Dance is an art form that takes time and dedication to develop. The School of DanceWest Ballet offers professional instruction, high standards, and a program that allows students to gradually progress according to the level of their individual skills and technique. It is important that each student develops pride, discipline and self-confidence while having fun and facing challenges. We recognize that students are impressionable, therefore, we strive to make each class positive and constructive.
Our Covid-19 Protocol
We invite you to read our safety precautions and protocol for Covid-19 at this link.
2020-2021 Term Calendar
TERM 1: August 24 – September 26
Early enrollment discount deadline: August 15 (No class Labor Day September 7 )
TERM 2: September 28 – November 14
Early enrollment discount deadline: September 19
TERM 3: November 16 – January 16
Early enrollment discount deadline: Nov 7 (No class Thanksgiving Nov. 26, 27, 28 Winter Break Dec 21 – Jan 2)
TERM 4: January 18 – March 6
Early enrollment discount deadline: January 9
TERM 5: March 8 – May 1 (Spring Break-March 28-April 1)
Early enrollment discount deadline: February 27
TERM 6: May 3 – June 19
Early enrollment discount deadline: April 24 (No class Memorial Day, May 31)
SUMMER: June 21 – July 25
Early enrollment summer discount deadline: June 12 (No class Independence Day, Sunday, July 4)
Children’s Programme
The School of DanceWest Ballet offers a specialized dance program for children beginning at age two. We take pride in this unique program which incorporates fun, singing, movement, props, and basic steps and terminology that begins to prepare them for future dance classes.
Our goal is for each child to improve in coordination and movement while learning how to listen and participate in class. We want them to have fun while gaining confidence in themselves and their abilities. Once the students reach a certain level of maturity and knowledge, they graduate to the next level and can eventually move into the Professional Programme. The students can then begin intensive study to train like a professional dancer. They will have the opportunity to become a DanceWest Ballet Company member, study with professional dancers, and learn to truly enjoy and respect the art of dance.
Children’s Programme Class Descriptions
Creative Movement/Tap
Pre-Ballet/Tap
Beginning Ballet/Tap
Jazz/Hip-Hop 1
Tap 1
Ballet I Beginning
Children’s Programme Class Schedule
Professional Programme

Professional Programme Class Descriptions
Ballet I Continuing
Ballet II Beginning/Continuing
Ballet II/III
Ballet III
Ballet IV
Ballet V
Beginning Pointe, Pointe I, I-II, II, III
Variations I, II
Character I, II, III
Modern/Contemporary I/II, II/IV, IV
Jazz II
Jazz III
Jazz IV
Tap II
Tap III/IV
Professional Programme Class Schedule
Founders and Directors
Regina Helmer Moyano
Founder of DanceWest Ballet Company
Regina Helmer Moyano received her early dance training at the schools of San Diego Ballet and Norfolk Civic Ballet. At the age of 16, she was awarded a scholarship to the Professional Programme of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She performed as an apprentice with the company and went on to join the San Diego Ballet.
Regina performed a variety of contemporary and classical roles and worked with such luminaries as Alicia Alonso, Valery Panov, and John Butler. She toured the eastern half of the U.S. while a member of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and was noted for vivacious performing style and strong technique in such signature roles as the cat in “Aurora’s Wedding,” the turning variation in “Pas de Dix” and the “Peasant Pas de Deux” in “Giselle.”
After dancing five years with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Regina moved to Chicago with Ricardo. While residing there, she continued to do guest performing and danced solo roles in the Arie Crown production of “The Nutcracker” for five years.
Regina has brought her strong background in the classical and neo-classical repertoire to the choreography she has created for schools and regional companies in the Chicago Metropolitan area. She has taught Ballet, Pointe, and Variations to students ages two through adult and is co-director of the School of DanceWest Ballet and DanceWest Ballet Company.
Ricardo Moyano
Founder of DanceWest Ballet Company
Ricardo Moyano, originally from Argentina, has studied dance with Carol Walker, Richard Arve, Marjorie Mussman, Larry Long, and Lou Conte. He began his professional career with Richard Arve Modern Company and later danced principal and soloist roles at Chicago Ballet, San Diego Ballet, Dayton Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. Most recently, Ricardo performed with Hubbard Street Dance Company where Lynn Taylor Corbit set “GO SAID MAX” on him. He also performed as a principal dancer in John Butler’s “Carmina Burana” during his three years with San Diego Ballet. Critic reviews read, “Ricardo Moyano is a powerful dancer with a compelling presence.”
Ricardo is also renowned for his choreography. He set ten works for the San Diego Dance Ensemble while serving as their director. He choreographed and performed his critcally acclaimed “Getting Out” throughout the U.S. and Europe. Ricardo was awarded the Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Grant for choreography and created five original works for Chicago dance companies. He was invited by Stuart Sebastian, director of Dayton Ballet, to create one of his most stunning works, “L’Arc De Triomphe.”
Ricardo has taught ballet and jazz for numerous dance companies. From 1986 to 1988, he taught master classes in Muster, Bonn, and Ahem, West Germany, performing with Tanztheater Werkstatt. His teaching experience includes Ruth Page Foundation, Lou Conte Dance Studio, Gus Giordano Dance Center, and numerous studios throughout the U.S.
Ricardo is resident choreographer and co-director of DanceWest Ballet and the School of DanceWest Ballet.
Kristen is a DanceWest Ballet alumni who attended The Chicago Academy For The ArtsHigh School as a dance major. She performed in pieces choreographed by RandyDuncan, Eduardo Vilaro and Anna Paskevska. Kristen went on to train with The MarthaGraham School in New York City, where the training emphasis was Modern dance withinstructor Pearl Lang. She was cast in numerous performing opportunities with the studio.Kristen continued her Modern, Ballet and Jazz training with Columbia College ofChicago.
Kristen has had many years of teaching Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, andContemporary/Modern to all ages of dancers. She enjoys watching her students grow intheir dance technique and takes pride in their accomplishments. Kristen also enjoys choreographing and has an extensive background of award winning pieces. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Zumba Instructor.
In her career as a professional ballet dancer, Andrea Bergeman Rak danced for Ballet Memphis, Peoria Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, and English National Ballet. Principal roles she has danced professionally include the title role in Firebird; Snow Queen, Sugar Plum and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker; Don Quixote pas de deux; Emilia in Jose Limon’s Moore’s Pavane; and principal roles in Loyce Houlton’s Carmina Burana. Andrea has also performed works by noted choreographers including George Balanchine, Dwight Rhoden, Lila York, Frederick Ashton, and Trey McIntyre. With English National Ballet, Andrea performed in Derek Deane’s Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Albert Hall.
Andrea has taught at the Ballet Memphis School, Indianapolis School of Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre School, Seiskaya Ballet Academy on Long Island, the School of Classical Ballet and Dance in Des Moines, IA, and Los Gatos Ballet in California. Andrea is also a comprehensively certified pilates instructor, a certified yoga instructor at the 200 hour level, and has worked as a master instructor for Peak Pilates.
Alanna started dancing at the age of fifteen, she continued her training at Northern Illinois University where she received the Dance Service Award and earned her B. F. A. in theater with a concentration in dance.
During her time at Northern Illinois University she studied immensely under Autumn Eckman, Judith Chitwood, Brian Carey Chung, and Paula Frasz. She also was a 2013 scholarship recipient at Chicago’s Visceral Dance Center and trained at Lou Conte Dance Studio. Post graduation she has been seen with Paul Christiano’s “Hungry Ghosts”, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, DanszLoop Chicago, and has participated in multiple freelance dance shows. She has also performed with Winifred & Haun Dancers “Open Rehearsal”, DanceWorks Chicago “DanceBytes”, Chicagos “Carnival”, and in a wide repertoire with Northern Dance Theatre in DeKalb, Illinois.
Alanna was also a principal dancer with Hedwig Dances where she toured internationally to perform. She has been most recently contracted to perform with Aerial Dance Chicago, taking her dancing to new heights and opportunities. Alanna has a passion for choreographing and teaching, she loves watching children’s love for dance grow.
Kira began her ballet training at DanceWest Ballet at age 3 and is transitioning into her fourth year as a faculty member at DanceWest Ballet. After studying dance at DanceWest for 15 years, Kira continued her dance education at the University of Iowa, graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in dance and pre-health requirements with both University and Dance Major honors. While at Iowa, Kira received the Iowa Center for the Arts scholarship for her studies and was a member of the traveling dance company, Dancers In Company. Kira travelled and performed with the company in the Midwest, working with well-known choreographers. After graduation, Kira began her graduate education at Elmhurst University.
Kira will graduate with her Masters in Nursing and Clinical Nurse Leader certificate with the plan of merging dance and health in the future. Kira enjoys working with the dedicated students at DanceWest Ballet while giving back to her community. She enjoys teaching as well as the opportunity to learn from her students and faculty colleagues.
Performance Opportunities

The Nutcracker
DanceWest Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker each Christmas season at Pfeiffer Hall on the campus of North Central College in Naperville. The production features guest artists who have danced with companies including American Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. All students, ages three through adult, are invited to audition for the annual performances.

Summer Concert
The annual school performance is intended to be viewed as a presentation of the culmination of the year’s learning and progress. The concert is held at the end of June and features all students. The experience, from costumes to dress rehearsals, allows the students to learn about the excitement and responsiblity of performance.

DWB Company and Performance Group
DanceWest Ballet performs pieces from its repertoire in a variety of venues. Stuents age 10 or older who are interested in performance opportunities are encouraged to audition for DanceWest Ballet and/or DanceWest Performance Group. Auditions are held in September for the upcoming year. Dancers arriving after the September audition date may audition by appointment.
Studio Policies
The School of DanceWest ballet takes pride in the positive learning environment with professional standards. Thank you for helping maintain high standards by adhering to the following policies:
- Ballet students: Hair worn in a bun with a bun cover. Skirts may be worn only on parent observation days.
- Jazz/Ballet students: Approved warm-ups only.
- All students using the changing room are responsible for keeping the area clean. Please do not leave food or beverages in the changing room overnight.
- No brassieres showing
- No fake hair pieces
- No jewelry
Dress Code
Children’s Programme
- Girls: Leotard of any style or color, pink ballet slippers and pink tights
- Boys: Dark loose-fitting pants and light-colored shirt, black ballet slippers
- Black tap shoes
- Dance bag
For your convenience, girls’ apparel packages that contain all the items needed for class are available at the front desk.
Professional Programme
- Ballet- Female: Black leotards, pink tights, pink shoes, hair in a bun, no jewelry, no skirts, approved warm-ups only
- Ballet- Male: White T-shirt, black tights, dance belt, black ballet shoes
- Jazz: a solid colored leotard, stirrup/footless tights, jazz shoes
- Hip Hop: clothes allowing a full range of movement, jazz/hip hop shoes
- Tap: clothes allowing a full range of movement (no jeans), Oxford style tap shoes (no split-sole)
Early Enrollment Discount
Deduct $10 per class if paid in full by early enrollment deadline.
Professional Programme Multiple Class Rates
We offer special rates for multiple class enrollment. Please call or email the school for more information.
Three Easy Ways to Register
1. In Person
2. Call the studio (630) 778-1303
3. Fill out the forms and email them to school@dancewestballet.com