Instructors make dance recital successful

Tammi Matan has some idea of what it takes to be a successful dance instructor. She started dancing in elementary school and continued through college as part of a traveling dance group at Northern Illinois University.

She ran Lake Zurich High School's dance program for several years and now teaches at a private studio in Bartlett. So when she assesses the skill level of her fellow Carol Stream Park District dance instructors, she has some experience to draw from.

"All of our teachers are qualified to teach at a private program," Matan said during rehearsal for the district's yearly dance recital. "I am really proud of this program."

Matan has taught at the park district 10 years and leads instructors in preparation for the "Everything Old Is New Again" dance recitals, at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at Wheaton Academy, 900 Prince Crossing Road, West Chicago.

The roughly 175 dancers range in age from 3 years old to high school and this presents challenges to all of the instructors. Matan said as the students get older, she pushes them harder to give them a better idea of what to expect if they pursue dance a bit further.

"With the little ones, you have to be more creative in your instruction," Matan said. "That's the big difference as well as keeping up with the dance techniques."

The dancers enroll in classes that run from September through May. The recital serves as a kind of final project for the students.

Matan and her fellow instructors enjoy passing on the art of dance.

"It's a great way to express emotion," Matan said.

And Matan said that with a park district program, dancers can experience different styles at much more affordable prices than in a private studio. The dance styles at the recital range from ballet to hip hop.

As television shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance" have become popular, enrollment has increased.

"It's definitely more mainstream," said Linda Gawrych, an instructor in her 11th year. "Even five years ago, most people did not know about classical dance."

Gawrych's love of the art form began during a ballet class when she was just 2 years old.

"I just love dance, the creativity, the beauty," Gawrych said. "Seeing the girls improve and seeing the effect I can have on them and seeing them progress, get better, it's really fulfilling. That's why I love it so much."

<p class="News">If you go</p>

<p class="News"><b>What:</b> "Everything Old Is New Again," Carol Stream Park District's dance recital</p>

<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 22</p>

<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Wheaton Academy, 900 Prince Crossing Road, West Chicago</p>

<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $7</p>

<p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 784-6100 or <a href="http://csparks.org" target="new">csparks.org</a></p>