GODFREY - "Let me tell you 'bout a place
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up on Godfrey Road a way
Where the kids love it they say
Dancin’ the time away
Here they have a lot of fun
Puttin' trouble on the run
Ah, you find they’re learnin’ young
Dancin’ the time away"
— Sam Cook
And where will you find them dancing the time away? Right there at Alton Academy of Dance (AAD). While it might have Alton in its name, it has been in Godfrey during its 12 years in business. It started out renting space at Mid-Illinois Gymnastics and in 2019 moved to its present location of Monticello Plaza. This year the academy broke a new record of 110 dance students. Students tend to come from Alton, Godfrey, Bethalto and Jerseyville.
It is a family-owned business that offers dance instruction to beginners through advanced dancers in a friendly, positive, and motivating environment. They strive to share the joy of dance, as well as building confidence and self esteem while training in the areas of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop and competitive dance. The school looks forward to meeting each and every new student. Visitors are welcome to come in and take a trial class or just observe a class!
AAD offers both a recreational program and a competition team! An AAD Competition team is a highly competitive and dedicated group. Students may start as early as four years old and up! Contests are comprised of varying age groups, dance styles, and classes of dancers. Based upon age levels and teacher recommendations, teams are split into a Mini team, Petite team, Junior team and Teen team based upon age levels and teacher recommendations.
Why Join Competitive Dance?
- The close family bond, long lasting friendships, and the promotion of teamwork and collaboration with your teammates
- The opportunity to work with experienced teachers and choreographers to help you refine your techniques and improve your skills
- To gain discipline and dedication as you learn time management skills, setting priorities and dedication to your craft
- The opportunity to perform in front of various audiences to help you to gain confidence and experience
- Exposure to different dance styles
- The opportunity for scholarships, recognition and professional opportunities in the dance industry
- To get to share your passion with others through performance
The dancers compete in regional competitions throughout the year and usually one national event. Most of the competitions are in St. Louis and next year a group is going to Arkansas.
Student’s ages range up to eighteen years of age. In fact, the school has a Tiny Tots Program specifically for ballet and tap.
Alton Academy of Dance strives to provide an encouraging environment that fosters creativity, imagination and play. Every dancer gets spotlighted and made to “feel like a star.”
For more information about Alton Academy of Dance, click here. To learn more about Godfrey and other local services, check out the village’s official website at VisitGodfrey.com.
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