Oak Forest Family Builds a Legacy of Dance

When Pat Spreadbury’s daughters asked her to open a dance studio, she hesitated at first. She knew it would be a huge commitment that would take up a lot of her time. The dance school her daughters previously attended no longer provided any room for advancement and they found no other local option. At first, the girls practiced in the parish basement. When the space they are currently in came to their attention, they made their move. Although it was a big step, she said she did it for her girls. 

“My four daughters wanted to continue to bring the art of dance at a competitive level to Oak Forest and surrounding communities” said Spreadbury.

Established in April 2010, is a welcome
addition to the area, offering a vast variety of dance, exercise and tumbling classes. The most popular class is hip hop, but many others are offered such as ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, clog, tumbling, musical theater, strength and stamina, stretch and turns and leaps.

When Patch visited the studio on a Saturday morning, the Teeny Dancers class was in session. Several 2- and 3-year-old girls dressed in tights, leotards, ballet skirts and shoes pranced across the dance floor according to their teacher’s instruction.  We asked one tiny dancer, Ayla, if she liked to dance and she replied “I am a princess. Princesses like to dance.” We should have known that.

Viewing windows are available, if parents would prefer to watch their princesses in action.

We moved on to the next studio, where a Company Tumbling
class was in session. Mats were positioned around the room to allow for tumbling moves of all kinds. Girls age 8 years old through 14 years old performed aerial cartwheels with ease as if they were second nature. Beautiful handstands with graceful poses were next on the agenda, as the gymnasts pointed their toes and held their poses. 

Teacher Leah Fisher, has been leading the class since December 2010 and just as soon as she called out a request for a tumbling combination, a girl was instantly in the air performing the move. One of the gymnasts present was Michelle Spreadbury, the youngest daughter of the owner. 

The other three Spreadbury daughters have active roles at
the studio as well. Jessica, a senior in high school, takes care of the computer programs that help manage the studio enrollment and finances. Jennifer is a college student who teaches musical theater and jazz at the dance studio. Jacqueline has a degree in biochemistry and chemistry from the University of Chicago and is the Artistic Director of the studio.

The dancers will perform at their annual recital, scheduled for June 3, 2012 at Morgan Park Academy in Chicago. The public is invited to attend and enjoy the performances. Competitions are a big part of the programs at Legacy.  

“The dancers compete at Midwest Starz Regionals and Nationals, Headliners, Chicago Dance Connection, Legacy Dance Championship, Applause Talent and American Dance Awards (ADA),” Spreadbury said.

You may also recognize some of the students from the McDonald's State Street Thanksgiving Day parade and from performances at Dance Chicago, Navy Pier, Brookfield Zoo, as well as the Illinois State Fair.

Fall classes began August 29 and the classes described above are available on Saturday mornings throughout the season.

Classes are held six days per week and you can view the schedules, as well as other information on their website.