Highland Park, Illinois, a vibrant North Shore suburb of Chicago, offers dedicated young dancers access to quality ballet training—both within the community and through convenient connections to the city's renowned dance institutions. Whether families seek foundational instruction for young children or intensive pre-professional preparation, the Highland Park area provides diverse pathways for students to develop technique, artistry, and a lifelong appreciation for dance.
Highland Park-Based Training: Building Foundations Close to Home
Dance Academy of Highland Park
Established as a cornerstone of the local arts community, the Dance Academy of Highland Park delivers comprehensive ballet instruction for students from their first steps through advanced training. The studio's structured curriculum begins with creative movement and beginning ballet for ages 3–6, progressing through graded technique classes to Level 8 for committed students.
The academy's pre-professional track demands 12+ hours weekly of training and includes performance opportunities in an annual Nutcracker production and spring recitals. Faculty members bring credentials from major dance institutions, including former dancers from American Ballet Theatre and regional companies. The school emphasizes both technical precision and artistic expression, with small class sizes ensuring individualized attention.
Location: Downtown Highland Park
Programs: Ages 3–adult; recreational and pre-professional tracks
Performance Opportunities: Annual Nutcracker, spring showcase, community events
Highland Park Dance Company
For students drawn to performance and collaboration, Highland Park Dance Company operates as a youth-focused ensemble emphasizing ballet alongside contemporary and jazz styles. While not exclusively a ballet school, the company provides valuable stage experience and requires solid classical technique as a foundation. Students participate in multiple productions annually and represent Highland Park at regional dance competitions and festivals.
The company's model suits dancers who want performance-focused training without committing to a full pre-professional conservatory schedule. Rehearsals emphasize ensemble work, musicality, and the collaborative skills essential for any dance career.
Nearby Excellence: North Shore and Evanston Options
North Shore School of Dance (Winnetka)
Just minutes from Highland Park, North Shore School of Dance has earned recognition throughout the Chicago metropolitan area for its rigorous ballet program and successful alumni placements. Founded in 1978, the school offers a structured Vaganova-based curriculum with supplementary training in pointe, variations, and pas de deux.
The school's pre-professional division requires minimum training hours that increase by level, with Level 5+ students dancing 15+ hours weekly. Notable alumni have secured contracts with professional companies including Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and national touring productions. The school's proximity to Highland Park—approximately 10 minutes by car—makes it accessible for families seeking intensive training without daily commutes to downtown Chicago.
Standout Features:
- Annual audition for summer intensive programs at major national academies
- Master classes with visiting artists from New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and other leading companies
- Dedicated boys' scholarship program addressing the unique needs of male ballet training
Extensions Dance Company (Evanston)
For dancers ready to commit to professional-track preparation, Extensions Dance Company in nearby Evanston offers one of the most selective pre-professional programs in the region. Acceptance requires audition, with students training 20+ hours weekly in technique, pointe, variations, modern, and conditioning.
The company maintains partnerships with collegiate dance programs and professional companies, facilitating student transitions to conservatory and university training. Extensions dancers regularly place in prestigious summer intensives including School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Boston Ballet.
Accessing Chicago's World-Class Institutions
Highland Park's location 25 miles north of downtown Chicago provides families with strategic access to several of the nation's most respected dance organizations—without requiring city residency.
The Joffrey Academy of Dance
The official training division of Joffrey Ballet operates from Joffrey Tower in Chicago's Loop, approximately 35–45 minutes from Highland Park via Metra or car. The Academy offers a tiered program from Children's Division (ages 2–7) through the Pre-Professional Program, which trains students for direct entry into professional companies.
Highland Park families frequently utilize weekend intensive options and the Academy's summer programs, which provide concentrated training without daily commuting. The Academy's connection to a major professional company offers unmatched performance opportunities, including participation in Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker productions.
Practical Considerations for Highland Park Families:
- Metra Union Pacific North line connects Highland Park to Ogilvie Transportation Center, within walking distance of Joffrey Tower
- Weekend intensive programs reduce weekday travel demands
- Summer intensive auditions held annually in Chicago
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
While Hubbard Street Dance Chicago no longer operates the Lou Conte Dance Studio as a separate entity, the organization maintains extensive youth and adult programming through its Education and Community Programs. The Lou Conte legacy continues through Hubbard Street's Summer Intensive
