Lake Forest Dance Academy

For families and individuals throughout Illinois, especially those residing in the beautiful community of Lake Forest, the opportunity to engage in high-quality dance education is a valuable asset. Lake Forest Dance Academy, an integral part of the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department, stands as a premier destination for dance instruction. This academy is dedicated to nurturing a love for dance while providing a solid technical foundation across a diverse range of styles. From the very first steps of a preschooler to the advanced techniques of an experienced dancer, Lake Forest Dance Academy offers a welcoming and enriching environment for all aspiring artists in the Illinois region.

Lake Forest Dance Academy operates with a curriculum based on a creative, conceptual approach, aiming to develop the joy and passion of dancing. This approach connects linguistic, kinesthetic, and spatial concepts to the teaching and learning of technical skills and choreography. The academy emphasizes that all full-year academy classes participate in their Annual Spring Recital, providing invaluable performance experience. Their philosophy extends beyond mere steps, aiming to instill qualities essential to dance: balance, poise, strength, and flexibility, while stressing French terminology, alignment, control, and coordination in ballet.

The academy is designed to cater to various stages of a dancer's journey. They offer programs for infants through seven years of age, ensuring a developmentally appropriate introduction to dance that also integrates concepts of self-awareness, teamwork, creative expression, musical awareness, and imagination. For older students, the dance division aims to educate and inspire, with classes ranging from beginner to pre-professional levels. They prioritize a nurturing environment, recognizing that every student has something to offer the arts, and that the arts, in turn, have something profound to offer every student. The mission is clear: to instill a great love of dance, while inspiring self-confidence, discipline, and respect for the performing arts, providing the tools needed for students to take dance as far as they dream.

Lake Forest Dance Academy is conveniently located at 400 Hastings Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA. This accessible address places the academy within the vibrant community of Lake Forest, making it a highly convenient option for residents within the city and surrounding areas of Illinois. Hastings Road provides straightforward access, contributing to the ease with which families can reach the facility.

As part of the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department, the dance academy benefits from being situated within a well-established community hub. This often means ample parking and a familiar, safe environment for students and parents. For families commuting from nearby North Shore communities such as Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Highland Park, or Deerfield, the journey to Lake Forest Dance Academy is typically efficient and manageable. The integration with city recreational facilities often provides additional amenities and a sense of community. This ease of accessibility is a significant advantage for any local service, reducing logistical challenges for busy families and ensuring that participation in dance classes is a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.

Lake Forest Dance Academy offers a comprehensive array of dance classes and programs designed to accommodate a wide range of ages, skill levels, and interests. Their curriculum emphasizes strong technical training alongside artistic development. Here's a look at some of the key services and classes they typically offer:

• Mini Dancer Program (Ages 2-9):
  • Tiny Tots (2-3 years, with caregiver): Pre-Ballet & Pre-Tumbling Combo.
  • Tippy Toes (Age 3): Foundational movement and dance.
  • Pop & Roll (2-5 years): Pre-Mini Hip Hop & Pre-Mini Acro Combo.
  • Creative Movement (Age 4): Pre-Ballet & Pre-Tap Combo.
  • Kinderdance (Age 5): Ballet & Tap Combo.
  • Primary 1, 2, 3 (Ages 6-9): Ballet, Tap & Jazz Combo.
  • Mini Acro (Ages 4-9): Acrobatic Dance Fusion.
  • Mini Hip Hop (Ages 4-9): Young Street Style Dance.
  • Junior Musical Theatre (Ages 8-12): Broadway Song & Dance.
  • Classes for Dancers with Special Needs (All Ages).
• Classic Dancer Program (Ages 9-18+):
  • Ballet: Comprehensive curriculum from introductory to advanced levels, including Pre-Pointe, Demi-Pointe, and Pointe. Emphasizes French terminology, alignment, control, and coordination.
  • Jazz: Blends ballet and modern techniques with upbeat movements, focusing on individual style, originality, leaps, and turns.
  • Tap: Focuses on rhythm, musicality, and tap history, exploring Broadway tap and rhythm tap styles.
  • Modern: Explores elements of dance (time, space, energy), building on natural creativity with strong technique, strength, and flexibility. Styles include Martha Graham, Horton, Cunningham, Humphrey-Limon.
  • Hip Hop: Teaches techniques like popping, locking, breakdancing, and freestyle, with an emphasis on history, musicality, and body awareness.
  • Acro: Combines dance with acrobatic elements, following the Acrobatic Arts Syllabus, focusing on tumbling, flexibility, strength, and balance.
  • Contemporary: Combines elements of various dance forms, promoting expressive movement.
  • Musical Theatre: Integrates dance with acting and vocal training for theatrical performances.
  • Improv: Classes to develop spontaneous movement and creative expression.
  • Leaps & Turns: Specialized classes to refine specific dance techniques.
  • Cecchetti: A specific method of ballet training.
• Adult Program (18+): Classes suited for beginners and experienced dancers, including Adult Tap, Adult Irish Step Dance, Belly Dance, and Ballet, with flexible material to suit participants' needs.
• Performance Company: An elite-level program for dedicated dancers seeking enhanced performance and training opportunities beyond the annual recital, including intensive studio training and multi-genre choreography for competition season.
• Summer Camps & Intensives: Themed summer camps for younger dancers (e.g., Trolls, Barbie inspired) and intensive technique weeks for intermediate to advanced dancers focusing on turns, leaps, strength, and various dance styles.
• Annual Spring Recital: A culminating performance for all full-year academy classes.

Lake Forest Dance Academy is distinguished by several key features and highlights that contribute to its standing as a premier dance institution in the Illinois region:

• Comprehensive Age Range: Programs cater to a wide spectrum, from toddlers as young as 2 years old (Tiny Tots with caregiver) to adults, ensuring dance is accessible at every life stage.
• Diverse Dance Genres: An extensive offering of styles including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Modern, Acro, Contemporary, Irish Step Dance, and Musical Theatre, providing a well-rounded dance education.
• Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum: Classes are carefully designed to meet the cognitive, kinesthetic, and emotional needs of each age group, from early childhood to advanced levels.
• Focus on Holistic Development: Beyond technical skills, the academy emphasizes building confidence, discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and a solid work ethic, along with creative thinking and social-emotional skills.
• Experienced and Dedicated Staff: Instructors are committed to providing quality teaching with proper technique in an encouraging and nurturing environment.
• Performance Opportunities: All full-year academy classes participate in the Annual Spring Recital, offering essential stage experience. Competitive companies also have additional performance and competition showcases.
• Integration with Community Services: As part of the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department, the academy benefits from robust community support and facilities.
• Emphasis on Ballet Foundation: Ballet training is stressed as essential for improving development in all dance forms, highlighting a commitment to fundamental technique.
• Supportive Environment: The academy fosters a warm and welcoming atmosphere, promoting respect, encouragement, and support among students.

For those interested in enrolling in classes or learning more about the programs offered at Lake Forest Dance Academy, here is their contact information:

Address: 400 Hastings Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA

Phone: (847) 810-3948

Lake Forest Dance Academy is an outstanding and highly suitable choice for locals in Lake Forest and the broader Illinois area. For parents seeking enriching activities for their children, the academy provides a safe, structured, and inspiring environment where young dancers can develop physical skills, artistic expression, and vital life lessons such as discipline, teamwork, and self-confidence. The wide array of classes, from preschool dance to competitive programs, ensures that every child can find a pathway tailored to their interests and aspirations. The dedication to proper technique, combined with a nurturing approach, makes it an ideal place for young talent to flourish.

Furthermore, the academy’s adult programs offer a wonderful opportunity for individuals of all experience levels to engage with dance for fitness, fun, or artistic pursuit. The convenience of its Lake Forest location, coupled with its integration into the well-regarded Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department, ensures accessibility and a strong community connection. Lake Forest Dance Academy stands as a testament to quality dance education, truly enriching the lives of its students and the cultural landscape of the Illinois community.

Lake Forest Dance Academy

400 Hastings Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA