Elev8 Dance Academy helps dancers build skills through a variety of dance styles. Each dancer receives individual attention in a positive atmosphere that supports learning. Dancers develop poise and self-confidence while experiencing the joy of movement and building skills that extend beyond the studio. Our goal is to provide every student with a solid dance foundation while encouraging individual creativity and fun!
Classes begin in September and continue through a recital in May. Dancers remain at the same level throughout the fall/spring session. Classes include ballet, jazz, tap, pointe, modern, contemporary, lyrical, acro and hip hop.
Dance studios are located at the Community Recreation Center (CRC) and Elev8 Dance Center (EDC). All studios feature sprung floors, mirrors and ballet barres.
For more information, call 847-490-7015 or view the latest program guide.
Registration opens to new dancers each fall.
Amanda Bremberg has over 30 years of dance experience rooted in community-based groups. Amanda specializes in ballet, with a strong interest in contemporary ballet. She also teaches jazz, contemporary and tap. These classes blend technical foundation with creative expression, encouraging dancers to explore both discipline and artistry in a supportive environment. Working with at-risk youth for over 15 years has informed Amanda 's teaching philosophy, which is that dance class is for everyone who finds joy in moving their body. Dance class is where we learn self-discipline, grit, teamwork and confidence - skills that transcend the studio. Amanda is committed to creating a space where all dancers feel welcome, challenged and empowered, and where the love of movement comes first.
Ashley grew up in Schaumburg and started dancing at the age of 2.5 at Dorothy’s Dancing Unlimited. She continued her dance training at Dorothy’s Dance in ballet, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, musical theater and tap through her freshman year of college. During her high school years, she was a dance captain and member of the Schaumburg High School Orchesis Dance Team and performed in various musical productions with theater groups like Schaumburg on Stage and HOTT Productions. She joined the hip hop dance troupe, Black Diamonds, while getting her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Illinois State University. After graduating from ISU, she re-joined her dance family at Dorothy’s Dancing Unlimited as a teacher. In addition to being in the classroom, Ashley helped choreograph for the Dansations performance team while actively taking on various office tasks and social media responsibilities at the studio. She is excited to bring her 20 years of teaching experience to the Schaumburg Park District. Ashley enjoys and looks forward to guiding and helping dancers challenge themselves, find their confidence and have fun while growing as individuals through the art of dance. She is eager to continue sharing her enthusiasm, love and passion for dance with dancers of all ages and skill levels!
Corinne Schultz is a dancer, choreographer and teaching artist in the Chicago area. She began her early training at Noblesville Conservatory of Ballet, Indianapolis School of Ballet and Central Indiana Academy of Dance. She furthered her studies with a dance minor from Indiana University and Columbia College Chicago. At Columbia College Chicago, Corinne choreographed for a student film and placed in their top ballet class. She has performed with UBallet at University of Chicago and was featured in a short film for Elements Ballet. Past teaching credits include Center Stage Dance and Tumbling, UBallet at the University of Chicago, Design Dance, Artsie and Susan's School of Dance. Currently, Corinne trains under the direction of Watmora Casey of Faubourg Theatre.
Gina began studying dance at the age of 4 and has been trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz and lyrical dance. She has studied at Faubourg School of Ballet, Dorothy’s Dancing Unlimited and summer programs with Ballet Chicago. She has performed in many ballets which include “The Nutcracker” with Schaumburg Dance Ensemble for 4 years, “Alice in Wonderland” and “Snow White.” In high school, she was on the Orchesis Dance Team and Varsity Pom Pom Squad all four years. She won many 1st place awards while at Dance Camp for Poms. Also while in high school she performed dance roles in many community theater musicals with H.O.T.T. Productions. She has 6 years of dance teaching experience and loves teaching children the joy of dance.
Kari is from Schaumburg, IL and has been dancing since the age of 3. She is the former owner of Goldens School of Dance and director of Work of ART Dance Company named by Dance Teacher Magazine as one of the “50 Studios on the Move”. Kari grew up studying with top instructors in the Chicagoland area in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Tap and Acrobatics. She furthered her education at Jacksonville University in Florida, receiving her BFA in dance. There, she had an extensive program of ballet, modern, jazz and tap technique, instruction, choreography and performance. Larsen was a member of the Dean’s list and was awarded for excellence in Jazz Dance Technique. Her professional career began as a member of the Chicago Honeybear Dancers. She traveled locally and nationally, performing for festivals, live industrial and corporate events, modeling for promotional brochures and videos, and teaching master classes. Kari worked as Asst. Choreographer and Dancer in the Las Vegas Revue, “The Dream King” starring Trent Carlini, traveling throughout the US and Canada. For many years, she was the lead choreographer and a dancer for Chicago White Sox special events. Kari has been teaching dance to all ages for over 20 years. She has won choreography, entertainment, top teacher and top studio achievements. Kari has been judged in Star Systems National Talent Competition. She loves working with children of all ages and enjoys watching them express themselves through the art of dance!
Keri began her dance training at the age of four at the Hanover Park Park District, where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop under Monica Noble-Lawson. She further developed her skills through participation in dance conventions and competitions, and she attended Golden's School of Dance under the instruction of Kari Larsen. Keri has trained with notable instructors and choreographers across the US, including Travis Wall, Sonya Tayeh, Ted Jackson, and Avnun Yakubov. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Dance from Western Illinois University. During her time at WIU, she was involved with the University Dance Theatre (UDT) for three and a half years, where she choreographed productions, collaborated with guest artists and performed in various shows. She served as the clinic chair on the UDT executive board and organized a dance camp for children in 1st through 12th grade, in partnership with local schools in Macomb. Keri has also choreographed routines for the winner of Miss Macomb 2010 and was a member of the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers. Additionally, she has received awards for choreography and entertainment while working with the Schaumburg Park District. Keri is passionate about working with children and enjoys helping them have fun while learning through dance.
Ms. Jamie grew up dancing at Dorothy's Dancing Unlimited in Schaumburg. She primarily studied tap and jazz under Ms. Dorothy, but also trained with Van Collins, Watmora Casey, Jay Fagan, Bruce Stegmann and Donna Johnson. She took master classes with Lane Alexander, Savion Glover, Jimmy Locust, Barry Lather, Frank Hatchett and Hank Crabtree to name a few. She coached various teams over the years, including Hanover Park PD Cheer and the JV dance team at Lake Park High School. She began teaching at the studio in her teens, took a long break and rejoined the teaching staff in 2018. During her break, she took dance classes at The Ohio State University while majoring in accounting. Ms. Jamie is excited to bring her dance enthusiasm to the next generation of dancers.
Juan was born and raised in the Schaumburg area and started his dancing life when he was 7 years old. He started out at Ambition Dance in Elgin up until middle school. During his high school years, he transitioned to performing and competing with Rise Dance Company, formerly Dance Stellar Productions. During this time Juan also co-created a dance crew at Schaumburg High School called Style Struck that pushed hip hop into the spotlight with consistent performances at sporting events and pep rallys. With Dance Stellar Productions Juan had experience not only performing on competition stages, but also film crew stages, with the opportunity to audition for America's Got Talent as well as performing within Disney World. Although hip hop was a main focus throughout Juan's dance career, he has experience in jazz, ballet, mbodern and tap. Juan views teaching hip hop as a way to showcase a student's individuality and personality and help them learn how to really stand out from a crowd.
Kayla began dancing at the age of 2 and trained exclusively at two dance studios in the Chicago suburbs, while furthering her training in New York, California and Chicago through professional programs and camps. Throughout her competitive dance career, Kayla earned numerous awards and recognition. She began assisting teaching at the age of 12 and has been teaching dancers of multiple ages and styles since she was 16, during which time her choreography has received award recognition. Kayla’s passion lies in sharing strong technical foundations while inspiring confidence, artistry and growth in every dancer she works with.
Krystina’s love for dance began at the age of 4 at Darla’s Dance Center in Chicago. She transitioned to her school’s competitive dance team in middle school and throughout high school. Her teams have been state champions at Team Dance Illinois and top 10 in the state for IHSA competitions. While on the varsity dance team at DGS high school, she trained in a variety of styles such as poms, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and lyrical. She has also taken multiple master classes with influential choreographers such as Ian Eastwood, Lee Daniel, Marty Kudelka and more. Now, as a mom of two and second year teacher, Krystina continues to dance and share her love for the art with her students. Watching her students' passion and skills grow is the most rewarding.
Margaret has been teaching in the Chicagoland area for 26 years. She has performed with Dancewerks, Second City Ballet, River North Dance Company, Kaye and Dow Productions and Cerqua/Rivera Art Experience. Margaret appeared in the WTTW Channel 11 special Reality of a Dreamer, the first documentary about the River North Dance Company. She enjoyed an apprenticeship with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in the early 90s. Recently, she was able to perform with Mature Dancer's Project under the direction of Sherry Zunker at the Harris Theatre in Chicago. Margaret has been co-directing Larkin High School's Visual and Performing Arts Academy for dance for the past 11 years She enjoys teaching and choreographing at many local private dance studios. She loves to share her passion for dance with her students and family.
Sydney has been dancing at Schaumburg Park District since the age of 4 and was part of the Expressions Dance Company for 10 years. Throughout her years as a dancer, Sydney was instructed by Kari Larsen and Keri Dahm. After high school, Sydney joined the dance staff and has been teaching here ever since! Sydney has an associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Her favorite part about working with children is seeing them grow and how proud they are when they learn something new.
Terry started dancing at the age of 3. She grew up studying with top instructors from the Chicagoland area in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrica and tumbling. Terry started assisting dance classes at the age of 12 at Golden’s School of Dance and began her own classes at the age of 15. She performed and competed, winning high scores, overalls and judges awards both as a soloist and group performer. Terry was the Assistant Director of Golden’s School of Dance for 12 years before opening her own, Ambition Dance and Performing Arts Studio, for 16 years. She has continued her dance education in California, taking classes from top instructors as well as attending local dance competitions and conventions. Terry loves dance and hopes to pass her passion on to her students.