Our Mission
Our mission is to provide the most professional dance experience possible all while offering quality instruction to dancers of all ages and abilities. We understand that students enroll in dance for various reasons. It is our vision to build the foundation to make it possible for all students to attain their personal goals. At Byron Dance Academy, we pride ourselves in creating an atmosphere that gets the very best out of each dancer. This positive environment allows each dancer to grow in confidence and self-esteem while mastering the many different dance styles and techniques.
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Meet the Instructors
Cultural Arts Program Manager Jessica Julian
Jessica has been teaching dance for twenty-three years. As a former dancer herself, Jessica studied at several different diverse studios in the Stateline area and knows first-hand the impact dance can have on young lives. She loves teaching all styles of dance and is wonderful with dancers of all ages. Her passion for music and kids shines through in her creative choreography and class atmosphere! Jessica was a member of Fourth Movement, a semi-professional ensemble that toured in Europe. She has also danced all over the United States and won many top-scoring awards at both regional and national levels while competing. Her choreography has been featured at several dance studios in the Stateline area. She has enthusiasm and passion for teaching, and it shows! Jessica always gets the very best out of her students with her wonderful choreography and the positive class environment she creates.
Dance Instructor Hannah Otte
Hannah has been dancing for thirteen years and teaching for seven. She began her dance journey with a community dance group in the styles of Hip Hop and Cheer. Then moving to a program called CYT (Christian Youth Theater), Hannah studied multiple dance styles including: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip hop, Ballroom, Swing, Rockettes, African, and Musical Theater! After graduating high school, Hannah joined CYT as a dance instructor where she taught dancers of all ages and abilities for five years before joining the BDA team. Hannah is heading into her third season with us and we are very lucky to have her on staff.
Dance Instructor Hannah Breault
Hannah has been dancing for sixteen years beginning her passion to dance at four years old. Her many years of studio training lead her to perform and compete on her high school dance team all four years where she adapted highly competitive technique onto her previous dance foundation. She also performed in two musicals where she was selected as a dance coach and created a positive learning environment to help the cast successfully carry out each dance routine for the shows. Although she has trained in many styles of dance, Hannah has a fire for hip hop and is thrilled to be able to share her enthusiasm and love for dance at BDA!
Dance Instructor Taylor Doane
Taylor began recital classes at age 4 years old and has been dancing for 17 years. She also spent some of those years dancing competitively. She has trained at several diverse studios, and studied from a variety of instructors at the collegiate level. Taylor has been trained in a variety of styles, but has always had a love and passion for Tap! She has recently graduated from the University of Tampa with her BA in Exercise Physiology. She is beyond excited to incorporate her schooling and help dancers understand how to properly train and take care of their bodies for a sport like dance. Taylor has always had a strong desire to give back to the dance world and thankfully BDA has a place for her to do so! She looks forward to giving students a space to create and express themselves all while becoming stronger both mentally and physically. Taylor is committed to not only helping her students grow in dance, but also as humans. We are thrilled to have Taylor's talent here at the Byron Dance Academy.
2023-24 Assistant Dance Instructors
Alana Julian Annabella Barker Taylor Fabish -
Class Descriptions
Please note: Not all dance classes are offered year round as part of our recital program. A variety of non-recital adult and youth dance classes are typically offered in the winter and spring months. For a complete list of our current classes, click here.
ACRO DANCE will increase dancers stamina, endurance and power. Acro is important and in high demand for dancers to master in the competition and professional dance world. Acro dance technique includes balancing, limbering, tumbling and partnering based in flexibility, aspects of contortion and overall strength. *Dancers must have tumbling experience to enroll in this class. Skills that are required are: cartwheels (both hands and single hand), round offs, bridges, and hand stands.
ADULT BARRE FITNESS will include ballet barre, stretching and strengthening exercises that will tone and firm your body. This class will help to elevate the heart rate giving a great cardio workout as well.
ADULT HIP HOP will include choreography and isometric exercises taught each week. You will be dancing the hour away to some of the biggest names in hip hop and rap music!
BALLET will provide an environment where dancers will be able to challenge themselves and grow. Ballet serves as a great foundation for all styles of dance. It allows each dancer to improve essential skills such as balance, coordination, discipline and overall strength.
COMBO will help dancers discover three ways to have a blast dancing! Each week dancers will learn technique and choreography in ballet, tap, and jazz. The growth that is possible when combining all three styles into one class period is both exciting and incredible!
COMPETITION PREP CLASS will work on all of the key technical elements that will improve performance and prepare dancers for Competition Dance Team auditions. This will be a sneak peek at some of the new and exciting elements that team dancers will be working on throughout the Competition season.
CONTEMPORARY will provide a very unique and stylized learning opportunity. Delivering an exciting atmosphere of rhythms and different methods on how to use the body in a creative way. This class will teach dancers choreography that will challenge them and build them into strong performers.
DANCE TEAM PREP will introduce pom-style choreography, proper technique and skills to prepare any dancer that is wanting to try out for their schools dance team. This class will increase confidence all while covering many core methods taught in the school dance team arena.
HIP HOP will create a fun and exciting environment where dancers will learn stylized choreography. This class is perfect for boys and girls that have no prior dance experience.
INTRO TO DANCE will introduce dancers to the basic fundamentals of dance training 101. Throughout the 4 weeks, dancers will begin to understand specific techniques and learn how to apply them when executing choreography. This class is perfect for any dancer that has little to no dance experience.
JAZZ/LYRICAL will introduce two styles of dance. Each dancer will learn skills and choreography in both styles. This class will work on improving flexibility, balance, memorization of steps, and expressing movement connected to meaningful music.
MINI HIP HOP will introduce dancers to different styles of hip hop dance and even some jazz funk! Each class will consist of some stretching and conditioning as a warm up and will lead into learning short dance routines.
MUSICAL THEATRE JR. offers a chance for our younger performers to learn about theatre and expand their knowledge of the arts! This class will focus on learning specific dance styles that would be seen in a musical performance. Dancers will be introduced to ensemble work, as well as star driven choreography. We feel this class will give dancers a head start so they are ready to take part in any musical!
POINTE will work with intermediate to advanced dancers to continue training further in ballet. Pointe assessments will be made on all dancers to determine if they are able to participate in this four-week intensive class. This includes an observation and functional skills test to ensure that dancers are able to appropriately handle the dynamic training that comes with being on pointe. Dancers do NOT need pointe shoes for this assessment but are encouraged to bring them if they have them already.
STRETCH & STRENGTH will focus on static and dynamic stretching exercises that will improve the overall quality of any dancer. By combining strength and flexibility, dancers are able to focus on how to improve their muscular stamina by learning which muscles are needed for which dance techniques. This informative class will help to properly train dancers to avoid injuries and find a healthy balance to being strong and flexible.
TAP will offer a variety of tap technique steps, as well as tap combinations that will improve coordination and syncopation in each dancer. Being trained in tap also helps dancers excel in other styles.
TINY TOTS will learn about balance, coordination and rhythm. It will be a fun and encouraging environment that will allow them to grow using their imaginations and bodies to create dance steps. They will gain knowledge of ballet and tap technique.
TURNS/JUMPS PROGRESSION will enhance dancers' technical skills. During this class, dancers will learn detailed methods that can be applied during their dance routines to give more power to jumps, more precision with turns, and overall improve transitions throughout dances and classes. This class will increase confidence and take training to a new level.
For more details on our dance classes, placement, shoes and more, call Jessica at 815-234-6279 or email her at jjulian@byronparks.org.
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Costume Deposits
A costume deposit fee will be required for each recital class. Half of the deposit fee will be billed at the beginning of session two. The remaining balance will be billed at the beginning of session three. Costume deposits are non-refundable. Students will be measured for their recital costumes mid-November and costumes will be ordered in December. Costumes will be distributed upon arrival once the class' full order has been received.
Class Deposit Fee Combo Classes $85 Jazz/Lyrical Classes $100 Level Classes $70 Tiny Tots & Mini Hip Hop $60 -
Dress Code
Required Dance Attire:
Ballet Level 1, 2 & 3: Pink ballet shoes are required. The following attire is acceptable: leotards, tights, spandex shorts, ballet skirt, and leggings.
Boys Class: Clean hip hop sneakers are required. The following attire is acceptable: t-shirts, athletic shorts, joggers, and sweatpants (more fitted than baggy).
Combo 1, 2 & 3: Pink ballet, black tap, and black jazz are required. The following attire is acceptable: leotards, ballet dresses, spandex shorts, leggings, fitted tanks, ballet skirts, and fitted t-shirts.
Hip Hop 1, 2 & 3 and Hip Hop Mini: Clean sneakers are required. The following attire is acceptable: athletic clothes such as, t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, leggings, joggers, and fitted sweatpants. NO JEANS
Jazz/Lyrical 1, 2 & 3: Nude turning shoes are required. The following attire is acceptable: leotards, fitted tanks, fitted t-shirts, spandex shorts, leggings, and joggers.
Musical Theater: Black jazz shoes are required. The following attire is acceptable: leotards, fitted tanks, fitted t-shirts, leggings, spandex shorts, and joggers.
Tap 1, 2 & 3: Black tap shoes are required. The following attire is acceptable: leotards, fitted tanks, fitted t-shirts, leggings, spandex shorts, and joggers.
Tiny Tots: Pink ballet and black tap shoes are required. The following attire is acceptable: leotards, tights, dance dresses, spandex shorts, leggings, and fitted tanks/t-shirts.
NOTE: Shoes/attire can be purchased at Foot Lodge, Payless Shoe Store, and Walmart.
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2024-25 Dance Classes
2024-25 Dance Session Dates
Session 1: 9/9/24-10/25/24Session 2: 10/28/24-12/20/24 (no classes 10/31/24, 11/25/24-11/29/24)Winter Break: 12/23/24-1/3/25Session 3: 1/6/25-2/21/25Break Week: 2/24/25-2/27/25Session 4: 3/3/25-4/25/25 (no classes 3/24/25-3/28/25)Session 5: 4/28/25-6/13/25 (no classes 5/26/25)Recital Dates: 6/13/25-6/15/25 -
Master Dance Workshops
Don’t miss your chance to learn from two of the best! We are thrilled to have Dominic and Joslynn back with us for some Master Classes. By attending these workshops, dancers will be challenged, motivated and encouraged to push beyond their comfort zones. Dancers will gain diversity by learning different styles and techniques from new teachers. Space is limited!
JOSLYNN LABAK-CONTEMPORARY
Joslynn began dancing at age 3. She has traveled all around the country for the past five years with multiple companies to assist some of the most well-known choreographers. Along with her travels, Joslynn has won many prestigious awards and has been invited twice to dance at the World Dance Pageant. She would eventually love to travel the country teaching dance and setting pieces. Joslynn is a recent graduate of the CLI Conservatory in Massachusetts where she trained under Teddy Forance and had the privilege of learning from over 50 different choreographers.Saturday, December 28, 2024
Level Age Time Fee Mini 6-9 10:15-11:00 am $15/$20 Junior 10-13 11:00 am-12:00 pm $20/$25 Teen 14+ 12:00-1:30 pm $25/$30
DOMINIC ANGILERI-HIP HOP
Dominic is a hip hop dance instructor/ director from Rockford, IL. He is a decorated hip hop performer/ choreographer and competed on an elite team for 12 years. While competing, Dominic and his crew won numerous high point awards and scholarships. He was featured on Season 15 of America’s Got Talent with Xtreme Dance Force. He has been teaching for 6 years and plans to open up his own dance studio. He is currently a member of the Hip Hop crewSaturday, February 1, 2025
Level Age Time Fee Mini 6-9 11:00-11:45 am $15/$20 Junior 10-13 12:00-1:00 pm $20/$30 Teen 14+ 1:00-2:30 pm $25/$30 Saturday, February 15, 2025
Level Age Time Fee Mini 6-9 11:00-11:45 am $15/$20 Junior 10-13 12:00-1:00 pm $20/$25 Teen 14+ 1:00-2:30 pm $25/$30 -
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Dance Workshops
Saturdays | Located in Dance Studio 1
Come join our talented staff for some dancing fun! Each Saturday will feature a new teacher and style of dance based around an exciting theme for dancers to enjoy! We encourage all dancers to dress up and bring a friend for an unforgettable experience.
February 1: Disco Dance with Ms. Alana
Level Age Time Fee Mini 5-8 10:15-11:00 am $15/$20 Junior 9-12 11:00 am-12:00 pm $20/$25 Teen 13+ 12:00-1:00 pm $20/$25 February 8: Glow in the Dark Dance with Ms. Jess
Level Age Time Fee Mini 5-8 10:15-11:00 am $15/$20 Junior 9-12 11:00 am-12:00 pm $20/$25 Teen 13+ 12:00-1:00 pm $20/$25 February 15: Dancin' at Disney with Ms. Erin
Level Age Time Fee Mini 5-8 10:15-11:00 am $15-$20 Junior 9-12 11:00 am-12:00 pm $20/$25 Teen 13+ 12:00-1:00 pm $20/$25 February 22: Welcome to the 50s! Dance with Ms. Hannah
Level Age Time Fee Mini 5-8 10:15-11:00 am $15/$20 Junior 9-12 11:00 am-12:00 pm $20/$25 Teen 13+ 12:00-1:00 pm $20/$25 -
Parents Night Out!
Ages 6-12 | Dance Studio 1Byron dance staff is excited to offer parents a night out! Plan a date night and leave the kids to us! Our favorite dance teachers will bring lots of entertainment to a fun-packed Valentine-themed evening. Kids will enjoy some interactive dance-themed games and activities, movies, crafts and more! Each registration will also come with Casey’s pizza and drink.Date: 2/14/25Time: 5:30-8:30 pmFee: $30/$35
