Oak Park’s TranscenDance Studios, which offers instruction in specialty dance styles such as breakdancing and Irish soft shoe, has moved and expanded its classes.
TranscenDance founder Cait Jones said in a telephone interview that the new location at 711 Madison Street — also home to EF Body Works gym — will offer dance studio patrons better parking, a more kid-friendly reception area, a changing area and homework space.
She said TranscenDance has experienced “explosive growth over the last five years” and the new facility will help the business better manage its class schedule.
The dance studio offers 53 classes per week and typically has about 175 students, Jones said. In the past TranscenDance has been geared for younger students age 3 to 19, but adults are welcomed to attend classes at the intermediate and advanced levels, and Jones said she is looking to add adult-only classes.
Jones said the business is in its sixth year of operation in response to students looking for atypical styles of dance instruction.
“Our tagline is ‘transcend the norm,'” she said.
She said that in addition new classes like improvisational dance, boys-only classes and choreography, TranscenDance also offers traditional classes in ballet, tap and jazz dance.
Jones sharing a space with a gym — TranscenDance was previously located out of Fitness Formula Clubs at 1114 Lake St. — makes it convenient for parents who drop off their kids for dance class and then go work out.
Classes have already begun at the new location, but Jones said TranscenDance is still finishing work on the remodeled reception and study areas.
TranscenDance is holding auditions for its competition teams over the next week. More information is available on the TranscenDance website at http://www.transcendancestudios.com.