Registration Opens Saturday, 8/22 at 8am 

Verona Youth Dance 2026-27 Season

VACT is excited to partner with the City of Verona Recreation Department to offer another season of great dance classes!

  • Verona Youth Dance classes run October 12th, 2025 - April 16th, 2027 (No classes 11/23-11/27; 12/21-1/1; 3/22-3/26)

  • Registration for dance classes is done through the Verona Rec Department website, and opens on Saturday August 22nd at 8 am.

    • To register, CLICK HERE to be taken to the Rec Department website.

      • Once there, select “Youth Recreation” across the top menu, then “2026-27 Dance” to see the class listing and to register,

  • PLEASE NOTE: Participants must register for the class that aligns with the grade they will be in during the 2026-27 school year, regardless of the their experience, interest, age, or scheduling considerations.

    • There are NO exceptions to this rule.

  • If the cost is a financial hardship, please contact VACT Education Department at education@vact.org.

  • More information on the dance schedule, the recital, and the dance staff can be found below.

  • Additional class policies can be found on the Camp and Class Policies Page (CLICK HERE)

  • Questions? Please contact the VACT Education Department at education@vact.org.

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Class Prices

Verona Residents = $144
Non-Verona Residents= $164

 
 

Classes are separated by GRADE LEVEL (not age) and
based on participant’s grade in the 2026-27 school year (no exceptions).

There may be multiple time/day options offered for certain classes. Where multiple time/day options are offered, those classes are indicated by “section.” For example Hip Hop - Section 1, Hip Hop - Section 2 etc.

Pre-K Classes

TUESDAYS
Pre-K Ballet, 4:00-4:30pm

WEDNESDAYS
Pre-K Hip Hop, 3:40-4:10pm

THURSDAYS
Pre-K Musical Theater/Jazz,
3:40-4:10pm

Gr. 3-5 Classes

MONDAYS
Hip Hop - Section 1, 4:15-4:45pm

Hip Hop - Section 2, 4:50-5:20pm

Ballet - 5:40-6:10pm

TUESDAYS
Jazz - 5:10-5:40pm

WEDNESDAYS
Hip Hop - Section 3, 5:25-5:55pm

THURSDAYS
Hip Hop - Section 4, 4:15-4:45pm

Tap - 5:25-5:55pm

K-2 Classes

MONDAYS
Hip Hop - Section 1, 3:40-4:10pm

Ballet - Section 1, 4:15-4:45pm

TUESDAYS
Ballet - Section 2, 4:35-5:05pm

WEDNESDAYS
Hip Hop - Section 2, 4:15-4:45pm

Jazz - Section 1, 4:15-4:45pm

Hip Hop - Section 3, 4:50-5:20pm

Jazz - Section 2, 4:50-5:20pm

Tap - 5:25-5:55pm

THURSDAYS
Hip Hop - Section 4, 3:40-4:10pm

Ballet - Section 3, 4:50-5:20pm

Gr. 6-8 Classes

MONDAYS
Contemporary/Lyrical, 4:50-5:35pm

Hip Hop, 5:40-6:25pm

TUESDAYS
Intermediate/Advanced Tap, 5:45-6:30pm

THURSDAYS
Jazz Foundations, 4:15-4:45pm

Tap Foundations, 4:50-5:20pm

Intermediate/Advanced Jazz, 5:25-6:10pm

Questions? Please contact the VACT Education Department at education@vact.org.

 

2026-27 Dance Season T-Shirt & Dance Recital Information

 

CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO THE 2026-27 DANCE RECITAL AND T-SHIRT INFORMATION PAGE.

Recital Information

  • Participation in the recital is not required for a student to participate in a dance class.

  • If families choose to participate in the recital, dancers/families must purchase a recital costume.

  • A costume is required in order to participate in the recital.

  • There are no regularly scheduled classes during the week of the recital, instead all dancers participating will attend a mandatory dress rehearsal for their age group.

  • Recital Week will be the week of April 19th, and all dress rehearsals and recitals will be at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center

    • 3rd-8th Grade Dress Rehearsal: Tuesday, April 20th (evening)

    • PreK-2nd Grade Dress Rehearsal: Wednesday, April 21st (evening)

    • PreK-2nd Grade and 3rd-8th Grade Recitals: Thursday, April 22nd (evening)

  • Financial assistance is available for those who wish to participate in the recital but are not in a position to purchase a costume.

    Optional Dance Season T-Shirt

  • All interested dancers may purchase a 2026-27 dance season t-shirt.

  • Dancers do not have to participate in the recital in order to order a t-shirt

  • Dance season t-shirts are completely optional - there is no requirement to purchase a t-shirt.

  • Please see the link at the top of this section to be taken to the dance recital page and t-shirt page.

 
 

Lydia Benz - Education Director and Jazz/Tap Instructor (Gr. 6-8)

Lydia is beyond excited to be stepping into the role of Education Director at VACT. She first became involved at VACT at age five with her breakout role in the operatic piggy chorus of Three Piggy Opera. Since then, Lydia has been involved with over 30 VACT productions, doing everything from choreography to repainting the same set pieces for countless productions. Lydia graduated from The Ohio State University in May, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education as a Child and Youth Studies Major with a focus on Creative Pedagogies in Education and a minor in Dance. Throughout this time, Lydia worked at Children’s Theatre of Madison as an Emerging Teaching Artist and at Columbus Children’s Theatre as the Education Coordinator for their Theatre360 Summer Camps. Theater is for everyone, and Lydia is endlessly passionate about helping each child find their spark. 

Denali Kraemer - Ballet (PreK-2nd Grade), Musical Theater/Jazz (Pre-K), Tap Gr. (3-5), and Jazz (Gr. 3-8) Instructor

Denali is a dedicated dance instructor who began her training at Verona Recreation Center before continuing at Kehl School of Dance, where she studied tap, jazz, hip hop, and—her favorite—ballet. She began teaching at Verona Rec during her sophomore year of high school, and is now entering her fifth year as an instructor. In addition to teaching weekly classes, Denali has choreographed multiple musicals through VACT’s youth program, including Annie Kids, Alice in Wonderland Jr., and co-choreographing Matilda Jr. She brings a passion for storytelling through movement and a warm, encouraging approach to every class and rehearsal.


Aaliyah Johnson - Hip Hop Instructor (PreK-8th Grade)

Aaliyah is so excited to dance with all the amazing kiddos at VACT and share her love for dance, creativity, and fun! She’s been part of the VACT family since she was eight years old, and it has been such a special place for her to grow as a dancer and performer. Aaliyah also enjoys choreographing and currently choreographing the VACT middle school production We Will Rock You!


Janelle McGhee - Tap Instructor (Gr. 6-8)

Janelle McGhee has been working with students of all ages for most of her life and has taught a wide variety of classes including ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement, and theater. She has worked with students from preschool to adults and everything in between. Janelle has her BS in Elementary Education from University in Pennsylvania. Soon after graduating, she moved to Madison and was introduced to VACT and the opportunity to help with the K-2 musicals as a choreographer and camp co-teacher. After a handful of years away from Madison, she is happy to be back and teaching VACT classes again!


Callie Lederer - Jazz and Tap Instructor (Gr. K-2)

Callie is super excited to be teaching with VACT this year! She has been involved with VACT on stage and off since she was six years old. She has served as a Dance Captain for 3 years in shows including Annie KIDS, Dinosaurs Before Dark KIDS, Finding Nemo KIDS, and Frozen KIDS. Callie has also assisted in Verona Rec dance classes for three years, working with children ages preschool through elementary school. She is a sophomore at Verona Area High School and cannot wait for an amazing year!


Kayla Wagner - Hip Hop Instructor (Gr. K-5)

Bio coming soon!


Tess Hingle - Ballet (Gr. K-5) and Lyrical/Contemporary (Gr. 6-8) Instructor

Bio coming soon!