Business Details
Elite Dance Academy: Nurturing Talent & Confidence in Every Dancer
At Elite Dance Academy, we are dedicated to cultivating a supportive environment where students develop not only as dancers but as confident, disciplined individuals. Our team of professional instructors brings decades of combined experience in performance, choreography, and pedagogy, ensuring students receive cutting-edge training grounded in technical excellence. We offer age-specific programs from infancy through advanced levels, emphasizing physical development, emotional growth, and artistic expression.Our facility prioritizes safety with certified staff, sprung floors, and secure infrastructure while maintaining a joyful atmosphere where creativity thrives. Through competitive teams, performance opportunities, and community-building initiatives, we create a second home for families seeking comprehensive dance education.
Services
Ballet
Jazz
Hip Hop
Contemporary
Acro
Tap
Musical Theater
Creative Dance
Competitive Teams
Highlights and features
- Our instructors are professional or former professional dancers with university degrees in dance
- We maintain a dancer-safe environment with CPR-certified staff and sprung dance floors
- We offer age-specific programming from infancy through advanced competitive levels
- Our staff includes current performers with Chicago-based dance companies
- We emphasize both technical excellence and emotional/social development
What people say
Supportive atmosphere
Top-notch dance education
Second home for families
Professional instructors
Positive life impact
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program develops poise, technical precision, and artistic expression through age-appropriate curriculum. Students learn proper alignment, musicality, and storytelling through movement while building foundational skills for all dance styles. Classes incorporate imaginative themes for younger students and classical repertoire for advanced dancers. This training creates strong technical foundations while nurturing grace and discipline.
Hip Hop
This energetic hip hop program builds strength, rhythm, and self-expression through contemporary street dance styles. Students learn choreography to edited popular music while developing spatial awareness and performance energy. Classes emphasize musicality, improvisation, and personal style in a supportive environment that celebrates individuality. The curriculum balances technical skill development with creative freedom.
Acro
Our Acro program combines dance technique with gymnastic elements in a safe, progressive environment. Students develop flexibility, strength, and body control while learning handstands, cartwheels, and advanced tumbling sequences. Certified instructors focus on proper alignment and injury prevention while integrating acrobatic skills into dance choreography. This class builds confidence through achievable skill milestones.
Competitive Teams
Elite Dance Company offers performance and competition opportunities for dedicated dancers. Teams train in multiple genres while developing stage presence, teamwork, and advanced technical skills. Participants receive personalized coaching for choreography creation and competition preparation. The program emphasizes artistic growth, sportsmanship, and representing the studio's values of excellence and integrity.
Early Childhood Classes
Designed for children aged 6 months to 4 years, these classes introduce dance fundamentals through playful, developmentally appropriate activities. Parent-participation sessions build bonding while developing motor skills and musicality. Independent classes foster social skills, following directions, and creative expression through structured play. The curriculum lays foundations for future dance education in a joyful setting.
People
Ashley Deets
Artistic Director
Award-winning dancer and choreographer with BFA in Dance from University of Illinois. Certified in Acrobatic Arts and Rhythm Works Integrative Dance. Over two decades of dance experience, teaching since 2011.
Paige Deets
Business Manager
Professional dancer and certified educator with BFA from Western Michigan University. Former dancer with multiple professional companies. Certified in physical education and dance since 2021. Choreography award winner.
Rene Deets
Owner
Founder with Social Work background from Carthage College. Created Elite Dance Academy to combine child development expertise with dance education. Resides in Homer Glen with 32 years of community involvement.
Gina Matsie
EDC Director
BFA in Dance from University of Illinois. Certified M1 Acrobatic Arts Instructor. Five years with Elite, now serving as Company Director. Program developer for DiscoverDance initiative.
Anna Volkman
Instructor
Elite alumna with BA in dance and marketing from Western Michigan University. Former Los Angeles commercial dancer. Returns to share professional experience with students while continuing teaching legacy.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We offer classes for children as young as 6 months with adult participation through advanced competitive levels for teens.
Are your instructors qualified?
All instructors are professional or former professional dancers with university degrees in dance and ongoing training in their specialties.
What safety measures do you have?
Our staff is CPR/First Aid certified with safety training. We use sprung dance floors, secure facilities, and follow emergency preparedness protocols.
Do you offer competitive programs?
Yes, our Elite Dance Company provides competitive and performance opportunities for dedicated dancers with regular competitions.
How do I register?
Registration for the 2025-2026 season is currently open through our website's online registration portal.
What dance styles are offered?
We teach ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, acro, musical theater, and creative dance with specialized instructors in each discipline.
