The dance recital program begins in September and concludes in May with the annual spring recital. The first half of the program focuses on skill development and technique. Dancers will begin recital choreography the first week in January when back from winter break. Parent observations will be held at the end of a class once a month so you can keep up with your dancer’s progress. Recital classes will be listed in the Fall Activity Guide. Please register at least two weeks prior to the class start date. Monthly payment plan is an option. To register: click here
Seasonal dance classes are on a seasonal basis. Sessions are short and provide young dancers the opportunity to try different disciplines of dance before making the commitment to the Dance Recital Program. Parent observations will be held at the end of class on the last class of the session. Please register at least one week prior to the class start date. To register: click here
Showcase classes run June through August and conclude with the annual summer showcase. This is a great preview to the dance recital program because of the shortened session length. Parent observations will be held at the end of class once a month so you can keep up with your dancer’s progress. Showcase classes will be listed in the Summer Activity Guide. Please register at least one week prior to the class start date. To register: click here
For more information, contact:
- Dance Coordinator Samantha Newman at 630-513-4394 or dancecoordinator@stcparks.org
- Dance Company Instructor at dancecompany@stcparks.org
- Recreation Supervisor Rosie Fasching at 630-513-4334 or rfasching@stcparks.org
- Assistant Superintendent of Recreation Katie Miller at 630-513-4390 or kmiller@stcparks.org
Spring 2019 Recital Information
Dress Rehearsal & Picture Day: Friday, May 10 ♦ Norris Cultural Arts Center
Spring Recital: Saturday, May 11 ♦ Norris Cultural Arts Center
Dance Recital Information Packet
Dance Recital Tickets On Sale Now: click here
The St. Charles Dance Academy Company Team is an entry point into the world of dance performance by offering dancers the opportunity to build strength and poise, increase flexibility and balance, and improve self-confidence all while in a team environment. There are two levels beginning with Co. I and then Co. II. Dancers will be placed appropriately according to their age and ability. Dance Teams participate in 3-4 dance competitions, 4-5 community performances and in the annual park district spring dance recital.
Auditions are held in May and August. Those selected from the May auditions are invited to join for the summer and following fall-spring seasons. Dancers must be six years old by September 1 of the upcoming fall-spring season. Advanced registration is required. All students auditioning should dress for a dance class (leotard, footed tights, ballet or jazz shoes and hair pulled back). To register: click here
For more information, contact:
- Dance Company Instructor Samantha Newman at dancecompany@stcparks.org
- Recreation Supervisor Rosie Fasching at 630-513-4334 or rfasching@stcparks.org
Meet Our Instructors
Samantha Newman is the Dance Program Coordinator and Lead Instructor for the St. Charles Dance Academy. She coordinates and instructs in both our Recital and Company programs. Samantha has a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts Studies from Brigham Young University with an emphasis on playwriting and costume and makeup design. Ms. Samantha grew up in a South suburb of Chicago and began dance training at age 3 in Ballet, Jazz and Tap, with a primary focus on Tap. Ms. Samantha has taught Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Creative Dance and Strength and Conditioning to children, teens and adults of all levels at studios in Utah and Illinois since 2005. She continues her dance education through Chicago area teacher workshops several times a year. Ms. Samantha is proud to bring to our program her enthusiasm and love for dance and performance, her background in theatrical production, and her years of experience in dance arts education to all ages and levels. She lives in St. Charles with her husband and two children.
Allison Cole is a graduate of St. Charles East High School and a current student at NIU, where she is studying Special Ed with an emphasis in visual impairment. Ms. Allison started dancing at a young age here at the St. Charles Dance Academy and competed with the Company Team. Ms. Allison has experience in musical theater, lyrical, ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop. Allison is also continually taking dance classes as part of her education. She is the fundraising chairperson for Delta Gamma Sorority at NIU and works for the Northern Star. Ms. Allison has been teaching with us for over 5 years and is well-loved by her students and parents! Allison is an integral part of our team and she enjoys sharing her passion for dance and education with her students.
Stephanie Cirillo comes to us with over 20 years of dancing and coaching experience. She holds a BS degree from Illinois State University in Marketing, with a minor in Dance Performance. Stephanie is trained in multiple styles including ballet, modern, jazz and hip hop. Professionally, she has been a member of dance teams including the Chicago Luvabulls, Schaumburg Flyers Dance Team, Chicago Storm Chasers, and McHenry County Pirates Dance team. Stephanie has coached and choreographed for cheer and dance teams for over 20 years including recreational leagues and high school teams; most recently she was the Head Dance Coach for Cheer Illinois Athletics and Illinois Knights Elite. She choreographed at Conant High school and was a dance coach and team member at Cheer Chicago All Stars. Stephanie lives in St. Charles with her husband and two children, and she is looking forward to sharing her experience with dancers in this, her home community. We are so excited to have her on our team!
Sheila O'Connor has been involved with Irish Dancing since she was 6 years old. She has been with the Weber School of Irish Dance from the beginning and will begin her 27th year as a teacher with them this Fall. Ms. Sheila frequently visits Ireland and has a deep love and knowledge of the art form and cultural history and significance of Irish dance. She is also a school teacher who works with elementary age students with learning disabilities. The Weber Dancers have been working with the St. Charles Park District for over 21 years, and Ms. Sheila is looking forward to another exciting year of dance.
Jessica Atkins graduated cum laude from Illinois State University in May 2018 as a Psychology major. While at Illinois state, she was president of a the student-run Poise dance team, and competed with ISU's competitive hip hop team Urban Movement. Jessica also coached multiple ISU fraternities in dance competitions. She is trained in lyrical, jazz, and hip hop, and has worked as a teaching assistant and instructor at Chicago area dance studios and park districts for several years. Jessica is currently in graduate school at National Louis University working toward her masters in clinical mental health counseling. She is a motivated dancer and instructor, and she's excited to join our team, coach our dancers, and share in the love of movement and performance!
Eli Wagner will be teaching our hip hop level 2, 3, and 4 recital program classes. Eli spent the summer of 2019 in Los Angeles training at Millennium Dance Complex in their dance certificate program. Mr. Eli was originally trained by Robert Lewis, competing with his studio under his direction. Eli also competed with Xtreme in Naperville. He’s assisted as an instructor at Marx Dance Academy in Wisconsin and at Beth Fowler School of Dance, and he’s grown as an instructor and choreographer on his own, teaching at multiple west suburban area dance studios with numerous pieces placing in competitions. Mr. Eli is very excited to start to work with both our recital and company dancers – his love for the art of hip hop is clear, and he’s looking forward to growing this program!
Jessica Dirck is a new addition to the St. Charles Dance Academy team who will be teaching some of our early childhood dance classes. She is coming with 10 years of dance experience, which include a background in ballet, tap and modern dance. Jessica grew up in the Tri-Cities and graduated from NIU with a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. She has taught for over 15 years as a Special Educator, with 7 of those years being in Early Childhood Education. Jessica has enjoyed working with youth in the community by coaching girls' high school track and field, Special Olympics teams, and being a Girl Scout troop leader. She currently lives in St. Charles with her husband and two daughters, who have been part of St. Charles Dance Academy for over 4 years.
Stefani Paladino has danced here at the St. Charles Dance Academy for over 11 years in both our Recital and Company programs. She has been an assistant teacher with us for 2 years and is thrilled to be teaching classes of her own! Stefani has assisted our instructors in hip hop, jazz, and ballet, substitute taught multiple styles, and ran dance camps and a hip hop Summer Showcase class. While dancing on our competitive teams, Stefani performed group pieces, solos and duets, was a leader for the teams, and helped the teams take home multiple awards. Stefani also performs in local musical theater productions. Stefani is deepening her experience in teaching children through her own education, where she has been taking child development classes and student taught a second grade class. Stefani's students love her and she is a wonderful addition to our team!
Megan Rateike began her dance training at Allegro Dance Theatre in Joliet at age 3. She then danced competitively at Forte Arts Center for 10 years. Megan is trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, modern, tap, musical theatre and some hip hop! She has extensive competing experience in all genres of dance and all competitive categories, competing regionally and nationally and winning numerous high score placements. Megan has also enjoyed performing non-competitively with her teams. Ms. Megan studied ballet at a pre-professional level for 4 years under instructor Callie Marik, competing at the Youth America Grand Prix and gaining additional training at the Milwaukee Ballet. Megan has studied under numerous master instructors throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond. She is so excited to join our team this year and looks forward to sharing her experience and love of dance with her students!