Company Audition (all tracks)

Wednesday, June 3 at Rise Dance Center in Schaumburg (audition location only, SDA’s permanent home will be in Buffalo Grove)

Schedule (grades entering into 2026–27 school-year)

• K-2nd - 4:30-5:30 PM - $25 audition fee

• 3rd-6th - 5:30-6:45 PM -$30 audition fee

• 7th-12th - 6:45-8:15 PM - $35 audition fee

Register by May 24th

1. Fill out one Google Form per child (click purple button below)

2. Pay Audition Fee via Zelle: saldarelli-dance-arts

• If a dancer cannot attend on June 3, they must register for a summer lesson to be placed in a 2026-27 company track. Please fill out the audition form (mark not able to attend) & pay audition fee by May 24th.

*Company placements, schedules, and fees will be announced by June 10.

*The SDA Summer Class Schedule will be released in early May.

Company Tracks:

Spotlight Company

Open to all dancers Kindergarten & up with at least one-year of dance experience by audition.

A fun and supportive performance and competition track for dancers who love being on stage while maintaining a balanced schedule. Spotlight is perfect for those looking to build confidence, develop skills, and stay engaged in dance while still enjoying other activities/sports outside of dance. 

Group Levels: Petite (K-2nd), Junior (3rd-6th), Teen (6th-12th)

• Dancers will be placed in groups based on their age & experience level. There will be multiple groups per age division depending on enrollment.

Weekly School-Year Commitment:

REQUIRED Technique Classes & Rehearsals (2–2.75 hours/week) - no weekend rehearsals

• 1 Jazz (combined class/rehearsal)

• 1 Ballet class

• 1 Tap class or 1 Combined Tap class/Company Rehearsal

  • Dancers are required to take a tap class at their level, participation in a tap company dance is optional

OPTIONAL Company Dances

• Contemporary Co. (Junior & Teen levels)

• Musical Theatre Co. (Multi-age level)

• Hip Hop Co. (Junior & Teen levels)

• Acro Co. (Advanced level only, by placement)

• Solo, Duet, and/or Trio 

Seasonal Commitment:

Summer 2026

• Attend placement class on June 3rd, 2026 (or schedule a summer placement lesson)

• Evening summer drop-in classes (optional) in Mid-July thru August (schedule available in early May)

• Company Intensive (required) - 8/31-9/3 (M-Th)

  • Petite levels - 4:30-6:30 PM each day

  • Junior levels - 5:30-8 PM each day

  • Teen levels - 6-9 PM each day

Performance Opportunities

• 2-3 Regional Competitions (March, April, May)

• Optional National Competition - Summer 2027 (solos, duets, and trios only)

• Local Performances 

• Annual Recital 

• In-studio workshop 

• Enrichment opportunities: Audition-prep & Specialty workshops (optional)

Elevate Company

Placement is for dancers in 4th-8th grades by audition & teacher invitation. Dancers interested in Elevate Company should mark this preference on Google Form. After the audition, dancers who are not yet ready for Elevate will be recommended for placement in Spotlight Company at the level and age division that best supports their growth.

Elevate is a pre-professional performance & competition track for dedicated dancers seeking intermediate to advanced instruction and high-level performance opportunities. Designed for experienced dancers who are ready for increased training, commitment, and growth. 

Dancers are selected based on technique, work ethic, coachability, performance quality, and readiness for a higher level of commitment. Elevate dancers demonstrate strong foundational skills, a desire to grow, and the potential to thrive in a focused, pre-professional training environment.

Group Levels:  Junior & Teen

Weekly School-Year Commitment

REQUIRED Technique Classes & Rehearsals  (5+ hours/week)

• Dancers are placed in a Junior or a Teen group and then cast in jazz, contemporary, and/or tap dances 

  • Separate Elevate rehearsals on Sunday afternoons (approx. 1.5-2.5 hours)

• 2 Ballet classes 

• 1 Jazz technique class 

SUPPLEMENTAL Technique Classes (must choose at least two)

• Tap class

• Contemporary class

• Musical Theatre class

• Acro class

• Hip Hop class

OPTIONAL Company Dances 

• Hip Hop Co. (Junior & Teen levels)

• Musical Theatre Co. (Multi-age level)

• Acro Co. (Advanced level only, by placement)

• Solo, Duet, and/or Trio 

Seasonal Commitment:

Summer 2026

• Attend Company Audition on June 3rd, 2026 (or schedule a summer placement lesson)  

• Evening summer drop-in classes (attend at least 4 tech classes) - Mid-July thru August (schedule available in early May)

• Company Intensive (required) - 8/31-9/3 (M-Th)

  • Junior levels - 5:30-8 PM each day

  • Teen levels - 6-9 PM each day

Performance Opportunities

• 3-4 Regional Competitions (March, April, May)

• Optional National Competition - Summer 2027 (solos, duets, and trios only)

• Local Performances 

• Annual Recital 

• In-studio workshop

• Outside convention

• Enrichment opportunities: Audition-prep & Specialty workshops (optional)

Elevate Company - High School Flex Option

Placement is for dancers in 9th-12th grades by audition & teacher invitation. Dancers interested in Elevate HS Flex should mark this preference on Google Form. After the audition, dancers who are not yet ready for Elevate HS Flex will be recommended for placement in Spotlight Company at the level and age division that best supports their growth.

This company provides a flexible pathway for high school dancers balancing multiple commitments, allowing them to remain a part of Company while maintaining a focused level of training. Dancers are selected based on technique, work ethic, coachability, performance quality, and readiness for a higher level of commitment. 

Elevate high school dancers demonstrate strong foundational skills, a desire to grow, and the potential to thrive in a focused, pre-professional training environment.

Group Level: Teen

Weekly School-Year Commitment  

COMPANY Rehearsals

• Elevate high school dancers are cast in jazz, contemporary, and/or tap dances 

  • Rehearsals on Sunday afternoons (approx. 1.5-2 hours/week)

REQUIRED Technique Classes

• 1 Ballet class (2 classes for pointe)

• 1 Jazz technique class

• Choose (at least) one of the following:

  • Contemporary class

  • Tap class

  • Hip hop class

OPTIONAL Company Dances 

• Hip Hop Co. 

• Acro Co. (Advanced level only, by placement)

• Solo, Duet, and/or Trio 

Seasonal Commitment:

Summer 2026

• Attend Audition on June 3rd, 2026 (or schedule a summer placement lesson)  

• Evening summer drop-in classes (attend at least 4 tech classes) - Mid-July thru August (schedule available in early May)

• Company Intensive (required) -  8/31-9/3  from 6-9 PM (M-Th)

Performance Opportunities

• 2-3 Regional Competitions 

• Optional National Competition - Summer 2027 (solos, duets, and trios only)

• Local Performances 

• Annual Recital 

• In-studio workshop

• Outside convention (optional)

• Enrichment opportunities: Audition-prep & Specialty workshops (optional)