Wilmette Center for Dance

Our philosophy is to teach the artistry and proper technique of dance to all students.

Katie Byrd, Hip Hop, Jazz, Dancercise, Ballet. She received her training from Joel Hall Dance Center and Le Ballet Petit School of Dance. She was a member and captain of her school’s dance team, Orchesis. She has performed with numerous dance companies throughout the Chicago area. Katie is a graduate from the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC).

Sarah Heston, Jazz, Modern. She received her B.A. in modern dance and choreography from Simon’s Rock College and is a certified yoga instructor through the Temple of Kriya Yoga. Sarah is currently directing and choreographing for the Luna Troop. She was the Modern Dance and Jazz specialist for the Chicago Jump Co.

Pamela Fox, Ballet and Tap. She has been working in the Chicago area as a choreographer, actress and cabaret artist for several years. She has choreographed at the Apollo Theater and Porchlight, and worked with the Savoy Aires and the North Shore Theater of Wilmette. She also teaches voice lessons at the Wilmette Park District. Fox received her formal training at the University of Kentucky and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She continues her study at Joel Hall.

Wendy Meyer-Gonzalez, Pre-Ballet, Ballet, Princess Ballet. She received her B.F.A. from Wright State University and a Master’s from Columbia College in Dance/Movement Therapy. She has also worked with numerous professional dance companies.

Kirsten Markham, Pre-Ballet, Princess Ballet, Ballet/Tap, Contemporary dance. She received her training at Gus Giordano and also has a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a choreographer and has performed in many local theaters.

Lynn Merrill, Ballet. She has a B.A. in Dance/Theater and Psychology from Barat College. She holds a Master’s degree from Loyola University Department of School Psychology. She has performed with Gus Giordano, Barat Repertory Theater and the Rocky Mountain Dance Theater.

Required Dance Attire

Students MUST wear the following appropriate dance wear so instructors may properly observe and teach muscular movement:

Girls’ Princess Ballet and Pre-Ballet: Any color leotard, ballet pink or white tights, pink ballet shoes.

Ballet: Black leotard, ballet pink or white tights, pink ballet shoes, and hair pulled back and off neck. No skirts or tutus will be allowed.

Youth, Teen and Adult Tap: Solid colored dancewear and tights and/or shorts or stretch pants; black tap shoes. Patent leather tap shoes are acceptable for Pre-Tap through Beginner Levels I-III. Oxford/Jazz tap shoes with hard steel toe and full sole (no split sole) are required for intermediate levels and above. No jeans, hair off neck.

Girls’ Jazz: Solid colored leotard and tights or stretch jazz pants (instructor must be able to see ankles), black jazz or ballet shoes and hair off neck.

Boys’ All Dance Classes: Comfortable pants or tights, white shirt and dance shoes (black ballet shoes for Pre-Ballet and Ballet; black jazz or black ballet shoes for Jazz; black tap shoes for Tap). No jeans.

Please note: Sweat pants and street clothes should not be worn in class. There are cubbies in each dance room for students to store their change of clothes.

A Message to Parents: Age, Attire and Attendance Requirements

For all programs, age requirements will be as of the date of the first class. Please do not request to have your child put in a class he/she does not belong in. Girls must wear their hair off neck for ALL CLASSES. If dancers are not properly dressed for class or come 15 minutes late, they will be asked to observe class and not participate. Warm-up exercises are a very important part of class. All requirements are set to benefit the children and make instruction more consistent for the program leaders. In some instances, the requirements have been set for the child's safety.