Ballet Schools in Chicago, are you ready to leap into the world of dance? Chicago is a city that celebrates culture and art, and what better way to embrace it than by enrolling in one of the many exceptional ballet schools it has to offer?
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Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned dancer, Chicago’s ballet schools cater to all levels and ages, providing top-notch training that will transform you into a graceful and confident performer.
The List of Ballet Schools in Chicago
From classical to contemporary styles, these schools offer a diverse range of classes taught by experienced and passionate instructors.
So, lace up your ballet shoes and get ready to pirouette your way into the spotlight with Ballet Schools in Chicago!
Joffrey Ballet School Chicago
The Joffrey Ballet School Chicago is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in Chicago, named after the late Robert Joffrey. It was founded in 1991 as a satellite campus of the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City.
The school offers programs for students of all ages and levels, from beginners to pre-professional dancers.
The faculty is comprised of experienced dancers, choreographers, and educators, including former Joffrey Ballet company members.
The school has produced several famous alumni, such as Ashley Wheater, the artistic director of the Joffrey Ballet, and Fabrice Calmels, the first Black principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet. Find more information here.
Chicago Academy for the Arts
The Chicago Academy for the Arts is a non-profit high school for the arts, located in downtown Chicago. It was founded in 1981 as a school for talented young artists, including dancers.
The school’s dance department is known for its rigorous curriculum, which includes classical ballet, contemporary dance, and jazz.
Many of the school’s alumni have gone on to professional careers in dance, including Misty Copeland, the first Black principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, and Bobby Briscoe, a former soloist with the Joffrey Ballet. Find more information here.
Chicago Ballet Arts
Chicago Ballet Arts is a ballet school located in the North Shore suburb of Skokie, Illinois. The school was founded in 1985 by Maria Terezia Balogh, a former dancer with the Hungarian State Opera Ballet. The school offers classes in classical ballet, pointe, variations, and character dance.
Students can perform in the school’s annual productions, which include The Nutcracker and spring ballets. The school has a strong reputation for producing technically strong dancers who have gone on to study at prestigious ballet schools and dance companies. Find more information here.
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Chicago Ballet Center
The Chicago Ballet Center is a ballet school located in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. It was founded in 2005 by Randy Duncan, a former dancer with the Joffrey Ballet and a Tony Award-winning choreographer. The school offers classes in classical ballet, contemporary dance, and jazz for students of all ages and levels.
The school’s faculty includes experienced dancers and choreographers, such as Luis Perez, a former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet.
The school has received recognition for its commitment to diversity and inclusion in dance education. Find more information here.
Ruth Page Center for the Arts
The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago. It was founded in 1971 by Ruth Page, a renowned ballerina and choreographer.
The center offers a variety of programs, including dance classes for all ages and levels, professional dance performances, and a dance archives and library.
The center is also home to the Ruth Page School of Dance, which offers classes in classical ballet, jazz, and modern dance. The center has been recognized for its contributions to the preservation of dance history and education. Find more information here.
Ballet Chicago
Ballet Chicago was founded in 1987 by Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair, both former principal dancers with the New York City Ballet. The school has a reputation for providing top-notch training in the Balanchine method, which emphasizes speed, precision, and musicality.
Over the years, Ballet Chicago has produced many successful dancers who have gone on to perform with major ballet companies around the world. Notable alumni include Maia Wilkins, a former principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and the Joffrey Ballet, and Dylan Gutierrez, a principal dancer with the Miami City Ballet.
In 2017, Ballet Chicago was recognized as one of the top ballet schools in the country by Pointe magazine.
The school offers a full-time training program, as well as summer intensives and a variety of classes for dancers of all levels. Find more information here.
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Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center
Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center was founded in 1990 by Homer Hans Bryant, a former principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. The school’s mission is to provide a diverse and inclusive environment where dancers of all backgrounds can thrive.
CMDC has gained a reputation for its focus on African American dance styles, including hip-hop, African, and jazz.
The school has also produced many successful dancers who have gone on to perform with major companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Joffrey Ballet.
Notable alumni of CMDC include Jumaane Taylor, a tap dancer and choreographer who has performed with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and M.A.D.D. Rhythms, and Olivia Weil, a former member of the Martha Graham Dance Company. Find more information here.
Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago
The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago was founded in 1974 and is part of Columbia College Chicago, a private arts and media college.
The school offers a wide range of classes in various dance styles, including contemporary, ballet, and hip-hop.
Over the years, the Dance Center has hosted many well-known choreographers and companies, including Twyla Tharp, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
The school has also produced many successful alumni, including Margi Cole, the founder and artistic director of the dance company Dance COLEctive.
In 2014, the Dance Center was awarded a National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama for its contribution to the arts in the United States. Find more information here.
Hyde Park School of Dance
Hyde Park School of Dance was founded in 1993 by August Tye, a former dancer with the Joffrey Ballet. The school provides high-quality dance training to children and adults in the Hyde Park community.
HPDS offers classes in ballet, modern, and jazz, as well as a pre-professional program for serious dancers. The school has produced many successful dancers who have gone on to perform with major companies, including the Joffrey Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre.
Notable alumni of HPDS include Antonio Douthit-Boyd, a former principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and now co-artistic director of Dance St. Louis, and Michael Gross, a former dancer with the Joffrey Ballet and current artistic director of Ballet Austin. Find more information here.
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Visceral Dance Center
Visceral Dance Center was founded in 2007 by Nick Pupillo, a former dancer with River North Dance Chicago. The school is known for its focus on contemporary dance and its commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression in its students.
Visceral Dance Center has produced many successful dancers who have gone on to perform with major companies, including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Alonzo King Lines Ballet. Find more information here.
Lou Conte Dance Studio
The Lou Conte Dance Studio was founded in 1974 by the renowned dancer and choreographer, Lou Conte. The studio is a part of the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago organization and offers a wide range of classes in various dance styles.
The studio has produced many successful dancers and choreographers, including the Tony Award-winning choreographer, Christopher Gattelli. Find more information here.
American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
The American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is a prestigious ballet school that was founded in 2004. The school is in New York City but has a satellite campus in Chicago.
The school has produced many famous ballet dancers, including Misty Copeland, David Hallberg, and Gillian Murphy. Find more information here.
The Joel Hall Dancers & Center
The Joel Hall Dancers & Center is a dance school that was founded in 1974 by Joel Hall. The school is located in Chicago and offers classes in various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance.
Joel Hall, the founder of the school, is a renowned dancer and choreographer who has worked with many famous artists, including Prince and Tina Turner. Find more information here.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is a contemporary dance company that was founded in 1977 by Lou Conte. The company has a professional dance company and a dance school, the Lou Conte Dance Studio.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has performed all over the world and has received many awards and recognitions, including a National Medal of Arts in 2013. Find more information here.
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Extensions Dance Center
Extensions Dance Center is a dance school that was founded in 1998 by Lizzie MacKenzie. The school is in Chicago and offers classes in various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance.
The school has produced many successful dancers and choreographers, including the Emmy Award-winning choreographer, Mia Michaels. Find more information here.
The School of the Lyric Opera of Chicago:
The School of the Lyric Opera of Chicago is a ballet school founded in 1954. It is known for its rigorous training in classical ballet, as well as opera and musical theater. The school is affiliated with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and its students can perform in Lyric Opera productions.
Some famous alumni of the school include Tony Award-winning actor Jesse Mueller and ballet dancer Sarah Lane, who is currently a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre.
The school has also been recognized for its excellence by the National Endowment for the Arts. Find more information here.
Ballet Legere:
Ballet Legere is a nonprofit dance company and school founded in 1981. It specializes in performing story ballets and has gained recognition for its productions of The Nutcracker and Cinderella.
The school also offers classes in ballet, jazz, and tap, among other styles. Some notable alumni of Ballet Legere include Whitney Jensen, who is a principal dancer with Boston Ballet, and David Schultz, who is a principal dancer with BalletMet. Find more information here.
DanceWorks Chicago:
DanceWorks Chicago is a contemporary dance company and school that was established in 2007. The school focuses on training dancers in modern and contemporary dance, and it has gained recognition for its innovative approach to dance education.
Some notable alumni of DanceWorks Chicago include Stephanie Martinez, who is a choreographer and winner of the Princess Grace Award, and Derrick Agnoletti, who is a dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Find more information here.
The School of Ballet Chicago:
The School of Ballet Chicago was founded in 1995 by former New York City Ballet soloist Daniel Duell and former Joffrey Ballet principal dancer Patricia Blair.
The school offers a rigorous curriculum in classical ballet, and it has gained recognition for its emphasis on proper technique and artistic expression.
Some famous alumni of The School of Ballet Chicago include Dylan Gutierrez, who is a principal dancer with Los Angeles Ballet, and Emily Bromberg, who is a soloist with Miami City Ballet. Find more information here.
Giordano Dance Center:
The Giordano Dance Center is a nonprofit dance school that was founded in 1963 by Gus Giordano, who is known as the “Godfather of Jazz Dance.” The school offers classes in jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary dance, among other styles.
It has gained recognition for its innovative approach to jazz dance education and has produced many successful dancers, including Randy Duncan, who is a choreographer and winner of the Ruth Page Award, and Cesar Salinas, who is a dancer with River North Dance Chicago. Find more information here.
