Welcome to the Academy of Ballet Wauconda 2016/2017
Thank you for choosing the Academy of Ballet Wauconda for your dance training. The staff and I are looking forward to teaching your children the performing art of dance! We have been serving dancers from Barrington, Crystal Lake, Deer Park, Fox Lake, Gurnee, Hawthorn Woods, Island Lake, Lake Zurich, Lake Villa, Libertyville, McHenry, Mundelein, Port Barrington, Round Lake Beach and Wauconda for 14 years. We specialize in teaching pre professional dancers as well as recreational dance instruction for ages 3 through adult.
The entrance to the studio is on Bangs Street. Please feel free to park in the municipal parking lot behind the studio. We are very lucky to have the public parking lot so close and accessible to our facility. Please do not park in the parking spots reserved for apartments 1-5. These parking spots are reserved for individuals who live on the property. For the safety of all our students please do not park in the drop off/pick up lane. There is additional parking behind the village hall building every evening except for Tuesdays.
This year the teaching faculty is comprised of Melissa Hayden, Eric Otto, Michelle Lemm, Sara Swenson, Alexander Kopchinsky, Lauren Mackey, Cindee Kassel Wenshutonis, Kayla Corollo and Christine Miller. Our Office manager is Alana Blanchard. Alana will be in the studio office Monday-Thursday 4:00-7:00pm and Saturdays 10:00-1:00.
We highly recommend all parents and students to review a copy of the studio handbook. It is very important that we all maintain the industry standards to ensure the proper assimilation of technique in a productive and safe environment. We will also have the handbook posted in the studio lobby. The staff and I hope you will take the time to review the expectations of the Academy of Ballet.
A copy of the dress code is available on the website as well as in the studio. This year we will be utilizing an online ticket-purchasing site via Tutu Tix. This process will make ticket sales simple and convenient for everyone.
It is imperative that students, teachers and parents work together in the dance training process. The mission of the Academy of Ballet is to give each student the best possible dance instruction in a safe environment. We want each student to achieve his or her full potential in and out of the studio. In doing so, we hope to further develop the individuals self esteem and love of dance.
A large majority of our advanced students participate on High school Dance teams and Orchesis programs. Our Current/former students have been accepted to Ball State, Boston Ballet summer programs, American Ballet Theater summer intensive, Hope College summer intensive, Milwaukee ballet, Fort Wayne Ballet, Oklahoma City ballet and other professional schools. Our professional staff has the capability to train dancers in both a recreational and professional path of study. Most of all, we pride ourselves in providing a loving, nurturing environment to learn and grow. We are looking forward to a great 2016/2017 season.
Our annual recital is for all students who have been enrolled in both sessions of dance September through June. This year our recital is June 4th at the famous Genesee Theater on the same stage, acts like Riverdance, Chicago, Goo Goo Dolls and B-52’s have performed. The theme this year is “Divas and Legends”. Recital information will be emailed out in November.
All dancers will be measured first session for a costume. Costume fees are not included in tuition fees. Please inform the office by Thanksgiving break if your child will not be ale to participate in the June recital. All dancers will be responsible for costume fees. More information will be given out throughout the year regarding the June recital!
Please come into the studio weekly to read the information board. There will also be important updates on our Facebook page as well. A calendar will be emailed to all registered students. Please email us at www.dancewauconda.com with any questions or call us at (847) 487-4700.
Please vote us Best Dance Studio in Lake County on the Daily Herald!
Warmest regards,
Melissa Hayden
Artistic Director of the Academy of Ballet Wauconda LTD.