From the polished studios of Manhattan to the dedicated programs of Nassau County, young dancers from Hicksville, NY, have access to some of the finest ballet training in the world. Whether commuting via the Long Island Rail Road or studying closer to home, aspiring artists from this Long Island hamlet are building the foundation for professional careers.
World-Class Training Within Reach
Hicksville's strategic location—approximately 30 miles from Manhattan—places world-renowned ballet institutions within commuting distance for serious pre-professional students. The Long Island Rail Road's Hicksville station offers direct access to Penn Station, making same-day round trips feasible for dedicated dancers.
The School of American Ballet (Lincoln Center, Manhattan)
Founded in 1934 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, the School of American Ballet serves as the official training school of New York City Ballet. While not located in Hicksville, SAB draws committed students from across Long Island who make the weekly journey to study the distinctive Balanchine technique.
The school's pre-professional division accepts students ages 8–18 through a rigorous audition process. Notable SAB alumni with Long Island roots include dancers who have joined New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. The school's emphasis on speed, musicality, and expansive movement vocabulary distinguishes its graduates in the competitive audition circuit.
The Joffrey Ballet School (Greenwich Village, Manhattan)
With its main campus in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, the Joffrey Ballet School offers comprehensive training that integrates classical ballet with contemporary and jazz disciplines. This cross-training approach appeals to dancers seeking versatility in today's diverse dance economy.
Joffrey's year-round pre-professional program and renowned summer intensives attract Hicksville-area students. The school's alumni network spans Broadway, commercial dance, and classical companies including Joffrey Ballet, Houston Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. For Long Island families, Joffrey's flexible scheduling and housing assistance for out-of-area students reduce logistical barriers.
American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School (890 Broadway, Manhattan)
ABT's official training school implements the company's National Training Curriculum, a comprehensive system developed by artistic director Kevin McKenzie and a team of medical and dance professionals. The JKO School's graded syllabus emphasizes healthy technique development alongside artistic expression.
The school's pre-professional division and summer intensives serve as direct pipelines to ABT's Studio Company and eventually its main company. Recent JKO graduates have secured contracts with ABT, Boston Ballet, and National Ballet of Canada. For Hicksville dancers, the school's structured curriculum provides clear benchmarks for progress through the pre-professional years.
Ballet Training on Long Island
Families seeking quality instruction without Manhattan commutes have established options in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Eglevsky Ballet (Bethpage/Massapequa)
Located approximately 15 minutes from Hicksville, Eglevsky Ballet stands as Long Island's premier pre-professional ballet company and school. Founded in 1959 and named for former American Ballet Theatre principal André Eglevsky, the organization maintains direct connections to major companies.
Artistic Director Maurice Brandon Curry, a former Dance Theatre of Harlem principal, leads a faculty of working professionals. The school's pre-professional division prepares students for company apprenticeships and university dance programs. Recent Eglevsky trainees have joined Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and earned places at Juilliard and Indiana University.
The company's annual production of The Nutcracker at Hofstra University's John Cranford Adams Playhouse provides students with professional performance experience alongside guest artists from major companies.
Ballet Long Island (Ronkonkoma)
Founded in 1985, Ballet Long Island offers professional-level training and performance opportunities for eastern Nassau and Suffolk county residents. The company's repertoire includes full-length classical productions and contemporary works, with students participating in multiple annual performances.
Community and Pre-Professional Studios
Several Hicksville-area studios offer strong foundational training for young dancers:
- Hicksville Dance Studio: Established ballet curriculum for recreational through pre-competitive students
- Plaza Theatricals (Rockville Centre): Musical theater and dance training with ballet fundamentals
- Local YMCA programs: Accessible introductory classes for early exposure
Rising Stars: Hicksville-Area Success Stories
The combination of local foundation training and Manhattan-level instruction has produced measurable results for Hicksville-area dancers:
Megan Fairchild (Manhasset, adjacent to Hicksville): New York City Ballet principal who trained at SAB, demonstrating the trajectory available to committed Long Island students.
Tyler Maloney (Long Island native): American Ballet Theatre corps de ballet member who trained at JKO School after early study on Long Island.
Current Pipeline: Eglevsky Ballet's 2023–24 pre-professional class includes three Hicksville residents who have secured summer intensive placements at School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Houston Ballet—positions that historically precede company contracts.
Choosing the Right Path
For Hicksville families
