Welcome to Gillman’s Dance Academy

Celebrating 25 Years

Gillman’s Dance Academy is East Louisville’s premiere dance instruction facility. We strive to offer challenging programs that foster a love of dance at every level; from the serious dancer who intends to continue in the world of dance, to beginning dancers of all ages who want to experience the rewards that artistic discipline can bring to one’s life.

Gillman’s Dance Academy is proud to be the home of MAGIC, a youth dance company dedicated to providing a pre-professional performing experience to our dancers and bringing quality dance performances to the community.

Gillman’s classes range from Tiny Dancer to Pointe and include multiple levels of Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Lyrical Dance. We also offer certification courses in the Cecchetti Ballet Method,  focused on building a firm foundation in classical ballet technique, language, and theory. We showcase our students each spring in our annual Performance, allowing dancers to experience what many have worked so hard to achieve: the glory of the spotlight!

 Faculty

 

Denise Gillman, FDCCA, AISTD- Academy Founder

Ms. Gillman began her early training in Michigan with Marjorie B. Randazzo; she was the recipient of the Hammond Scholarship allowing her to continue as a full-time student at the National Ballet School of Canada.

Ms. Gillman is a frequent guest teacher in the United States and Europe, including faculty positions at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, Carnegie Mellon University, Louisville Ballet School, the International Summer School of the Cecchetti Council of America, ISTD – Cecchetti, and the Kate Simmons School in England.

Ms. Gillman is familiar with Balanchine style and has training in the Vaganova and RAD methods of teaching, although her teaching preference is the Cecchetti Method.

Through many years of continued education, dedication and love of dance, Ms. Gillman has achieved an associate diploma from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and has also earned her Cecchetti Diploma as a dancer and teacher. Denise is a member of Ohio Dance Masters Chapter 16, Dance Masters of America and an Examiner for the Cecchetti Council of America.

Ms. Gillman is dedicated to the continuation of the art of ballet and dance education. For the past twenty years, she has grown her dance studio into a multi-location academy . Gillman’s Dance Academy is also home to M.A.G.I.C., Inc., a youth dance company founded by Ms. Gillman and community members who are invested in the non-profit, M.A.G.I.C. – Making Art Grow In Children, Inc.

Madalyn  McLeland

Born in Louisville, Madalyn began her dance training with the Louisville Ballet School. She graduated from Butler University in 2012 with high honors and a B.A. in Dance Pedagogy. At Butler, she performed in a number of Classical Ballets, such as The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Coppélia, as well many contemporary and jazz pieces.

Madalyn is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America and has passed her Teacher’s Exams I-V. She is also a member of Ohio Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America, and through this organization she is certified to teach Acrobatic Dance.

Madalyn sees the importance in continuing her dance education and has attended a number of workshops, including Rhee Gold’s Dance Teacher Conference in Scottsdale, AZ and Kate Simmons’ International School in England. She has adjudicated the Junior Title Competition for Ohio Dance Masters and guest taught for Dance Masters of the Bluegrass’ Fall Workshop.

Madalyn is a Co-Artistic Director and Choreographer for M.A.G.I.C., Louisville’s non-profit youth dance company. She is also involved with Gillman’s competitive teams, and has choreographed many award winning routines. In addition to teaching at Gillman’s, she teaches dance and gymnastics classes at The Gardner School. She is also certified in Zumba® and Zumba® Kids.

Evalyn Tirikos 

Evalyn began her training at the age of two with ballet and started training in other styles of dance and gymnastics shortly after. For the last 20 years, she has taught at several studios in Northeastern Ohio and Kentucky. She received most of her training under Dance Masters own, Kathi Halbert, who instilled the love of dance and continuing education in her.

Evalyn received her certification to teach ballet, tap, and jazz through Dance Masters of Americas Teachers Training School at the University of Buffalo, New York, and is a member of Ohio Dance Masters Chapter 16 and Dance Masters of America. She has judged and taught at several Dance Masters regional competitions across the nation.
Evalyn is also a member of the Cecchetti Council of America. She has taken her student exams I-VI, teacher exams I-VI, and is currently preparing for her teacher grade VII exam.

Evalyn has had the privilege of dancing with Youngstown’s Easy Street Productions and the Youngstown Playhouse. She was a dancer for the Youngstown Hawks semi-professional basketball team and danced professionally with One World Dance Theater Chicago. In addition to choreographing routines for regional dance competitions, Evalyn has taught recreational and competitive gymnastics,
choreographing several floor routines for USAG National Competitions.
Currently, Evalyn resides in Louisville, Kentucky and works with students from Gillman’s Dance Academy.

She also works with the non-profit youth dance company M.A.G.I.C, Making Art Grow In Children, Inc.

Alexandria Witt

Alex is a senior at Oldham County High school and has danced since the age of 2. She has attended Gillman’s Dance Academy and has been a part of M.A.G.I.C. for 11 years. Throughout her dance career, Alex has assisted numerous classes alongside GDA staff and has grown her love for leading in the classroom. She has competed in many award winning routines at local dance competitions and has attended numerous dance conventions and workshops. She has also worked with other local performing companies to expand her knowledge.

This year, Alex plans to co-op at Gillman’s Dance Academy to not only further her teaching career, but to learn the foundation of how to run a business. Alex plans to attend college after high school to study communication/information and dance.

Policies

It is the responsibility of each family to be aware of our policies. 

Tuition Payments:

Tuition for all dance classes is based on an 8-month (30 weeks) school year: September 6, 2022, through April 30, 2023. Tuition is paid monthly, on the 1st of each month. By registering you agree to pay for the entire 8-month term. All fees associated with Gillman’s Dance Academy are non-refundable. 

Payment options:

Auto-Pay: Debit – automatic withdrawal from checking or savings account on the 1st of every month. Auto-Pay: Charge – automatic charge on Visa or MasterCard on the 1st of every month. Tuition Discounts: Multiple class discounts are available. Gillman’s Dance Academy does not provide invoices. It is the account holder’s responsibility to update all credit card information. A $25 LATE FEE will be charged to all accounts not paid in full by the 1st of each month. (No exceptions, please.) Accounts more than 60 days delinquent will result in the suspension of lessons. Accounts more than 90 days delinquent will be submitted to a collections agency. In this case, your account will be accessed for $150 for filing fees. Accounts must be current and all fees paid before students may receive costumes or participate in performances. 

Absences:

Class make-up is allowed in cases of illness, injury, or family emergency. Class must be made up within 30 days of absence. Students may make up a missed class by attending any class of the same level or a level below, with instructor approval. 

Class Cancellations:

If Gillman’s Dance Academy must cancel classes due to extreme weather or events beyond its control the canceled classes will be made up before the end of the school year. In the event our Dance Academy is shut, classes will continue online via youtube and/or zoom. When Oldham County Public Schools are closed for weather, you will be informed of our decision if the studio will be closed by 2 pm that day. Please check your emails frequently, and do not automatically assume the studio is closed.  

Gillman’s follows its own holiday schedule. Closure dates will be posted on our website.  Please refer to our website for confirmation of all closures.

Attendance:

Regular attendance is necessary to maximize the full benefit of dance instruction for every student in the class. We encourage parents/guardians to stress the importance of attending class and rehearsals. If a student will knowingly miss class due to illness, an activity, or an appointment, they should notify the studio office prior to class by calling 502.243.9722 or by emailing: gillmansdance@gmail.com. 

Lobby Area: 

UPDATE: LOBBY CLOSED 

Food and drink are prohibited. This rule also applies to siblings waiting in the lobby. Water is permitted. Please refrain from bringing pets into our facility as well. Please be considerate of classes in session and keep noise at a minimum. Parents who choose to wait in the lobby area are responsible for the noise level of siblings brought with them. Personal items must be stored in the cubbies. Gillman’s is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items. Items that have been left behind in studios or rehearsal halls will be put into “lost & found”. At the end of the school year, all unclaimed items will be donated to Goodwill. Be sure to properly dispose of your trash. Dressing rooms are for female dancers and female parents or supervisors only. No Fathers or brothers, please.

Observation Days:

Parents are invited and encouraged to observe their child’s progress during scheduled observation days.  Due to limited space, we ask that only one visitor per family attend.

Arrival and Departure:

We suggest that students arrive 10 minutes early to prepare for class. Students may be asked to observe class if they arrive late. This is a safety precaution to avoid student injury. Students should wait quietly for their class to begin. Students should use the restroom before class, not during class. (Adults, please help with this.) Students should wait in the lobby to be picked up by their parents/guardians.

Communication:

Please make advance arrangements to speak with teachers as class time is limited and classes are scheduled consecutively. Please check the website and bulletin boards in the lobby for postings on news and events. All correspondence will be sent via email. Please be sure your email address and account information is updated.

Hair Policy and Dress Code:

All students must wear their hair secured neatly in a ballet bun. A dancer’s attire greatly determines the attitude toward their class work. Therefore, we require that the Dress Code is followed at all times. Instructors may not allow class participation by a student who regularly neglects this requirement. 

All female students should wear black leotard / pink tights (Please do not wear tights with holes or bad runs).  Required footwear will be emailed upon registration. Be certain the elastic is properly sewn on all shoes.

All male students should wear white t-shirt / black tights, pants or gym shorts/black or white socks/ black ballet shoes, black tap & jazz.

Watches, bracelets, necklaces, and dangly earrings may not be worn during class.

Dancers Code of Conduct:

Honesty and integrity are expected. Dancers must participate within Gillman’s Dance Academy rules and respect all the teachers/staff/volunteers and their decisions. Dancers must respect their fellow dancers. Dancers must not distract, bully or harass other dancers. Dancers must be polite and display good manners at all times. Dancers must refrain from cursing or using offensive racial or obscene speech, gestures, or written materials. Dancers must refrain from talking back to adults or refusing to comply with reasonable requests. Dancers must refrain from physical, mental, emotional, or cyberbullying other dancers, staff, or instructors. This includes social media postings referencing directly or indirectly to a student, staff, studio brand, and/or affiliations to the studio. Dancers are the face of Gillman’s Dance Academy and should conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the organization. When representing Gillman’s Dance Academy, dancers must continue to follow GDA’s code of conduct as they are representatives of our organization.

Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct:

Honesty and integrity are expected. Parents are encouraged to support their child’s/children’s involvement and help them enjoy the art of dance. Parents must demonstrate respect for faculty and staff at all times. Parents must not raise issues of disagreement publicly. Parents will not engage in inappropriate conduct towards instructors, staff, other dancers, and families. Parents must discourage challenging and inappropriate conduct towards instructors, staff, other dancers, and families. Parents will refrain from physical, mental, emotional, or cyber-bullying other dancers, staff, instructors, or families. This includes social media postings referencing directly or indirectly to a student, staff, families, studio brand, and/or affiliations to the studio. Parents must remember that children participate in dance for their own enjoyment. Parents will teach their children respect for other students, teachers, and adults and lead by example. Parents will encourage and guide their children to accept responsibility for his/her own performance and behavior. 

On the occasion that repeated failure to comply with the Code of Conduct occurs, Gillman’s Dance Academy reserves the right, at its discretion, to dismiss or take disciplinary action on any student or parent/guardian/family member who breaches GDA’s code of conduct. Please remember – it is a privilege to participate in dance classes and performances.  One’s behavior must emulate that privilege.

Note: These statements are also found on our registration form and must be agreed to before a dancer may enroll in classes. We reserve the right to refuse service to students or parents who do not adhere to our policies and code of conduct.

Dress Code

Tiny Dancer (Mon 3:45-4:15) (Wed 10:00 – 10:30 am)

Leotard: BLACK  Bloch Child Basic Tank Leotard #CL5405 or BLACK Bloch Child Long Sleeve Leotard #CL540

Tights: PINK Bloch Child Endura Footed Tights #T0921G or PINK Bloch Child Adaptatoe Tight #T0935G

Shoes: PINK Capezio Child “Daisy” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #205C or PINK Bloch Child “Dansoft” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #S0205G or any other pink leather ballet slipper

Kinder Combo Tap/Ballet  (Mon 4:15-5:00) (Tues 3:30-4:15) (Wed 10:30 – 11:15 am) (Wed 5:45 – 6:30)

Leotard: BLACK  Bloch Child Basic Tank Leotard #CL5405 or BLACK Bloch Child Long Sleeve Leotard #CL540

Shoes: PINK Capezio Child “Daisy” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #205C or PINK Bloch Child “Dansoft” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #S0205G or any other pink leather ballet shoe AND BLACK  Bloch Buckle Tap Shoe #S0302G or BLACK LEATHER Capezio “Mary Jane” Tap Shoe #3800C

Dance Combo 2 Tap/Ballet  (Mon 5:30-6:30) (Wed 12:00 – 1:00)

Leotard: BLACK  Bloch Child Basic Tank Leotard #CL5405 or BLACK Bloch Child Long Sleeve Leotard #CL540

Tights: PINK Bloch Child Endura Footed Tights #T0921G or PINK Bloch Child Adaptatoe Tight #T0935G

Shoes: PINK Capezio Child “Daisy” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #205C or PINK Bloch Child “Dansoft” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #S0205G or any other pink leather ballet shoe AND BLACK  Bloch Buckle Tap Shoe #S0302G or BLACK LEATHER Capezio “Mary Jane” Tap Shoe #3800C

Dance Combo Ballet/Jazz (Wed 4:00-5:00)

Leotard: BLACK  Bloch Child Basic Tank Leotard #CL5405 or BLACK Bloch Child Long Sleeve Leotard #CL540

Tights: PINK Bloch Child Endura Footed Tights #T0921G or PINK Bloch Child Adaptatoe Tight #T0935G

Shoes: PINK Capezio Child “Daisy” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #205C or PINK Bloch Child “Dansoft” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #S0205G or any other pink leather ballet slipper AND BLACK Bloch Child “Super Jazz” Slip-On Jazz Shoe #S0401G

PreSchool Acro Dance (Fri 5:30 – 6:15)

Leggins/shorts & T-shirt

No shoes or socks

 L1 & 2 

Leotard: BLACK  Bloch Child Basic Tank Leotard #CL5405 or BLACK Bloch Child Long Sleeve Leotard #CL540

Tights: PINK Bloch Child Endura Footed Tights #T0921G or PINK Bloch Child Adaptatoe Tight #T0935G

L1 & 2 Ballet

Shoes: PINK Capezio Child “Daisy” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #205C or PINK Bloch Child “Dansoft” Leather Full Sole Ballet Slipper #S0205G or any other pink leather ballet slipper

Level 1 & 2 Tap 

Shoes: BLACK Child “Mary Jane” Buckle Strap Tap Shoe by Capezio #3800C

Level 1 & 2 Lyrical 

Shoes: NUDE Capezio Foot Undeez #H07C or NUDE Capezio Adult Pirouette II Canvas #H061

Level 1 & 2 Jazz 

Shoes: TAN Bloch Child “Super Jazz” Slip-On Jazz Shoe #S0401G

 L3 & 4

Leotard: BLACK Leotard

Tights: PINK tights

L3 & 4 Ballet

Shoes: Women’s “Odette” Leather Split Sole Ballet Shoe #S0246L

L3 & 4 Pre Pointe/Pointe 

Shoes: Dress Code Ballet Slippers or teacher-approved Pointe shoes

L3 & 4 Lyrical

Shoes: NUDE Capezio Adult Pirouette II Canvas #H061

L3 & 4 Jazz 

Shoes: TAN Bloch Child “Super Jazz” Slip-On Jazz Shoe #S0401G

L3 & 4 Tap

Shoes: BLACK Bloch Sync Lace Up #S0321L OR BLACK Bloch Child Lace Up Tap shoe #S0301G

Level 5

Leotard: BLACK Leotard

Tights: PINK tights

L Ballet 

Shoes: Women’s “Odette” Leather Split Sole Ballet Shoe #S0246L

Level 5 Pointe/Variations 

Shoes: Teacher-approved Pointe Shoes

Level 5 Tap

Shoes: BLACK Bloch Sync Lace Up #S0321L

Level 5 Jazz 

Shoes: TAN Bloch Adult “Super Jazz” Slip-On #S0401L

Level 5 Lyrical

Shoes: NUDE Capezio Adult Pirouette II Canvas #H061

Male Dancers: may wear black tights or shorts and a white or black fitted t-shirt. If enrolled in ballet class, boys should wear black ballet shoes, not pink. All other shoes should be the same as females.

PLEASE USE TEACHER ID TP54676 WHEN PLACING AN ORDER

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