Twenty miles west of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, Lombard occupies a unique position in Illinois's dance landscape. While the suburb itself maintains a modest footprint of local studios, its proximity to the Metra train line and major expressways places world-class ballet training within practical reach for dedicated students. This guide separates fact from fiction, mapping the genuine elite training options available to Lombard-area dancers—whether they seek rigorous pre-professional programs or enriching adult classes.
Understanding Your Geographic Options
Before exploring specific institutions, it's worth clarifying the regional dance ecosystem. Lombard proper hosts several reputable community studios suitable for recreational and early competitive training. However, dancers seeking professional-track instruction, company-affiliated programs, or training under master teachers with international credentials will need to travel east to Chicago or north to suburban Evanston and Winnetka.
The commute is substantial but manageable: Lombard's Metra station connects to Union Station in approximately 35 minutes, from which downtown studios are accessible via bus, L train, or brief walks. Many pre-professional students and their families make this journey daily during the academic year.
Tier 1: Professional Company–Affiliated Programs
The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet
Location: Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph Street, Chicago (Loop)
Distance from Lombard: ~22 miles / 35–50 minutes by car; Metra + walk feasible
The Joffrey Academy represents the gold standard for Chicago-area dancers pursuing professional careers. As the official training school of The Joffrey Ballet, it operates the only pre-professional program in the Midwest directly tied to a major American ballet company.
Program Structure:
- Pre-Professional Division: Ages 8–19, with progressive levels culminating in the Trainee Program (ages 17–20). Admission is by annual audition.
- Technique Focus: Balanchine method with substantial contemporary and modern cross-training—reflecting the Joffrey company's eclectic repertory.
- Performance Opportunities: Trainees perform annually with the professional company in The Nutcracker and may be cast in select mainstage productions.
Adult Programming: Open classes run six days weekly, with multi-level ballet, pointe, and partnering. Drop-in rates and class cards accommodate working professionals.
The Academy's faculty includes former dancers from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the Joffrey company itself. Notable alumni have secured contracts with Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Houston Ballet.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (Lou Conte Dance Studio)
Location: 1147 W. Jackson Boulevard, Chicago (Near West Side)
Distance from Lombard: ~20 miles / 30–45 minutes by car
Though often misattributed to Alvin Ailey (which maintains no Chicago presence), the Lou Conte Dance Studio serves as the official training center for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago—one of America's foremost contemporary ballet and modern companies.
Distinctive Characteristics:
- Contemporary Ballet Emphasis: Unlike classical academies, training here prioritizes grounded, athletic movement, improvisation, and repertory drawn from Hubbard Street's international choreographic network.
- Professional Studies Program: A post-secondary, non-degree track for dancers aged 18–24, offering intensive training, performance opportunities, and career mentorship.
- Youth Programs: Progressive levels for ages 18 months through 18, with pre-professional tracks requiring multiple weekly commitments.
The studio's namesake, Lou Conte, founded Hubbard Street in 1977; his pedagogical legacy emphasizes versatility and artistic individuality. Adult dancers particularly value the studio's sophisticated contemporary repertory classes, rare outside major coastal cities.
Tier 2: Degree-Conferring Institutions with Pre-Professional Training
The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago
Location: 1306 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago (South Loop)
Distance from Lombard: ~23 miles / 40–55 minutes by car; Green Line L train accessible from downtown
Columbia College Chicago's Dance Center offers a rare hybrid: conservatory-level training within a liberal arts degree framework. This structure suits dancers seeking professional preparation without the all-or-nothing pressure of company-affiliated programs.
Academic and Artistic Structure:
- BFA in Dance: A four-year degree integrating technique, choreography, dance studies, and professional preparation. Students graduate with academic credentials and performance portfolios.
- Repertory Focus: Contemporary ballet and modern dance predominate, with regular commissions from established choreographers and student thesis productions.
- Visiting Artist Program: Recent residencies have included Kyle Abraham, Crystal Pite, and members of Batsheva Dance Company.
The Dance Center's facilities include six studios, a 280-seat theater, and dedicated dance libraries. While not a pre-professional academy in the traditional
