About Us

5410 Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL 60031

847-367-7970    info@dancenter-north.com 

Dancenter North, founded by Cheri Lindell in 1974, is located directly across from Six Flags Great America in the northern suburbs of Chicago.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Stacy Joy Keller & Geno Kett, Owners & Directors

Samantha Robison, Operations Manager

Tara Schobert, School Administrator

Stacie Bracewell, Reception

Kelly Farmer, Reception

Edmar De La Cruz, Avenue Dancewear, Reception

Tony Braskich, Technical Director

Catherine Mergen / Sarah Weiler, Wardrobe Mistresses

 

CURRENT SESSION: SPRING (JAN 6 - MAY 25)

Registration for Spring Classes is ongoing through the end of February.

You can register online only if you are paying in full by credit card. To register, click on the Registration link in the menu bar and follow the directions to complete the process.  If you would like to take advantage of our payment plan, pay by check or cash, or you need to redeem a coupon or gift certificate, please register in person or over the phone.  Our staff is happy to assist you!  If you have any questions, please call us at (847) 367-7970.

Fall and Spring sessions- Tuition may be paid in full or split into two half payments at the time of registration.  All families pay a one-time family registration fee of $40 each academic year.  Registration is accepted online, in person, or by phone.  Prorated tuition is available after the start of the Fall and Spring sessions.  

Summer Session- Tuition must be paid in full at the time of registration.  Prorated tuition is not available for Summer session classes.  New families joining us for Summer pay a family registration fee of $10.  

TUITION POLICY

Tuition is paid by the semester and is due at the time of registration.  A full refund will be provided (less a $40 processing fee) for all class withdrawals up until the first day of the session.  Absolutely no refunds will be issued beginning the first day of the session.  Medical credits will be given if injury/medical conditions exceeds two weeks and is accompanied by a doctor's note.  Credit will be applied to the next semester's tuition only.  Dancenter North requires a minimum of 5 registered students by the first day of the session or the class risks cancellation.

Multi-Class Discount (Fall & Spring sessions only)- When a family registers for two or more classes in a session, there is a 10% discount applied to all eligible classes, less fees. The multi-class discount is applied before eligibility for individual/family carte blanche is determined.

Individual Carte Blanche - Individual carte blanche is determined after the multi-class discount has been applied to one student's eligible tuition total and earns unlimited classes for $2,325 during the 19-week Spring session. Fees do not contribute towards individual carte blanche eligibility.

Family Carte Blanche - Family carte blanche is determined after the multi-class discount has been applied to all students' eligible tuition total and earns unlimited classes for all family members for $4,452 during the 19-week Spring session.  Fees do not contribute towards individual carte blanche eligibility.

Fees- Applicable registration-related fees include registration fees, défilé fees, class fees (including Pro Track, company classes, camps and workshops), class change fees, and late registration fees. Fees are not subject to discounts or carte blanche eligibility.

Annual Registration Fee- A $40 fee is applied at time of registration. This fee is charged one time per family per year. 

 

DÉFILÉ

                             

WHAT IS DÉFILÉ ?

We like to think of Défilé (day'-feh-lay') as a "concert-graduation".  It gives our students an opportunity to perform on the stage in a comfortable situation without hours of rehearsal and tons of pressure.  Parents can witness the progress their student has made over the year.  It isn't a big spectacle with fancy costumes and sets.  Dancenter North borrowed this concept from the Paris Opera Ballet School who present a Défilé (translation: parade) each year at the end of their season.

 

WHEN IS DÉFILÉ ?

Students are presented on stage at the end of the Spring session (May) in a series of concerts, separated by age group.

 

WHO PARTICIPATES?

All students in classes starting with our Intro to Pre-Ballet classes up through our graduating 8th graders participate in Défilé.  High School students and adults do not participate.

 

HOW MUCH REHEARSAL CAN WE EXPECT?

Dancenter North believes that class time should be spent developing technique.  For that reason, practice for Défilé is kept at a minimum and rehearsed only during a small fraction of class time.

 

WHAT IS THE PRODUCTION FEE FOR AND HOW MUCH IS IT?

The fee pays for the supplement to the student's apparel for the occasion.  Our staff works to find an apporpriate accessory or costume piece for each class and each student.  It is organized, packaged, and delivered to each student the week prior to performances.  A $35 production fee is applied for each dance discipline in which the student is registered.  If your student is registered for more than one class per discipline in the Spring session, you will only pay one fee for that discipline.

 

NEW STUDENTS

We welcome new students all year!  Come try us out for FREE!  Students may join any beginning level class without an evaluation (including all Early Childhood classes), so long as they meet the posted age requirement. Students with prior experience wishing to join a higher level class must be evaluated by a Dancenter North instructor.  Evaluations are scheduled through the office.  Trial classes are free of charge (one free class per student, per discipline).  Please contact the office to schedule your trial class: 847-367-7970 or info@dancenter-north.com

ATTENDANCE

Warm-up exercises are for your benefit and missing this important time of class could be detrimental and lead to injuries.  It is also a distraction to have latecomers walk into the classroom.  Please be prepared to sit and observe class at the teacher's discretion if you are late.  Students will not be allowed to leave class early.  It is disruptive to the class and could lead to injury if not properly cooled down.

MAKE UP POLICY

Missed a class?  No problem!  Missed classes may be made up any time during the current term in a similar type of class at the missed class level or below.  Please contact the office to schedule a make up class- 847-367-7970.  Make up requests will only be accepted according to attendance records for the current semester.  Any classes not made up during the term are forfeited.

DROP-IN CLASSES

All classes, with the exception of company rehearsal classes and Professional Track classes, are available as single class drop-ins.  Find your desired class online at http://register.dancenter-north.com/Login/index and pay in advance!  Drop-in classes may also be paid for at the front desk or over the phone.    

SINGLE CLASS PRICES

30-60 mins- $25 / 75 mins- $28 / 90 mins- $30

 

WINTER WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY

Concerning snow and other inclement weather, Dancenter North will make decisions regarding potential class cancellations no later than two hours prior to classes beginning on any particular day.  Notices will be posted directly on the home page of our website:  http://www.dancenter-north.com 

We are committed to the safety of all students and staff.  We ask that families be proactive when weather takes a turn for the worse.  As always, if you are not comfortable traveling, please take advantage of our liberal make up policy.  When Dancenter North closes the studio due to weather, classes for that day will not be rescheduled.  Students are welcome to make up their missed classes anytime within the current session.