Innovation Arts Connection
Medinah, Bloomingdale & Wood Dale Park Districts
Fall 2025 Descriptions
Connecting communities to creative arts--that is what we do at Innovation Arts Connection! Our progressive curriculum focuses on dance concepts and core techniques as well as teaching the importance of respect, positive attitude and hard work. In our classes students will develop grace, rhythm, coordination, creativity, and confidence in a fun, safe and structured environment. IAC’s dance classes offer stability, a sense of community, socialization and structure. We look forward to seeing you in class!
Innovation Arts Connection, LLC collaborates with local Chicagoland Park districts. For more information about the IAC program including class expectations, dress code, pandemic procedures and more, please visit www.innovationartsconnection.com or find us on Instagram or Facebook @innovationartsconnection.
Seasonal Classes
The seasonal classes invite participants to engage in condensed sessions as a way to experiment, explore or jump-start their involvement in the park studio dance program. All classes are held at West Chicago Park District ARC Center. In the event of inclement weather or Covid-19 shut downs, classes will be held virtually on Zoom.
Discover Dance With Me Walking-3yrs + Caregiver Participation
Explore the joy of movement with your child and discover the many benefits of early childhood dance classes. We will dance, sing, and play in both one-on-one activities and group activities. Through circle activities, open exploration, and gross motor development exercises, children will blossom with class as they grow with their caregiver during this precious time together. Please wear comfortable, form-fitted clothing and bare feet. Guardian participation required!
Park Studio Classes
The Park Studio program track is a studio program designed around the Park District community culture. This track is for dancers of all ages and experience levels who are looking for a progressive session and higher commitment level. Class will include 1 family observation and 1 in class performance. NEW THIS YEAR: PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE!!! Within this program, participants can engage in core studio-level dance classes. All park studio classes are held at Medinah Park District’s Connolly Recreation Center. In the event of inclement weather or Covid-19 shut downs classes will be held virtually on Zoom.
Dance I (Preschool-Kindergarten)
Dance I is a 45 minute weekly class designed for preschool and kindergarten aged dancers. In this class we will focus on ballet technique. Classes include stretches, class etiquette, basic technique, dance concept exploration, movement games and learning choreography. Please wear leotard, tights, or comfortable form fitted clothing, ballet shoes.
Dance II (Early Elementary 1st-3rd grade)
Dance II is a 60 minute weekly class designed for early elementary aged dancers. In this class we will continue to learn ballet technique and introduce tap technique as well. Classes include stretches, class etiquette, basic-intermediate technique in ballet & tap, dance concept exploration, movement games and learning choreography. Please wear leotard, tights, or comfortable form fitted clothing, ballet & tap shoes.
Dance III (Upper Elementary 3rd-6th grade)
Dance III is a 90 minute weekly class designed for upper elementary aged dancers. In this class we will continue to learn ballet & tap technique and we will introduce jazz technique as well. Classes include stretches, barre work, class etiquette, basic-intermediate technique of each style, movement games and learning choreography. Please wear leotard, tights, or comfortable form fitted clothing, ballet, tap & jazz shoes.
Dance IV (Middle-High School, 6th grade+)
Dance IV is a two day a week class that meets on Mondays and Thursdays and is designed for middle-high school dancers. On Monday’s dancers will do a full ballet barre, learn intermediate-advanced ballet technique and work on choreography. On Thursday’s dancers will do a full strength & conditioning session and learn beginning-advanced Jazz & Tap technique. We will also introduce some lyrical, contemporary and hip hop skills as well. This is the perfect class for older dancers looking to excel in dance in a well rounded way. Please wear leotard, tights, or comfortable form fitted clothing, ballet, tap & jazz shoes.
Pre-Pointe (Middle-High School, 6th grade+)
This class is an additional class dancers in Dance IV can take. In this class dancers will learn exercises to build strength, flexibility and coordination in their ankles and feet with the goal of getting pointe shoes. As dancers progress in class they will level up to wearing pointe shoes with the recommendation of their teacher and approval from their doctor. Dancers must have at least 2 years of ballet training and must be currently enrolled in Dance IV to participate. Please wear leotard, tights, or comfortable form fitted clothing and ballet shoes.
PERFORMANCE GROUPS
Dance Performance groups are designed for our current dancers to explore added performance opportunities and experience a dance team atmosphere. All dancers in the performance group must be enrolled in a weekly foundational technique class. Rehearsals include team bonding and learning/practicing choreography.
IAC Dance Crew 7-13y
Take your dancing to the next level and join our crew! This is a great challenge for dedicated dancers to show off their talent. The crew will learn 1 routine and dance in 1-3 performances (Performance dates/times TBA). All dancers will receive one costume (included in tuition). Wear comfortable form-fitted clothing, ballet/tap/jazz shoes (IAC Dance Crew). All rehearsals are held at Winfield Park District’s Recreation Center.
Pixie Performers: Sugar Plum Fairies 3-6y
This adorable opportunity will give budding ballerinas their time to shine. The Pixies will learn a Sugar Plum Fairy routine and show off their magical moves to a real audience. The Pixies will learn 1 routine and dance in 1-3 performances (Performance dates/times TBA). All dancers will receive one costume (included in tuition). Wear comfortable form-fitted clothing, ballet shoes (Pixies). All rehearsals are held at Winfield Park District’s Recreation Center.
MPD Company
The Performing Company provides dedicated dancers the opportunity to study Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Lyrical and Jazz more in depth. This performing group is a year-round commitment. Our focus will be creating, leading, and guiding dancers on a disciplined and rewarding path that will instill the fundamentals of dance. Company members are required to take 1 foundational technique class the entire season (Sept 2025-June 2026) in addition to company rehearsal. Rehearsal & Performance Schedule will be available at the first class. Some rehearsals and performances will be during times outside of regularly scheduled rehearsal time. No audition necessary. All experience levels are welcome. Please wear leotard, tights or comfortable form fitted clothing. Dancers will also need skin toned jazz shoes.The registration fee does not include Company Costume, Competition and Event fees. It does include 70 hours of rehearsal time and mandatory 6 hours of Company Bootcamp Camp September 3-5 from 4:30-6:30pm, choreography for 2 group routines. Please contact Lora@innovationartsconnection for details on the Dance Company.
DANCE PARTIES
Dance Parties are a condensed 1 day session of dance technique, movement games, crafts, a mini-performance and much more! Participants of all levels are encouraged to get involved through these camp-style classes that are designed to help participants fill their evening with fun, educational, and movement oriented programming. Wear comfortable form-fitted clothing, dance shoes or bare feet. Feel free to dress to match the theme too! Please bring a water bottle.
Monster Mash 3-8yrs Hip Hop dance technique, craft, storytime, movement games, and choreography to your favorite Halloween music.
Defying Gravity Dance Party 3-8y
Musical Theatre dance technique, craft, storytime, movement games, and choreography to the music of Wicked and the Wizard of Oz.
Nutcracker Dance Party 3-8y
Ballet dance technique, craft, storytime, movement games, and choreography to the music of the Nutcracker.