Performance Groups

North Shore Dance Center features three award-winning competition-level dance troupes, "Showstoppers", "Take One," and "A-Typical Hip Hop". Performance groups are by audition or invitation only. Each dancer works hard in a minimum of four class hours per week. Studies include mandatory ballet as well as troupe work.

Upcoming / Recent Performances & Competitions

  • Village Nursing Home, December 20, 2009
  • Wilmette Dance Showcase, January 10, 2009
  • Skokie Public Library, April 2009 (tentative) (free performance)
  • Talent on Parade, St. Charles, IL, April 17-19, 2009 (competition)
  • Disney World (Take One), May 16, 2009
  • Annual Dance Company Recital,Wilmette Community Center Theater, Wilmette, June 2009 (full-company recital)
  • 2009-10 Performing Group Auditions, North Shore Dance Center, TBD June 2009

    • In addition to competitions, North Shore Dance Center’s performing groups give back to the local community by staging free performances and benefit events for retirement homes, hospitals, libraries, churches, park districts, schools, and other civic organizations. If your group is interested in scheduling a FREE PERFORMANCE featuring our award-winning performing groups, we want to hear from you! Contact our Artistic Director, Arla Faye, at 847-674-2216 or e-mail nsdcskokie@aol.com.

    Showstoppers

    Showstoppers

    Showstoppers is choreographed and coached by Rubin Zapata. Showstoppers' dancers range in age from 11 to 18. In 2007, the group competed at the Kid’s Artistic Review National Dance Competition and received a Top First Award and a Special High Point Award. They also received the KAR Kid All–Star Award and traveled as a group to New York.

    Take One

    Take One is choreographed and coached by Kirsten Markham. Take One members are 7 to 13 year old. This award-winning group specializes in dramatically choreographed routines to music from Broadway’s biggest hit shows and to traditional music that celebrates the American spirit and diversity. In addition to busy performance schedules, the 2007-08 Take One troupe competed at Talent on Parade and Sophiticated Productions, bringing home top awards from both competitions. In May 2009, Take One will perform at Disney World. In addition to performing 5 routines for Disney fans, they will also take part in a behind-the-scenes Disney dance workshop! Congratulations to our Take One performers!

    A-Typical Hip Hop

    A-Typical Hip Hop, our newest performance group, is choreographed and coached by Debra Giunta. Established in Fall 2007, this performed multiple community events as well as competed at Talent on Parade and Sophisticated Productions. Like Showstoppers, A-Typical Hip Hop's dancers are 11 to 18.

    Soloists & Small Groups

    Many of our performance group members are also awarding-winning solo and small group performers at national dance competitions. Congratulations go out to our Spring 2008 soloists and small group competitors who brought home top awards from Talent on Parade in May!