Posted on: December 27, 2017

What better way to cap off several months of dance classes, than with an exciting and glamorous dance recital? The Glen Ellyn Park District offers boys and girls the chance to showcase their talents and the result of their hard work during the winter and spring months. “This year’s recital theme is COLORS,” said Jessica Marquez, Recreation Supervisor for the Glen Ellyn Park District. “Each song is about a color or has a color in the title!”

Beginning in mid-January, and running for 20 weeks, the Park District is offering a wide variety of dance recital classes for children age 3 and up. Please note there are no classes during the week of March 26-31.

“Our Creative Movement class is for children ages 3-4,” explained Marquez. “We ask a parent or guardian to stay in the building during class, while the kids learn about space, time, and movement as each relates to dance. The class helps develop motor skills, cognitive development, rhythm, balance, and self-esteem. It’s a great way to introduce your children to dance!”

The other classes offered are geared towards boys and girls age 6 and up. Students can choose from a variety of options, including Pre-Ballet/Tap, where they learn age-appropriate techniques and core concepts of both genres of dance. The Ballet class focuses on ballet technique, history, vocabulary, and musicality. Since ballet is considered the root of all dance, this class also establishes a foundation for students to branch out into other styles of movement. The Tap class helps students develop rhythm, balance, and coordination, along with learning the history, vocabulary, and musicality of tap dance.

Jazz combines ballet technique with both traditional and more contemporary jazz movements. Lyrical dance combines ballet and jazz, using fluid movements that express the emotions of the dancer. Theatrical dance focuses on performance-based dance, including learning to be expressive on stage while dancing to Broadway musical scores.

“Our annual season finale dance recital will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Glenbard South High School,” said Marquez. “A mandatory dress rehearsal will be Friday, June 8th.”

For additional information, including registration and costume fees, please contact Jessica Marquez at [email protected], or visit www.gepark.org/dance.