Classes for everyone

2024-2025 Class Schedule

Pre-Dance
Thursday: 5:00-6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00-10:00am

Level 1
- Ballet -
Tuesday: 4:15-5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00-10:45am
- Tap & Jazz Combo -
Tuesday: 5:00-6:00pm
Saturday: 10:45-11:45am

Level 2
- Ballet -
Monday: 5:30-6:30pm
Saturday: 11:45-12:45pm
- Tap & Jazz Combo -
Monday: 6:30-7:45pm
Saturday: 10:30-11:45pm

Level 3
- Ballet -
Thursday: 6:00-7:00pm
- Jazz -
Thursday: 7:00-8:00pm
- Tap -
Thursday: 8:00-8:30pm

eXpressions Competition Team
Invitation Only

Hip-Hop
- Wednesday's -
Beginning: 4:30-5:15pm
Intermediate: 5:15-6:00pm

Tumbling
- Wednesday's -
Beginning: 6:00-7:00pm
Intermediate: 7:00-8:00pm
Advanced: 4:15-5:15pm

*All classes & Times are subject to change.

Pre-Ballet/Tap/Jazz

Children 5-7 who are ready to begin formal training.

Requirements:
Leotard, tights, ballet/tap/jazz shoes required

Ballet

The core of all dance training, ballet is the focus of this school.

Requirements:
Tight fitting clothes and Pink Ballet Shoes

Tap / Jazz

Technique and combinations taught. Great for coordination and future dance team members.

Requirements:
Must be enrolled in ballet class. Form fitting clothes and appropriate shoes

Pre-Dance

Children, age 3 1/2 - 5, in Pre-Dance begin to learn good posture and grace while developing flexibility, musicality, basic ballet and tap moves.

Requirements:
Pink ballet shoes and black tap shoes

Hip-Hop

Learn moves from today's music videos with appropriate style.

Requirements:
Comfortable clothes, clean sneakers

Tumbling

Offering Beginning, Intermediate, Back Handspring and Cheer Try-out Preparation Classes.

Requirements:
Tight fitting clothes, no shoes required.

Jewelry should be kept to a minimum - no dangling necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. Hair should be pulled tightly away from face. It is a great idea to put your child's name or initials on everything, especially shoes.

Please do not drop your child of more than 10 minutes before class. Our staff is not responsible for anything that happens before class time.



Meet our instructors

Liz Waldschmidt

- Bio coming soon -

Christian Naven

- Bio coming soon -


Tamra Challacombe

Ms. Tamra has a BFA in Ballet Performance from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She has extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, acrobatic dance, dance history, kinesiology and acting. She has taught and choreographed at many area studios and theatres and was the resident choreographer for Conklin’s Barn II Dinner theater for many years until its closure in 2015. Mrs. Challacombe served as Artistic Director of Twin Cities Ballet Company in Bloomington from 1999 to 2005. She taught for the Peoria Ballet from 2005-2014, servings as the Academy Director from 2011 to 2014. Ms. Tamra brings over 30 years teaching experience to CDA.

Ashley Scotti

Growing up, I have always had a love for dance and fitness. Throughout my childhood and high school years, I danced at Classical Dance Academy, as well as being on the dance team at Pekin Community High School. I am now attending Bradley University, and still continue my love for dancing and fitness! I do so through teaching dance and strength classes at CDA, as well as personal training. There is no better feeling than sharing my love for dance and fitness with all of the incredible dancers at CDA!




Makenzie Lucas

Makenzie started dancing at the age of 3 at The Company and joined their competitive dance team at the age of 7. She later danced and competed at United Starz Academy until she landed at what she considers her “home” studio, Classical Dance Academy in 2009. Here, Makenzie trained under Liz Curtin-Rogers and Christian Naven in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, musical theatre and hip hop. She was a member of their competitive dance team, eXpressions, until she graduated high school. Throughout her dancing career, Makenzie competed at numerous dance competitions in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Indiana. She performed many solos, duets, and group dances where overall awards and judge’s awards were earned. She has trained at many dance conventions including Monsters of Hip Hop, Hollywood Vibe, LA Dance Magic and NYCDA. She has taken classes from Laura Edwards, Kent Boyd, Napolean and Tabitha, Jackie Sleight and other renowned artists. As well as being a competitive dancer, Makenzie was a four year member of Pekin High School’s dance team where she served as captain her senior year. The team went to State three years and placed second in State her freshman year. Makenzie was named a “UDA All American” two years at Universal Dance Camp. At the age of 14, Makenzie started assisting Christian Naven with classes. After graduating high school, Makenzie continues to teach as an instructor/choreographer for CDA’s eXpressions team. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students and is excited for the year ahead. Makenzie is currently a junior at Illinois State University where she is majoring in Elementary Education.

Sophie Challacombe

- Bio coming soon -


Megan Monoson

- Bio coming soon -




General Studio Rules

For the safety of our students and teachers, we ask that you please abide by these rules:

  • Students should always be on time.
  • Students must follow dress code at all times.
  • Students must show proper respect for instructors at all times and should also be courteous to others in the studio.
  • No street shoes are to be worn in the dance studio on the marley floor.
  • Please do not wear dance shoes outside.
  • No chewing gum, candy, food or drinks in the dance studio. Water is the only exception.
  • Always take with you what you bring. The studio is not responsible for lost belongings or your mess.
Parents are not allowed to talk to teachers during, before, after or in-between class times. Please leave a message with the front desk, e-mail, or call the instructor and they will contact you within 24 hours. This is to ensure the best instruction for every dancer.



Tuition

Tuition and registration are due at time of enrollment.

There is a YEARLY registration fee of $30.00. It is non-refundable. All new students registering must pay this fee before taking their first class.

Payments are due on the first (1st) or fifteenth (15th) of the month by credit card/ACH, cash or check.

Checks must be made out to: Classical Dance Academy. Please put your child’s name on the memo line.

If tuition is paid after five (5) days of processed payment due, a late fee of 10% of total bill will be assessed.

Tuition refunds will be given only for physician-certified medical reasons and will be pro-rated. Make-up classes will be allowed in lieu of a refund if/when the student receives medical approval to continue. If there is an injury it is studio policy that the student still attends class. You learn just as much from observing.

Tuition prices will be discounted for families as follows: a 10% discount off total tuition for families with two or more students.

Tuition prices will be discounted for families with a 10% discount for year paid-in-full by cash or check.

NSF fees: all checks returned NSF will be charged a $30.00 processing fee. If this situation does occur, you will be asked to remit future payment in the form of cash or official check for the rest of the season.

If you are wishing to discontinue lessons a DROP SLIP is required. You will be charged until one is received.

Vacation days and other breaks have been taken into consideration when setting tuition rates. Please do not ask for further discounts.



Attendance

Students:

All students are expected to attend class regularly and be punctual. When arriving late is unavoidable, students must wait inside the studio door until given permission to join the class. This will keep distractions to a minimum. If there is an injury; it is policy that the student still attends class. You learn just as much from observing.

Parents:

Parents are expected to pick up their children immediately following class. If a child must remain late, please notify the studio in advance. Students taking the final class of the evening must never be left for any reason. If an emergency arises, please contact the studio immediately.

Parent Watch Day:

Parents, friends and relatives are welcome to observe dance classes at the end of December and May. Check the bulletin board for official dates. Video and photography are allowed!

Weather Cancellations:

CDA follows Pekin School Districts 108 & 303 cancellations. In the case of bad weather, CDA will send e-mails to parents as well as notify radio and television stations by 3:00 p.m. Make up classes will be rescheduled if possible. No refunds will be granted.

Classical Dance Academy reserves the right to reschedule or cancel any class at any time.
If a student desires PRIVATE LESSONS, please speak to the teacher about pricing and available times.



Dress Code

Ballet: Leotard, tights, and pink ballet shoes required.
Tap/Jazz: Form fitting clothes and appropriate shoes required.
Pre-Dance: Ballet and Tap shoes required.
Hip-Hop: Comfortable clothing to move in with kicks or combat boots. Tumbling: Comfortable form fitting clothes, no shoes required.

It is a great idea to put your child’s name or initials on everything, especially shoes.
*** No street clothes allowed. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum - no dangling necklaces, bracelets, or earrings.
***Hair should be pulled back away from the face for all dance classes. Level 2 and up are required to have hair pulled up and attached to the head. No pony/piggy tails or long braids. Head bands are recommended for fly aways and bangs.

Behavior

Please remind your children about always having good social manners. CDA will not tolerate inappropriate behavior. Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to talking, spitting, or chewing gum during class, arguing with an instructor, a sarcastic or sassy attitude, verbal or physical aggression towards a teacher or another student, obscene jokes, lewd comments, or the use of profanity. This applies to faculty, parents, family, and friends of students as well. Classical Dance Academy strives to maintain a positive, respectful, and courteous atmosphere and reserves the right to discipline or expel students who continuously misbehave.