Classes at Starland  
We are happy to offer some of the most unique classes in a variety of creative arts. In addition to the popular standards such as Tap, Ballet, Art, Drama and Musical Theatre, Starland is breaking new ground with state-of-the-art Computer Arts and unique children's classes such as So You Think You Can Dance, Kids Cafe', Disney Dance Jams, and Superhero Boot Camp.

Are you seeking Mommy and Me Classes in the Chicago area? Starland Kids offers a wide variety of mommy and me classes for preschoolers including parent and child music and movement classes.

Starland classes are organized by child's age and grade.

Click here for a Printable form that shows all classes by age

* Ongoing registration is prorated accordingly.


Toddlers: One's and Two's Classes
We are excited to announce our new Mommy and Me classes, developed to bring out the best in each age level. From Wonderful Ones to Terrific Twos and then on to Brush To The Beat and our Pre-K programs, we grow with your child.

Wonderful Ones (18 Mos-23 mos.)
Our one-year-old program is full of music and movement. We explore our growing independence and physical dexterity as we climb and jump on our gross motor skills play center. Circle time follows with many of our favorite children's songs, and a few new ones to learn together.  We will play with rhythm sticks, instruments, scarves, and beanbags as we celebrate together, concluding each class with bubble time! A wonderful time for our Wonderful Ones!


Mommy and Me - Pre-Ballet (1.5-2.5)
Starland is proud to present our newest Mommy and Me class: Pre-Ballet.  Caregivers and children come ready to dance as we warm up together, pretend to be princesses, ballance on our toes and move to the music. A great pre-cursor to our Princess Ballet classes. The class is designed to be high-movement for adults and kids alike, so take off your shoes, put on your crown and join us for your child's first dance class.


Terrific Twos (2 yrs)
Our two-year-olds are fast developing pretend play, balance, interpersonal relationships and fine motor skills. We play to these new strengths by creating daily obstacle courses, "around our town" imagination play and incorporating crafts into our weekly themes. We join together each day with circle time to sing and play and will explore new instruments throughout the semester. Teamwork and imagination are encouraged and social/emotional strengths are supported in our Terrific Twos program!




2 1/2 - Kindergarten

Princess Ballerinas (2.5-3.5 yrs)
Learn to dance like your favorite fairy princess!  In this unique class, students will enhance their balance & poise as well as hand/feet coordination through basic ballet skills.  They have the added opportunity to dress up and implement the tools they've learned like a real princess! The dance skills build confidence and an appreciation for dance, and the play encourages children to express themselves through movement and music.  Required Attire: leotard, pink or white tights and ballet slippers.


Trucks, Trains, and Trikes (2.5-3.5yrs)
Vroooom! Come explore with us as we build train tracks, make dump trucks, ride our tricycles and fly through the air. We combine art and dramatic play with this course designed to be your child's first "away from mom" class. We will use all our emerging skills from gross motor (riding trucks and tricycles) to fine motor (making train crafts and airplanes) and plenty of social/emotional growth (taking turns, story-time, interactive play). All aboard!


Creature Creators (3 yrs)
Your 3 year old has made apples, hearts and other sweet art projects, now's their chance to get down and dirty, creepy-crawly and totally cool! We will design our own robots, monsters and bugs; make slime and mudpies and build giant rocketships in our classroom.  A spooky-sweet art and pretend play class for your littlest monster. Rawwwr! (Not Available this Fall)

Brush to the Beat (3 yrs)
This one-hour class is designed to combine music and art appreciation. Your child will explore their inner musician and create their own masterpieces. Students will tune into a multitude of artistic and muscial activities designed to bring out the miniature Mozart and Picasso in your child.

SongBirds (3 yrs)
SongBirds 3 year-olds have a natural love of music. Join us as we explore this side of their lives through rhythm games, creative movement and song. We will explore different musical cultures and styles while learning songs to showcase at our final observation day. A typical class will include a welcome song-circle, scarf dancing, rhythm sticks, a sing along and a music game. A toe-tappin', arm-wavin', song-singin' good time for all.


Treehouse Theatre (3.5-4.5)
Climb into our treehouse and make a play! Using classic stories and nursery rhymes, this class introduces young children to the joy of telling stories on stage.  The material is familiar and well loved for the comfort of the budding theater-student.  We will explore an new story each day and encourage children to bring in their favorite stories and songs to class. We welcome parents multiple times throughout the semester to see our progress. A Starland favorite for the preschool set! 

Superhero Boot Camp (3.5-4.5 yrs)
Children love pretend play and imitating their favorite action heros.  Such play can be a great outlet for energy and a wonderful stimulus for children's imagination.  In this class, your children will learn about cooperation and team work as they sequence a story together, negotiate how play will proceed, and solve problems as a group through physical activity.

Tap/Ballet (3.5-K)
A basic introduction to ballet technique for young minds. Utilizes beginning tap technique to explore and learn rhythm and counting in dance.

Jazz/Ballet (3.5-K)
A good begginer or continuing dance class with %60 Ballet and %40 Jazz. This class helps expose kids to the foundations of dance.


Ballet II (3.5-4.5 yrs)
(pre requisite for this class is Princess Ballerinas)
We will take the next step in pre-ballet incorporating fairy princess fun while spending more time on technique.

Storybook Cook (3.5-4.5yrs)
Calling all Cooks! Two of your child's favorite things - stories and food- are combined in this unique preschool class. In each class we will read a food-themed story, (including "Pancakes, Pancakes", "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", "Stone Soup" and others) and then make a recipe to correspond with our story! We will learn to take turns and follow directions as we create our treat to eat for story time. In addition to stories and food, songs and games round out our hour of food and fun.

Kidz Bop Dance (3.5-4.5yrs)
Students will learn basic jazz techniques and routines to the popular Kidz bop series of Music. The class culminates in a recital at the end of the semester in our Theatre. Dress code for the class is comfortable clothes and gym shoes.

Building and Constructing
Get ready to explore the vast world of construction.  Watch buildings rise form the dust.  This class is designed to help your child combine their imagination with the tactile world.  We will construct bridges, create cardboard construction, make marble mazes, build towers and structures.
So pull out your tools, put on your hard hats, and we’ll meet you at the Starland Construction Site.  

Musical Theater Dance
"Oliver, Annie and Wicked, oh my!"   In this class, we will sing and dance to songs from our favorite musicals.  The dances are designed to act out your child's favorite characters.  Ages 4 and up

Kids Cafe'
Kids love the whole process of adding ingredients together, creating something unique and seeing (and tasting) their own masterpiece.  In Kids Cafe', we will learn about nutrition, cooking skills, food and cooking safety, meal planning and more by utilizing games and activities that cater to your child's natural curiousity surrounding food and fun.  Cooking teaches kids to plan and make choices.  This class enhances motor skills, math skills, language skills and develops self confidence.  We will provide all the ingredients and colorful aprons.  We don't use any sharp or risky materials, our classes are safely designed for children.

Characters and Comics
A Dramatic Play Class" Dive into the world of our favorite characters in this unique drama class. Each week we will make our own comic strips, act out our favorite cartoon hi jinx and learn what makes performing funny! We use familier characters to bring out the creativity in each child, helping them learn poise, public speaking and dramatic expression. (Not offered in the Fall)

Disney Songs
Does your son or daughter love to sing at home? Disney songs is designed for young singers to gain confidence and poise while singing tunes from their favorite movies and shows. Along with singing, we will learn basic note reading, the difference between melody and rhythm, how to listen for your "cue" and other music fundamentals. Disney Songs is a great precursor to formal lessons. Great for boys and girls!

Broadway Bound
Great for beginning or continuing Broadway Bound students.  The fun continues with a brand new show, fresh activities and loads of creativity.  We will spend our first weeks telling classic stories together in our lead up to a student-written, 10 minute mini-musical.  This class is a favorite for it's emphasis on inclusion, music, pretend play and fun. If you love the spotlight, this is the class for you!

Kindergarten Crossroads
Kindergarten Crossroads is one hour enrichment program that will give your child the opportunity to expand their learning beyond the school day. Kindergarten Crossroads emphasizes creative thinking, academic skill development, and imagination to help Kindergarteners learn and grow in a dynamic and nurturing environment. Students will participate in a daily Academic Enrichment class where they will enjoy exploring thematic units through active hands-on activities. The curriculum will include reading, writing, scientific and mathematical concepts, Spanish language instruction, artistic expression, interactive play and more. Kindergarten Crossroads is the perfect blend of learning and fun for the active Kindergartener!


Stepping Stones (Kindergarten Prep)
In this class, your child will be taking meaningful 'steps' on their road to learning. S/he will be exposed to basic skills that will help prepare them for kindergarten. Through songs, rhymes, games and movement, we will cover such skills as: calendar, weather, counting, numbers, patterns, shapes, colors, letters, letter sounds, etc.  Our goal is to make this a fun and exciting experience which will instill the love of learning for future school setting.

Hip Hop/Poms
Students will learn movements that has elements of poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style. This combination class will then incorporate poms into the class.

Starland Speedway
Does your child have a passion for cars? This class provides an opportunity to "drive" an assortment of cars, build tracks, make tunnels, construct ramps and many other related activities. In addition to ready-made tracks and ramps, a variety of open-ended materials will be available for your child to explore and stimulate their creativity. We will create an engaging environment for social and physical play. Through the various fun activities your child will also be exposed to future math and physics concepts like gravity, friction, velocity, acceleration and more. Join in the fun and start your engines! Ages 4-K. 
(Not Available in the Fall)

Grossology
Ghouls, and creatures, and slime, oh my! If your little ones just can't get enough of the icky stuff, then they have come to the right place. In Grossology, we will be spending the entire session devoted to all things gross - monsters, slime, edible creations - you name it! This is a place to come to get messy and learn about the world of creatures. Each class will include some variety of art, reading, games, and/or science, so that every student receives a well-rounded, cross-curricular education on all things gross. Get ready to get GROSS!(Not Available in the Fall)

Girl Power!
Calling all girls! Starland has a class just for you! We will celebrate each unique girl while earning “badges” toward our girl-power banner.  Activities may include dance, fashion fun, arts and crafts, under nighter, pets and vets, kidspa, sports and many more. We are pumped up to show how wild and wonderful it is to be a girl! (Not available in the Fall)

Ballet III
Ballet III class is a fun combination of ballet technique and ballet choreography. Students learn all the basic ballet steps. In addition, excitement occurs in each class as the dancers create theatrical ballet dances such as "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty". You won't believe the improvement in posture, poise, and graceful athleticism when you enjoy the performance at the end of the semester.


So You Think You Can Dance

Based on Fox's hit show, students will learn differnet genres of dance.  Every other week we will focus on a different style - from hip hop to ballroom!  So you think you can dance?  Come find out!!

GYM Games
The perfect class to let your child's energy explode! Exercise, sports, team building skills, races and fun are all thrown into to Starlands very own GYM class. Every week introduces your child to tons of new games and great skills.. Get ready to be out of breath!

Sport Shorts

Little BYTES
Watch as your child's comfort and control in using the computer increases weekly, while building their reading skills at the same time with Lexia Reading Readiness Software Program. This software resource provides introductory information, concept or skill development and practice in English-Language Arts for Pre-K through 2nd grade students at an individual level in a computer lab environment. Lexia software includes an Auto Placement tool, helping students quickly and seamlessly begin using Lexia at their individually-suited skill level. Intelligent Branching: Once a student is placed at the appropriate level and activity based on the teacher’s assessment of the student’s needs, a recursive branching system that is built into the Lexia software automatically directs a student to the needed level of activity difficulty, depending on the student’s response. Students are given support throughout the activities with cues offered when needed and additional lessons provided when they experience difficulty.

Science
Is your child always asking questions? Does s/he always want to know just how and why things work? In this class, a mini MENSA for your ever-inquisitive child, s/he will explore science and the arts in a fully hands-on, very interactive environment. Experience bubbleing lava, natural wonders, sensory observations, and a variety of scientific experiments to amaze and enjoy. A new adventure every week!

Kidz Bop Dance
Students will learn basic jazz techniques and routines to the popular Kidz bop series of Music. The class culminates in a recital at the end of the semester in our Theatre. Dress code for the class is comfortable clothes and gym shoes.


1st - 2nd Grade Classes

Poms
This class will incorporate all the different elements of Poms dance.  Learn the basics of poms dance with kick lines, pom passes, arm motions, jumps, turns and leaps.  You will be working with fast upbeat music that is typical for getting a crowd pumped up and excited.  This is also a good preparation for dance team try-outs. 

Mixed Media
Mixed Media:  students will experiment with a variety of two dimensional materials like papers, paints, photographs and many other collage items.  We will learn some printing techniques and look at the works of other collage and assemblage artists such as Robert Raushenberg and Jasper Johns.

Jazz Funk
This class combines fresh & fun jazz combinations with technique while dancing to their favorite music! (Kids will need jazz shoes or flexible gym shoes and wear movable clothing)

Theater games
Perfect for the Class Clown and the Drama Queen! We learn all the best theatre games and comedy techniques in this uplifting class. Some activities include improvisation games, problem solving activities, playwriting, stand up and others. High energy and lots of laughs are expected at our final showcase of our favorite games.

Hip Hop
Students will learn movements that has elements of poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style.

Act One
Some of the best shows are simply too long/tough or involved for children to perform in full. This is why we are offering “Act One”: a workshop performance of One-Act portions of famous musicals. We will try out for parts, rehearse scenes and songs and have a 30-40 minute performance, in costume, at the conclusion of the class.  Some shows being considered are West Side Story, Hairspray,The Little Mermaid, Lion King, Les Miz, and others!

Musical Revue
If you loved Musical Revue, this class is for you! We continue our singing and dancing skills and incorperate more creative storytelling and games.

So You Think You Can Dance
Based on Fox's hit show, students will learn differnet genres of dance.  Every other week we will focus on a different style - from hip hop to ballroom!  So you think you can dance?  Come find out!!

Musical Theater Dance
"Oliver, Annie and Wicked, oh my!"   In this class, we will sing and dance to songs from our favorite musicals.  The dances are designed to act out your child's favorite characters.
 


Gradeschool Gourmet
Perfect for your growing cook! In this class, we will expand on what we already know about cooking to prepare more advanced recipes. We will learn about nutrition, use cooking tools, and create attractive & delicious dishes. Gradeschool Gourmet is the place where your child can "stir up" their love for cooking!

Stage Stars - Semi private voice
For the experienced performer looking to polish their solo skills.  Have you been a part of "Musical Review" and "Act One"? Are you looking for a class to practice singing solos


Salsa

This class covers the basic footwork and rythms of salsa and mambo dance. Basic arm and hand styling, body isolations, and foot articualtion will also be covered. As the class progresses, partnerwork may be introduced. Class dress requirements: girls: basic salsa or rehearsal skirt, character or 1-1.5" salsa heel. boys: jazz or form fitting flexible pants, soft jazz shoes or jazz sneakers.


Ballet 4


Tap

3rd- 8th Grade Classes

Stage Stars - Acting
Starland is proud to offer a music-free acting class for students who want to hone their stage skills. We will prepare scenes and learn the rules of acting for stage and screen. A great introduction for the beginning actor, or a chance for singer/dancers to improve their onstage characters.

Hip Hop
Students will learn movements that has elements of poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style.

Stage Stars - Showstoppers
Showstoppers is a group of motivated young actors who work together to prepare a revue of scenes and songs from their favorite musicals; a sort of a "mini musical" where every actor is a lead role!


THEATRE CLUB
Calling all 4th, 5th and 6th Graders! Starland is proud to offer our first ever THEATRE CLUB. Theatre club is a select group of motivated young performers interested in honing their skills as performers and giving back to the theatre world. Club members will meet in two semesters WEDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS September-January and February -June.  We will focus on vocal and acting lessons while rehearsing our musical. Theatre Club will attend one weekend performance each session in Chicago as a cast bonding experience! SHOW - A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM (Musical)  [Hal Leonard Publishing]

Stage Stars - Comedy Theatre
Every seen "who's line is it anyway" how bout "Second City" or "Saturday Night Live".  Dramatic comedy comes naturally to young actors and this is the place to let it shine.  We will work on sketch comedy routines, improv games and anything else the group comes up with.  Our final showcase will include original stand up routines, games and the presentation of our work. Guaranteed to be a hit with your "class clown"

Modern Dance

Lyrical Dance

Jazz Dance


Ballet

Tap

Adult Classes

Hip Hop
Hip Hop encompasses movement that has elements of poppin', locking, and breaking as well as freestyle movement to give students the opportunity to develop their own sense of style.

Barre Fusion
This class is designed to promote strength, posture, and flexibility. Barre Fusion combines elements of ballet dance, yoga, and pilates to create a hollistic exercise program. This class is for beginner to advanced. Various levels will be introduced for each exercise so that each particpant can work at their own level of fitness. Come join us and work on a stronger, longer, leaner you!

Adult Cardio Jazz
After stretching we will strengthen our core with Pilates inspired abdominal work. Then dancers will do traditional center work followed by a jazz routine. A great workout for all dancers at any level!

Adult Yoga