Celebrating 20 years of
More than dance.
Class Offerings and Information
SYPG Academy
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 ages 3 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.
2025-2026 Class Schedule
The 2025-2026 session begins September 2 and runs through May 21, 2026, We offer classes for all ages and abilities. Registration is now open!
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Preschool Ballet
Ages 3-4
Monday 4-4:30pm
Preschoolers will learn to express themselves through creative movement and rhythm exercises to begin building a foundation of dance technique.
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Primary Ballet & Tap
Ages 5-7
Monday 4:30-5:30pm
This class will build on foundational dance techniques with focus on proper placement, rhythm, vocabulary and etiquette.
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Mat Pilates
New for 2025!
Tuesday 4:30-5:30p
Focus on core strengthening, body awareness, and flexibility. Open to intermediate & advanced dancers as well as adults!
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Beginner Dance Classes
Ages 7-9
Tuesday
4:30-5:00p Beginner Tap
5:00-6:30p Beginner Ballet & Jazz
6:00-7:00p Hip HopWednesday
5:30-6:30p Beginner BalletClasses for beginning level dancers will emphasize strength and endurance, improving coordination, and increasing flexibility with floor combinations and barre work.
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Intermediate Dance Classes
Ages 9-14
Monday
5:30-7:00p Intermediate Ballet
7:00-7:30p Intermediate Musical Theatre TapWednesday
4:30-5:30pm Intermediate Modern
5:30-6:30pm Intermediate Ballet
6:30-7:30pm Intermediate JazzThursday
4:30-5:30p Ballet Fit (Advanced & Intermediate)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.
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Advanced Dance Classes
By placement only.
Monday
6:00-7:00p Advanced Musical Theatre Tap
7:00-8:00p Advanced Jazz & ContemporaryTuesday
5:30-7:00p Advanced Ballet
7:00-8:00p Advanced ModernThursday
4:30-5:30p Ballet Fit (Advanced & Intermediate)
5:30-7:00p Advanced Ballet & Pointe
7:00-8:00p Advanced Pointe & VariationsAdvanced 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.
Information and FAQs
Schedule
The SYPG Academy’s 2025-2026 season begins Tuesday, Sept 2, 2025 and ends on Thursday, May 21, 2026. There will be no classes during Christmas break (December 22-January 4th) and Spring break (April 20-24).
Parents may not observe classes except during Parent Observation Weeks (dates TBD).
Notification of weather-related cancellations will be sent via email or text 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.
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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.
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Students should come dressed in dancewear and bring appropriate footwear and a water bottle.
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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.
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All classes are held at the Grant Conservatory of Music and Dance at 501 W. Elliott in Springfield.
SYPG Academy Instructors
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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.
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SYPG Academy Instructor
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SYPG Academy Instructor
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SYPG Academy Instructor
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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.
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SYPG Academy Instructor
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SYPG Academy Instructor
As a life long learner and performer, Ashley has been studying dance for close to 30 years. Her tap classes are all about fun while building strong basics, learning to tell stories through rhythm and growing her students’ confidence with an emphasis on musical theater. “It’s just life…so keep dancing through.”
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SYPG Academy Instructor
Micky teaches intermediate and advanced classes but is also our assistant artistic director. Micky grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Lionville School of Dance where she danced in many Nutcrackers and dance competitions. During high school, she began assisting tap and musical theatre classes, finding her love for teaching. Micky attended Millikin University and graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Dance (‘22). She now works at her alma mater as an Adjunct Instructor of Dance. Micky works at the Decatur Park District in Senior Services. With Decatur Park District Cultural Arts, she directs Heart and Soul Choir, teaches dance, and has directed or choreographed for many productions and performances. In Springfield, she has worked on shows with Hoogland Education, SYPG, and the Muni.
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SYPG Academy Instructor
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SYPG Academy Instructor
Kaden Wareham (Springfield, IL) is a student at Lindenwood University pursuing a BA in dance. He began his training at Dance Creations Dance Studio in Springfield, IL. As a member of the DCDS competition team, Kaden has earned scholarships from the Broadway Dance Center in New York, many awards, and was chosen to be a Protege Dancer for Kids Artistic Revue convention program.
Upcoming Events
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!