Business Details
Your Premier Dance Academy in Elmhurst & Glen Ellyn, IL
At DeForest Dance Academy, we believe that everyone can dance. Our mission is to create a fun and welcoming environment where students of all ages develop confidence, technical skill, and a lifelong passion for dance. With two state-of-the-art locations in Elmhurst and Glen Ellyn, we offer recreational classes and the award-winning competitive team, Steppin Out Dance Company. Our experienced instructors provide personalized training in multiple dance styles, fostering growth through weekly classes or intensive year-round programs. We invite families to tour our studios and experience our commitment to nurturing both artistic talent and personal development. 
Services
Recreational Dance Classes
Competitive Dance Team
Ballet Instruction
Tap Dance Training
Jazz Technique
Lyrical Dance
Hip Hop Classes
Pointe Technique
Musical Theater
Audition Preparation
Highlights and features
- We offer experienced instructors dedicated to student growth in multiple dance styles.
- Our two state-of-the-art facilities provide optimal environments for dance education.
- We maintain a welcoming atmosphere that prioritizes confidence-building and enjoyment.
- Our competitive team has earned national recognition for over 25 years.
- We provide both weekly recreational classes and intensive year-round training programs.
Services
Recreational Dance Classes
Our weekly hour-long dance classes cater to all skill levels, focusing on technical development and creative expression. Students explore various styles while building foundational skills in a supportive environment. These classes emphasize enjoyment and personal growth through structured dance education.
Competitive Dance Team
This award-winning competitive program offers intensive training in multiple dance styles for dedicated students. Members receive specialized coaching in preparation for regional and national competitions. The team has maintained excellence in performance for over 25 years.
Ballet Instruction
We provide comprehensive ballet training from beginner to advanced levels, including pointe technique. Our curriculum develops proper form, flexibility, and artistic expression through classical and contemporary ballet instruction.
Jazz Technique
Our jazz classes focus on mastering syncopated rhythms, isolations, and dynamic movement. Students progress through technical drills while developing performance quality in various jazz styles from traditional to contemporary.
Audition Preparation
We offer specialized training for students preparing for competitive team auditions. This includes technique refinement, choreography practice, and performance coaching to help dancers showcase their full potential during the audition process.
People
Ashley DeForest-Goletz
Owner & Director
Ashley founded DeForest Dance Academy with a vision to make dance accessible to all. With decades of experience, she leads our instructional team while maintaining active involvement in choreography and student development.
Donna Johnson
Tap Director
As founder of Steppin Out Dance Company, Donna brings extensive competitive dance expertise. She specializes in tap instruction and has mentored award-winning performers for over 25 years.
Carly Brandl
Co-Director
Carly serves as Co-Director and choreographer for our competitive team. Her innovative approach to dance education combines technical precision with creative expression for students at all levels.
Daryl Barnes
Competition Coordinator
Daryl manages competition logistics while teaching ballet and pointe technique. With years of dance industry experience, he ensures smooth operations for our competitive programs and student development initiatives.
Kelsey Green
Jazz Instructor
Kelsey provides expert jazz technique instruction and choreography for competitive teams. Her teaching focuses on developing versatility and performance quality in dancers pursuing advanced training.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We teach jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, ballet, pointe, and musical theater styles across both recreational and competitive programs.
Are there class options for beginners?
Yes! Our recreational program welcomes all skill levels with weekly classes designed to build foundational dance skills in a supportive environment.
What are your studio locations?
We operate two facilities: 300 W. Lake St., Elmhurst, IL and 483 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn, IL.
Who teaches the dance classes?
Our faculty includes award-winning instructors like Ashley DeForest-Goletz, Donna Johnson, and Carly Brandl, with decades of combined experience in dance education.
