Dance academy opens at Fox Valley Mall

AURORA - As a little girl growing up in Aurora, Char Petersen dreamed of being a professional dancer. Over the weekend, she opened her new Dream Dance Academy at Fox Valley Mall.

She said the celebration was even more special because it happened during National Black Business Month. As a Black woman business owner, Petersen knows it is important to be a role model for the young girls and boys who travel from throughout the West suburbs to attend her studios.

There were tears and cheers as a crowd gathered to cut the ribbon, watch a performance and tour the new studio.

Petersen is a native Auroran and graduate of East Aurora High School and Columbia College Chicago. She grew up to live her dream, dancing and acting on stages worldwide.

Dream Dance trains students in ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, tap and hip-hop genres. Its new studios will provide more space for growth and development.