The art of dance is a creative outlet, an individual discipline, as well as a group discipline.  Under that description, where each child fits, and more importantly, how each child uses their unique ability is a very personal decision.  This project exists to educate students about dance in a healthy, positive, and imaginative manner.  While there are strict rules in a dance environment, students nevertheless develop an appreciation and maybe even a love for the beautiful artistic expression that is dance.  In addition, the dancers of Yvonne’s Dance Academy gain knowledge of this art form, both in the classroom and on the stage.  Ms. Yvonne Grabe uses dance as a tool to build self-esteem and good character. She believes that dance offers a chance to express one’s creativity, which contributes to the overall development of the student. Her goal is to provide a loving and safe atmosphere for students to take dance to whatever level they desire using a highly disciplined and classically based professional dance education in a variety of styles.  The structured environment allows the dancers to develop their dance skills individually, while simultaneously learning how to work collectively as a member of the dance company.    Every effort will be made to help your child progress, learn, and enjoy dancing. 

 

The director of this program is Ms. Yvonne M. Grabe.  Ms. Grabe began studying ballet at the age of three at a small privately owned dance studio in Chicago.  She continued training in Chicago at the Ruth Page School of Ballet (American Ballet Theatre style) and at Kathleen’s Dance Asylum (Cechetti and Russian style).  Ms. Grabe’s dance teaching experience began in 1989 as a teaching assistant for Kathleen Katsoudas. 

Upon finishing her teacher training in 1993, Ms. Grabe began teaching three to five year old students.  Soon after, Ms. Grabe was teaching the art of dance in a wide variety of classes.  She has instructed everything from Mom and Tot classes to Adults Over Fifty.   Upon completion of high school at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Yvonne went to Orlando, Florida to dance at Walt Disney World in the Magic Kingdom.  Through this experience, Ms. Grabe gained a tremendous amount of performance experience as well as the opportunity to learn from some of the best master teachers in the United States.  Ms. Grabe has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Developmental Psychology from DePaulUniversityin Chicago, Illinois.  At DePaulUniversity, Yvonne danced as a Demonette on the Dance Team.  The Demonette’s performed at the Allstate Arena for the Men’s Basketball Team as well as other various events for the school.   

Additionally, Ms. Yvonne has over 15 years of competitive dance training, experience, and competition preparation skills.  She has competed in numerous competitions such as Certified National Association of Dance Masters (CNADM), Rising Star, Showstoppers, and Tremaine, just to name a few. Ms. Grabe continues her training at various studios throughout the city to hone her dance expertise and gain yet more experience.   

Ms. Grabe spent her first five years at St. Benedict Preparatory School (SBPS) in Chicago, Illinois teaching third grade.  Last year, her passion for teaching led Ms. Grabe to her current position as a Middle School teacher at SBPS.  In 2011-2012 Ms. Grabe implemented a Dance curriculum within the Fine Arts program at SBPS for grades 7 through 12.  In 2011-2012 there were three Dance I classes.  Because of a strong dance interest from the secondary school students, for the 2012-2013 school year, Ms. Grabe will be teaching six courses with three of them being new additions to the program.  These courses include:  Dance I and II, Kinesiology, and Conditioning for the Dancer and Athlete.       

Yvonne Grabe has directed and choreographed the following plays and dance performancesduring her tenure at SBPS:   

Once Upon a Christmas Light                                                 

Our Life, Our Love, Our Children  

 

Much to the delight of the SBPS and community, Ms. Grabe opened the doors of Yvonne’s Dance Academy (YDA) in February of 2009.  The support and positive response from both parents and students has been overwhelming and inspiring.  Ms. Grabe plans to continue this project as long as the children continue to show interest.  

 

In the fall of 2011, Ms. Yvonne Grabe proudly introduced Mrs. Shannon Dingman to her Dance Academy staff.    At the age of three, Ms. Shannon found her love of dance.  She began her studies at a small local studio  in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.  As her skills progressed, she continued her studies at New Dance Workshop in North Wales, PA.  Growing up, she studied a variety of dance genres including:  ballet, modern, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop and some basics in tap.  

Ms. Shannon continued her dance studies through college by receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from MuhlenbergCollege in Allentown, PA.  While a student in college, Shannon worked with multiple programs involving sharing the joy of creativity, movement and dance with the local community.  After college, she worked at the Conservatory of Music and Dance, where she was previously a student, located in Harleysville, PA, educating children of all ages.  She taught a variety of classes, although teaching Hip Hop is her favorite because, “of the energy that is naturally present in every class”.   

Ms. Shannon moved to the Chicago area in the summer of 2011.  She is entering her second year as an instructor at YDA and cannot wait to continue to share her creative talents with the dancers of YDA.  In January of 2012, Mrs. Dingman accepted a position at SBPS as a Kindergarten aid.  She will continue to hold that position for the 2012-2013 school year. 

Ms. Yvonneis proud to announce a new teacher to the staff of YDA.  Ms. Sioned (Shawn-id) Sioned Papparotto recently graduated from MuhlenbergCollege with a BA in dance and psychology.  For the past nine years, Sioned has had the privilege of teaching ages 3-18 in the styles of tap, modern, ballet, creative movement and musical theatre.  As an active member of the arts world, Sioned has performed in multiple performing Ensembles, including the Muhlenberg Tap Ensemble as well as the SixMeters Improv Company, allowing her to tour the Lehigh Valley and spread her love of dance throughout the community.  Her choreography has been seen throughout the east coast, including Dance New Amsterdam and the American College Dance Festival.  Additionally, Sioned had the privilege of collaborating with Holly Cate, a renowned actress currently teaching at MuhlenbergCollege, as a choreographer for Anton Chekov's play, THREE SISTERS.  Most recently, Sioned performed in the production of Hairspray as a Council Member and the dance captain.  While she is new to the area, she already feels at home.  Sioned is very excited to begin teaching here at Yvonne’s Dance Academy!

 

Because of increased interest and enrollment, during the summer of 2010, Ms. Grabe introduced Ms. Brittney Lowe to her Dance Academy Staff.  Ms. Grabe believes Brittney will be a great addition to her teaching team because of her level of professionalism, dedication, her strong background in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and modern dance, as well as her extensive performance experience.

 

Ms. Brittney started her dancing career at the age of four at a small, store front studio in Dayton, Ohio.  After dancing competitively in middle school for the Vantasia Junior Dance Team, she moved to Dance Expressions Studio to dance under director Lori Greenwood Downey.  Ms. Brittney attended Vandalia Butler High School where she participated first as an officer and then co-captain of the dance team, The Butler Kickline. The Butler Kickline competed nationally on the Universal Dance Association (UDA) and Showcase America circuits earning many titles and medals.  Brittney continued to take classes through college and still attends classes at area studios.   

 

Ms. Brittney attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies.  Following this, she worked for the Children's Memorial Foundation.  Additionally, she spent her free time volunteering at Children's Memorial Hospital in school services.  There, she tutored patients and their siblings bedside.  Ms. Brittney says that she, "Always knew loving and teaching children was the best way to spend my days.  It just took me some time to figure out how to make it my full time profession."

 

Ms. Brittney is a recent graduate of DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois where she earned a Master Degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Social Studies.  While earning this degree, Ms. Brittney worked at Merrill Lynch as an executive assistant.  After earning this degree, Ms. Lowe accepted a position at St. Benedict Preparatory School as both the Technology teacher and Librarian for grades K-8.  Currently, Ms. Lowe is one of four teachers on the 1st grade teaching team at St. Benedict Preparatory School.

*All YDA staff are fully Virtus and CPR trained

Yvonne's Dance Academy at St. Benedict Preparatory School

Attention:  Yvonne M. Grabe

3920 N. Leavitt St.

Chicago, IL 60618

Middle School Classroom Location:  Elementary School Room #319B

Studio Location:  High School Room #242*

*All dancers should be dropped off and picked up at 3911 N. Bell