CAAC Dance is the resident dance studio of the historic Cheboygan Opera House
Let’s Dance!
While dance instruction at the Cheboygan Opera House dates back to 1877, the Cheboygan Area Arts Council (CAAC) has been conducting dance classes at the historic “Jewel of the North” since 1986.
CAAC Dance continues to offer quality dance instruction to the Cheboygan community through fun and enriching classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and musical theater.
Connect with the CAAC Dance Program on Facebook!
Table of Contents
Schedule
FALL SESSION
September 14 – December 18, 2026
Orientation at the Cheboygan Opera House: August 10, 5-7pm
Holiday Showcase: December 12, ~2pm
Register HERE
SPRING SESSION
January 11 – May 14, 2027
Recital Weekend: May 14 – 16
Registration
Student Registration: We’re so excited you’re joining!
New and returning students can create accounts, login to the Parent Portal, select classes and camps, and pay tuition fees online.
Please click below to register your dancer(s) and enroll:
Pricing & Payment Policy
Registration (school year sessions)
Registration is $25 per student (not per class), per year. The maximum registration fee per family is $100 (4 or more students per family).
Tuition + Fees (Fall & Spring sessions)
Tuition is billed in monthly installments. Tuition is not set to autopay unless you request this feature. Monthly payments are due by the 10th of the month. Payments not received by the 15th of each month will incur a $10 late fee and the payment method on file will be charged.
Tuition for the Fall Session (September – December) is $220 for a weekly 50-minute class (payable over 4 monthly installments of $55) and $152 for a weekly 30-minute class (payable over 4 monthly installments of $38). Regular tuition will be charged for the entire session (not by the hour). The cost will be broken down into equal monthly payments. Tuition will cover your weekly class, rehearsal days, and the end of session showcase. CAAC will offer both a discount for dancers enrolled in multiple classes, as well as family discounts. These discounts can be used simultaneously.
Multi-class Discount:
A 10% discount is applied to each additional class, after the first registration.
Multi-Student Discount:
A 10% discount is applied to each additional student per family, after the first registration.
Costumes
There are no costumes for classes in the Fall Session. Classes in the Spring Session that participate in the final recital will require a costume. The cost of those costumes are not included in the price of tuition. Dance tights will be included with costumes.
Shoes
Click here for detailed information about Dance Shoes.
Payment Policy
School Year sessions:
Tuition is billed in monthly installments (see pricing). Tuition is not set to autopay unless you request this feature. Monthly payments not received by the 15th of each month, will incur a $10 late fee and the payment method on file will be charged.
Chargeback/Check Returns:
Any chargeback from a credit/debit card will be billed an additional $30 processing fee per occurrence. This is different than a declined card transaction. Any check returned to CAAC will be billed an additional $15 return check fee.
More Information
Observation:
In general, parents are not permitted to remain in the dance studio during classes. This allows students to give full attention to instructions. Exceptions may apply for Tiny Tots and Kinder dancers.
Pickup/Drop Off:
Students may be dropped off at the dance studio no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the start of class. Dancers are expected to be picked up promptly at the end of class. Parents may walk children into the studio if needed, but are not permitted to stay during class.
Class Supplies + Attire:
All students are expected to dress appropriately for each dance class, including:
- Fitted clothing that allows movement so instructors are able to see body placement (this may include leotard + tights or leggings + tank top)
- Proper dance shoes, as assigned per class
- Hair pulled back into a ponytail or bun
Students are expected to bring:
- A full water bottle!
- A positive attitude!
- A dance bag that holds a dancer’s shoes, ponytail holders, water bottle, snack, etc
- The proper shoes for the particular class(es) being attended
Meet Your Teachers
Kara D’Andrea, CAAC Dance Director
I began dancing at age 3 in my hometown, Frederick, Maryland. Through high school, I studied ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, musical theater, and acro, competing in the mid-Atlantic dance circuit. I was also very active in theater, performing in plays and musicals, as well as choreographing community theater and high school productions. I continued modern dance training throughout my college years in Chicago.
After traveling around the country for some time, I reignited my passion for dance in Cheboygan, where I have been teaching with CAAC Dance since 2023. I am also a director and choreographer for the Northland Players Summer Youth Theater as well as a choreographer for the Northland Players. I have a small side hustle as the co-owner of Cheboygan Cycle Works.
It’s been an honor to be able to serve my community in the best way I know how – through dance! It is my goal to ensure all our students are provided an enriching dance experience that is safe, uplifting, educational, and fun!
Becky Miller
I began my dance journey at the age of three with tap and continued training in various styles throughout my childhood and teen years at a local studio. Dance quickly became a passion, and by high school, I was not only performing but also leading and choreographing for the Big Rapids High School Dance Ensemble. I continued in that leadership role for two years into college before taking some time away from the art. Sharing dance with others has always brought me joy, which naturally led me to pursue teaching.
For the past two years, I’ve been proud to be part of the teaching staff at CAAC Dance, where I strive to make dance class fun, but also teaching the foundation of technique. I also spend summers teaching with the Mackinac Island Recreation Department, helping to bring dance to a wider community. I believe that every student has a unique spark, and my goal is to help each one shine on and off the stage. It’s an honor to share my passion for dance and inspire the next generation of performers.
Makaela Willis
The start of my dancing journey began here at the Cheboygan Opera House at the age of 4, under the teachings of Miss Judy Reichlin and then continued learning ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical/modern, and pointe through CAAC until 2019. On top of taking as many dance classes as I could, I also got into Musical Theatre! I performed in the Cheboygan Area High School Musicals and a few of the Northland Players musicals and plays throughout high school. The Addams Family Portrait is still hanging in the Green Room, you may see a familiar face as Wednesday.
After high school, I got my bachelors degree in Dance Studies at Central Michigan University, where I learned the ins and out of not just dancing but being a dance teacher and so much more. I have been on and off teaching dance classes here at CAAC since I graduated college and then spent the last year as a dance instructor at Centennial State Ballet in Colorado, where I taught a little bit of everything from tiny tots (3-4 years olds) to adult tap classes and musical theatre classes. But I didn’t stay long, I missed my studio and Michigan too much to stay and now I am back and can’t wait to keep teaching and sharing my passion for dance to my community.
Dance Advisory Board (2026-2027):
- Savannah Barthelemy
- Katie Mallory
- Jennifer Ostwald
- Alicia Powers
- Jessica Schley (CAAC Board President)
- Carole Yeck
Terms of Service
Release of Liability:
In consideration of my child’s enrollment in any instruction program, I understand and agree on behalf of myself and my child, to release, hold harmless and discharge Cheboygan Area Arts Council “CAAC” from all claims, costs, liabilities, expenses for judgments, including attorneys’ fees and court costs for any occurrences in connection with any dance/tumble instruction. I assume all risks to my child in connecting with any instruction and further release CAAC and its owners or employees from liability for any injury sustained by my child while he or she is enrolled in any dance instruction program, including all risks reasonable connected with such activity whether foreseen or unforeseen.
I further acknowledge that CAAC is not responsible for my child or other children who are left unsupervised in the common areas and areas that surround the dance studio and that CAAC will only be supervising my child when he or she is participating in scheduled dance activities, programs, and instructions.
I understand that CAAC is not responsible for personal property that is lost, damaged or stolen while I or my child is at or on CAAC property.
Assumption of Risk:
I understand that there are risks of physical injury associated with, arising out of, and inherent to dancing. These risks include the potential for slips and falls, sprains, strains, dislocations, soft tissue injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, podiatric conditions, and other risks not specified here.
Understanding these risks and the potential for others not listed, I agree to personally accept and assume all of the risks present in my participation at CAAC. My participation at CAAC is entirely voluntary, and I choose to participate in spite of the risks.
Dance education sometimes requires hands-on instruction as well as verbal instruction. Instructors may correct dancers by touching their arms, legs, feet, hips, back and head to move them in the correct position. I acknowledge that this is a common standard in dance instruction and understand that it is my responsibility to communicate clearly with my teacher and/or the director if any form of touch is unacceptable to me.
Media Release:
I authorize and agree that CAAC may take and use photographs, videos or likeness of myself or my child as needed for its record-keeping, advertising and/or public relations projects and that I have no rights to the same and will not be compensated for the same.
If I do NOT consent to being photographed or video recorded, I will make sure the director is aware of my concerns and the reasons for them, I will be proactive about avoiding being photographed or recorded, and I will hold CAAC harmless if a photo or video recording of me is released despite all precautions. I understand that this choice may limit my participation in performances that are routinely photographed and/or videotaped.
Medical Emergencies:
I authorize CAAC to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment, including first aid, ambulance transport, hospitalization, or such other care necessary for my health and welfare in an emergency. If my insurance does not cover emergency treatment that is deemed necessary and sought for me by CAAC, I agree to be responsible for and pay all costs incurred on my behalf.
I release and discharge CAAC from any claim which may arise on account of any first aid, treatment, or service rendered in connection with my participation in CAAC activities or with the decision by any representative or agent of CAAC to consent to medical or dental treatment on my behalf in an emergency.
I understand that CAAC does not carry or maintain health, medical, dental, or disability insurance coverage for any participant. I agree to take responsibility for full payment of any emergency medical or dental costs related to my CAAC participation regardless of whether I have insurance coverage.
Questions?
For any further information, please contact our Executive Director, Owen Goslin at owen@theoperahouse.org