In 1990, Barbara Yokom took her strong business sense and expertise in the Fine Arts and opened a dance school in the basement of the West Bank Financial Center. Naperville Dance Center was formed. The school began to grow and in 1994, the integration of the Music Department took place. It was in 1994 when the Naperville Dance Center moved into historic 5th Ave. Station, and The School of Performing Arts, Inc. was established. Since then The School has integrated the Theatre Department and the Visual Arts Department to provide a strong curriculum in all the areas of Fine Arts: Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts. The tiny little school that began in the basement of a bank has become a leading center in the community for education in the Fine Arts, and boasts a student enrollment of over 1,000.

The School of Performing Arts is recognized as one of the area's premier centers for arts education. Our Naperville facility features several dance studios with oak or sprung Marley floors and glass viewing windows, private and group music studios, a state of the art music lab, as well as additional space dedicated to theatre, art programs and administrative offices.

We are proud of the outstanding credentials and extensive teaching background of our professional faculty. The School of Performing Arts' faculty consists of individuals who have completed bachelors and masters level education in pedagogy as well as performance. Our faculty has studied and trained with the most respected professionals in their fields and each member has been selected for his or her ability to nurture interest and develop skill.

The School of Performing Arts is also proud of it's talented students. Both alumni and current students are using their gifts to pursue professional careers in the Joffrey Ballet company, cruise ships, national Broadway touring companies, and the American Girl Theatre, just to name a few. Alumni students can be seen on television appearing in shows such as Even Steven, Summerland, Phil of the Future, Stuck in the Suburbs, ER and more! We are pleased to see our students graduate from The School in pursuit of furthering their arts education at top colleges and universities across the nation. The tools and life lessons they have learned here at The School of Performing Arts will follow them as far as their dreams will take them.

School Policies
Tuition, Registration and Fees

Multi Dance Class Tuition Discounts
Classes per week; amount deducted from total tuition:
2 $5
3 $10
4 $15
5 $20
6 $25

Note: Creative Beginner classes do not qualify for additional discounts, as tuition is already discounted. Dance Ensemble members get special dance package pricing. Members of all Performing Ensembles receive one half off tuition for the Spring Musical Theatre Production. Ask for details upon registration.

Attendance Policy
Students are encouraged and expected to attend class regularly. Dance students are entitled to make up missed classes during the current session at an equivalent level or below. Private music lessons canceled less then 24 hours ahead of time will not be made up. Make ups for missed private music lessons are at the discretion of the instructor. Please see school administrator with make up inquiries. Due to the structure of the classes there are no make up lessons for theatre or art classes.

Substitutes
We are proud to have professional faculty who are still appearing and performing with some of the most respected ensembles in their respective fields. Occasionally their professional duties take them away from our classrooms. When teachers are performing, they choose substitutes for their classes. Whenever possible, substitutes are hired from our existing faculty. When this is impossible, substitute teachers are professional colleagues of the teacher. In either case, substitutes are briefed on the class syllabus, so that the progression of study can go on uninterrupted. We appreciate your feedback on substitute teachers.

Class Placement
Class placement is determined at the time of registration based on the student's age and experience. Instructors evaluate students during the first few weeks of class to assure proper placement. Where there is any doubt about student level, we place students in a lower level so that the student may be advanced rather than moved back if an adjustment is required. Mini Mozart candidates require a readiness interview. An interview is available with the instructor prior to the first private music lesson.

Note: Dance students should expect to stay in each dance level an average of two years. The progress of each student is monitored by faculty and individual level recommendations are made each year in the spring.

Observation Policy
Parents may observe their child’s class at any time during the year, at the teacher’s discretion. Please speak with your teacher directly if you wish to observe your child's class.

Photography
The School of Performing Arts may use any photograph and video taken of you/your child at The School or any performance for promotional purposes.

Tuition
No refunds or credits are given unless class is cancelled by The School. Fees may not be transferred or extended towards future tuition.

Attire and Materials
Dance

Ballet, Pointe: black leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, Pointe shoes when applicable, hair in bun and pinned away from face

Inappropriate: shorts, pants, t-shirts, anything baggy.

Jazz, Lyrical, Modern: tight fitting dance shorts or pants, skin tight tops, jazz shoes (please check with instructor about their recommended color for the Dance Concert), hair tied up and pinned back. Teacher will decide required hair style for their particular class.

Inappropriate: baggy clothing including t-shirts, shorts, or pants, jeans, dresses

Hip Hop: comfortable clothing, sneakers

Inappropriate: tight shorts (long baggy shorts are permitted), jeans, ballet attire, buns, jazz shoes.

Tap: comfortable clothing, tap shoes

Inappropriate: jeans, dresses, buns, ballet attire

Creative Beginner: Leotard, tights, ballet skirts, pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes, hair needs to be pulled back

Male Dancers
Ballet: white t-shirt, black tights, black ballet shoes
Jazz, Lyrical, Modern: t-shirt, pants or shorts that allow for movement. Please wear tank under t-shirt.

Hip Hop, Tap: Comfortable clothing, appropriate shoes

Theatre

All students should wear clothes that allow for movement. Female students should have their hair pulled back off their face. Please, no skirts or dresses.

Materials

All students are expected to arrive on time and come prepared for all classes.

Theatre students must come with the appropriate equipment (music, script, pencil) and ready to work. Due to the nature of some theatre classes with a performance, you many be asked to supply some sort of prop, costume piece, and so on. You will get plenty of notice from the instructor if this is necessary.
Music students must come with all of their materials (music, instrument, pencil) and ready to work. Students are expected to practice their lesson material outside of class. This is imperative for progress to occur. Music teachers reserve the right to terminate lessons if there is a consistent lack of preparation.
Dance students should attend all classes dressed in appropriate attire.
Art students should come with appropriate materials assigned by teacher at the beginning of class.

See the Registration Form (download pdf)
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