ABOUT US
At S&S School of Dance, we aim to "Unleash the Passion" by providing opportunities for life enrichment through the art of dance to everyone, from absolute beginners to advanced dancers. We are committed to fostering a positive, supportive, and professional environment, grounded in our core values of:
INCLUSIVITY
INTEGRITY
COMMUNITY
POSITIVITY
PROFESSIONALISM
RESPECT
OUR FACILITY
S&S School of Dance, proudly serving our community since 1974, leaped into an exciting new era with a move to our brand-new 5,000-square-foot facility in 2023! Every inch of our vibrant space is thoughtfully designed to elevate the dance experience and inspire movers of all ages.
Merchandise Area
Dancewear and studio apparel available for purchase
Shoe fittings offered
Gently used shoes available for browsing
Lobby
Comfortable seating area for parents
Monitor to observe classes
Space for students to do homework after school or between classes
Bathrooms
Convenient access for students and families
Studio 21
Spacious and versatile
Operable wall allows studios to combine into one large room
Floating floors topped with marley
Studio 74
Spacious and versatile
Operable wall allows studios to combine into one large room
Floating floors topped with marley
Studio 405
Designed specifically for acrobatics and tumbling classes
Floating floors topped with marley
OUR STAFF
We cannot wait to dance with you!
Darci Heavner
Owner & Director
Darci Heavner grew up dancing at S&S School of Dance in Pittsfield, Illinois, where her love for teaching began as a student assistant. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in American Dance Pedagogy from Oklahoma City University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2017 and receiving multiple honors, including the Outstanding Graduating American Dance Teacher Award.
After teaching at several studios in the Oklahoma City area, Darci served as Director of Dance at Northwest Classen High School for three years. In February 2021, she returned home and purchased S&S School of Dance, where she is proud to continue the studio’s legacy while creating new opportunities for dancers in Pike County.
A lifelong learner, Darci regularly pursues continuing education in dance, teaching, business, and leadership. She has attended Dance Teacher Web in Las Vegas, Revolution’s Energize conference in Chicago, two Julie Kay conferences in Nashville, and teacher classes at annual dance conventions. She is a member of the Julie Kay Studio Owner Mastermind and Team Julie Kay and is currently a Mastermind Coach in Training for the Julie Kay Mastermind Company. She is also an ambassador for The Streamlined Studio.
Darci and her husband, Dalton, have two children, Stockton and McKenna. Her passion for learning and growth continues to shape her mission at S&S: providing quality dance education while creating a place where dancers feel welcome, supported, challenged, and inspired to become the best version of themselves.
Katelin Shoemaker
Tumbling Director & Instructor
Katelin started dancing at S&S at 2 ½ and continued to do so for 15 years. In addition to taking lessons in Jazz, Tap, Ballet/Pointe, and Tumbling, she also served as a Student Assistant for 3 years. She danced with the PCS Pom squad and PHS Saukettes, where she helped lead the team to a state title in the Pom A Division. She continued to perform in college for the Culver Stockton Classy Cats. Katelin then took on a coaching position for the PCS Poms in 2010. She graduated from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science and is currently employed by Dot Foods. Katelin has recently honed her skills through Hip Hop classes at Lou Conte Dance Studio (an affiliate of Hubbard Street Dance) in Chicago, IL. In 2024, Katelin became an Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor, bringing a new level of knowledge and safety to our tumbling program.
Marilyn Allen
Instructor & Administrative Assistant
Marilyn started taking dance lessons at age 2 in her hometown of Clarksville, MO. She began her competitive dance career there while in the first grade. Later, she continued dancing competitively for Aim High Elite in Troy, MO until graduating from high school in 2014. Throughout the years, Marilyn has competed and taken classes in jazz, lyrical, hip hop, tap, and ballet. She was also involved in club dance at the University of Missouri. Marilyn graduated from Lindenwood University in 2017 with her
Bachelor of Arts in Education, focusing on early childhood education. Additionally, Marilyn’s experience includes participating in cheerleading throughout middle/high school at Clopton and college at Lindenwood, and she previously served as a high school cheerleading coach at Louisiana while also teaching first grade. Now she has moved to Pittsfield with her husband, Colton, and is excited to begin her 3rd year with S&S.
She most recently attended GLOW Chicago, a conference for pre-school and recreational dance teachers, where she learned from Julie Kay Stallcup, Becca Retter, and Andrea Trench.
Ali Curless
Instructor
Ali began dancing at S&S School of Dance when she was 3 years old and continued for 15 years under the direction of Stacy Roseberry. She took lessons in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop and tumbling. Additionally, she was a student assistant dance teacher for seven years, assisting with a variety of classes ranging from pre-dance to intermediate tap, jazz and tumbling. In 2018, Ali graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance in Agribusiness from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and spent nearly five years working in corporate internal audit/finance. She is currently staying at home with her daughter who shares her passion for dance. Ali loves teaching a variety of age groups at the studio and watching dancers develop their skill sets. She most recently attended GLOW Chicago, a conference for pre-school and recreational dance teachers, where she learned from Julie Kay Stallcup, Becca Retter, and Andrea Trench.
Libby Boren
Instructor
Libby started dancing at age 6 through a YWCA ballet program in St. Joseph, MI. She continued in ballet, tap, pointe, and tumbling at Fremont Ballet School in Fremont, OH and Dance Arts in Stevensville, MI. As a student at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, she volunteered with an after-school music & motion program and performed with the college’s Dance Guild. Libby is married to Zack and they have 3 boys. She is a school counselor at Pittsfield High School, and she also teaches adult education at John Wood Community College. She most recently attended GLOW Chicago, a conference for pre-school and recreational dance teachers, where she learned from Julie Kay Stallcup, Becca Retter, and Andrea Trench.
Libby loves teaching beginner-level classes at S&S School of Dance and she is excited to be back for her 12th year!
Gracie McCartney
Instructor
Gracie is a Pittsfield native who grew up dancing at S&S School of Dance while also honing her competitive tumbling skills at Stevens. In high school, she was active in sports and cheerleading, where she continued to improve her tumbling. During her senior year, she moved to Florida and graduated from Saint John Neumann Catholic High School.
After moving home, Gracie began working at Dot Foods in early 2024, and spends her evenings with us at S&S teaching tumbling!
Lisa Warner
Instructor
Lisa’s journey in dance started a little later than most with joining the Jersey Community High School Dance team. Here she discovered her love of dance and contributed to leading her team to a State Championship all four years. In 2006, she joined the Calhoun Entertainment Company. During this time she has been the Director of Choreography for the majority of their spring musicals. Lisa moved to Pittsfield in 2007 where she was introduced to Stacy Roseberry’s Adult Tap class. That introduction led to her love of tap as well as joining as an Assistant Instructor in various classes including Tap/Ballet/Jazz/Tumbling and Dance Explo in all levels over the years. She has advanced her dance skills by attending Dupree Dance conventions as well as the Chicago Human Rhythm Project tap intensive. Lisa is employed by West Virginia University Medicine as a Senior Accountant. Working remotely has allowed her to spend more time with her husband Rob and their 3 canine kids. This has also allowed her to enthusiastically come back as a teacher at S&S School of Dance! She most recently attended GLOW Chicago, a conference for pre-school and recreational dance teachers, where she learned from Julie Kay Stallcup, Becca Retter, and Andrea Trench.
Emma Moss
Instructor
Emma started dancing at S&S at five and continued to do so for 13 years. In addition to taking lessons in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Tumbling, she also served as a Student Assistant for 5 years. She danced with the PHS Saukettes in 2023 and cheered in 2024 for the football seasons. Emma graduated from Pittsfield High School in 2025! She is attending The Ag Center at John Wood Community College to get her associate's degree and transfer to a larger college to earn her bachelor’s in Natural Resource Management and Conservation! Emma has recently become YPAD Safety & Wellness Certified and a certified AcroDance Pre School teacher, bringing new classes and safety to our program!
Erin White
Instructor
Dance has always been a special part of my life. I grew up taking dance at S & S and later became a Saukee cheerleader, where I had the opportunity to showcase my tumbling skills at each game. My love for dance and tumbling eventually led me to begin teaching in 2007 at S & S, working with preschool-age dancers and tumblers.
After taking a break from teaching in 2017 to welcome my son, I’m excited to be back doing what I love and sharing my passion for tumbling with the next generation.
Outside of the studio, I’m married to my husband, Garrett, and we have two wonderful children, Gibbson and Emersyn, who keep us busy and make life so much fun. You can most commonly find me at the Secretary of State, where I’ve worked for the past 19 years, or at a sporting event cheering from the sidelines and watching my husband coach.
I’m so grateful to be back in the dance world and look forward to creating memories, building confidence, and helping young tumblers discover their own love for movement!
Megan Greening
Instructor
Megan Greening began dancing at S&S School of Dance at the age of four, where she spent 14 years training in ballet, tap, tumbling, jazz, and hip hop. During high school, Megan was a member of the Pittsfield High School Saukettes and served as captain her senior year. She was also a member of the 2009 Saukettes team that brought home the first state championship in PHS history.
Megan attended Western Illinois University, where she earned her degree in Communication. While at WIU, she had the opportunity to continue her love of dance by taking contemporary dance and performing with a WIU dance troupe during her senior year.
After college, Megan spent nearly 10 years working in marketing for State Farm and Dot Foods before beginning a new chapter as a paraprofessional with Pikeland School District—and returning to where her own dance journey began as a teacher at S&S!
Outside of the studio and classroom, Megan stays busy with a full house of four kids, three dogs, two cats, and one husband. She is excited to be back at S&S, now sharing her love of dance with the next generation of dancers.
Kendyl Armistead
Instructor
Kendyl Armistead began dancing at S&S School of Dance at the age of three and continued her training through high school. During her high school years, she was a member of the Pittsfield High School Saukettes. Dance has always been an important part of Kendyl’s life, and she loves having the opportunity to now share that passion with her own students.
Having grown up dancing at S&S, returning to the studio as a teacher has been a special full-circle experience for Kendyl. She enjoys helping the next generation of dancers build their skills, confidence, and love for dance in the same studio where her own journey began.
Outside of the studio, Kendyl works at Rod Prentice State Farm and enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband, Philip, have been married for 10 years and have four children. They live on their family farm, where life stays busy with cows, chickens, and whatever other animals decide to show up! With a family that is also very active in sports, you can often find Kendyl cheering from the sidelines of a ball field or basketball court.
Dalton Heavner
Studio Husband & Maintenance
Dalton Heavner grew up on his family farm, which sparked his involvement in a variety of youth agriculture groups. He was highly active in 4-H, FFA, and the Illinois and American Junior Simmental Associations. Through these organizations, Dalton had the opportunity to travel across the 48 states and even to Argentina, gaining a broader perspective on the diversity of the world. In college, Dalton was a member of a competitive Livestock Judging team, which eventually brought him to Oklahoma—just down the road from his future wife, Darci. This time allowed him to learn more about her passion for dance and the studio world. Today, as the husband of the studio owner, Dalton’s role is ever-changing. Currently, he serves as the studio’s go-to IT and maintenance man, while also moonlighting as a delivery driver and the “muscle” for moving boxes from their home to the studio. Looking ahead, Dalton plans to take on more administrative and business responsibilities to further support the studio’s growth.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED!
What should my dancer wear?
Proper attire helps dancers feel confident and allows teachers to give the best corrections. ★ NO Jeans ★ NO baggy sweatshirts/jackets ★ NO dresses ★ NO baggy t-shirts ★ NO outside shoes allowed in dance class
Hair should be pulled out of face for all classes
See our full Dance Uniform breakdown HERE.
Where can I purchase dance wear & shoes?
We have sizing kits for all of our required shoes in the studio. You can then order all required shoes & dance wear online through our dance boutique HERE.
How does tuition work?
Tuition is based on the full dance season, not the number of classes in a given month.
We calculate the total average number of classes for the season and divide that into equal monthly payments (9 monthly payments for the school year) to keep tuition consistent and manageable for families.
Because of this structure:
Tuition remains the same each month
There are no additional charges for months with 5 weeks
There are no discounts for short months, holidays, or weather closures
Tuition rates vary based on class length, program, and number of classes taken. Current tuition rates are available through your Parent Portal or by contacting the studio directly. Families will always be notified of any pricing updates.
Tuition is due on or before the 1st of each month
May tuition is due by May 5th or student is unable to participate in the recital
After the 7th: $10 late fee per student
We accept the following forms of payment:
Auto-draft (required unless tuition is paid in full)
Credit/Debit card
Cash (exact amount only)
Returned checks will incur a $35 fee ($25 administrative fee + $10 processing fee). Participation will resume once the balance is resolved.
What if my dancer has to miss class?
We understand that people get sick and things come up! We kindly ask that you let us know in advance.
All absences must be submitted through your Parent Portal
(More → Attendance → Report Absence)
This ensures both the instructor and office are properly notified
If you are unable to access the portal, please call the studio and leave a voicemail
What happens when the studio closes for weather?
During the winter months, weather conditions can change quickly. In the event of a closure, please check for updates through the following:
Studio Facebook page
Studio text alerts
Please note:
We do not post weather updates on the studio phone line
If Pikeland Unit 10 cancels school or releases early for severe weather, the studio will be closed
Out of the safety of our students, S&S School of Dance may cancel classes due to extreme weather conditions which cause our studios to be too cold.
When is S&S closed?
S&S is only closed for 3 weeks out of the season.
Tues. Nov 24- Sun. Nov 29 - STUDIO CLOSED ★ Thanksgiving Break
Weeks of December 20 - Jan 3 - STUDIO CLOSED ★ Holiday Break
Where do I find recital information?
Mark your calendars for:
Mon May 3 - Thurs. May 6 - Dress Rehearsal Week - All Classes at PHS Auditorium
Fri. May 7 - Sat. May 8 - Recital - All Classes
Our annual recital theme will be revealed on November 23rd. Our recital portal will be available to our families that day. We will hold a recital parent information via Zoom on Tuesday, November 24th.
What are the drop-off & pick-up procedures?
The safety of our dancers and families is extremely important. Please follow all guidelines while on studio property.
Parking & Traffic Flow
Drive slowly and follow the flow of traffic
Do not block entrances/exits
Be mindful of traffic flow and pedestrian safety
Drop-Off & Pick-Up
The front area is for quick drop-off and pick-up only
Students may not wait outside for pick-up
For dancers 10 years old and younger, parents must come inside to pick up their child
Walking To & From the Studio
Please accompany your dancer to and from the building
Students should not walk through the parking lot alone
General Safety
Be aware of your surroundings
Do not interact with solicitors
Report any concerns to the studio immediately
Can we join after the season has started?
Yes! As long as there is space available in the class, we’re happy to welcome new dancers after the season has started. Reach out to us, and we’ll help find the best class and get your dancer started!
OUR MISSION
At S&S School of Dance, we aim to "Unleash the Passion" by providing opportunities for life enrichment through the art of dance to everyone, from absolute beginners to advanced dancers. We are committed to fostering a positive, supportive, and professional environment, grounded in our core values of
inclusivity, integrity, community, positivity, professionalism, and respect
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Thursday:
9:00am-11:00am
4:00pm-7:30pm
Friday-Saturday: By appointment only
Sunday: Closed
CONTACT INFO
Studio Address:
1241 W Washington St
Pittsfield, Illinois 62363
Phone:
Email: