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, pick 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!
Recital Information:
The Winter/Spring session of Dance is devoted to rehearsing for the Annual Dance Recital.
Dance Rehearsal: Saturday, June 2 at West Leyden Auditorium
Dance recital season reminders:
Please be committed to good attendance at weekly classes.
Attend the dress rehearsal on Saturday, June 2 and the performance on Sunday, June 3.
Participate in group photographs, Saturday, June 2. Times will be announced at a later date.
Purchase appropriate shoes, tights and minor accessories.
Dancers are measured for costumes the second week of class, during class.
Each student receives one free admission ticket to the recital.
Please note: Costume fees are included in the registration fee listed for each class. 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 | Jun 12-August 2* | 5-5:45pm | $65/$75 |
Note: No class Jul 3
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola
Beginning Ballet/Tap Combo
AGE: 4-6 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 | Jun 12-August 2* | 5:45-6:45pm | $70/$80 |
Note: No class Jul 3
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola
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 footwear, big leaps and quick turns. After a thorough warm-up, students will dance to current pop hits and work on technique. Wear comfortable clothes.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| Tu | Jun 12-August 2* | 6:45-7:30pm | $65/$75 |
Note: No class Jul 3
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola
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 positions, steps, and stretches, while increasing their balance and coordination skills. Ballet shoes required.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| W | Jun 13-Aug 8* | 5-5:45pm | $65/$75 |
Note: No class Jul 4
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola
Ballet/Tap Combo
AGE: 7-9 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. Ballet & tap shoes are required.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| W | Jun 13-Aug 8* | 5:45-6:45pm | $70/$80 |
Note: No class Jul 4
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola
Poms Dance
AGE: 7-9 Years
This class incorporates a combination of Jazz/Hip-hop movements, creating a fun and energetic 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 teams. Participants should wear jazz shoes to class. No jeans.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee |
| W | Jun 13-Aug 8* | 6:45-7:30pm | $65/$75 |
Note: No class Jul 4
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola
Thursday
Twos on the Move
AGE: 24-35 Months
Each week children will climb on the balance beam, climb through tunnels and hop on different colors and shapes. Children will gain confidence, develop social skills, and listen to direction. Parents and children will enjoy moving and learning in this program. Wear a shirt and stretch shorts/pants, with bare feet.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| Th | Jun 14-Aug 9* | 5-5:45pm | $65/$75 |
Note: No class Jul 5
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola
Beginning Tumbling
AGE: 3-5 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 | Jun 14-Aug 9* | 5:45-6:30pm | $65/$75 |
Note: No class Jul 5
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola
Tumbling
AGE: 6-10 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 | Jun 14-Aug 9* | 6:30-7:15pm | $65/$75 |
Note: No class Jul 5
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola
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, giving students the opportunity to dance outside of the box. Please wear gym shoes or hip-hop dance shoes.
| Age | Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| 5-7 | F | Jun 15-Aug 10* | 4:30-5:15 pm | $65/$75 |
| 8-10 | F | Jun 15-Aug 10* | 5:15-6 pm | $65/$75 |
| 11-14 | F | Jun 15-Aug 10* | 6-6:45 pm | $65/$75 |
Note: No class Jul 6
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Sidney McNeal
Dance Camp
AGE: 5-8 Years
This camp is for beginning to intermediate level dancers looking to sharpen their dance skills this summer. Each day students participate in daily technique lessons that focus on alignment, flexibility, coordination, strength and self-expression in major dance styles. Styles include ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop. Michelle will teach original choreography as well as guide dancers to create their own dances.
| Day | Date | Time | Fee (R/NR) |
| Tu/W/Th | Jun 19-21 | 12am-2pm | $75/$80 |
Location: Community Center
Instructor: Michelle Zenzola