The mission of Fox Valley Dance Academy is to provide high-quality dance classes in an environment that promotes respect, inclusion, and fun.
Young artists are encouraged to become technically proficient to inspire them to build self-esteem, empower their creativity, and elevate their leadership skills! We strive to project positivity and spark a love for the arts in dancers of all ages. All classes are taught in a pleasant atmosphere that enhances the learning experience. The joy of movement is complemented by the development of poise and self-confidence, two important traits that extend to all parts of a dancer’s life. The goal is to provide every student with a solid dance foundation while leaving room for individual creativity and fun!
Dance classes offered for youth and adults that do not have pre-requisites, are available for registration online or in-person at the Prisco or Eola Community Centers.
Fox Valley Dance Academy Class Attire Requirements: English | Spanish
Summer Dance Concert Auditions: Neverland | May 19
Neverland is Fox Valley Dance Academy’s Summer Dance Concert that tells the story of Peter Pan through dance. Practices will be on Monday evenings concluding with onstage performances on Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9. Auditions are free, please register for the appropriate age time.
Ages: 5-18Y
Free – Register Online!
Miss Vantenia A-Factor Artistic Director and Dance Coordinator
Vantenia Kelley is a Chicago native, who received her B.F.A. in dance from Northern Illinois University. She has worked with, trained, and taught various dance ministries, dance teams, and studios throughout the Chicagoland area and abroad. She has trained in various styles of dance such as modern, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and African. She is currently the lead dancer for Recording Christian Pop Artist Shuree Rivera. Vantenia is also a member of Dance Missions International and has traveled to Uganda, Africa to teach and minister through dance. Vantenia is passionate about her love for dance and aims to inspire others to always follow their dreams.
Miss Abby Dance Instructor
Miss Abby is currently the captain for her high school’s varsity dance team. Responsibilities include choreography for jazz, hip hop, and pom routines for both football and basketball games. She is also a competitive dancer and performs in musicals, typically in the style of tap (which has always been her favorite style).
Miss Ariel
Dance Instructor
Ariel is an Aurora native who started dancing when she was three years old. She danced through the Fox Valley Park District for 11 years and an additional three years at a private studio. Ariel was also a member of the A-Factor Dance Company for seven years, training in ballet, pointe, lyrical, modern, jazz, tap, and hip hop. She was also one of the dancers that joined A-Factor in Orlando, FL for Dance the World at Walt Disney World in 2018. Ariel was a Pro Reveler for Revel Dance Convention and attended master tap classes through the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. Through many dance conventions, she also began training in contemporary, jazz funk, and other fusion styles of dance. While in high school, she held a choreography lead position for the West Aurora Dance Team her junior and senior year. Currently, Ariel is a student at Illinois State University, majoring in Special Education – Learning and Behavior with a minor in Dance Performance and is working towards an endorsement in Dance Education. She hopes to teach young and aspiring dancers to dance with what’s in their hearts.
Miss Hannah
Dance Instructor
Miss Hannah has been dancing with the Fox Valley Park District since the age of three. Her favorite types of dances to perform are jazz and tap. However, she has experience in ballet, modern, lyrical, and hip hop. Hannah became a dance teacher to help future generations gain the love of dance just like she has.
Miss Jamie
Dance Instructor
Miss Jamie began her love of dance with a ballet class at age three. She trained at her local park district before continuing her training at Salt Creek Ballet. She earned a degree in Theatre Performance from Columbia College Chicago in 2006. Previously, Jamie taught for 12 years at Peggy Rose Academy of Dance. Jamie has appeared on stage in several FVPD theatre productions and is also a director and choreographer. Miss Jamie is a self-described Ballet snob – it’s her very favorite to teach and dance. She loves watching students go from ” I can’t” to ” I just did! ” When not teaching Jamie reads, relaxes with her family, and works on her antique car. Jamie is excited to be part of the Fox Valley Park District Dance Family.
Miss Juliana
Dance Instructor
Juliana was introduced to the world of dance when she was 18 months old in a mommy and me class. She grew up taking ballet and tap at various studios. For many years, her dance training became part of her musical theatre world. She rediscovered her love for dance after her first professional musical. From that point on, she dove back in, training in various styles. She has been a featured dancer in many shows and has served as a dance captain twice at her high school. She is currently on the varsity dance team at her high school.
Miss Kate
Dance Instructor
Miss Kate started dancing at the age of 7. Since the beginning of her dance career, she has danced with Fox Valley Park District. She has the privilege of competing with the A-Factor Dance Company as well as performing in the Park District’s The Nutcracker and Summer Showcase. Her favorite styles include ballet/pointe and lyrical, yet she has also trained in the following styles: jazz, lyrical, and modern. In her spare time, she enjoys lifting weights, cooking new meals and reading. In upcoming years Kate hopes to continue to teach with the park district as well as inspire young children to be the best dancers they can possibly be.
Miss Lynn
Dance Instructor
Lynn Nicinski began dance lessons when she was 3 years old. She started in ballet classes, then added tap and pointe. As an adult, she has been taking lessons at the Fox Valley Park District for over 25 years. She has been teaching adult ballet and tap classes for 2 years and loves sharing the joy of dancing! Lynn is also a Math teacher at Georgetown Elementary School. She enjoys cooking, baking, nature, and spending time with her family, friends and dogs.
Miss Mackenzie
Dance Instructor
Miss Mackenzie is an involved member of Fox Valley Dance Academy. She has been taking dance classes through the park district since she was three years old and is a product of the program. Mackenzie continues to train in dance, primarily in ballet as well as learning other styles of dance. She performed in the Nutcracker with the park district and was the Sugar Plum Fairy in 2022. Mackenzie is also an active member of the theatre department within the Fox Valley Park District where she has performed in more than ten productions, but has also been a choreographer, assistant choreographer, dance captain, and dance assistant in many productions. She will be graduating high school this May and intends on furthering her studies in Musical Theatre and dance in college.
Miss Sahasraa
Dance Instructor
Miss Sahasraa has been dancing for 12 years. She started and is continuing her dance training at the Fox Valley Park District as part of the A-Factor Dance Company. She has participated in many Fox Valley Park District programs such as The Little Mermaid, Wonderful World of Oz, Grease, as well as multiple Nutcracker productions. Recently Miss Sahasraa has choreographed for the Nutcracker as well as developed the new Bollywood class for the district. Her favorite styles are jazz or lyrical, but also loved dancing in styles such as modern, hip hop, and ballet.
Miss Vivi
Dance Instructor
Vivi has been dancing since she was 12 years old when she first discovered what shuffling/moon walking was. All through high school and college, she was part of dance team and studio. It was then that she introduced herself to different genres such as: Jazz, Modern, and Ballet. She firmly believes in Martha Graham’s view of dance, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion”. She has previously taught Hip-Hop at Waubonsee Community College and has danced with Dominic Sandoval and Aris Paracuelles of Quest Crew. Vivi is a proud big sister, Disney lover, and coffee enthusiast.
Enjoy more dance opportunities with the performing arts drama classes! Some of the best dance numbers come from musicals and shows that are geared towards dancers. Dancers have a flair for the dramatic, and dance numbers are always an exciting, beloved part of any show. Click here to learn more about upcoming theatre classes and auditions.
Miss Abby
Miss Ariel
Miss Hannah
Miss Jamie
Miss Juliana
Miss Kate
