All About Dance

As a former dancer this place has been on my list to check out for years. I finally stopped in a few weeks ago and took the weds night Cardio Dance class, taught by Pam, and I’ve been going every week since! Don’t be fooled by the fun choreography you will be tired and sore after this class, which is exactly what I need. The studio itself is nice, and the lady at the desk is always really friendly. As someone who grew up in a studio I feel right at home here. While I haven’t ventured into any of the other classes yet, I’m sure I will some day. For sure worth checking out the Cardio class with Pam, it won’t disappoint!

This place is great! I have taken multiple hip hop cardio and cardio dance classes. Each instructor is a bit different, some better choreography than others — but all still fun and a great workout!!! Don’t be fooled — these classes will have you sore and tired by the end! A fun, great way to pass the hour. The only thing I would change is less warm up (because warm up consists of planks, tri cep dips and push ups) — I came here to dance not to do stuff I could do at the gym. Also — instructors — does there always have to be a part of the routine that includes awkward get on the floor parts?! I really don’t want to do push ups in the middle of my dance routine.

Can’t say enough about this place. My kids have been going here for years. The teachers are amazing. My girls take to them as if hey were part of the family. Ms. Shannon is talked about ALOT around our house. I’m definitely glad to have All About Dance as part of the after school program for our family!

I never even stepped in the door. I paid $ 18 online for a class that I had to cancel but according to All About Dance, I never cancelled it. I thought I did… they say I didn’t and that they’re sorry they can’t honor it. A good customer service company would have gone forward and honored it… being that I clearly paid and it was never used. I’m sure the workouts are awesome but I will find another spot to get my dance on!

I love All About dance! I started going to AAD about a year ago with a friend. I paid $ 8 for a first time class, then I paid for $ 18 single drop in class, now I just buy 10 class passes. I go approximately once a week to cardio dance class. I think the hip hop class is harder, but I will get there some day. Its a great work out, its so much, I love the instructors. They also have a free parking lot. I mostly try to work out in my neighborhood, or at the gym I already pay for, but I love AAD so much that it is worth the 10 minute drive. It literally makes my week every week. It probably helps to have a little bit of a dance background, but I am not the best dancer by far. I just go for the great workout and the fun!
My friend and I are known to show off our dance routines that we learn each week at smart bar or the L platform whenever possible… cheesy, I know.

Great place to take a private class with a group! I arranged for a private salsa class for my sister’s bachelorette party, and we all really enjoyed it!
Groups can choose from all different types of dance, and while the burlesque/​striptease sounded most intriguing for a bachelorette party, I chose salsa because it tied in with the night’s theme (we went to dinner at Nacional 27 and salsa danced there after dinner).
Our instructor (Lisa) was SO energetic and fun. We all loved her. She asked me if my sister had any particular favorite songs or favorite dance moves, and tried to personalize the experience as much as possible for her. She even toook pictures of the group with my camera. She taught us a dance routine, and encouraged drink breaks, because I brought in champagne, water and snacks for the group. Beforehand they also offered to set up a table for the drinks/​food and had a tablecloth on it all ready for when we arrived. They also had boas for us to use if we were inspired to do so, although in salsa it doesn’t really make as much sense.
The dance class is an hour long, and prices are less if you schedule for before 7 p.m. Because the bachelorette party was starting with the dance class (at 4 p.m.) we paid for an extra half-​hour of time up front for socializing/​drinking champagne before we started dancing. Also I expected some people to be late, so the extra 30 minutes was the buffer.
It turned out GREAT and I would highly recommend scheduling a private class for a special event such as a bachelorette party or birthday. Even people that claim they have «2 left feet» had a great time learning the salsa combinations. Our instructor really made it fun for everyone and it broke the ice amongst the group since there were groups of girls that did not know one another. It really set the tone for the rest of the evening. Thanks All About Dance!

I love All About Dance! I have taken 10 cardio dance classes so far and just love it. I travel from the burbs to take this class and it’s totally worth it. I’m going to be trying some of the other classes very soon.
I took dance lessons throughout my childhood but only a class here and there after high school. I am now in my 30s and have been dying to dance again. Cardio dance is exactly the type of class I’ve been looking for: fun dance moves, very fast paced, and challenging, but not so much that I can’t do it. And it’s a hell of a workout!
A lot of the girls taking the class are quite fit and seem to have been dancing for a long time, but there are also girls like me in attendance who don’t have the perfect dancer body and who may have taken a dance class back in the day. Nobody there seems to judge anyone and the atmosphere is inviting. All of the teachers I have had were great and energetic. I definitely recommend this place for dance lovers who feel out of place at the more «serious» dance studios, and just want to dance and have a good workout.

I think this place is amazing! I can’t say enough good things about it. I HATE to workout and had a gym membership that I never used. So I decided to try other ways of exercising and All About Dance was my first trial. Well, I never tried anything else because I had so much fun doing it and am so addicted.
While the prices may seem high, I did the month unlimited which is absolutely the best deal. I try to go to at least one class a day, if not two, and I have so much fun doing it.
Jacqueline is amazing and so is Sara! If you love to dance, this is the best place to do it and get some serious exercise too!

Love the Cardio Hip-​Hop and the Cardio Strip classes. You can always just ‘drop in’ and they have great instructors (fave being Jacqueline).
They are extremely high-​paced, fun, and you burn a good 600 calories on average (I’ve worn a monitor).
My only complaint is that it seems a bit cliquey. It sounds silly, but there’s a feeling of being categorized as a ‘dancer’ and a ‘non dancer.’ There are regulars who attend every single class, and then people like me who do just drop-​ins. Would be nice to see more of a welcoming atmosphere for people who aren’t a part of the company and just want to drop in once-​a-​week.

I love All About Dance! I’m not a dancer, and have never been a dancer– a klutz is more like it!
That said, we do the routines enough time to learn them all and the instructors are so encouraging/​motivating/​enthusiastic, that they’re more interested in you enjoying yourself and getting a good workout than getting every single little thing right. As someone who is not the most coordinated person, I appreciate this :)
AAD has helped me a lot with my flexibility. I also like using different parts of my body other than those for running and biking (which is what I’m usually doing). Though the classes are a bit pricey to do all the time, I like to go here to change up my routine.
The workouts are great– I’m really sore the next day (in all the right places!), and love how they’re so different each time I go.
All the instructors I’ve had have been wonderful, and I love the new dance space!

I purchased the Chicagofitness passbook that gave me a coupon to two FREE classes at this studio. I never got to take a class because they wouldn’t honor it even though it doesn’t expire until DECEMBER 2011… they don’t know how to run a business!

I wanted to get back into dancing, because I missed something I enjoyed. So I researched studios and decided upon All About Dance. Of course I was hesitant because I have been out for so long, but I said «oh well, it’s a good work out.» I decided on ballet, becuase I liked the discipline.
So prior to signing up for any class, I called the studio earlier in the day to ask which one I should sign up for. I told her that I have been out for a long time, about 10 years, but have been on point before, she said with confidence, «Oh you can do Ballet II.» I naturally signed up for that class.
After the first exercise, the class gets interrupted by Jon, and suggests I go to a more intermediate class. I totally understand if I am not with the rest of the class as far as skill, but was it necessary to outcast me? Very UNPROFESSIONAL! Take me out or the room and to the side. I have pride here and you just took that away.
More or less, let’s remember I called this studio to ask what each skill level meant, and THEY suggested the class. I thought I made it clear that I have not dance in a LONG time. They set me up for disaster. Not to mention the instructor was absolutely unprofessional and RUDE, this isn’t the Joffrey.
I was absolutely embarressed due to their arrogance and unprofessionalism.

A friend from one of the dance classes told me that I am obsessed… well she’s right! I’ve been going to All About Dance for almost 2 months now and I can’t get enough. This place is full of energy and friendly faces as soon as you walk through the door. I’ve only taken Lisa, Whitney (who are the two most energetic people I’ve ever met) and Jacqueline’s (whose also full of life) classes. The cardio classes are amazingly fun, you literally don’t feel fatigue until you’re done with the routine after a song. Lisa’s MTV Hip Hop class is super fun and the routine is always hype. The instructors motivate you to «shake ya booty», everyone is extremely engaging, and even if you aren’t the best dancer I know I always feel like an MJ back up dancer when I leave. Strongly recommend!
Everette

I bought a Groupon for All About Dance one year ago, and over the course of the year I used the 8 classes. I did not find any of the classes to be anything special. I took a few jazz classes, cardio hip hop, and the dance body strength class. Everything was fine, but not worth the cost to come back on a regular basis.
The Dance Body class was a little disorganized. It was a fine workout, but I think it could have been structured better. The cardio classes are incredibly repetitive. I am a dancer and pick up choreography quickly so I appreciate classes in which you learn multiple routines.
The new studio is very nice. All of the instructors and staff members were always pleasant.

Whitney is my daughters teacher here. This new facility is amazing and they are all so enthusiastic and caring. My daughter loves to dance so so much. However, she seemed to have a difficult time in the new social environment.
But leave it to Whitney to be open to discussion and figure out the best way to help a little dancing queen blossom. Her focus on individual attention, despite such a high-​energy environment, is so helpful. She will even be sure to give me a «thumbs-​up» through the window.
She has given my daughter the individual attention she needed to warm up and each class gets better an she loves it. Thanks Whitney!

I’ve been a fan of All About Dance for a while now and am even happier with the new location (even though it’s now not walking distance from my home). The larger rooms were really needed! I only have taken the cardio classes… dance, strip, hip strip, hip hop. These definitely are not technical classes but are fun routines that work out your body. It’s sad but true… I review a class based on how much I sweat and that’s what definitely happens during one of the cardio dance classes.
Things to note… there is a warm up and cool down period to the class. You learn a short dance routine and do it over and over (to different songs with different beats). There is usually some floorwork such as pushups/​planks (hence the sweating…). No one really judges anyone so those beginners should not worry about feeling foolish in class. The instructors are great and really motivating.
I have been able to call on the day of and get into a class. I find that the later classes are less crowded. I’ve never been here on Saturday. And this is a typical (well used to be) Lincoln Park establishment. So don’t say no one warned you. Most of the participants are in good shape.
As for feeling sore the next day, it depends on the class. Obviously if you work out muscles that you have not in a while, you will be sore… no matter what stretching exercises were done before or after the class and no matter if you regularly work out or not.
The classes are a little on the pricey side but I am in need of a fun, workout class to break up the monotony of my own workouts in the gym.

Pros… My 6 yr old loves it! Small ballet/​jazz class, individual attention, exercise and lots of fun. Friendly & great staff. Cons… I do wish for a bit more correction, so I usually watch and we review at home.
Note to those complaining about price… I travel nationwide and have found these prices comparable in other cities. They were willing to prorate if committing to several classes.

Bought two groupons because my husband and I have always wanted to take dance classes so we thought why not? We took one drop in class and it was not really our cup of tea. The instructor was very nice and patient with everyone but the thing we didn’t enjoy was that they have you switch partners pretty frequently. The instructor said it’s so we get more experience dancing with different folks with different skill levels. It’s not that we’re attached at the hip or anything but we personally want to learn how to dance with each other more than learning to dance with other folks.
So, we opted to do a personal dance lesson instead in preparation for our wedding. That was a much better experience because we really learned how to dance with each other. And, it helped because we didn’t just sway on the dance floor for our first dance!

I’ve been going to All About Dance since December, averaging one class per week. I’ve taken the Cardio Hip-​Hop, Cardio Strip, and MTV Hip-​Hop. If you want to have FUN and work your ass off, this place is for you. If you want a more technical class, your best bet is probably Lou Conte or Joel Hall. (Note: I have not taken a jazz or ballet class here, so my last comment may or may not be true). I’ve take classes at both Conte and Hall and prefer All About Dance because the instructors just let you DANCE and be yourself. I grew up dancing and am done with being critiqued by dance instructors.
The instructors are friendly, upbeat and play great music that gets you moving. I’ve talked with fellow All About Dance goers and some like different instructors for different reasons. I usually take Whitney for hip-​hop and Kate for strip, both are fantastic.
Like other reviews, I’ll echo that it’s a bit pricey. I would come here twice a week if it wasn’t so expensive. Sometimes they’ll have deals like 5 classes for $ 60. I snatch those up right away.
The classrooms are small, but I suspect this will change once they move locations this coming fall.
If you want to have an awesome workout and love to let go and just dance, All About Dance is where it’s at.

I arranged a private strip tease class for my BFFs Bachelorette party back in August, and we could not have had a better time! The class was more burlesque than «striptease» and we learned a little dance number that we did in groups for one another.
The instructor was ADORABLE, sweetest girl ever, listened to us when we needed to see things again, and had so much energy that she made everyone really enjoy it! Everyone got a boa to use (unlike other places where they charge) and we were allowed to bring in champagne and whatever else we wanted.
If you are considering this for a bachelorette party, I would recommend leaving time to shower before going out for the night, since it is kind of a workout.
Loved it!