Come Dance with Us!

Step into the world of dance with the DeKalb Park District! Our engaging classes for ages 18 months to 10 years spark creativity, build confidence, and develop lifelong skills in a fun, supportive environment. Whether your child is taking their very first dance steps or ready to grow their technique, there’s a place for every dancer to shine.

Location: Sports & Recreation Center, Studio 


Dance Class Attire

General Dance Guidelines

  • Hair should be neatly tied back for all classes. 
  • Avoid jewelry or accessories that could interfere with movement. 
  • Dancers may bring a refillable water bottle. 

Combo Classes

Clothing

  • Leodard: Any color
  • Pink or skin-tone tights
  • Cover-ups: Ballet skirt or shorts
  • Boys: Black stretch pants and black or white shirt

Shoes

  • Black tap shoes
  • Pink or skin-tone ballet shoes

Hip Hop Classes

Clothing

  • Stretchable clothing, such as leggings, jazz pants, or tank tops

Shoes

  • Jazz shoes or clean sneakers that are not worn outside

Acro Classes

Clothing

  • Stretchable clothing, such as leggings, jazz pants, or tank tops

Shoes

  • Jazz shoes or bare feet

Dance Class Descriptions

Acro 

Acro combines the strength and flexibility of gymnastics with the creativity and movement of dance. In this fun and engaging class, students learn acrobatic skills such as rolls, balances, cartwheels, bridges, and tumbling techniques while developing coordination, body control, confidence, and flexibility. 


Tiny Twirlers 

Get ready to wiggle, giggle, and move as one! This playful adult-child class introduces your little one to the magic of dance through rhythmic movement, upbeat music, and imaginative play. By participating side-by-side with your child, you’ll share a unique bonding experience that celebrates creativity and the simple joy of movement. 
 


Mini Hip Hop 

Get ready to move and groove in this class specifically designed for energetic 3-to-4-year-olds! This upbeat class introduces little dancers to the basics of hip hop through fun rhythm games, age-appropriate choreography, and popular music they love 


Mini Combo 

Join us for our enchanting beginners dance class, where children aged 3 to 4 will embark on a joyful journey through the vibrant styles of tap, jazz, and ballet. Our nurturing instructors introduce foundational movements in a warm, magical environment, helping your little one build confidence, coordination, and a lasting love for dance. We invite you to let your child take their first steps into this creative world and discover the pure delight of movement! 


Petite Combo 

This class is specifically designed for dancers aged 5 to 6 to master the fundamentals of tap, jazz, and ballet. Our instructors focus on developing stronger technique and coordination while fostering a boost in confidence and creative expression. It’s the perfect environment for young performers to refine their movements and build a lasting foundation for their dance journey! 



Beginner Combo 

Ignite your dancer's passion in this high-energy class, where 7 to 8-year-olds can start their dance journey or level up their skills in a mix of tap, jazz, and ballet! It’s a fun, fast-paced environment where your dancer can shine, build lasting friendships, and find their own unique stage presence! 


Senior Chair Tap 

Get ready to find your rhythm and make some noise in a high-spirited workout class designed specifically for adults aged 50 and better! This class offers all the percussive fun of traditional tap dance from the comfort of a stable chair, making it perfect for those who want to protect their joints while staying active. 

Senior Chair Tap

Ages 50+

11:00 - 11:45 AM

Resident: $63.00 | Non-resident: $78.00 (includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 21 - October 26 Register Here
November 9 - December 14 Register Here


Mini Hip Hop

Ages 3-4

4:30 - 5:00 PM

Resident: $42.00 | Non-resident: $53.00 (Includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 21 - October 26 Register Here
November 9 - December 14 Register Here


Mini Combo

Ages 3-4

5:00 - 5:30 PM

Resident: $42.00 | Non-resident: $53.00 (Includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 21 - October 26 Register Here
November 9 - December 14 Register Here

Petite Combo

Ages 5-7

5:30 - 6:15 PM

Resident: $63.00 | Non-resident: $78.00 (Includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 21 - October 26 Register Here
November 9 - December 14 Register Here


Beginner Combo

Ages 8-10

6:00 - 7:15 PM

Resident: $63.00 | Non-resident: $78.00 (includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 21 - October 26 Register Here
November 9 - December 14 Register Here

Tiny Twirlers

Ages 18 months - 2 years (with an adult)

9:15 - 9:45 AM

Resident: $42.00 | Non-resident: $53.00 (includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 22 - October 27 Register Here
November 10 - December 15 Register Here

Mini Acro

Ages 3-4

4:30 - 5:00 PM

Resident: $42.00 | Non-resident: $53.00 (includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 22 - October 27 Register Here
November 10 - December 15 Register Here

Petite Acro

Ages 5 - 7

5:00 - 5:45 PM

Resident: $63.00 | Non-resident: $78.00 (includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 22 - October 27 Register Here
November 10 - December 15 Register Here

Beginner Acro

Ages  8- 10

5:00 - 5:45 PM

Resident: $63.00 | Non-resident: $78.00 (includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 22 - October 27 Register Here
November 10 - December 15 Register Here

Tiny Twirlers

Ages 18 months - 2 years (with an adult)

9:30 - 10:00 AM

Resident: $42.00 | Non-resident: $53.00 (Includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 19 - October 24 Register Here
November 7 - December 12 Register Here

Mini Hip Hop

Ages 3-4

10:00 - 10:30 AM

Resident: $42.00 | Non-resident: $53.00 (Includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 19 - October 24 Register Here
November 7 - December 12 Register Here

Mini Combo

Ages 3-4

10:30 - 11:00 AM

Resident: $42.00 | Non-resident: $53.00 (Includes 6 classes)

Register Below:
Date

Registration link

September 19 - October 24 Register Here
November 7 - December 12 Register Here

Sam Haywood

Cultural Arts & Events Manager / Dance Instructor


Sam Haywood has been dancing for over 25 years and teaching for more than 15 years. A graduate of Northern Illinois University with degrees in Hospitality Administration and Dance Performance, Sam has trained extensively in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern, and Contemporary dance. Sam has also choreographed for theater productions, dance teams, and studios throughout the region, with works performed at Dance Chicago, dance competitions, and NIU’s Art for Life.

 

As a performer, Sam has appeared in numerous classical ballet roles, including the Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the Fairy of the Golden Vine in Sleeping Beauty, the Winter Fairy in Cinderella, and Odile in excerpts from Swan Lake. With a passion for both performance and education, Sam is dedicated to helping dancers develop strong technique, confidence, and artistry in a positive and supportive environment.

Kate Kaminski 

Dance Instructor


Kate Kaminski is a former competitive dancer with over 13 years of training and performance experience. She was recruited to the Illinois State University Competitive Dance Team, where she competed at the NCAA Division I level for three consecutive years. Prior to college, Kate was a four-year member of the DeKalb High School Varsity Dance Team.

 

She is extensively trained in Acro, Jazz, Contemporary, Pom, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop. Throughout her collegiate dance career, Kate has taught master classes preparing dancers for the collegiate level across the DeKalb area as well. 

 

In addition to performing, Kate has developed strong leadership experience as the head coach of a local middle school dance team in Normal, Illinois, serving in the role for two consecutive years. Kate is dedicated to incorporating both strong technique and fun in her classes and sharing her passion with dancers.