Dance

Summer

weekly summer dance classes for new(er) dancers

3 Yrs-8th Gr

Join us to receive excellent dance training, improve coordination, develop artistic creativity, make lasting friendships and have fun! These classes are for first-time dancers, newer dancers, or returning dancers who want to improve their fundamentals prior to our genre-specific classes. Participants will develop techniques that will help them in all dance genres as they get older (Ballet, Jazz, Jazz Funk, Tap, etc). 5 Yr Olds: Register based on age at the start of the program. K-8th Gr: Register based on 2025-26 grade level.

  • Register Here
  • Cost: Range from $55-$80
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, June 30
  • Class Descriptions: Click “Dance Class Descriptions” tab below
  • Creative Movement (1st-5th Gr): Mon | July 14-Aug 11 | 3:30-4:15pm
  • Dance Fundamentals (3-5 Yrs): Mon | July 14-Aug 11 | 5:00-5:45pm
  • Dance Fundamentals (3-5 Yrs): Tue | July 15-Aug 12 | 2:00-2:45pm
  • Dance Fundamentals (3-5 Yrs): Tue | July 15-Aug 12 | 4:00-4:45pm
  • Dance Fundamentals (3-5 Yrs): Wed | July 16-Aug 13 | 2:00-2:45pm
  • Dance Fundamentals (5 Yrs-KG): Mon | July 14-Aug 11 | 4:15-5:00pm
  • Dance Fundamentals (5 Yrs-KG): Thur | July 17-Aug 14 | 3:15-4:00pm
  • Dance Fundamentals (1st-2nd Gr): Wed | July 16-Aug 13 | 3:30-4:15pm
  • Dance Fundamentals (3rd-5th Gr): Wed | July 16-Aug 13 | 4:15-5:00pm
  • Jazz Funk (6-10 Yrs): Wed | July 16-Aug 13 | 6:00-7:00pm
  • Pom (3rd-8th Gr): Tue | July 14-Aug 12 | 4:15-5:00pm
  • Tap Fundamentals (5 Yrs-4th Gr): Wed | July 16-Aug 13 | 2:45-3:30pm
  • Summer Dance Class Calendar
  • Studio Locations and Directions
  • Shoe and Dancewear Guidelines


weekly summer dance classes for returning dancers

3-18 Yr Olds

Join us to receive excellent dance training, learn fun choreography, improve coordination, develop artistic creativity, make lasting friendships and have fun! Our dance classes develop strong techniques in Ballet, Jazz, Jazz Funk and Tap. These weekly classes are for students who have been previously enrolled in our dance classes during the Winter 2024 session. Participants will continue building upon principles such as proper alignment, placement, turn-out, core control and more!

  • Register Here 
  • Cost: Range from $55-$80
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, June 30
  • Class Descriptions: Click “Dance Class Descriptions” tab below
  • Ballet Tech 1: Thur | July 17-Aug 14 | 4:00-5:00pm
  • Ballet Tech 2: Tue | July 15-Aug 12 | 5:00-6:30pm
  • Ballet Tech 3: Thur | July 17-Aug 14 | 5:00-6:30pm
  • Ballet Tech 4/5: Tue | July 15-Aug 12 | 6:30-8:00pm 
  • Contemporary (7th-12th Gr): Mon | July 14-Aug 11 | 5:45-7:15pm
  • Creative Movement (1st-5th Gr): Mon | July 14-Aug 11 | 3:30-4:15pm
  • Pointe 1/2 (Must also enroll in Ballet Tech 4/5): Thur | July 17-Aug 14 | 6:30-8:00pm
  • Pom (3rd-8th Gr): Tue | July 14-Aug 12 | 4:15-5:00pm
  • Pre-Primary Continued: Tue | July 15-Aug 12 | 2:45-3:30pm
  • Primary Continued: Tue | July 15-Aug 12 | 3:30-4:15pm
  • Secondary Continued: Wed | July 16-Aug 13 | 5:00-6:00pm
  • Summer Dance Class Calendar
  • Studio Locations and Directions
  • Shoe and Dancewear Guidelines


disney dance WORKSHOPS

3-7 Yr Olds

Ready for a magical day? Join us for dancing, crafts, music and snacks themed by some of our favorite Disney characters! Participants are encouraged to wear costumes (not required). Get ready for your Disney dreams to come true!

  • Register Here
  • Cost: $25r/$40nr
  • Instructors: Cydney Sheneman & Tiffany Terpstra
  • Moana (3-4 Yrs): Fri, July 11 | 9:00am-10:15am | Cityside Performing Arts Room
  • Moana (5-7 Yrs): Fri, July 11 | 10:30am-12:00pm | Cityside Performing Arts Room
  • Frozen (3-4 Yrs): Fri, July 18 | 9:00am-10:15am | Zeeland Rec
  • Frozen (5-7 Yrs): Fri, July 18 | 10:30am-12:00pm | Zeeland Rec 
  • The Little Mermaid (3-4 Yrs): Fri, July 25 | 9:00am-10:15am | Zeeland Rec 
  • The Little Mermaid (5-7 Yrs): Fri, July 25 | 10:30am-12:00pm | Zeeland Rec
  • Tangled (3-4 Yrs): Fri, Aug 1 | 9:00am-10:15am | Zeeland Rec 
  • Tangled (5-7 Yrs): Fri, Aug 1 | 10:30am-12:00pm | Zeeland Rec 
  • Tinkerbell (3-4 Yrs): Fri, Aug 8 | 9:00am-10:15am | Zeeland Rec
  • Tinkerbell (5-7 Yrs): Fri, Aug 8 | 10:30am-12:00pm | Zeeland Rec
  • Encanto (3-4 Yrs): Fri, Aug 15 | 9:00am-10:15am | Zeeland Rec 
  • Encanto (5-7 Yrs): Fri, Aug 15 | 10:30am-12:00pm | Zeeland Rec


wacky wednesdays with ms. cydney

3-13 Yr Olds

Wednesday nights are sure to be a blast! Join the Wednesday night fun for a variety of themes throughout summer. Each class will have dancing, crafts, music and snacks fitting our nightly theme! Participants are encouraged to wear costumes (not required). Wednesday nights are sure to be a blast!

  • Register Here
  • Cost: $30r/$45nr
  • Registration Deadline: Tue, July 1 (or when  full)
  • Instructor: Cydney Sheneman
  • Bluey Theme (3-5 Yrs): Wed, July 16 | 4:45pm-6:00pm 
  • Bluey Theme (6-9 Yrs): Wed, July 16 | 6:15pm-7:30pm 
  • Barbie Theme (3-5 Yrs): Wed, July 23 | 4:45pm-6:00pm 
  • Barbie Theme (6-9 Yrs): Wed, July 23 | 6:15pm-7:30pm 
  • Taylor Swift Theme (6-9 Yrs): Wed, July 30 | 4:30pm-5:45pm
  • Taylor Swift Theme (10-13 Yrs): Wed, July 30 | 6:00pm-7:15pm
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation - Shoreline Studio


SWIFTIES NIGHT

16 Yrs-Adults

The Eras tour may be over, but it would be a “Cruel Summer” if we did not make the whole place shimmer and “Shake It Off” together. Put on your red lip and come sing along and learn some fun Swiftie dance choreography to “You Belong With Me” on the dance floor! No dance experience needed and dressing up is encouraged, but not required! Grab your friends and come for fun!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, July 28
  • Cost: $19r/$34nr
  • Instructor: Cydney Sheneman
  • Date: Wed, July 30
  • Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation - Shoreline Sprinkling Dance Studio

y2k NIGHT

16 Yrs-Adults

Grab your flares, layer those lace tanks, pop those collars and get your cucumber melon scented apple bottom to the dance floor. This fun dance class will center around the best moves from the early aughts, finishing off the night with a choreographed dance number. It’s bound to be a great time, fo’ shizzle! No dance experience needed and dressing up is encouraged, but not required! Grab your friends and come for a fun!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Aug 4
  • Cost: $19r/$34nr
  • Instructor: Cydney Sheneman
  • Date: Wed, Aug 6
  • Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation - Shoreline Sprinkling Dance Studio


Summer Company Registration

  • Register Here - All programs below are bundled together into one fee for ZDC, ZYDC, Jr Company and Jazz/Tap Company
  • Company Camp & Classes: July 7th-10th 
  • Company Showcase & Rehearsal: Fri, July 11


dance intensive camp

4th-12th Gr

Join us for a two-week dance intensive camp that will cover various genres of dance like Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Improv and more. A parent showcase will be held in the Shoreline Studio on Thur, July 31 for dance intensive participants. In the past we have allowed participants to participate in only one week due to a scheduling conflict. We will continue to allow this if a participant can complete week one. However, participating in only week two, but not week one is not allowed.

  • Register Here
  • Full Day Cost - 5th-12th Gr: $185r/$200nr
  • Half Day Cost - 4th Gr (AM or PM): $95r/$110nr
  • Pointe Only Cost - Those Approved by Instructors: $30/$45nr
  • Instructors: Cydney Sheneman & Rachel Plaggemars
  • Dates: Mon-Thur | July 21-24 & July 28-31
  • 8:00am-9:30am: Pointe (For those approved to take Pointe by Instructors)
  • 8:00am-9:30am: Ballet
  • 9:30am-10:30am: Jazz
  • 10:30am-11:00am: Elective 
  • 11:00am-11:30am: Lunch
  • 11:30am-12:15pm: Tap
  • 12:15pm-1:15pm: Improv Choreography
  • 1:15pm-2:30pm: Modern/Contemporary
  • Parent Showcase: Thur, July 31 | Lokers Auditorium
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation - Shoreline Studio


Zeeland Youth Dance Company (ZYDC) 

5th-12th Gr

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

Reminder to Current Dancers: Zeeland Rec Dance levels dancers up once a year prior to the fall session. All dancers who completed the previous semester of dance classes will receive a placement letter for the upcoming school year at the beginning of August.

Those With Dance Experience But New to Zeeland Rec Dance: If you're an experienced dancer new to our dance program, please enroll in a Dance Fundamentals class for evaluation to determine placement in an upper level class. Or, for an additional fee, new students may schedule a private evaluation in order to determine placement. Please call our office at (616) 748-3230 to schedule an appointment. Questions? Contact Katelyn Parker,. Leisure Coordinator, at kparker@zps.org or (616) 748-3240  

Ballet Technique Classes: Designed for returning dancers seeking an additional weekly class with a ballet focus. Dancers will grow their ballet vocabulary and build strength and flexibility. Besides moving through the components of a classical ballet lesson, dancers will be instructed in floor barre and other innovative techniques to encourage the use of the proper muscles in turn-out, extension, placement and alignment. Ballet Tech 1 is for dancers who are currently in 3rd grade with two or more years of recent and continuous experience (permission not necessary).  Placement in Ballet Tech 2-5 is by recommendation of the instructor only. For all of our Ballet Tech classes, please allow for adjustments in placement to be made as needed. Experienced dancers new to our program should enroll in Ballet Tech 1 in order to be evaluated for proper placement.

Contemporary Technique: Designed for returning dancers seeking an additional weekly class with a modern and contemporary technical focus.  Dancers will build their modern and contemporary vocabulary by studying a variety of technique styles such as Horton, Graham, Cunningham, Countertechnique, and Flying Low.  Dancers will also build artistry by participating in improvisational exercises both as individuals and building into contact improv with their peers.

Creative Movement Dance (5 Yr Olds-6th Gr): This class is geared towards those interested in using their imaginations to explore elements of dance: time, space, and energy. The class will incorporate Anne Green Gilbert's educational methods, including the BrainDance. Dancers will learn how to collaborate to create their own unique compositions for the spring recital. This class is an excellent fit for dancers who love dancing but are looking for more freedoms than what they can get in the structure of a traditional dance class.

Dance Fundamentals Classes (3 Yr Olds +): Designed for new dancers or returning dancers. Dancers will move to a variety of music, learn basic dance vocabulary and explore many dance principals through the use of fun imagery and well-rounded combinations. Dancer must be potty-trained. 

Dance Fusion: Geared towards middle school students interested in exploring dance for the first time, or experienced dancers brushing up on basics in preparation for dance class during the school day or just for fun.  This class will cover ballet, contemporary, and jazz technique and have a performance opportunity in the June recital.

Jazz Funk (6th Gr +):  Jazz Funk is a style of jazz dance that is the studio-based version of hip hop dance forms. New dancers in 6th grade and up should enroll in Jazz Funk Fundamentals.

Jazz-Tap Company: The Jazz-Tap Company a division of the Zeeland Youth Dance Company that specializes in jazz and tap technique.  This is an auditioned ensemble that provides opportunities for experienced dancers in 6th-12th grades to learn and perform jazz and tap choreography throughout the community. Jazz-Tap Company members show a strong love of tap and jazz dance, an appreciation of the historical and cultural context of these dance styles, and a passion for sharing dance with others. 

Jazz Technique (5th Gr +): This class is an opportunity for your dancer to increase the frequency and intensity of their training. Dancers will refine their technique in elements such as turns, jumps, and stylized movement.

Pointe (Enroll with Instructor Permission Only): Dancers must be dual enrolled in Ballet Tech A in order to enroll in Pointe class.

Pom (3rd Gr +): A recent year of dance, cheer, or gymnastics is required prior to enrolling in the class. This class is for students that want a fun introduction to dance team-style Pom. Dancers will gain arm stretch and power in movement. At the same time, cheerleaders and gymnasts will benefit from the movement quality that Pom as a dance form brings to their sport.  

Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary: These classes are for returning dance students. Dancers will continue building proper alignment, placement, turn-out and core control fundamentals. Dancers will also gain strength, flexibility and coordination while learning fun practice combinations and choreography.

Tap Fundamentals (5 Yr Olds +): Designed for new dancers or returning dancers. Dancers will learn basic tap movements that serve as the building blocks for more difficult tap movements. Dancers will also work on rhythm and musicality while also exploring basic music theory. Dancer must be potty-trained. 

Tap Leveled Classes: Geared towards returning dancers. Dancers will work on rhythm, musicality and increasing speed while also working with weight-bearing and non-weight bearing tap vocabulary

EXPERIENCED DANCER BUT NEW TO ZEELAND REC DANCE? 

If you are an experienced dancer but our new to our dance program, please enroll in a Dance Fundamentals class for evaluation to determine placement in an upper level class. Or, for an additional fee, new students may schedule a private evaluation in order to determine placement. Please call our office at 616-748-3230 to schedule an appointment. Questions? Please contact Katelyn Parker, Leisure Coordinator, at kparker@zps.org

Dance Instructors

Rachel Plaggemars

Rachel earned her BA in dance performance and choreography with an emphasis in education from Hope College. Ms. Plaggemars emphasizes 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. 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

Annika Lamer

Annika graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Tourism, and Management and a Minor in Dance. In addition to teaching at Zeeland Recreation, she regularly teaches dance and choreographs for the Zeeland High School Dance Program. Between the two programs, she gets to see and work with many students, ranging from ages 3 to 18, teaching a variety of styles. Annika loves watching her students grow and develop into strong, confident, well-rounded dancers.

Tiffany Terpstra

Tiffany is studying Early Childhood Education with a minor in dance at Grand Valley State University. Tiffany trained at Zeeland Recreation from first grade through her senior year. She enjoys seeing dancers develop a passion for dance and watching them grow not only technically, but artistically. 

Mattie Capel

Mattie graduated from Hope College with a BA in Religion with minors in Dance and Dance Pedagogy. Mattie’s approach to dance education is holistic, being mindful of the students physical, social, emotional and creative individual needs of each student. She strives to empower her students to be healthy, knowledgeable, motivated artists that become strong technicians and performers.

CINDERELLA 2024

written 2024

KALEIDOSCOPE 2023

 

Photo Credit - Andrew Weller

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