Class Offerings and Information

SYPG Academy

SYPG Academy Logo

More than dance.

At SYPG Academy, we believe that every child possesses a unique and vibrant gift waiting to be discovered. We offer a variety of dance classes for children age 2 to 18, as well as opportunities for youth ages 5 and older to participate in stage performances and community outreach initiatives. Our purpose is to provide an inclusive and nurturing environment that fosters creativity, self-expression, and personal growth.

Guided by a passionate team of seasoned dance professionals, we are dedicated to nurturing not only the technical prowess of our dancers but also the enduring love for the arts. Our commitment extends beyond the studio and stage, as we actively engage in community outreach programs that embrace the diversity of our society.

We are more than a dance school; we are a positive force in our community, sowing the seeds of a lifelong affection for creativity and culture.

2024-2025 Class Schedule

Our fall session begin on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Registration is now open!

  • Musical Theatre

    NEW for the 2024-2025 season!
    Tuesdays 4:30-5:30p (Intermediate)
    Wednesdays 4-5p (Advanced)

    Students will have the opportunity to learn ensemble work, solo work, scene work, scripts, classic and new Broadway acts, holiday music, and dance. There will also be opportunities for outreach and community performances, as well as a Cabaret style end of the year celebration in May.

  • Preschool Music & Dance

    Ages 3-4
    Mondays 4:30-5:15p Music & Dance

    Preschoolers will learn to express themselves through creative movement and rhythm exercises to begin building a foundation of dance technique.

  • Primary Music & Ballet

    Ages 5-7
    Mondays 4:45-5:15p Music
    Mondays 5:15-6:15p Ballet
    Tuesdays 5:30-6:30p Ballet

    This class will build on foundational dance techniques with focus on proper placement, rhythm, vocabulary and etiquette.

  • Beginning Music, Ballet, & Tap

    Ages 7-9
    Mondays 5:45-6:15 Music
    Mondays 6:15-7:15 Ballet
    Wednesdays 5-5:30p Tap
    Wednesdays 5:30-6:30p Ballet

    Classes for beginning level dancers will emphasize strength and endurance, improving coordination, and increasing flexibility with floor combinations and barre work.

  • Intermediate I and II Classes

    Ages 9-14
    Mondays 4:30-6p Ballet
    Mondays 6-7p Jazz
    Mondays 7-7:30p Tap
    Tuesdays 4:30-5:30p Musical Theatre
    Tuesdays 4:30-5:30p Mat Pilates
    Wednesdays 4-5:30p Ballet
    Wednesdays 5:30-6:30p Modern
    Thursdays 4:30-5:30p Ballet Fit

    Intermediate classes are geared towards the more committed dance student. A deep knowledge and understanding of dance terminology, technique, alignment principles, and execution are expected. Classes will move at a faster pace than other levels with an expectation that students will understand and execute more complex movement sequences.

  • Advanced Classes

    By Placement Only
    Mondays 6-7p Tap
    Mondays 7-8p Jazz
    Tuesdays 4:30-5:30p Mat Pilates
    Tuesdays 5:30-7p Ballet
    Tuesdays 7-8p Variations/Pointe
    Wednesdays 4-5p Musical Theatre
    Thursdays 4:30-5:30p Ballet Fit
    Thursdays 5:30-7p Ballet
    Thursdays 7-8p Advanced Modern

    Advanced classes are by placement only. A high level of accomplishment and competency is expected. Dancers should be comfortable with the mastery of all previously learned steps. A strong ballet foundation is required and dancers should be willing to perform with confidence and aplomb.

  • Jr. Hip Hop

    Ages 8-18
    Thursdays 4:30-5:30

    This high energy, upbeat class will introduce students to classic hip hop dance. All ages and abilities are welcome.

Information and FAQs

Schedule

  • The SYPG Academy’s 2024-2025 season begins Tuesday, Sept 8, 2024 and ends on Thursday, May 22, 2025. There will be no classes during Christmas break (December 23-January 5th) and Spring break (April 18-27).

  • Parents may not observe classes except during Parent Observation Weeks (dates TBD). 

  • Notification of weather-related cancellations will be sent via email and posted on social media. Make-up classes may be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor. 

Dress

  • Female students should wear a solid color leotard, pink tights and appropriate footwear. For non-ballet classes, female students may wear black leggings. 

  • Male students should wear a white t-shirt, black athletic pants and appropriate footwear. 

  • Classes start at $46 for month and vary based on class length and level. For a full list of class prices, visit our registration portal.

    Tuition payments are due by the first of each month. There are no refunds or credits for missed classes under any circumstances. Classes may be made up if comparable classes are available and permission of instructor.

    Payments may be made by check (SYPG), cash (exact amount only) or credit card (including 3.0% convenience fee). If payment is not made by the 15th of each month unless prior arrangements are made, a late fee of $25.00 will be added to the amount due.

    Scholarships and financial assistance are available. Please contact us for more information.

  • Students should come dressed in dancewear and bring appropriate footwear and a water bottle.

  • Any dancer who is actively registered in a class will qualify for a part in our stage performances. Auditions and performance/rehearsal schedules will be announced to Academy students via email, website, and social media.

    In addition to stage performances, an end of season showcase will be held for students in all classes. Showcase information will be announced in the Spring of each season.

  • All classes are held at the Grant Conservatory of Music and Dance at 501 W. Elliott in Springfield.

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SYPG Academy Instructors

  • SYPG Academy Instructor

Elizabeth Cheney portrait

  • SYPG Academy Instructor and Artistic Director

    Elizabeth Cheney has been dancing since the age of three. She grew up in Petersburg and Springfield, Il and spent many years dancing with the Springfield Ballet Company. As a teenager she won scholarships for summer intensives for David Howard and the Nashville Ballet. She briefly danced as a modern dance major at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. She was a trainee with the Nashville Ballet when an injury ended her ballet career. She went on to dance with a professional modern company ‘Epiphany’ in Nashville, TN.

    She also became certified as a profession ballroom dance instructor and competitor. She started teaching dance in 1998 and hasn’t stopped yet. She has her undergraduate degree in nursing from Milikin University, and her Masters Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Maryville University. She currently works at Springfield Clinic with an orthopedic surgeon, teaches dance at the Conservatory, and runs her own after hours holistic wellness business called Comprehensive Wellness Consulting. Elizabeth likes to use her medical knowledge to teach dancers how to avoid injuries and give them a better understanding of how to strengthen and optimize their bodies natural strengths in class and performance. She also works with several other local non-for-profit organizations on various projects around town including SYPG, the Vachel Lindsey Association, the Pharmacy Gallery, the Muni, and Springfield Theater Center.

  • SYPG Academy Instructor

  • SYPG Academy Instructor

Taryn Grant

  • SYPG Academy Instructor

    Taryn Grant began her love for the arts as a young ballet student, violin student and as a former member of the Springfield Ballet Company. She continues that love as a dance instructor. She is a graduate of the SIUE School of Business. After founding Springfield Youth Performance Group in 2005, she has served as the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization. In 2012, she founded the SYPG Foundation to support her mission of community arts outreach programming. Taryn has also choreographed and directed community theatre productions.

  • SYPG Academy Instructor

  • SYPG Academy Instructor

    Kristin received her early dance training in the NYC area as a member of the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet. She then studied at DeSales University, receiving a BA in Dance and a BS in Sport and Exercise Science. During her time at DeSales, she became the Assistant Artistic Director for the Conservatory of Dance under the direction of Trinette Singleton and was awarded the Conservatory of Dance Teaching Award for exceptional instruction. In 2014 she became a dancer and aerialist for the Emmy Award-winning company RWS Entertainment Group where she performed nationally and internationally. Her time performing abroad ignited her passion for studying dance from a global perspective and organized outreach programs for young dancers in Nicaragua and Tahiti. Kristin then went on to receive her MFA in dance performance and choreography from the University of Arizona. She is also a certified pilates mat instructor, and her research has been presented at conferences such as NDEO and ACSM.

  • SYPG Academy Instructor

  • SYPG Academy Instructor

Upcoming Events

Events
SYPG’s The Nutcracker Ballet
Dec 7
SYPG’s The Nutcracker Ballet

Join SYPG Today

SYPG offers a variety of dance classes for children age 2 to 18, as well as opportunities for youth ages 5 and older to participate in upcoming stage performances and community outreach initiatives. Enroll today!