"Family Plan" Gives Relative Rewards

To help the community during economically troubled times and support America, a special tuition program - appropriately called the "Family Plan" is saving Chicago families hundreds of dollars by allowing unlimited dance and drama classes for anyone from the same household.

SKOKIE, IL -- A special tuition program, appropriately called the Family Plan," is saving Chicago-area families hundreds of dollars by allowing unlimited dance and drama classes for anyone from the same household. For example, one family is taking over $1,000 worth of classes during North Shore Dance Centers seven-week, Fall I Session but because they are on the Family Plan, the cost is only $275.

North Shore Dance Center in the near-north Chicago suburb of Skokie is run as a family business, with the students and their parents embraced as extended family. Many households have multiple family members enrolled in classes: combinations of mother and daughter, brother and sister, and cousin collectives.

The fine arts academy is owned by the mother and daughter tandem of Arla Faye and Ali Fran-Potter. Family business is more than just a catch phrase, the duo know virtually all of the dance studios students and their parents on a first name basis.

A COMMON BOND
This is a family, from the students to the teachers," says Faye. We help each other however we can. Thats the big reason for our Family Plan tuition program, to help parents economically and to allow everyone in the family to share a common bond through dance."

Sabriah (10) and Adriel Weideman (8) of Morton Grove are both standouts in jazz and ballet, and landed pivotal roles in the musicals Annie" and Grease Girls!" that were performed at the Niles Township Jewish Congregation as a part of North Shore Dance Centers summer dance and drama camp, directed by matinee idol and best selling recording artist Rikki Lee Travolta. Equally artistically inclined siblings Kaitlyn (14) and Chayil (19) joined in the orchestration of the productions on drums and keyboards, respectively. Mother and father, Debbie and Stan, have become standouts in the centers ballroom classes.

Claire (9) and Beth Henley (7) commute from Park Ridge for the personal teaching approach the Skokie dance center offers. The girls have flourished under the supportive family atmosphere; Claire and Beth are both members of the North Shore Dance Center Junior Showstoppers, an award winning competition performing group that puts on dance programs for churches, synagogues, libraries, schools, and other civic organizations to give back to the community.

This summer Claire traveled to New York and performed on the stage of Radio City Music Hall alongside members of the Rockettes, having won All-Star honors in the Kids Artistic Revue Dance Competition. She was selected from a field of over 5,000 dancers nationwide.

Wendy Nicholson and her 13-year-old daughter Samantha both study ballet at the studio, which is located a few blocks from their neighborhood home. Morton Grove residents Dana Einersen (5) and her mother Sue both take classes at NSDC. When Faye noticed Danas brother Ben (10) was routinely waiting for his sister during class, she brought him in and made him an unofficial member of the class.

Lily (3) and Violette (5) Shearer of Skokie are both students at the school, a connection that introduced mother Amy to the faculty as a certified Pilates and yoga instructor. The classes, that focus on relaxation, strength development, posture, and flexibility, became instantly popular.

Our goal is to offer classes that really benefit people, where they can learn and enjoy at the same time," explains Faye. The yoga and Pilates classes are very popular with all ages. We couldnt be happier and the students cant get enough."

FAMILY GROWTH
When Fran-Potter married in 1997, the dance center was part of the wedding party. Five of her students danced down the isle of the church as a part of the ceremony.

Her maternal role to the clientele of the fine arts school also helped prepare Fan-Potter for her new role as mother. She gave birth to twins Michael and John in June. Pictures of the newborns are included on the dance centers information bulletin board.

All the parents were burning up the phone lines asking about the birth of the newest North Shore Dance Center family members," says office manager Cherry Swento. Parents have brought in gifts and cards, and some of Fran-Potters students have gone to her house to help out in caring for the twins.

TAKING STAGE
Family plays a key role in North Shore Dance Centers annual recital. A highlight at the pinnacle of the recitals finale is the Family Number." Performed to Kool and the Gangs We Are a Family," the dance spotlights groups of family members doing their own original choreography in 20-second segments.

The Family Number is one of the most popular number every year," says Faye. Because of the success of the Family Plan tuition program and the popularity of the centers teachers, the demand for tickets to the event lead the studio to conduct two performances instead of just one. Even with the added performance, ticket sales quickly reached sold out capacity.

Parents who have attended other dance recitals routinely comment how entertaining ours are. We use lighting and sound designers with theatrical backgrounds to make it a real show," says Faye.

DEDICATED STAFF
The family-friendly North Shore Dance Center has gained recognition as one of the Chicago-areas top dance studios by embracing a philosophy of actively recruiting a full staff of acclaimed International professionals from the performing arts world.

The staff includes performing alumni of Chicago Opera Ballet, Joel Hall Dancers, Giordano Jazz Company, Butler Ballet, Dance Chicago, CG Jung Institute, American College Dance Festival, Coyote Arts Festival, Junior League of Chicago, Culture Shock, Washington Dance Theatre, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project, national musical theater tours, and international dance tours.

The accomplished group of instructors include certified Illinois teachers; graduates of Northwestern University, North Eastern Illinois University, Butler University, Columbia College, National-Louis University, Northern Illinois University, Roosevelt University, Illinois State University, Coe College, and Wright State University; students of Cleveland Ballet School, Chamber School of Ballet (Dallas), and Second City; and students of legendary individual instructors Martha Graham, Gus Giordano, Ruth Page, Homer Bryant, and Joel Hall.

Ruben Zapata of Skokie coaches the companys award winning Showstoppers Performing Group. Zapata has performed on tour throughout the United States and Europe, has appeared locally with Chicagos Joel Hall Dancers and Giordano Jazz Company, and studied under Homer Bryant and Lynda Martha. Many of the members of Zapata team, who are selected from annual open auditions, participate in the Family Plan tuition program.

Our performing group dancers are some of the most talented in the area," explains Fran-Potter. And, they also know that membership is by audition. So, they want to keep learning, not only to stay the best, but because its fun to grow. The Family Plan allows unlimited classes, thats a great advantage for someone thirsting to learn."

Showstoppers member Melanie Gunn (13) of Glenview is on the Family Plan along with mother Sharon. Melanie has been studying with North Shore Dance Center since the age of three.

The Junior Showstoppers Performing Group is coached by Kirsten Markham of Des Plaines, one of the regions leading theatrical choreographers with credits at Starlight Theatre, North Shore Theatre of Wilmette, Glenview Theatre Guild, Marquee Theatre, and Des Plaines Theatre Guild. Victor Taylor of Evanston, who holds a BA from Coe College and an MA from Northwestern, coaches the Hip Hop Hooray Performing Group.

Bridging the full spectrum of performing arts, the staff also includes accomplished theatrical directors and choreographers, a certified yoga/Pilates teacher, and a best-selling recording artist who participates in the selection of the nominees and winners of the annual Grammy music awards.

The entire staff is dedicated to creating a constructive educational atmosphere that fosters learning and personal growth," says Fran-Potter.

The investment in a dedicated and renowned staff has created a dedicated and far-reaching following including participants from Arlington Heights, Chicago, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Libertyville, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Norridge, Park Ridge, Round Lake Beach, Skokie, and Wilmette.

Located at the intersection of Crawford and Main in Skokie, North Shore Dance Studio has classes throughout the year for all abilities and ages. New students are invited to stop by the studio at 8401 Crawford Avenue, or call (847) 674-2216.