Design Dance

2010-07-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Design Dance has moved to www.designdance.net! Visit us there for the latest on classes, on-site programs and news about our progress!

WINTER CLASSES BEGIN JANUARY 11TH!

2009-11-07T16:02:00.001-08:00

REGISTRATION BEGINS NOVEMBER 30TH!

Winter Session: January 11th - March 5th
All classes take place at Rast Ballet: 1803 W Byron, Suite 201

PRE-DANCE
Mondays: 5:00 - 5:45 pm // Ages 3 - 6

Pre-schoolers benefit from excercises in imagination, coordination, expressive movement with seasonal performance opportunites within the community. A great starting point for both artistically and athletically inclined youngsters.

Cost for 8 week session: $112

JUNIOR CLASS SET

Thursdays: Ages 7 -10

Junior Tap: 4:00 - 5:00
Junior Jazz: 5:00 - 6:00
Junior Ballet: 6:00 - 7:00

Cost per class for 8 week session: $112

AFTER SCHOOL SAMPLER

Mondays: 3:30 - 4:30 // Ages 4-6

Get your week moving with the ‘After School Sampler’! Design Dance presents a new program designed to introduce our youngest creative minds to the vast world of movement arts. Join us every Monday after school as we sample tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, musical theater and more!

Cost for 8 week session: $112

ALL CLASSES SHOULD BE REGISTERED FOR OVER THE PHONE AT 312/361.0864.

Design Dance is excited to be at our temporary home at Rast Ballet in Ravenswood. Close enough to keep our community together, Rast Ballet boasts a beautiful, spacious facility and a wonderfully friendly staff. You can still expect the same quality in our classes and the return of your favorite Design Dance instructors. Rast Ballet is located at 1803 W Byron, on the second floor. For more information about Rast Ballet click here.

Who are we?

2009-11-07T15:47:00.000-08:00

We are proud to say that we are the only dance program of our kind in Chicago. While Design Dance dedicates itself to quality dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern and ballroom, we are also pioneers in all-inclusive arts training in dance education. This includes improvisation, acting and musical theater classes taught by field professionals. Each of our classes encourages not only the mastery of artistic technique, but also focuses heavily on story development and the creation of personal and compelling expression.

Owner, Debra Giunta developed Design Dance in 2008 in an attempt to fill a void she had experienced as a dance instructor. She was concerned at how infrequently dance programs encouraged students to engage themselves in the creative process of dance, choreography and performance. As she began incorporating these concepts in her classes, the reaction from her students was profound. She began watching her students engage personally in the process and artistry of dance and further dedicating themselves towards the mastery of their own technical goals. Design Dance is a program dedicated to bringing these concepts to young dancers in Chicago in hopes of creating confident, self-motivated and inspired performance artists.

FALL UPDATE!

2009-08-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

EVENTS: OPEN HOUSE!
Sunday, November 8th
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Rast Ballet: 1803 W Byron, Suite 201

Join Design Dance Sunday, November 8th to celebrate our new location at Rast Ballet. We’re kicking off the second half of our fall session with an hour long party for kids ages 3 – 10. Our Open House features a free dance class, games and refreshments! Open House will be held on location at: Rast Ballet, 1803 W Byron, Suite 201.
Call 312.361.0864 for more information!

CLASSES: Register Now for Fall II Session at Design Dance, beginning November 9th!
All classes take place at Rast Ballet: 1803 W Byron, Suite 201

PRE-DANCE
Mondays: November 9th - December 14th
5:00 - 5:45 pm // Ages 3 - 6

Pre-schoolers benefit from excercises in imagination, coordination, expressive movement with seasonal performance opportunites within the community. A great starting point for both artistically and athletically inclined youngsters.

Cost for 6 week session: $84

JUNIOR CLASS SET

Thursdays: November 12th - December 17th
Ages 7 -9

Junior Tap: 4:00 - 5:00
Junior Jazz: 5:00 - 6:00
Junior Ballet: 6:00 - 7:00

Cost per class for 6 week session: $84

AFTER-SCHOOL SAMPLER
Mondays: November 9th - December 14th
3:30 - 4:30 // Ages 4-6

Get your week moving with the ‘After School Sampler’! Design Dance presents a new program designed to introduce our youngest creative minds to the vast world of movement arts. Join us every Monday after school as we sample tap, jazz, hip hop, ballet, musical theater and more!

Cost for 6 week session: $84

ALL CLASSES SHOULD BE REGISTERED FOR OVER THE PHONE AT 312/361.0864.

Design Dance is excited to be at our temporary home at Rast Ballet in Ravenswood. Close enough to keep our community together, Rast Ballet boasts a beautiful, spacious facility and a wonderfully friendly staff. You can still expect the same quality in our classes and the return of your favorite Design Dance instructors. Rast Ballet is located at 1803 W Byron, on the second floor. For more information about Rast Ballet click here.

Saturday Dance-Off

2009-08-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday Dance-Off // Registration Details

Saturdays: September 12th - December 19th [14 weeks]
10 am - 1 pm
Ages 6 - 9
10:00 - 11:00: Ballet Dance Off [Rast Ballet]
11:00 - 12:00: Jazz Dance Off [Design Dance]
12:00 - 1:00: Tap Dance Off [Design Dance]

Students may register for any number of the classes listed above.
Fees per session:
1 class - $196 per student
2 classes - $372 per student ($10 discount per class session)
3 classes - $558 per student ($10 discount per class session)

Registration can be completed over the phone at 312/361.0864 or in person at Rast Ballet: 1803 West Byron, Suite 201. Students are advised to register by August 31st to ensure a spot in class.

For more information please call or email at info@designdance.net or info@rastballet.com.

2009-07-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

Many hip hop dance moves can be traced back to the late 1960's with popular soul artists such as James Brown:

Around the same time and throughout the 1970's breakdancing emerged as a form of street dance. Break dancing was a way for young people to express themselves through movement and was inspired by the Afro-Brazilian Martial Art, Capoeira. Here is a video of Capoeira being performed, followed by breakdancing videos from both the 1980's as well as modern day styles.

As you can see, breakdancing is still performed in a "battle" type setting to preserve the original spirit of this form.

As breakdancing developed further into the 70's, other moves were incorporated such as popping, locking, liquid and rocking. The following videos are examples of these styles:

The combination of these styles created many of the commercial dance moves we see on TV today. Michael Jackson was the most famous artist to popularize these moves in his dance performances, though many of his dances originated from local street dancers in New York.

Hip Hop dance today has begun to move back towards it's roots in mainstream culture, with more breakdancing seen in music videos and the recent popularity of hip hop movies such as You Got Served or Step Up 2. These movies have provided a mainstream platform for breakdancing crews such as the Jabbawockeez as well as a way for street dancers to perform in Hollywood film.

In addition, shows such as "America's Best Dance Crew" have given America a new stigma for street dancing and have helped to popularize hip hop dance in local suburban dance studios, fitness centers and dance shows. Only recently have dance recitals begun to showcase hip hop and breakdancing routines.

2009-07-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

We hope you're all having a wonderful summer and are enjoying some time off! Design Dance has been working hard on our next phase and we want you to be first to know. Read on below to learn about opportunities to stay moving this summer and fall.

FOR KIDS: Pre-Dance Returns!

This fall, our popular pre-dance class returns with our lovely and talented instructor, Megan Cottrell. Pre-schoolers benefit from excercises in imagination, coordination, expressive movement with seasonal performance opportunites within the community. A great starting point for both artistically and athletically inclined youngsters.

Click HERE for more information on enrolling in this class!

FOR ADULTS: Belly Dance Workshops!

Join instructor Laila Aziz as she shares the basics of Belly Dance with us this summer! Enjoy two weekends of the cardio, toning and fitness benefits of traditional Belly Dance with your friends.

Click HERE for more information on enrolling in these workshops!

Want Design Dance to run your event or have a great idea of how movement arts could positively influence your community? Are you involved with an organization that could benefit from Design Dance's program being brought to your participants? Email Debra directly at [debra@designdance.net], we'd love to hear your thoughts!

Belly Dance Workshops

2009-07-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

Intro to Belly Dance I

Sunday, August 9th

3:00 - 5:00 pm

Intro to Belly Dance II [this workshop is a continuation of the August 9th workshop]

Sunday, August 23rd

3:00 - 5:00 pm

Cost:

$35 / single workshop, $60 / both workshops

Both workshops will be taking place at:

Rast Ballet

1803 W Byron, Suite 201 [Ravenswood and Byron]

CALL TO REGISTER BY AUGUST 2ND!

Fall Pre-Dance Info

2009-07-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

Pre-Dance (ages 3 - 6)

5:00 - 5:45 pm

Mondays: September 7th - November 16th

Cost for 11 week session:

$154 (if registering before August 17th)

$165 (if registering after August 17th)

Location:

Rast Ballet

1803 W Byron, Suite 201 [Ravenswood and Byron]

CALL TO REGISTER BY AUGUST 17TH!

2009-06-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

Design Dance Is Moving!

Due to some issues outside of our control, the management at Design Dance has decided that it is in the best interest of our students and staff members to close down our location at 4710 N Damen. We are so sad to leave our space but we're excited about the future prospects of our company!

We can't wait to find the perfect space to be our next home but in the meantime, check back with our site as well as your email for updates on temporary class locations, workshops, camps and events that we'll be holding in the community. Not getting email updates? Now would be the perfect time to make sure you stay in the loop! Email the word "ADD" to info@designdance.net and we'll get you on the list.

Also, don't forget to look for us around town as we expand our rapidly growing on-site program in schools, libraries and community centers.

Want Design Dance to run your event or have a great idea of how movement arts could positively influence your community? Are you involved with an organization that could benefit from Design Dance's program being brought to your participants? Email Debra directly at [debra@designdance.net], we'd love to hear your thoughts!

Any further questions, comments or concerns will be happily addressed at info@designdance.net or by calling 312/361.0864.

Thank you all for a wonderful year at 4710 N Damen and we'll see you all soon!

2009-04-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

Registration is now open for our Summer Programs!

Beginning June 29th,

choose from exciting classes on our adult and children's schedule and don't miss out on our three Children's Summer Camps!

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Spring Session is currently in session! We're proud to introduce new additions to our children's classes and a reformatted adult schedule. Also new this spring is our Story-Time Dance Series! Join Design Dance and Megan Cottrell as we dance through our favorite Peter Rabbit stories. This program is open to new students and current students so call 312.361.0864 to register now and hold your spot!

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Also new to our repertoire: Birthday Parties at Design Dance! Let our experienced instructors host a dance themed birthday party for your son or daughter! Catered to any theme you choose, Design Dance creates a memorable afternoon for your child with music, games, dancing and food. Call 312.361.0864 to book your child's next event.

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Design Dance wishes to support the local dance community with competitive rental rates for Chicago dance companies. Please call 312.361.0864 to get more information about scheduling your company's rehearsals with us.

Summer Youth Schedule

2009-04-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

Summer Youth Schedule
June 29th - August 2nd

Pre-Dance
Monday 5:00 - 5:45
Instructor: Megan Cottrell

Junior Ballet
Monday 6:00 - 7:00
Instructor: Megan Cottrell

Ballet I
Monday 7:00 - 8:00
Instructor: Megan Cottrell

Junior Jazz
Tuesday 4:30 - 5:30
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Junior Tap
Tuesday 5:30 - 6:30
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Junior Hip Hop
Wednesday 7:30 - 8:30
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Summer Session [6 weeks]: $84
Register by May 31st for early registration discounts.
Payments may be made over the phone or in person.
Design Dance accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards.

Summer Adult Schedule

2009-04-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

Summer Adult Schedule
June 29th - August 2nd

Belly Dance
Monday 8:00 – 9:00
Instructor: Laila Aziz

Go – Go Fitness Lab
Tuesday 6:30 – 7:30
Instructor: Kaara Kallen

Pilates
Tuesday 7:30 – 8:30
Instructor: Erin Nilles

Teen/Adult Tap
Tuesday 8:30 – 9:30
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Beginning Latin & Rhythm
Wednesday 5:30 – 6:30
Instructor: Szewai Lee

Intermediate Latin & Rhythm
Wednesday 6:30 – 7:30
Instructor: Szewai Lee

Teen/Adult Hip Hop
Wednesday 8:30 – 9:30
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Beginning Burlesque
Saturday 12:30 – 2:00
Instructor: JT Newman

Burlesque for Performance
Saturday 2:00 – 3:00
Instructor: JT Newman

Yoga
Saturday 11:30 – 12:30
Instructor: Lorelei Sturm

Summer Session [6 weeks]: $84
Register by May 31st for early registration discounts.

Payments may be made over the phone or in person.
Design Dance accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards.

2009-03-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

Registration is now open for our Spring Session!
April 5th - June 7th

We're proud to introduce new additions to our children's classes and a reformatted adult schedule.

Also new this spring is our Story-Time Dance Series! Join Design Dance and Megan Cottrell as we dance through our favorite Peter Rabbit stories.

This program is open to new students and current students so call 312.361.0864 to register now and hold your spot!

_________________________________

Registration is now open for our Children's Summer Programs! Choose from camps, workshops and performance opportunities.

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Winter Session is Currently in Session!
January 5th - April 5th

Click here to view our winter schedule.

We are still accepting registration but space is limited.
Call 312.361.0864 to ﬁnd out more and hold your spot.

___________________

Also new to our repertoire:

Birthday Parties at Design Dance!

Let our experienced instructors host a dance themed birthday party for your son or daughter! Catered to any theme you choose, Design Dance creates a memorable afternoon for your child with music, games, dancing and food.
Call 312.361.0864 to book your child's next event.

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Wedding Dance

2009-03-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

Wedding Dance Workshop

Prepare for wedding season this year with an 8-week ballroom dance workshop at Design Dance! Whether you’re walking down the aisle or are looking to impress friends and family in your finest, our workshop is designed to walk you through the techniques to help you look your best on your special night.

Dates: April 19th - June 7th
Times: Sunday Evenings: 6:30 - 7:30
Instructor: Szewai Lee
Price: (for 8 week session)
$224/couple if registering before March 31st
$256/couple if registering after March 31st

2009-03-09T08:14:00.001-07:00

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Summer Programs

2009-03-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

Performance Arts Camp

Design Dance teams up with some of Chicago’s best and brightest Performance Arts instructors! In this four-week program, our instructors guide you through the creation of your own original performances. Choose from dance, musical theater, acting or improv comedy! We’ll cover the history of your performance art, basic elements of performance, techniques, staging, set design and costuming. All camp participants will be invited to culminate their skills in a one-of-a-kind performance on June 30th! Join us this summer as we imagine, create, design…

Ages: 7-12
Time: 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Dates: Monday – Thursdays : July 6th – July 30th
$679 if registering before May 9th
$725 if registering after May 9th

All camp participants should bring a snack daily.

Story-Time Dance Series

Join Design Dance’s Megan Cottrell as we dance through our favorite Peter Rabbit stories! Students use ballet basics and their imagination to create beautiful reenactments of their favorite characters.
Ages: 4 – 6
Time: 1:00 – 2:00
Dates: July 19th, 26th & August 2nd, 19th
Price: $64 per student

Choreography Camp

This weeklong experience will give students the opportunity to experience a multi-faceted dance education and will focus on the core elements of the Design Dance message. Instructors will not only educate participants in proper dance technique but will teach students the basics of choreography and musicality. Throughout the camp, dancers will study the history of choreography while working to create their own original pieces. Dancers will be encouraged towards a feeling of community between themselves and their peers and grow in their understanding of respect, positive encouragement and self-expression. The camp will conclude with a showcase of the dancers’ work for their friends and family. Join us this summer as we watch our students explore the limits of their creativity while having fun creating their own mini-masterpieces.

Ages: 7- 12
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
When: August 17th – 20th
Price:
$210 if registering before May 9th
$235 if registering after May 9th
Showcase: August 20th, 3:00 pm

Dancers should bring their own lunch.

Spring Adult Schedule

2009-02-24T11:24:00.000-08:00

Design Dance Adult Schedule

Spring Session: April 13th -June 7th
Register by March 31st
Register by March 13th for early registration discounts

Capoeira
Monday & Wednesday 8:00 – 9:30
Instructor: Matthew Hill

Go-Go Fitness Lab
Tuesday 6:30 – 7:30
Instructor: Kaara Kallen

Pilates
Tuesday 7:30 – 8:30
Instructor: TBA

Beginning Yoga Workshop
Thursday 5:00 – 6:00
Instructor: Lorelei Sturm

Intermediate Yoga
Thursday 6:00 – 7:00
Instructor: Lorelei Sturm

Intro to Latin & Ballroom Dance
Thursday 7:00 – 8:00
Instructor: Szewai Lee

Intermediate Latin & Ballroom Dance
Thursday 8:00 – 9:00
Instructor: Szewai Lee

Adult Ballet I
Friday 5:30 – 6:30
Instructor: Christal Post

Intro to Belly Dance
Saturday 11:30 - 12:30
Instructor:Laila Aziz

Burlesque for Beginners
Saturday 12:30 – 2:00
Instructor: JT Newman

Burlesque for Performance
Saturday 2:00 – 3:30
Instructor: JT Newman

Acro
Saturday 3:30 – 4:30
Instructor: Chris McCray

Teen/Adult Tap
Sunday 3:30 – 4:30
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Teen/Adult Hip Hop
Sunday 4:30 – 5:30
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Wedding Dance Workshop
Sunday 6:30 - 7:30
Instructor: Szewai Lee
View workshop pricing here

$16 per individual class
$14 per class with the purchase of a full session
Spring Session [8 weeks]: $112
Payments may be made over the phone or in person.
Design Dance accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards.

Spring Children's Schedule

2009-02-24T11:18:00.000-08:00

Design Dance Youth Schedule

Spring Session: April 13th -June 7th
Register by March 31st
Register by March 13th for early registration discounts

Pre-Dance [3-6]
Monday 5:00 – 5:45
Instructor: Megan Cottrell

Pre-Tap [5-6]
Monday 6:00 – 6:45
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Junior Ballet [7-9]
Monday 7:00 – 8:00
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Junior Jazz [7-9]
Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Junior Tap [7-9]
Wednesday 6:00 – 7:00
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Junior Hip-Hop
Wednesday 7:00 8:00
Instructor: Debra Giunta

Ballet I [10-12]
Friday 4:30 – 5:30
Instructor: Christal Post

Mommy & Me [2-4 with parent]
Saturday 9:30 – 10:00
Instructor: Maria Tate

Creative Movement [2-4]
Saturday 10:00 – 10:30
Instructor: Maria Tate

Pre-Ballet [5-6]
Saturday 10:45 – 11:30
Instructor: Maria Tate

NEW! Story-Time Dance Series
Ages 4 -6
May 3rd, 17th, 24th, 31st
2:00 – 3:00 pm

$64 per student

Spring Session [8 weeks]: $112
Payments may be made over the phone or in person.
Design Dance accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards.

2009-01-10T14:17:00.001-08:00

Registration is now open for our Spring Session!
April 5th - June 7th

We're proud to introduce new additions to our children's classes and a reformatted adult schedule.

Also new this spring is our Story-Time Dance Series! Join Design Dance and Megan Cottrell as we dance through our favorite Peter Rabbit stories.

This program is open to new students and current students so call 312.361.0864 to register now and hold your spot!

_________________________________

Winter Session is Currently in Session!
January 5th - April 5th

Click here to view our winter schedule.

We are still accepting registration but space is limited.
Call 312.361.0864 to ﬁnd out more and hold your spot.

___________________

Also new to our repertoire:

Birthday Parties at Design Dance!

Let our experienced instructors host a dance themed birthday party for your son or daughter! Catered to any theme you choose, Design Dance creates a memorable afternoon for your child with music, games, dancing and food.
Call 312.361.0864 to book your child's next event.

______________________

Valentine's Day

2009-01-10T11:34:00.000-08:00

Valentine’s Day Event

Come out for a night of wine tasting and Latin dance!

Friday, February 13th
7:00-9:00 pm

Join Design Dance and Provenance Food & Wine as we celebrate a weekend of romance with wine tasting and Latin dance. First, taste your way through a complimentary sampling of seasonal wines with Provenance Food & Wine owner, Tracy Kellner. Afterwards, our ballroom dance instructor will walk our guests through the basics of Latin dance in a fun and relaxed setting.

$30 - Individual
$45 – Party of two
$20 - per person for groups registering in groups of 4 or more

All guests must be 21 or over to attend
All guests must purchase tickets in advance by no later than Sunday, February 8th

Buy tickets now by calling 312.361.0864

Design Dance
4710 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
Info@designdance.net

Women's Wellness

2009-01-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

Women’s Wellness Day

Sunday, January 25th
1:00-4:00 pm

With the help of our instructors and a licensed nutritionist, Design Dance is setting out to raise awareness for our community members about the importance of good nutrition and healthy exercise. Come and share a pressure free day with us as we learn pilates, yoga, cardio-fitness and experience an in-depth nutrition class (food included!). The perfect way to kick off your fitness plan this year and ensure you meet your goals!

All attendees must register in advance by no later than Sunday, January 18th

Register now by calling 312.361.0864

$35 – Individual
$30 – With a friend
$25 –per person when registering in groups of 4 or more

Design Dance
4710 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
312.361.0864
info@designdance.net

Capoeira Classes

2009-01-10T10:20:00.000-08:00

Capoeira
Mondays and Wednesdays
February 2nd – April 1st
8:00-9:30
Taught by renowned Capoeira instructor Matthew Hill
$14 a class

Capoeira is an African Brazilian movement that combines dance, martial art, music, acrobatics and self defense.

Many theories exist as to how the art developed. Some say that it was a mixing of different african dances brought together under the roof of the Sensala, a slave quarters in brazil. Others believed it was developed by escaped slaves as a means to protect their freedom.

Call 312.361.0864 to register

Design Dance
4710 N Damen
Chicago, IL 60625
www.designdance.net
email: info@designdance.net

2008-11-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

Winter Session is Currently in Session!
January 5th - April 5th

Click here to view our winter schedule and to check out our newly added
Musical Theater & Improv Comedy Classes

We are still accepting registration but space is limited.
Call 312.361.0864 to ﬁnd out more and hold your spot.

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Our 2008 Childrens' Events were a huge success!
This winter, Design Dance is proud to be hosting two events for adults. Click the links below to find out more information:

January 25th, 2009:
Women's Wellness Day

February 13th, 2009:
Valentines Day Event with Provenance Wine and Food

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Also new to our repertoire:
Birthday Parties at Design Dance!

Let our experienced instructors host a dance themed birthday party for your son or daughter! Catered to any theme you choose, Design Dance creates a memorable afternoon for your child with music, games, dancing and food.
Call 312.361.0864 to book your child's next event.

______________________

Beginning Monday, February 2nd:
Design Dance presents Capoeira classes with renowned instructor Matthew Hill
Click here to get more information on this exciting new program!

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2008-11-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

Design Dance After School Program
2009

January 12th-April 5th

Training in the arts is an invaluable asset to a child's education, giving them a means for personal expression, creativity and healthy development.
Design Dance believes in encouraging our young students to be active in many arts mediums. Our three day after school program gives participants the opportunity to experience movement arts while linking that education to a variety of art forms. Our three day program incorporates the following activities:

Dance Technique instruction: An overview of the basics in ballet, jazz, hip hop and modern dance

Choreography Training: An introduction to choreography styles and the opportunity to perform student works

Acting and Performance Skills: Verbal and non-verbal acting skills, character creation and development

Visual Arts Opportunities: Weekly arts and crafts

Musicality: Exposure to various styles of music while learning how and why music effects mood and tone in a performance

Musical Theater Training: Incorporates song and dance to create story and character

Community Building: Educating students to form positive and encouraging friendships with each other, helping to create junior arts communities.

Our instructors are experienced, energetic and endlessly dedicated to fostering the innovation, collaboration and shameless self expression of our students.

Space is limited, so register early to ensure a spot!

After School Program
January 12th - April 5th
(2 Six-Week Sessions)

Pre-school: 2:30-315
Kindergarten: 3:30-4:15
1st Grade: 4:15: 5:00

Session I
January 12-February 18
Monday-Wednesday
$342
Registration Deadline: January 5

Session II
February 23-April 1
Monday-Wednesday
$342
Registration Deadline: February 2

*One or Two day packages are available on request

2008-11-03T15:52:00.000-08:00

Design Dance Winter Session 2009

January 5th-April 5th

Monday
2:30-5:00: After School Arts [click here for more details]

5:00-5:45: Pre-Dance (3-6)

8:00-9:30: Capoeira (Begins 2/2)

Tuesday
10:00-10:45: Future Designers in Training (18-30 mo.)

2:30-5:00: After School Arts [click here for more details]

5:30-6:20: Zumba

6:30-7:30: Go-Go Fitness

7:30-9:00: Burlesque
[This class is for regular students]

Wednesday
2:30-5:00: After School Arts [click here for more details]

5:00-6:00: Junior Jazz (7-9)

6:00-7:00: Junior Tap (7-12)

7:00-8:00: Junior Hip Hop (7-12)

8:00-9:30: Capoeira (Begins 2/2)

Thursday
6:00-7:00: Intro to Yoga Workshop (8 week course running 2/5 - 3/26)
[students bring their own yoga mat]

7:00-8:00: Beginning Social Dance
[Latin & Rhythm]

8:00-9:00: Intermediate Social Dance
[Latin & Rhythm]

Friday
10:00-10:45: Future Designers in Training (18-30 mo.)

4:30-5:30: Ballet I (10-13)

5:30-6:30: Adult Ballet I

6:30-7:30: Ballet II (13+)

7:30-8:30: Adult Ballet II

Saturday
9:30-10:00: Mommy and Me (2-4)

10:00-10:30: Creative Movement (2-4)

10:45-11:30: Pre Ballet (5-6)

11:30-12:15: Pre-Tap (5-6)

12:30-2:00: Beginning Burlesque
[this class is for drop in students]

2:00-3:30: Acro for Recreational/Hip Hop Dancers

3:30-4:30: Pilates
[students bring their own pilates mat]

Sunday
12:00-12:45: Improv and Sketch Comedy for Kids (6-7)

1:00-1:45: Music Theater For Kids (6-7)

4:30-5:30: Teen/Adult Hip Hop

$16 per individual class**
$14 per class with the purchase of a full session
(Winter Session - $182)**
$14 per class with the purchase of a class card**
(only student over the age of 18 may use class cards)
** Payments may be made over the phone or in person.
Design Dance accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards.

Fall Schedule

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Fall Session runs from September 8th until December 14th.

Monday:

5:00-5:45: Pre-Dance

Tuesday:

10:00-10:45: Future Designers In Training (18-30 months with parent or gaurdian)
5:30-6:20: Zumba
6:30-7:30: Yoga (students bring their own yoga mat)
7:30-9:00: Burlesque
9:00-10:00: Studio available for rental.

Wednesday:

5:00-6:00: Junior Jazz (7-9)
6:00-7:00: Junior Tap (7-12)
7:00-8:00: Junior Hip Hop (7-12)

Thursday:

7:00-8:00: Social Dance (Latin)
8:00-9:00: Social Dance (Smooth)

Friday:

10:00-10:45: Future Designers In Training (18-30 months with parent or gaurdian)
4:30-5:30: Ballet I (10-13)
5:30-6:30: Adult Ballet I
6:30-7:30: Ballet II (13+)
7:30-8:30: Adult Ballet II

Saturday:

9:30-10:00: Mommy and Me (2-4)
10:00-10:30: Creative Movement (2-4)
10:45-11:30: Pre Ballet (5-6)
11:30-12:15: Pre-Tap (5-6)
NEW Corpo Dance Class!
2:00-3:30: Acro for Recreational/Hip Hop Dancers
[This course combines contemporary dance with gymnastics. Students will learn to be comfortable moving upside down and improve strength and flexibility. Beginners to Intermediate.]
3:30-4:30: Pilates (students bring their own pilates mat)
4:30-5:30: Yoga (students bring their own yoga mat)

Sunday:

4:30-5:30: Adult Hip Hop

Our pricing is as follows:

$16 per individual class
$14 per class with the purchase of a full session (Fall Session - $196)
$14 per class with the purchase of a class card (only student over the age of 18 may use class cards)

*** Session cost will be pro-rated for mid-session registration ***

Payments may be made over the phone or in person. Design Dance accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards.

Here's Our Mission...

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Read on and tell me what you think! Click the links on the side to get info about classes and how to register.

Design Dance is a studio that aims to give dancers more freedom to take the technique they are learning and turn it into something personal. The classes at Design Dance are aimed towards the encouragement of individual expression as well as proper technique and an understanding of the historical background of their form of dance. In addition, as a student progresses at Design Dance, they will have the opportunity to choreograph and produce their own shows.

Design Dance also doubles as an art gallery. Each session, Chicago artists will submit movement inspired work to then be featured at regular gallery showings for both the students of Design Dance and the public in Chicago.

While dance is our specialty, we are expressing to our students and to the community, a great respect for the various forms of art and for the individuals expressing themselves through them. In this, we are creating an environment of community where dancers feel understood personally as well as a part of a greater whole in which they can contribute to.

We invite you to become part of a project to inspire every dancer regardless of age or ability level to express themselves, challenge themselves and make an art form their own.

What about the gallery?

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Design Dance is also an art gallery and we are looking forward to working with artists with a variety of influences to be part of our project. Please submit all gallery inquiries to the studio email designdancechicago@gmail.com.

The Idea.

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In my 21 years of dance experience, I have been consistently surprised with the way the dance community has been viewed by the general public. As a very young dancer, the fact that I danced was looked upon as “adorable” and, being a female, very fitting. As I got older, my interest in dance became viewed as an athletic. People would comment on how it was a good way for kids to be active and keep themselves in shape. By the time I was a teen dancer, people began taking my hobby a bit more seriously, but dance performance had taken a whole new form. After 7 years of attending and competing in dance competitions, I had learned that taking dance seriously meant spending hundreds of dollars for the chance to be on stage, on purchasing track jackets that represented me as part of a team, on looking better than other teams and on being part of a studio that dominated other studios. I had learned that it was possible to put a price tag on self expression and that your talent was really only good as the award you were taking home.

Don’t get me wrong, there is truth to all of these viewpoints, no doubt. There’s no denying that any 5 year old in a tutu is adorable and that more pre-adolescents should be getting themselves involved with something athletic or that competition is a great motivator for success, but it was nonetheless shocking to me what a drastically different form dance took once I passed the age of 18.

After 7 years of being a dance educator and seeing what goes on in studios, I’ve begun to make some guesses as to why this exists. It’s possible that the reason dance is rarely viewed as an art-form for children the way other art-forms are is quite possibly because the dancers are rarely asked to be artists until they are adults. A painting class for children would never teach a class without asking the young artists to express themselves through painting, so why is it that dancers are not asked to make their art form personal and creative until they are adults?

Design Dance is a project I am starting in hopes that it will give dancers more freedom to take the technique they are learning and turn it into something personal. The benefits of art education are endless for children as well as adults and I feel that the more dance education is viewed as an artistic education and the more dancers feel they are part of an artistic community as opposed to a studio or a team, the more inclined and comfortable each dancer will feel to freely create something that means something to them.

We hope to implement programs in which students can choreograph and produce their own shows and classes where students are asked to express themselves through movement.

In addition, Design Dance doubles as an art gallery. Each session, Chicago artists will submit movement inspired work to then be featured at regular gallery showings for both the students of Design Dance and the public in Chicago.

While dance is our specialty, we hope to express to our students and to the community, a great respect for the various forms of art and for the individuals expressing themselves through them.

We hope to create an environment of community where dancers feel
understood personally as well as a part of a greater whole in
which they can contribute to.

This blog has been started for two reasons.
One: to help us open our studio location successfully. We are looking for any kind of donation from anyone who feels passionately about the arts and about educating individuals towards positive expression.
To help our project become a success you may make a donation to designdancechicago@gmail.com through using Paypal

Two: to raise awareness of our ideas. Even if you cannot afford a donation of any kind, we’d love to hear your feedback about what we’re doing.

If you’d like to get information about the status of Design Dance such as class schedules, upcoming performances, and gallery showings, please email me (Debra) at designdancechicago@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list.

Thank you