A: Rootz is a premier children’s performing arts, fitness, and enrichment center that provides a massive variety of recreational and competitive programs under one roof. Our state-of-the-art facility features dedicated spaces for dance classes, dance & cheer company, musical theater programs, fitness and tumbling programming and more! We also host popular seasonal day camps and specialized school-break camps for kids of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: As the heart of the community for Chicago’s North Shore and Lake County families, Rootz is uniquely dedicated to exceptional enrichment and fine arts education. At Rootz, we believe in offering experiences that empower and inspire children while helping them blossom into healthy, happy, and successful adults. Our wide array of programs—including youth dance classes, children’s musical theater, private music lessons, youth fitness and tumbling programming, seasonal day camps, and more—are masterfully designed to immerse children in the performing arts while nurturing their overall growth and development.
What truly sets us apart from traditional single-discipline studios is our deep commitment to both family convenience and community culture:
The Ultimate Convenience: With classes offered seven days a week, we eliminate the hassle of the after-school taxi service by providing parents with the convenient opportunity to schedule engaging programs for multiple children simultaneously, all under one roof.
More Than Just a Facility—We Are a Family: As a family-owned business with highly involved owners, we set a warm, welcoming tone from the exact moment you walk into our studio.
An Inspiring, Positive Impact: Our exceptional, dedicated staff shares a unified vision to nurture and inspire every child in our care. We aim to make a lasting, positive impact on your child’s life, fostering deep self-confidence and ensuring they have an abundance of fun along the way.
Together, we are proud to provide your children with the “Rootz to grow and Wings to fly.” We are incredibly grateful to serve as a vibrant second home for families across Deerfield, Vernon Hills, and beyond, and we are confident you will immediately feel what makes our unique community stand out!
A: Local families rank Rootz among the best performing arts programs near Deerfield and Vernon Hills because of our unique multi-disciplinary approach, our elite faculty, and our family-first culture. Rather than focusing solely on intense competition, we deliver top-tier fine arts education in a warm, welcoming environment. By giving children a safe space to build self-esteem, master athletic skills, and express their creativity, Rootz has earned a trusted reputation as the premier second home for young dancers, actors, and athletes throughout Lake County.
A: We proudly offer programming for a wide range of age groups, beginning with early childhood and toddler classes (ages 18 months to 4 years), extending through our core elementary school programs, and going up to older kids and teenagers (ages 8 to 18). Whether your toddler is stepping into their very first music and movement group, or your older child is looking for advanced theater or competitive company training, we have a perfectly tailored class level for their developmental milestone.
A: Rootz offers a robust, multi-tiered dance curriculum designed to take your child from their very first dance steps all the way to advanced performance artistry. For our recreational students, we provide top-tier instruction in all major foundational styles, including ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and tap classes. These weekly recreational programs focus on building correct physical technique, rhythm, and a lifelong love of movement in a high-energy, positive environment.
For dancers who crave deeper athletic commitment and stage time, we house the premier Releve Dance Company right inside Rootz:
The Competitive & Performance Track: Releve is our dedicated company line where passionate dancers train extensively in advanced technique, intricate choreography, and team synergy.
Elevated Opportunities: Company members represent Rootz at elite regional dance competitions, community events, and specialized showcases throughout the year.
The Releve Culture: We completely reject the high-stress, toxic atmosphere often found in the competitive dance world. Our company training is rooted in positive reinforcement, mental well-being, and mutual support, ensuring our athletes build deep self-confidence alongside elite athletic skills.
Whether your dancer is looking for a fun after-school recreational outlet or wants to schedule a private audition to join our elite Releve Company family, we provide a welcoming home for every young dancer on the North Shore, from Deerfield to Vernon Hills.
A: Our youth musical theater and music programs are designed to build confidence, creativity, and stage presence in a highly supportive environment. For theater, students engage in acting, singing, and choreography, culminating in exciting, full-scale stage performances.
A: Our flagship, state-of-the-art center is centrally located in Deerfield, Illinois. Because of our convenient North Shore location, we are the go-to enrichment hub for families living throughout the local Chicago suburbs, including Northbrook, Highland Park, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove, Glencoe, Wilmette, and Glenview. Our Vernon Hills, Illinois facility is centrally located on the exterior or Hawthorn Mall directly across from Melody Farms. Its is conveniently located for Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Mundelein, Lake Forest, Mettawa, Linconlshire and other surrounding areas. Both of our facilities are designed with plenty of convenient parking and a waiting areas for parents.
A: Yes! Our camps are incredibly popular seasonal programs that runs throughout the summer, as well as during winter and spring school breaks. Our camps combine the best of our performing arts center—including dance, theater, music, and tumbling—with classic camp games, creative arts and crafts, and special themed days. It’s the perfect way for local kids to stay active, build new skills, and make lifelong friends during their school vacations.
A: Yes! One of the primary reasons busy families choose Rootz is our convenient, overlapping schedule options. Because our state-of-the-art facility features multiple dedicated spaces running simultaneously, you can frequently schedule a toddler dance class for one child while your older child participates in a musical theater rehearsal or a tumbling conditioning session. Our goal is to make high-quality after-school activities seamless and stress-free for the entire family.
A: Absolutely. We want to ensure that Rootz is your child’s absolute happy place before making a commitment. We welcome local families to contact our front desk to learn about introductory options or trial classes for our recreational dance styles, musical theater programs, and youth fitness lines. This allows your child to experience our supportive instructors and welcoming studio dynamic firsthand.
A: Yes, performance is a wonderful way to build confidence and celebrate growth! Rootz hosts professionally produced, exciting end-of-year dance recitals, full-scale musical theater stage productions, and specialized showcases for our students. For our dedicated athletes, the Releve Dance & Cheer Company track also features community performances and regional competitions throughout the year. Every performance is designed to be positive, uplifting, and completely stress-free for both the performers and their families.
A: Our faculty is comprised of highly experienced, professional instructors who specialize in early childhood development and elite youth athletics. Our dance teachers, theater directors, music instructors, and cheer coaches hold professional backgrounds in the performing arts and competitive fitness industries. Beyond their impressive technical resumes, every staff member is chosen for their patience, warmth, and ability to cultivate a safe, encouraging, and highly inclusive classroom environment.