Around 5:30 p.m. on a recent Thursday evening, dance classes were kicking into high gear at Innervisions Performing Arts Center Dance Studio in Frankfort. Several mothers and one dad decided stay, after dropping off about two dozen tiny dancers, ages 2 to 7, for classes infused with ballet, jazz and tap-style dancing.
The parents seemed to know what the National Dance Education Organization has insisted for years — that dance helps children mature physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively. For many, it seems, the benefits can be greater the sooner the dancing starts.
Jayme Radeke, owner of Innervisions, couldn’t agree more. She began studying ballet at age 3, and she has worked with some of the world’s top choreographers.
“Dance provides a different outlet for kids,” she said. “We’ve all seen them go through a lot of depression and anxiety with the pandemic. Here, we’re giving them a place to forget all that and focus. We see lots of kids laughing and smiling and joking.”
A choreographer and dance teacher, Radeke worked several years at the same location when it was known as Willow Street Dance Theatre. She took over as owner in 2017 and renamed the studio at 20517 S. LaGrange Road last fall. The pandemic delayed revising the business name on the nearby mall sign, but that change is in the works, she said.
After a temporary shutdown during the early months of the pandemic, the dance school resumed serving students with modifications related to CDC guidelines.
Those modifications included smaller classes, social distancing, mandatory masking, elimination of contact dance moves such as lifting, and parents dropping children off for classes, not sticking around.
During a recent half-hour class for 2- to 4-year-olds, nine little girls, sporting ballerina buns, tights and tutus, couldn’t wait to begin. When the music started, they held on tight to dolls and teddy bears while dancing to the lullaby tune, “Rock-a-bye Baby.”
After the girls finished their routine, Jamie Harris, one of the school’s dance educators, said, “So the little ones don’t get stage fright, we switch rooms and have them perform for the older group.”
Just a few steps away, in another mirror-lined studio, an attentive audience of slightly older girls had just finished dancing and pantomiming to the tune of “I Enjoy Being a Girl.”
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With only these impressions, it might seem Innervisions builds self-confidence and self-esteem for girls only, but a “Tot Hop” class revealed otherwise.
Two standout boy dancers wearing black T-shirts and shorts displayed a special brand of enthusiasm.
Harris’s son, Killian Harris, 4, and Henry Oliphant, 4, seemed thrilled to be twisting and turning to the toon of “Boogey Shoes.” Like many of the other children, they seemed to have developed a friendly rapport.
“My kids love this!” said Patrick Oliphant of Mokena. “It encourages self-expression and socializing. I think it gives them the ability to communicate in different ways — both verbally and physically. Plus, it’s just a fun activity.”
Henry’s sister, Anna Oliphant, 6, has attended dance classes here for the last two years.
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Lila Wnuk, 3, started coming to classes last fall.
“She absolutely loves dancing, she’s always dancing,” said her mother, Dominique Wnuk. “It’s been great to get her into a class setting where she can get around other kids. I do think she’s collaborating and learning to follow direction too. This place provides a structure that’s positive.”
Susan DeGrane is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.