A Step Above Dance Academy
A Step Above Dance Academy, 129 Flinn St., Batavia, IL 60510
About
A Step Above Dance Academy offers dance and performing arts classes in a studio setting. The program includes options such as Tots & Tip Toes, Juniors, Foundations, Trainees, Artists (Level II), Artists (Level III–IV), and Shooting Stars for dancers with disabilities. The studio also offers Dream It, Dance It, an annual inclusive summer dance intensive for adults with disabilities created by staff member Chloe McCoy.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Studio hours Monday–Thursday 3:30 pm–8:30 pm, Friday by email or appointment, Saturday 9:00 am–1:00 pm, tuition based on a 40-week season payable in 11 installments from September–June
• Price: Program installment tuition ranges from $44–$95 depending on level, with a $30 drop-in rate, a $250 10-class summer punch card, and an annual registration fee of $65 per family plus $20 for each additional sibling; a 5% discount is available for tuition paid in full for Foundations and above, and tuition is prorated to a dancer’s start date
A Step Above Dance Academy opened its doors in August 2010 and is now in its 15th season. The studio has 6,200 square feet and 4 studios with Sprung Marley floors, Bluetooth sound systems, parent viewing windows, live class viewing TVs, a large parking lot, and a dancer waiting room. The program offers written evaluations for all registered dancers twice per year, a nationally award-winning competitive team, a free class for dancers to try any style offered, new student registration in any class that has not reached capacity, and onsite and online dance wear sales.
The mission of A Step Above Dance Academy is to focus on proper technique and safety, develop strong and knowledgeable dancers, and instill respect, self-confidence, and discipline in all students while teaching in a fun and positive environment. The studio states that it specializes in “Growing Talent with Technique” and offers a strong dance curriculum in a safe, encouraging, and positive environment for dancers of all ages.
The leadership team includes CEO/Artistic Director Shannon Clayborn; Studio Manager and Instructor Annette Lawniczak; Instructor and Director of ASA Shooting Stars Chloe McCoy; and Instructor Alanna Kletcke. Shannon Clayborn graduated from the University of Iowa in 2010 with a BA in Dance, a Minor in Spanish, and a Certificate in Performing Arts Entrepreneurship, began dancing at age three, trained with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School at age 11, was a high-level competitive gymnast, and coached recreational and competitive gymnastics teams for four years. Annette Thomann received her BFA in dance performance, graduating magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University, has been teaching and choreographing in Chicagoland and Wisconsin for over 20 years, has served as Ballet Mistress for RASA Dance Chicago and NoMi Dance Chicago, Executive Director of State Street Dance Studio, and currently works as Company Administrator for NoMi, teaches at Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts, and is Ballet Mistress for Petite Pas Ballet School. Chloe McCoy earned a BFA in Dance Performance with minors in Special Education Foundations and Psychology from Northern Illinois University in 2020, performed and choreographed in multiple Northern Illinois University productions, choreographed for Penguin Players, and created and serves as Artistic Director for Dream It, Dance It. Alanna earned a BFA in theater with a concentration in dance from Northern Illinois University, was a 2013 scholarship recipient at Chicago’s Visceral Dance Center, and trained at Lou Conte Dance Studio.
A Step Above Dance Academy is home to regional and national award-winning choreography and holds numerous regional and national titles. CEO/Artistic Director Shannon Clayborn has earned National Champion titles and multiple choreography awards, including 2015 Choreographer of the Year, the 2015–2019 National Studio of the Year awards, the 2017 Top National Studio award, and the 2019 Grand Champion Title for her choreography of “Unknown,” along with multiple first-place overall placements and Sportsmanship awards from several competitions.
Families report in testimonials that dancers at A Step Above Dance Academy participate in community outreach, extracurricular activities, sleepovers, and art performances. Parents describe the instructors and studio owner as positive role models and note growth in their children’s skills, confidence, friendships, and connections, as well as appreciation for the staff and the community at the studio. Multiple parents describe the studio as their child’s “happy place” and state that their children have continued at the studio for several years, including on competitive and community teams.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Studio hours Monday–Thursday 3:30 pm–8:30 pm, Friday by email or appointment, Saturday 9:00 am–1:00 pm, tuition based on a 40-week season payable in 11 installments from September–June
• Price: Program installment tuition ranges from $44–$95 depending on level, with a $30 drop-in rate, a $250 10-class summer punch card, and an annual registration fee of $65 per family plus $20 for each additional sibling; a 5% discount is available for tuition paid in full for Foundations and above, and tuition is prorated to a dancer’s start date
A Step Above Dance Academy opened its doors in August 2010 and is now in its 15th season. The studio has 6,200 square feet and 4 studios with Sprung Marley floors, Bluetooth sound systems, parent viewing windows, live class viewing TVs, a large parking lot, and a dancer waiting room. The program offers written evaluations for all registered dancers twice per year, a nationally award-winning competitive team, a free class for dancers to try any style offered, new student registration in any class that has not reached capacity, and onsite and online dance wear sales.
The mission of A Step Above Dance Academy is to focus on proper technique and safety, develop strong and knowledgeable dancers, and instill respect, self-confidence, and discipline in all students while teaching in a fun and positive environment. The studio states that it specializes in “Growing Talent with Technique” and offers a strong dance curriculum in a safe, encouraging, and positive environment for dancers of all ages.
The leadership team includes CEO/Artistic Director Shannon Clayborn; Studio Manager and Instructor Annette Lawniczak; Instructor and Director of ASA Shooting Stars Chloe McCoy; and Instructor Alanna Kletcke. Shannon Clayborn graduated from the University of Iowa in 2010 with a BA in Dance, a Minor in Spanish, and a Certificate in Performing Arts Entrepreneurship, began dancing at age three, trained with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School at age 11, was a high-level competitive gymnast, and coached recreational and competitive gymnastics teams for four years. Annette Thomann received her BFA in dance performance, graduating magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University, has been teaching and choreographing in Chicagoland and Wisconsin for over 20 years, has served as Ballet Mistress for RASA Dance Chicago and NoMi Dance Chicago, Executive Director of State Street Dance Studio, and currently works as Company Administrator for NoMi, teaches at Kenosha Academy of Performing Arts, and is Ballet Mistress for Petite Pas Ballet School. Chloe McCoy earned a BFA in Dance Performance with minors in Special Education Foundations and Psychology from Northern Illinois University in 2020, performed and choreographed in multiple Northern Illinois University productions, choreographed for Penguin Players, and created and serves as Artistic Director for Dream It, Dance It. Alanna earned a BFA in theater with a concentration in dance from Northern Illinois University, was a 2013 scholarship recipient at Chicago’s Visceral Dance Center, and trained at Lou Conte Dance Studio.
A Step Above Dance Academy is home to regional and national award-winning choreography and holds numerous regional and national titles. CEO/Artistic Director Shannon Clayborn has earned National Champion titles and multiple choreography awards, including 2015 Choreographer of the Year, the 2015–2019 National Studio of the Year awards, the 2017 Top National Studio award, and the 2019 Grand Champion Title for her choreography of “Unknown,” along with multiple first-place overall placements and Sportsmanship awards from several competitions.
Families report in testimonials that dancers at A Step Above Dance Academy participate in community outreach, extracurricular activities, sleepovers, and art performances. Parents describe the instructors and studio owner as positive role models and note growth in their children’s skills, confidence, friendships, and connections, as well as appreciation for the staff and the community at the studio. Multiple parents describe the studio as their child’s “happy place” and state that their children have continued at the studio for several years, including on competitive and community teams.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.