Learn more about our Youth Dance Programs faculty!

Meet Your Teacher: Tracy Vonder Haar

Tracy Vonder Haar, a member of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago from 1978-82, brings 49 years of teaching experience to Hubbard Street Youth Dance Program. Tracy recently returned to Chicago after twenty years in Los Angeles where she taught at Los Angeles Valley College and spent ten years as Artistic Director of Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts. While Tracy lived in Chicago, she taught at The Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance, Lou Conte Dance Studio, and directed Chicago Studio for Dance and Musical Theatre. She also served as Artistic Director of Dance and Company, Dance Coordinator for the Musical Theatre Department at Columbia College, and the director of the children’s choir (in several cities) for the Canadian/National tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT starring Donny Osmond.

Ms. Vonder Haar has choreographed and/or directed commercials, industrials, television shows, full length ballets, and scores of revues and musicals, including PETER PAN, CAROUSEL, and YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, just to name a few. She was also a resident choreographer for five years for Yip’s Children’s Choir in both Los Angeles and Hong Kong where her choreography was seen in over two dozen countries.

Other teaching credits include Webster University (St. Louis), Los Angeles Trade Technical College, and over a decade at Pasadena Civic Ballet. She is currently teaching at Ruth Page Center for the Arts in addition to her classes at Hubbard Street. Tracy is thrilled to be back in Chicago, and back home at Lou’s.

When did you start dancing?

I started dancing at age 3, although I quit shortly thereafter telling my mother I had done that particular step the week before and I already knew it. My mother wisely brought me back to the very next class, and I've been dancing ever since.

When did you know you wanted to dance professionally?

I always just assumed that I would dance and/or be involved in the theatre all my life. It was never a decision - like being right-handed. Everyone in my family is an artist of one kind or the other. It was just the way it was. I have never had a non-theatre or non-dance job, except six weeks at Starbucks to try to get health insurance. It was the worst!

What is the favorite piece you have performed? Why?

Can't tell you. You get invested in everything you do. But, if I had to pick it would probably be a musical theatre piece where you sing and dance. That is glorious! Perhaps something from 42nd Street.

Who are your biggest influences as a teacher?

There are several teachers, and all for different reasons. My first dance teachers in St. Louis: Virginia Dorothy, Audrey Campbell and Cleo Clark (who gave me the basics and taught me the art of performance); from high school: Ruth Burgett (who instilled in me a love of the arts and how music, art, and theatre affect our culture), James Paul (who made me love theatre even more) and Joe Schulte (for unrelenting professional expectations on me as both performer and choreographer); from college: Michael Simms (for his dance training and teaching opportunities), and all my Webster College Conservatory of Theatre Arts teaching artists (for amazing professional theatre training); and from Chicago: Lou Conte (for his genius).

What do you love most about teaching?

I love trying to put together everything I got from my amazing teachers and passing on their legacies.

Can you share a time you struggled and triumphed?

I think my biggest struggle has been hanging on to my standards and ethics. In the current climate, one fights again both the pampered child (who never hears "no" at home), and the "Dance Moms" phenomenon. Your foot is either pointed or it's not, and you can't compare apples to oranges. It's pretty much that simple. I have trained wonderful, talented, successful dancers and performers by sticking to my guns. Out of respect for my art, and my treasured colleagues and teachers, I do not intend to change. I cannot change. This is not my job. This is my life.

How has being a parent affected your teaching?

I teach the way I wanted someone to teach my own children - with discipline and with high expectations. If you have no expectations, your students cannot live up to them.

What classes are you teaching this year?

I am teaching Ballet A and B, and Jazz A at Hubbard Street’s Youth Dance Program, and Adult Tap at Ruth Page.

Do you have a favorite dance style?

If I had to pick, it would probably be Broadway Tap.

Do you still take class?

I do!

What advice do you have for this generation of dancers?

Do not fall into the current trend of competition dance or the quick fix. You don't want to be a dancer, you want to be an artist. This takes time in class, focus, devotion, persistence, discipline and passion. There is no short cut - and it's worth every minute of the time and work it takes.

Want to learn more about our teachers?

Visit our website for faculty profiles and a complete schedule of our Fall Session classes!

Meet Your Teacher: Tracy Vonder Haar

Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/HSDCYouthDanceProgram to stay up to date on everything happening in the Hubbard Street's Youth Dance Program!