About Us

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. In 2007 The School of Performing Arts, Inc. opened its second campus in the Plainfield community offering Dance, Theatre and Music. 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. Our new Plainfield campus located in the Plainfield Small Business park, just south of 135th Street on Route 30, offers professional dance studios with sprung Marley floors, glass viewing windows, wonderful sound systems, and beautiful private music studios equipped with high quality pianos.

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

* Tuition payment is required prior to the first class of each quarter to ensure placement in a class. Payment may be made by cash, check, VISA or Mastercard. Music tuition may be made in two payments, as the music semester runs eighteen weeks.
* Registration forms (download pdf) may be mailed to The School with check only, made payable to The School of Performing Arts. Forms will be processed at the end of the business day on which they are received. The administrative staff will contact you if your first choice cannot be met.
* Returning student registration takes place three weeks prior to each new quarter. Students who do not pay tuition by the week prior to the new session could lose their spot to a new student.
* New student registration takes place one week prior to each new quarter.
* If a class is full, you may be put on a waiting list.
* No refunds or credits are given unless class is cancelled by The School, with the exception of class/lesson cancellation due to inclement weather. Fees may not be transferred or extended towards future tuition.
* There is a $30 registration fee per family, payable yearly.
* There will be a $25 late fee for all music students on a split semester payment plan who have not paid by the week prior to the new quarter.
* There is a $25 fee for all returned checks.
* Music students are charged a $15 yearly recital fee, due before the spring recital. This fee is to cover room rental, refreshments, programs, and so on.
* Music students are required to commit to an eighteen week semester and in doing so, are responsible for the payment of the tuition for the full eighteen weeks.

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

* Female ballet students: must wear black leotards, pink tights, pink shoes; please place hair in a bun.
* Male ballet students: must wear a white t-shirt, black tights and black shoes.
* Female jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, and hip hop students: wear solid color leotards and tights (fitted jazz pants are optional) or unitards.
* Male jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, and hip hop students: wear t-shirts and pants that allow for movement.
* All students must wear appropriate shoes: black jazz shoes, flat black tap shoes, jazz shoes or gym shoes for hip-hop.
* No dance sneakers will be allowed in jazz classes. (Dance sneakers allowed in hip hop classes ONLY)
* Hair should be securely fastened away from face. No loose fitting garments over leotards. No jewelry in class. No gum chewing or food in class.

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)
Contact Us

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Company Class?

A: See Company Class.

Q: How will I know what class to put my child in?

A: See Class Placement.

Q: What should I do if I miss a class?

A: See our Attendance Policy.

Q: What should I wear to class?

A: See Attire and Materials.

Q: Will I be able to watch my child in class?

A: Yes, at the teacher's discretion.

Q: Do you have a dance recital every year?

A: Yes. See Dance for classes with recitals or Auditions/Performances.

Q: Do you offer a music recital every year?

A: Yes. See the Spring Recitals and Music Festivals area in Music.

Q: Will my child be guaranteed a speaking role in the musical or play?

A: While we can not guarantee that everyone will have a leading role, we can guarantee that all participants will have their moment to shine! We make sure that everyone is highlighted in some way. We want every cast member to have a good experience while continuing to improve on their acting, singing and/or dancing talents.

Q: What if my child doesn't like the class?

A: We know how kids react sometimes when they are first exposed to something new. We suggest that you give the class some time before deciding that it is not for him or her. Wait at least two or three classes to make a decision. For students beginning new instruments we suggest allowing a longer period of time before switching to another instrument, teacher, or class. We also suggest that you talk to the teacher to get feedback and/or to help your child feel more at ease. If your child is still feeling uncomfortable, the office will do it's best to try and find a new fit.
Also, see school policies regarding refunds and credits.

Q: What will my child need to bring to class?

A: See Attire and Materials.

Q: What kind of performance outlets will my child have?

A: See Auditions and Performances.

Q: What if I am late registering for a new quarter?

A: As a courtesy to our current students, we hold your current spot in classes for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters in anticipation of your renewed registration. Current student tuition is due three weeks prior to the start of the new quarter for creative beginner, dance and theatre students or each new semester for music and some theatre students. Current students who do not pay tuition by the week prior to the new session could lose their spot to new students. New student registration takes place the week prior to the start of each new session.

Q: What if the class I want is full?

A: There are many popular classes here at SPA and they do fill up quickly. It is always a good idea to have a 2nd choice if your 1st class of choice is full. If your first choice of class is full, you may go on a waiting list for that class. If a spot opens up, the administrative staff will contact you.

Q: Will my child be lost if they join a class late in the quarter?

A: This depends on what time of year you are joining and exactly what type of class your student will be in. Some class curriculum renews itself each quarter while others are slowly building on a syllabus over the entire year. For instance, there are often new theatre classes offered at different times of the year, with different focuses or themes, while a dance class starts at the beginning of the year and builds on technique and repetition. A portion of the success of the student depends on their outlook and ability to jump in and go for it! We do allow students to join in at any point for most classes.

Q: When will the school be closed for holidays?

A: See Schedules, Holidays.

Q: Does the school close for bad weather?

A: The school very rarely closes for bad weather. If the school districts close for inclement weather, make sure you call The School of Performing Arts before assuming that we are closed as well.

Q: How will I know when to re-register for my class?

A: About three to four weeks ahead of registration, a reminder notice will be sent home with your student that it is time to re-register. Also, information is posted all over the school as a reminder. We understand that those important memos don't always make it home, so the best way to remember is to mark it on your calendar. See School Calendar for registration dates.