Growing Wunderkind

Dances…

So, I can talk a lot about this topic 😉 We live in Chicago north suburbs and both of my kids are actively practicing Latin American dances:

  1. Cha-cha-cha
  2. Rumba
  3. Samba
  4. Paso doble
  5. Jive

I personally was practicing standard dances:

  1. Waltz
  2. Tango
  3. Viennese Waltz
  4. Slow Foxtrot
  5. Quick step

I believe dancing helps with confidence, public appearance, memory, creativity, discipline, socializing, working in partnership, with learning and understanding how hard work brings achievements.

Knowing how to dance is a skill and in the future the kid can continue practicing or even earn by teaching dances, dancing pro-am or opening your own studio.

It is an expensive sport and it requires commitment from kids and parents. Just to give you some sneak peak into prices:

  1. Group classes cost ~$150 per month, 2 times per week. The duration is 45 minutes.
  2. Private class costs from $75 to $95 locally, which usually is semi private and can be divided by 2. The duration is 45 minutes.
  3. When coaches are visiting the studio the private class cost is ~$200-350 for 45, sometimes even 40 minutes.

Famous coaches that visit Illinois studios are Shirley Ballas, Karina Smirnoff, Slavik Kryklyvyy, Aigars Stolcers, Vibeke Toft, Ricardo Coci and others.

Practicing dancewear and shoes can be bought on the following websites:

https://www.danceshopper.com/

https://www.internationaldanceshoes.com/

Competition dresses can be done by the following tailors:

https://www.facebook.com/elena.lavronenko

My son, Bryan, has started dancing when he was 4 years old. For 1 year he attended group classes and after that we have started adding private classes and actively participating in competitions. The maximum Bryan’s achievements were:

  • Was a captain of the USA team in the United Kingdom. The team won 1st place for the 1st time in history J1 and J2 won first places at the same time!
  • Won the 1st place in solo in Blackpool in 2022 in J1 category
  • Shared 3rd/4th place in the USA national competition in Utah
  • Won 8th place in Blackpool in J1, UK – 2023

Bryan tried different sports and activities, but we saw his talent in dances. Also boys are in high demand here! 😉 Definitely combining the talent with hard work can bring great results and happiness from achievements and traveling around the world.

Negative aspect in dances is when you get to some level, and it is becoming challenging to find a partner with the same dancing and commitment levels.

Before starting a partnership, make sure to:

  1. Meet parents of a partner
  2. Discuss a plan for group classes, rounds, semiprivate and private classes per week
  3. Discuss a plan for competitions to attend nationally and internationally
  4. Research and pick teachers/studio to work with
  5. Discuss expectations for coaching (guest dance teachers) through the year

It is hard to discuss all points upfront, but to minimize surprises better vocalize all expectations and plans. Within time goals and commitments are changing and partnerships are stopped. It always hurts and high recommendation is to stay humans and have understanding for each other.

I am highly recommending the following studios/teachers based on our experience:

  1. Dance Religion Inc. – Address: 1302 S Milwaukee Ave, Vernon Hills, IL 60061. Sergiy Chyslov & Daria Chyslova. Phone: (847) 271-6787
  2. Ballroom Center – Address: 118 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048. Donald Johnson & Irina Shukhat. Phone: (224) 513-5999 
  3. Tetyana Oliynyk – Phone: (310) 425-4113 
  4. A & Z Ballroom Dance Studio – Address: 280 E Palatine Rd, Wheeling, IL, United States, Illinois. Arturas Narbutas – Phone: (773) 330-1235 

Read more on “Latin dance” wiki page.

NDCA rules and schedule of competitions.

Oksana

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