About Us
Making Dance Accessible To All
Elevate Dance Arts is committed to making quality dance training accessible to Chicago Youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity to receive professional dance training or benefit from the life changing values it provides. Our focus is on the total student, teaching not only technique and artistry, but discipline, work ethic, critical thinking skills, collaboration, and confidence for any direction students may choose to go in their future.
Through a variety of programming channels, Elevate Dance Arts reaches dancers with varying backgrounds, and seeks to provide additional opportunities and training for exceptional students that desire a career in dance.
Contact us to discuss the range of dance programs we can provide for your school or community center's curriculum, or to sign up for our community classes.
Founder, Artistic Director, Kristin Vollmer
Dancer | Instructor | Choreographer | Stage Manager
Kristin Vollmer has been training in ballet since the age of 3, as well as jazz, Graham and Horton-based modern, tap, contemporary and hip hop. Her early training was with Kehl's School of Dance in Madison Wisconsin. Kristin and her mother cleaned studios and taught classes to help pay for her classes, and she continued her training through talent scholarships and financial sponsors for professional training programs at Madison Ballet, Ballet Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She has spent the majority of her Professional Career with the Joel Hall Dancers in Chicago, IL, performing Joel Hall's unique Urban Jazz Dance Style in local and national shows, including the Jazz Dance World Congress and live on WGN and Fox Chicago. She has also performed with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, Inaside Chicago Dance, Chicago Dance Crash, in Bollywood film Dhoom 3, and across South Korea in an USO tour. Through these opportunities she has had the honor to work with choreographers Joel Hall, Paul Sanasardo, Jim Morrow, Harrison McEldowney, Wilfredo Rivera, Jessica Deahr, William Gill and Jarrett Kelly. In addition to dancing and teaching, Kristin has served as the Program Manager for Joel Hall Dancers & Center, as Co-Artistic Director for the Joel Hall Youth Company and as Stage Manager for various dance companies around Chicago. She is currently a Dancer for the Joel Hall Dancers as well as a Teaching Artist and Guest Choreographer in schools throughout Chicagoland with her organization Elevate Dance Arts, following her life's mission of making dance accessible to all, the way dance was made accessible to her.
2023/2024 DANCE PROGRAMS
2023/2024 CPS Dance Programs
Beard Elementary
Coonley Elementary Program
Howe Elementary
Jamieson Elementary
Mather High School
Peterson Elementary
Piccolo Elementary
Talcott Elementary
Tarkington Elementary
Zapata Academy
Spring 2023 School Dance Programs
Clark Elementary
Clemente Academy
Coonley Elementary Program
Finkl Elementary
Howe Elem Program
Mather High School
Prosser Career Academy Program
Piccolo Elementary Program
Tarkington Program
Washington Irving
"The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence"
Confucius
Siubhan Stormont (Youth Jazz, Modern, and Ballet student)
I had the amazing privilege of being one of Kristin's students when I was in my early days of dance training. She is a spectacular teacher and overall instructor. She has an incredible wealth of knowledge and she makes class fun while also seeking out and pushing for the best in all of her students. Everyone who trains under her comes out a better technical dancer and develops an incredible love of dance. I highly, highly recommend her!!
Yaara Leve (Adult Ballet, Modern and Contemporary student)
Kristin Samerson Vollmer is a dedicated and inspiring dance artist; teacher; and choreographer. I’ve had the privilege of being a student in her ballet, modern and contemporary classes. She has devoted her life to her craft and artistry and her work ethic is impeccable. She has a deep knowledge of technique in the above mentioned styles and shares and teaches them to her students with compassion and passion. She works with students of all ages and abilities and is encouraging, warm and attentive to detail. She truly cares about her students’ growth.
She also creates her own choreographic work which are intense, beautiful, and tell stories which resonate with the human spirit. I would highly recommend her as both a teacher and/or choreographer.
Annaliisa Ahlman (Director of Dance, Niles North High School)
Kristin Samerson Vollmer is the best! She choreographed and set an energetic jazz/funk piece on my high school students this school year, and we had a wonderful time working with her. From planning and process to teaching time, Kristin is communicative, compassionate, and inspiring. She knows how to connect with students, explains things thoroughly, and pushes them to excel and reach beyond what they think they're capable of. I can't wait to work with her again!
Danielle Saravia (Adult Contemporary Student)
Kristin Samerson Vollmer Is an amazing artist, teacher, choreographer and overall person! I had the pleasure of experiencing her firsthand in her contemporary class where she provides a nice long warm up, footwork across the floor and creative storytelling choreography to end the class.
Not only is she an amazing dancer, but also a dedicated and attentive teacher who provides the necessary tools to her students so that they truly understand how to utilize and properly prepare their body for class and beyond.
She has deep knowledge in ballet, contemporary, jazz and modern style and can adjust her teaching style to meet any student's current level and build up their foundation. I always leave her class feeling more knowledgeable, connected and grounded in my body.
I would highly recommend her as a teacher for all ages as you truly won't regret it!
Jessica Deahr (Artistic Director, Chicago Dance Crash)
I've had the pleasure of choreographing on Kristin and dancing side by side with her onstage. She is an incredibly hard worker and executes every step with passion. As an educator herself, Kristin captures her students attention and is able to channel that passion into them. She is organized, trained in a multitude of dance styles, and able to break down her knowledge to dancers spanning any level or age. Highly recommend!
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