps will be performed.

Ballet: Light, graceful, fluid movements, and highly formalized set steps and gestures.

Hip-Hop: A mixture of street moves and jazz.

Jazz: A popularized dance form by the big bands of the swing era from a profusion of dance styles.

Lyrical: A combination of ballet, jazz, acrobatics, and modern dance. Dancers must be enrolled in Ballet Level II or given permission to enroll.

Modern: A broad genre of western dance which includes ballet, folk, ethnic, religious, and social dancing. Dancers must be enrolled in Ballet III or given permission to enroll.

Pointe: Technique and strength are the focus of this class in order to support all body weight on the tips of fully extended feet within pointe shoes. Dancers will not start out in pointe shoes. Dancers who are enrolled in Ballet Level III may register for Pointe I.

Tap: The use of metal affixed to the heel and toe of shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion, coupled with characteristic and interpretative body movements.

Vantenia Kelley
A-Factor Artistic Director and Dance Instructor

Vantenia Kelley is a Chicago native, who received her B.F.A. in dance from Northern Illinois University. She has worked with, trained, and taught various dance ministries, dance teams, and studios throughout the Chicagoland area and abroad. She has trained in various styles of dance such as modern, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and African. She is currently the lead dancer for Recording Christian Pop Artist Shuree Rivera. Vantenia is also a member of Dance Missions International and has traveled to Uganda, Africa to teach and minister through dance. Vantenia is passionate about her love for dance and aims to inspire others to always follow their dreams.

Jamie Johnson
Dance Instructor

Jamie began her love of dance at age three. She trained with Marilyn Michael’s until she began at Salt Creek ballet at age ten. While dancing with Salt Creek she appeared as a doll and a mouse in several years’ production of “The Nutcracker”. She earned a degree in Theatre from Columbia College Chicago in 2006. She has previously taught ballet, tap, lyrical, and pointe classes at Peggy Rose Academy in Berwyn. Last summer Jamie performed as Sophie in the Fox Valley Park District Summer Stage Production of “ Annie “. Jamie is excited to be part of the Fox Valley Park District Dance Family.

Josie Fox
Dance Instructor

Josie Fox started dancing at the age of four. She has been dancing with the Fox Valley Park District for twelve years. Josie has participated in The Nutcracker at Fox Valley Park District for eight years performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy in 2019 and Snow Queen in 2020. Josie hass been part of A-Factor Dance Company since 2015. She is very excited to join the team and work with the dancers!

Eva (Vivi) Perez
Dance Instructor

Vivi has been dancing since she was 12 years old when she first discovered what shuffling/moon walking was. All through high school and college, she was part of dance team and studio. It was then that she introduced herself to different genres such as: Jazz, Modern, and Ballet. She firmly believes in Martha Graham’s view of dance, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion”. She has previously taught Hip-Hop at Waubonsee Community College and has danced with Dominic Sandoval and Aris Paracuelles of Quest Crew. Vivi is a proud big sister, Disney lover, and coffee enthusiast.

Sabrina Zbylut
Dance Instructor

Sabrina Zbylut has been dancing since she was two and a half years old. She has danced with the park district since her first tiny tappers class. Sabrina has joined the teaching team to give back to the community that shaped her love of dance. Her favorite style of dance is tap. She is excited to teach tap to future generations. Some other styles that she enjoys include ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical and modern. In the past, she has choreographed for A-Factor summer showcases and The Nutcracker in 2021. In the future, she hopes to continue teaching at the park district and teaching children to love dance just as much as she does

Enjoy more dance opportunities with the performing arts drama classes! Some of the best dance numbers come from musicals and shows that are geared towards dancers. Dancers have a flair for the dramatic, and dance numbers are always an exciting, beloved part of any show. Click here to learn more about upcoming theatre classes and auditions.

For students ages  7 to 18, private lessons are available in ballet, tap and jazz. Fee is $35 for each 45-minute class for four-week sessions. Days and times are subject to instructor availability. To schedule a private lesson, call Prisco Community Center at 630-859-8606.