Zeeland Youth Dance Company

what is zydc? 

The Zeeland Youth Dance Company is an auditioned ensemble that provides opportunities for experienced dancers in 5th-12th grades to learn and perform choreography throughout the community. ZYDC members show a strong love of dance, and a passion for sharing dance with others. 

Meet Our company directors

Dance Instructors

Rachel Plaggemars

Rachel earned her BA in dance performance and choreography with an emphasis in education from Hope College. While at Hope, she performed extensively, the highlight being two seasons touring with Strike Time Dance Company, an ensemble aimed at educating K-5th grade students about the art of dance. She has enjoyed expanding an offering of high quality pre-school and introductory courses into a comprehensive program that includes advanced beginning and intermediate classes. Ms. Plaggemars emphasizes on ballet training as a foundation for well-rounded dancers and has loved watching her students grow technically and artistically through the program.

Cydney Sheneman

Cydney graduated from Hope College with her BA in dance and religion education. While at Hope, Cydney was involved in the Sacred Dance Ministry, Sigma Omicron, and a winner of the Florence Cavanaugh award. She has choreographed for, and performed in various student dance concerts at Hope, and has also presented choreography at Hope’s Veritas Forum. Cydney is involved in the Zeeland High School Dance Program. Over the years, she has enjoyed watching her students grow in technique, stage presence, and artistry. Cydney enjoys helping students to not only learn a variety of dance genres and styles, but to also create their own works of movement art.

BALLET

The Zeeland Youth Dance Company and its more senior division, the Zeeland Dance Company, are the auditioned ensembles of the Zeeland Recreation Dance Program. In addition to taking rec classes, ZYDC/ZDC dancers in grades 5-12  rehearse once a week in order to prepare for additional performances throughout the year.  Dancers last performed Peter Pan in 2024 and Cinderella in 24-25. This year's production will be ZYDC’s 15th full-length ballet production!

  • Ballet Information:
    • Tickets: Will go on sale at later date
    • Fri, Nov 14: 7:00 PM
    • Sat, Nov 15: 4:00 PM
    • Location: Zeeland East HS - DeWitt Auditorium 
  • Guest Artist Information: 
    • Ballet Guest Artist Information
    • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
    • Registration Deadline: Sat, Aug 23
    • Cost: $75
    • Rehearsals: Oct 13-Nov 13
    • Blocking Rehearsal: Fri, Nov 7
    • Technical & Dress Rehearsal: Nov 10-13

uplifted

3 Yr Olds-6th Gr

This performance will highlight our Zeeland Youth Dance Company members + participants from our “Kid’s Dance Day” program for 5 yr olds-6th graders that takes place earlier on the same day. All proceeds will go towards our K.L.A.S.S. program, which provides free Zeeland Rec programs to children in financial need. 

  • Tickets: $5 | PURCHASE HERE | Go on sale on Jan 14 
  • Date: Sat, March 21
  • Time: 6:00 PM
  • Location: Lokers Auditorium

spring RECITAL

Mor information coming soon!

  • Registration Opens: Mon. Oct 6
  • Registration Deadline: Sat, Dec 20 

dance photos

previous recital videos

ballet information 

  • Ballet Information:
    • Tickets: Will go on sale at later date
    • Fri, Nov 14: 7:00 PM
    • Sat, Nov 15: 4:00 PM
    • Location: Zeeland East HS - DeWitt Auditorium 
  • Guest Artist Information: 
    • Ballet Guest Artist Information
    • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
    • Registration Deadline: Sat, Aug 23
    • Cost: $75
    • Rehearsals: Oct 13-Nov 13
    • Blocking Rehearsal: Fri, Nov 7
    • Technical & Dress Rehearsal: Nov 10-13

zeeland youth dance company auditions

5th-12th Gr

The Zeeland Youth Dance Company is an auditioned ensemble that provides opportunities for experienced dancers to learn and perform choreography throughout the community. ZYDC members show a strong love of dance, and a passion for sharing dance with others. Students must be entering grades 5-12 to audition, available to rehearse on a weekly basis, in addition to attending technique class at least twice a week throughout the school year. All dancers with experience in ballet are welcome. Some experience with jazz is useful, but not required. Audition forms will be available on the ZYDC Company webpage

  • Register Here
  • Audition Form
    • Print, fill out, and return to Zeeland Recreation front desk by 9am on May 15th 
  • Audition Fee: 
    • $25
  • Jazz/Tap Auditions (6th-12th Gr): 
    • Wed, May 14
    • 7:00pm-8:00pm
  • Youth Dance Company Auditions (Placement Based on Skill): 
    • Thur, May 15
    • 6:15pm-8:30pm 
  • Dance Company Auditions (Placement Based on Skill): 
    • Thur, May 15 
    • 3:30pm-6:10pm
  • Location: 
    • Zeeland Recreation - Shoreline Studio