Business & Tech
Dancers Continue To Learn At Mokena Dance Studio Despite Closure
Street of Dreams dance studio in Mokena is closed due to the coronavirus, but dancers continue to learn via virtual classes.
MOKENA, IL — Usually, a dance studio is rarely empty, filled with various dancers in classes or lessons. Now, with nonessential businesses closed due to the coronavirus, Street of Dreams Dance Studio in Mokena has had to change operations while still teaching its dancers.
Studio Manager Carlee Vandal said the studio has launched online virtual classes so its dancers can have some normalcy, interaction and still learn dance.
The studio has started its "Finish Strong" campaign so dancers can still learn their routines. According to the studio's website, there are two tuition periods left in the season, so virtual classes and pre-recorded classes have been available as resources to the studio's dancers.
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Street of Dreams Dance Studio, 9960 W. 191st St., suite L, serves dancers ages 2 to 18 and teaches hip hop, jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, lyrical and boys only hip hop.
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"The virtual classes have been working out so great," Vandal told Patch. "We understand e-learning is NOT for everyone, and kids have to e-learn with school, so they have been such warriors through all of this having to double up on e-learning."
Vandal said she also hosts a 'Coffee with Carlee' chat twice a month, so she can also communicate with parents of dancers.
"Our participation has been great," Vandal said. "The few dreamers we did not see on our online platforms, we made personal calls to to make sure they could jump on board with us!"
Dancers have continued to interact with their teachers, each other and keeping up with routines, Vandal said.
"We end all of our classes with our Street of Dreams motto: I believe in me, I believe in you, I believe in my dreams, they will come true!"
So far, over 30 of Mokena's small local businesses have filled out Patch's simple online survey to let everyone know they are open and their current hours of operations during the coronavirus outbreak.
If you still want to add your business to Patch's list of open and closed businesses, you can do so here.
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