The Naperville Park District’s Concert Dance Ensemble is celebrating their 15th season, with 65 dance students participating.

“We are thrilled to see the Ensemble grow this year,” said Melissa Sallée, artistic director. The Ensemble has more than tripled in size under Sallée’s leadership, with three companies offered: a Junior Company for ages 9-12, a new Apprentice Company for mid-level students ages 12 & up, and a Senior Company, also ages 12 & up.
 
This summer Concert Dance Ensemble students performed with DuPage Symphony Orchestra at Central Park, at the Millennium Carillon for the opening concert of the Congress of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, at Ribfest, and at the Naperville Park District’s Kite Festival.

The Concert Dance Ensemble, supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, is a pre-professional regional company, which provides an entry point into the world of dance performance, helping its members gain a comprehensive knowledge of what it means to be part of a dance company.  Participating in the Ensemble can serve as a foundation to apply for dance scholarships to assist with attending college, or create opportunities to continue into a professional dance career. 

Students interested in auditioning may contact Avery Sipla, dance coordinator, at 630-848-3618 to schedule a special audition. 

The Ensemble is part of the Naperville Park District Dance Academy, which offers dance training for ages 1 ½ through adult in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, proms, and musical theatre.

For further information about the Concert Dance Ensemble, the Dance Academy, or other Naperville Park District programs and facilities, please visit www.napervilleparks.org or call 630-848-5000.

By Sue Omanson, Naperville Park District