NIU Summer Dance Intensive

What to Bring

Dancewear

Dance attire is required for the dance classes.
Tops: solid color leotard; form fitting, solid color t-shirt or tank top
Bottoms: black tights, leggings, or dance pants; form fitting bike/spandex shorts
over tights
Shoes: jazz shoes and ballet slippers  (pointe shoes are not required)
Hair: securely pulled back, up, and out of face
Optional: socks; knee pads

General

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Shower sandals (optional)
• Umbrella or rain gear
• Mosquito repellent
• Sweatshirt
• Alarm clock
• Water bottle
• Sheets and pillowcase (standard twin size)
• Towels, blanket, pillow
• Small amount of money for souvenirs and snacks 

Registration

Coming late fall 2026!

Early bird registration fee: $1,050 (received April 15 or earlier)

Registration fee after April 15: $1,150

Registration deadline: June 9, 2027

Call 815-753-1450 to inquire about late registration.

Space is limited, so register early! You can register online. You'll pay a $100 deposit when you register. The remaining balance is due by June 14.

Need-based scholarship assistance is available. 

Staff

Rich Grund: Program Director, Ballet

Taryn Sarto: Co-Director, Improvisation, Repertory

Taryn Sarto has extensive dance training in a wide variety of styles, including ballet, pointe, pas de deux, modern, contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, and Pilates. She began training at age 6 with the Beth Fowler School of Dance, continuing through high school as an elite member of the BFSD Company and Competition Team. Taryn also competed as a member of the Genoa Kingston High School Dance Team, achieving 3rd place overall in the 1A division at the Illinois High School Association State Finals.

Through academic and dance talent scholarships, Taryn graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and a minor in Rehabilitation Counseling. As a member of NIU’s College of Visual and Performing arts, she both directed and choreographed for Northern Dance Theatre’s Student Choreographic Showcases, annual “Art for Life” productions, and was the choreographer for Penguin Players, a musical theater organization starring a cast of adults with disabilities.

Taryn continues to pursue her dance career as assistant director, competition director, choreographer, and dance instructor at Dimensions Dance Academy & Dimensions Youth Ballet, where her passion is cultivating a supportive environment to help her students grow and achieve their full potential.

Millicent Collins (she/her), originally from Saint Louis, began her training with Turning Pointe Academy of Dance, where she was a member of Tourdance, a pre-professional dance company, that focused on ballet and modern techniques in concert dance. During this time, she also performed and trained with The Big Muddy Dance Company in their Student Elevate Project.

In the spring of 2025, Millicent received her BFA in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University where she trained with and performed choreography by Richard Grund, Marc Macaranas, Michel Rodriguez Cintra, Paula Frasz, Judith Chitwood, Sarita Smith Childs, and Daniel Gibson. At NIU, Millicent also performed in residencies with Red Clay Dance Company and Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater, performing works and repertoire choreographed by Vershawn Sanders-Ward, Monique Haley, and Brian Enos. Millicent also directed student-led showcases for Northern Dance Theater. She was able to perform works created by her peers, as well as experiment with her own choreography on stage. Millicent also holds a minor in nonprofit studies from Northern Illinois University, and one day hopes to combine her love of dance, arts advocacy, and social outreach, to connect the community through dance. During the summers, she participated in summer intensives with COCA Saint Louis, Nashville Ballet, and DanceWorks Chicago.

Marc Macaranas: Dance Coordinator and Support Staff

Michel Rodriguez Cintra: Cuban Modern Dance, Circus Arts

Schedule Overview

July 25-30, 2027
A general overview of the intensive schedule is below. You'll receive a more detailed schedule when you check in.