Round Lake Beach, a village of 18,000 in Lake County, Illinois, sits 45 miles north of Chicago's thriving dance scene. While no pre-professional ballet conservatory operates within village limits, several respected studios serve serious students within a 20-minute drive—plus Chicago's major academies remain accessible for weekend training.
This guide separates myth from reality, identifying legitimate training options for dancers at every level, from recreational beginners to aspiring professionals.
Local Studios Within 15 Minutes
Dance Academy of Libertyville
Founded: 1997
Location: 742 E Park Avenue, Libertyville, IL (12 miles southeast)
Contact: (847) 367-7970 | danceacademylibertyville.com
The Dance Academy of Libertyville offers the most comprehensive ballet programming near Round Lake Beach. Under the direction of former Joffrey Ballet dancer Anna Reznik, the academy maintains a pre-professional track alongside its recreational classes.
Distinctive features:
- Annual "Nutcracker" production with guest artists from Chicago companies
- Partnership with the Joffrey Academy for quarterly master classes
- Alumni accepted to programs at Indiana University, Butler University, and Milwaukee Ballet II
The academy divides students by both age and ability, with pointe work beginning at age 11 following physical screening. Adult ballet classes run six days per week.
Lake Forest Dance Academy
Founded: 1985
Location: 1037 N Western Avenue, Lake Forest, IL (15 miles east)
Contact: (847) 234-1454 | lakeforestdanceacademy.com
Operating from a converted 1920s carriage house, this boutique studio emphasizes small class sizes (maximum 12 students) and individualized attention. Artistic director Margaret Furlong trained at the Royal Ballet School and performed with London Festival Ballet before relocating to the Midwest.
Program highlights:
- Vaganova-based syllabus with annual examinations
- Summer intensive featuring guest faculty from Pacific Northwest Ballet and Houston Ballet
- College preparation counseling for dance majors
The academy produces fewer competition-focused dancers than regional rivals, instead prioritizing classical purity and artistic development. This approach appeals to students targeting university BFA programs rather than immediate company apprenticeships.
Barrington Dance Academy
Founded: 2003
Location: 758 W Northwest Highway, Barrington, IL (14 miles southwest)
Contact: (847) 382-6333 | barringtondanceacademy.com
Barrington Dance Academy serves as the most accessible option for Round Lake Beach residents seeking serious training without crossing into Lake Forest or Libertyville. The facility includes three sprung-floor studios with Marley surfaces and viewing windows.
Notable programming:
- Boys' scholarship program addressing the persistent gender gap in ballet training
- Adaptive dance classes for students with disabilities
- Annual showcase at the Barrington High School auditorium
While less aggressively pre-professional than Libertyville's academy, Barrington's senior company has placed dancers at Oklahoma City University, Point Park University, and several regional companies throughout the Midwest.
Community and Recreational Options
Round Lake Area Park District
Location: 814 Hart Road, Round Lake, IL
Contact: (847) 546-8558 | rlapd.org
For absolute beginners or families prioritizing affordability, the park district offers introductory ballet for ages 3 through adult. Classes follow a recreational model without performance requirements or examination systems. Fall and spring sessions run 10 weeks at approximately $12 per hour—roughly one-third the cost of private studio training.
The park district partners with Libertyville's Dance Academy for annual "bring-a-friend" workshops, creating a pathway for promising students to transition to more intensive study.
Regional Pre-Professional Training (Within 90 Minutes)
Students requiring conservatory-level training must travel to Chicago or its immediate suburbs. These institutions maintain national reputations and direct pipelines to professional companies.
Joffrey Academy of Dance
Location: 10 E Randolph Street, Chicago, IL (45 miles south)
Contact: (312) 784-4600 | joffrey.org/academy
The official training arm of the Joffrey Ballet operates from state-of-the-art facilities in the Loop. Unlike the similarly named Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, this Chicago institution focuses exclusively on pre-professional development.
Key statistics:
- Annual acceptance rate: approximately 8% for full-time trainees
- Alumni employed by: Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, and 40+ regional companies
- Commuter program available for students residing outside Chicago city limits
The academy hosts annual auditions in suburban locations, including occasional sessions in Lake County. Full-time enrollment requires homeschooling or online education to accommodate 30+ weekly training hours.
Ruth Page Center for the Arts
Location: 1016 N
