Dance and Tumbling Programs
Program Information
The Park District of Franklin Park Dance Program offers a variety of dance classes. Our instructors’ love of dance and excitement for teaching is seen in the various classes we offer. Our classes are designed to instill confidence, improve flexibility and balance, develop rhythm, encourage self-expression, and enhance memorization skills.
Attire:
Creative Movement: leotard, tights, and pink or black ballet shoes.
Ballet: leotard, tights, and pink or black ballet shoes.
Tap & Ballet Combo Classes: leotard, tights, pink or black ballet shoes and black tap shoes.
Jazz: Dance pants and black jazz shoes.
Poms: Dance pants and black jazz shoes.
Tumbling: Shirt, stretch shorts/pants with bare feet.
Hip Hop: Shirt, stretch pants and gym shoes.
Ask about our Shoe Exchange Program!
Tuesday
Creative Movement
AGE: 3-4 Years
This class is designed as an introduction to ballet. As well as learning different warm up stretches and ballet positions, students move to music acting like animals or twirling with ribbons. Children are encouraged to move creatively while having fun dancing and enjoying music!
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| Tu | Jul 7-Aug 11 | 5-5:45pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Jessica Nichols
Beginning Ballet/Tap Combo
AGE: 5-6 Years
This combination class introduces young dancers to the basics of tap dance and ballet in a fun and positive environment. Children will learn steps, such as shuffles and heel drops, while working on rhythm patterns and counting beats. The ballet portion will cover stretches, beginning barre work and the five positions.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| Tu | Jul 7-Aug 11 | 5:45-6:45pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Jessica Nichols
Beginning Jazz
AGE: 5-8 Years
A little bit jazz, a little bit hip hop, and a whole lot of fun! Jazz is an energetic and fun type of dance that consists of unique moves, fancy moves, big leaps and quick turns. After a thorough warm-up, students will dance to current pop hits and work on technique.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| Tu | Jul 7-Aug 11 | 6:45-7:30pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Jessica Nichols
Wednesday
Pre-Ballet
AGE: 4-6 Years
Pre-ballet builds upon the foundation of Creative Movement while introducing students to specific steps and terminology. This 45-minute class will introduce students to the positions, steps, and stretches, while increasing their balance and coordination skills.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| W | Jul 8-Aug 12 | 5-5:45pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Dionido
Ballet/Tap Combo
AGE: 7-12 Years
This combination class introduces young dancers to the basics of tap dance and ballet. Students will learn rhythms, timing, and leg/ foot coordination done to various types of music. The ballet portion will cover stretches, beginning barre work, beginning center work and learning ballet terminology.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| W | Jul 8-Aug 12 | 5:45-6:45pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Dionido
Poms Dance
AGE: 6-9 Years
This class incorporates a combination of jazz/hip hop movements, creating a fun and high-energy class. Students will work on techniques such as turns, jumps, leaps, and kick lines, while using pom poms. This is a great preparation for students who wish to audition for junior high or high school team auditions. Participants should wear jazz shoes to class. No jeans.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee |
| W | Jul 8-Aug 12 | 6:45-7:30pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Dionido
Thursday
Twos on the Move
AGE: 2-3 Years
Parents and tots enjoy and exercise while improving gross and motor skills. Help your little one learn to walk a balance beam, do a somersault, and navigate an exciting obstacle course. A parents or guardian must be present with child during class.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| Th | Jul 9-Aug 13 | 5-5:45pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Jessica Nichols
Beginning Tumbling
AGE: 3-6 Years
Your child will learn the fundamentals of tumbling, such as forward and backward rolls, headstands, and cartwheels. These skills will improve your child’s sense of balance and self-confidence. Wear a shirt and stretch shorts/pants, or leotard with bare feet.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| Th | Jul 9-Aug 13 | 5:45-6:30pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Jessica Nichols
Tumbling
AGE: 6-12 Years
Tumbling is a combination of acrobatics and gymnastics that focuses on the fundamentals such as forward and backward rolls, headstands, backbends, and cartwheels. Students will also work on their strength and flexibility. Wear a shirt and stretch shorts/pants, or leotard with bare feet.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| Th | Jul 9-Aug 13 | 6:30-7:15pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Jessica Nichols
Friday
Hip-Hop
AGE: 5-14 Years
This high-energy class uses the latest sounds in rap, R&B and pop music together with movements influenced by some of today’s hottest video choreographers. Hip-hop encompasses elements of poppin’, locking and breaking, as well as freestyle movement, giving students the opportunity to dance outside of the box and bring their own personality to each movement. Please wear gym shoes or hip-hop dance shoes.
| Age | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| 5-7 | F | Jul 10-Aug 14 | 4:30-5:15 pm | TBD |
| 8-10 | F | Jul 10-Aug 14 | 5:15-6 pm | TBD |
| 11-14 | F | Jul 10-Aug 14 | 6-6:45 pm | TBD |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Sidney McNeal