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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 cousins. The fine arts academy is owned by the mother and daughter tandem
of Arla Faye and Ali Fran-Potter.
A COMMON BOND
“This is a family, from the students to the teachers,”
says Faye. “We help each other however we can. That’s 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."
“Our goal is to
offer classes that really benefit people, where they can learn and have fun at the same time,” explains Faye.
TAKING STAGE
Family plays a key role in North Shore Dance Center’s annual recital. A highlight at
the pinnacle of the recital’s finale is the “Family Number” the dance spotlights groups of family members
doing their own original choreography in 20-second segments.
DEDICATED STAFF
The family-friendly North Shore
Dance Center has gained recognition as one of the Chicago-area’s 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 coaches the company’s award winning Showstoppers Performing Group. Zapata
has performed on tour throughout the United States and Europe, has appeared locally with Chicago’s Joel Hall Dancers
and Giordano Jazz Company, and studied under Homer Bryant and Lynda Martha.
The Take One Performing Group is coached by
Kirsten Markham, one of the region’s leading theatrical choreographers with credits at Starlight Theatre, North Shore
Theatre of Wilmette, Glenview Theatre Guild, Marquee Theatre, and Des Plaines Theatre Guild. Bridging the full spectrum of
performing arts, the staff also includes accomplished theatrical directors and choreographers.
“The entire staff is dedicated to creating a constructive educational atmosphere that fosters learning, fun 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, Northbrook, 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.
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