06/19/2026
Hi there! Allow me to introduce myself if we have not met- My name is Mollee Johnson. I am the dance coordinator at the Academy of Performing Arts Lake Zurich. If you are new here- WELCOME! Allow me to share a little about myself and my WHY. After dancing through my college years and teaching dance where I grew up, in Arlington Heights, for 13 years, I found myself living with my husband and two daughters in Lake Zurich. I was ready to move on from Arlington and briefly considered no longer teaching dance (a student convinced me not to, but that is a story for another day). I was taught that when opportunity knocks, you listen. To take a step back, I have ALWAYS been passionate about bringing quality dance to the community level. I loathe the statement "Well, it's park district dance..." You know the rest. Why can't quality dance be taught at this level? The answer is, it can! Back to the story....The dance program in LZ was on the brink of collapse. I applied for the job as Dance Coordinator, with the understanding that I would hire the teachers, design the schedule, classes, and curriculum (after all, this is why many park programs fail, they have non-dance people hiring and running things.. I digress..). I was offered the position a few days later. I accepted and hit the ground running. Hiring two high-quality instructors at the start (Miss Jen and Miss Kristine, who are still with APA today), bringing in like-minded individuals was key! So in 2013, with 79 students, we got to work. I spent that Summer developing curriculum, interviewing teachers, and revamping an entirely new dance program projected to grow and support the same growing community I live in and provide quality dance instruction at community prices. I wanted a dance studio I could be proud to send my own daughter through. At APA, we value teaching proper technique, terminology, foundations, and skills, along with supporting the student as a whole. That means teaching students to be good members of their communities right along with dance. Students end up learning life skills, lessons, mental health, peer support, how to make mistakes, how to fail, and get back up. Has it been easy? No. Has it been rewarding? Extremely. Do I face negativity and criticism? Yes. (Who doesn't?) Do I always get it right? Nope. BUT Would I do it all again? ABSOLUTELY. The students and families I have met, built friendships and mentorships, not to mention contributing to the goodness of society and my own local community. The confidence, strength, and voices our students find through this art form are simply priceless. In September, we will begin our 14th season. We are now over 600 students strong! We expanded our one studio to now operate out of three studios, with 10 members on staff and growing. Why do I share this? I think it helps to know the person behind a face, a website, a class, or an email. Opinions, experiences are everywhere... I think it's important when choosing your child's dance studio to understand that not all studios are created equal. A Park District (Lake Zurich is actually a Park and Rec department, not a park district) program does not simply make a lesser quality program, nor does calling it a dance studio make a higher quality program simply given its name. There is a place for every child, and every studio or program offers different things. YOU have to find the one that best suits YOUR student. We set expectations, we have a dress code, and we have rules. We are preparing students to be ready for what's next. That's OK if that's not what you are looking for. I have not personally met all 600 students and their families, but I hope to! I pour my heart into this program. And if you think we might be a good fit for you, I hope you'll give us a try. I do this for my community, the amazing families that live in and around Lake Zurich, and for each and every student that walks into the studio with eyes wide open, excited to learn the steps, nervous to leave mom's side, but anxious to see what it's all about. Questions? Reach out.. You'll get me on the other end with a response. [email protected]
