Highland Park, Illinois, located on Chicago's North Shore, offers surprising depth for ballet training—from recreational classes for young children to pre-professional programs feeding into national companies. Whether you're seeking your child's first pair of ballet slippers or intensive summer intensives, this guide examines the actual training options available in and around Highland Park, with the specific details parents and students need to make informed decisions.
Understanding Your Options: Three Categories of Training
Before exploring specific institutions, it's worth understanding how ballet training in this region typically breaks down:
- Recreational studios offering ballet among multiple dance genres
- Pre-professional programs with structured syllabi and performance requirements
- Regional conservatories within commuting distance for serious aspirants
Most families in Highland Park will find suitable options within a 20-minute drive, though the most rigorous training may require travel to Chicago or Evanston.
Verified Training Options in and Near Highland Park
Dance Center of Highland Park
Founded: 1992
Location: 1927 Sheridan Road, Highland Park
Contact: (847) 432-2060 | dancecenterhp.com
The Dance Center of Highland Park stands as one of the few dance institutions actually located within city limits. Unlike single-genre conservatories, DCHP offers ballet within a comprehensive curriculum that includes jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop.
Programs: Pre-ballet (ages 3–4) through advanced teen classes, plus adult beginner through intermediate levels. The school follows a graded syllabus with annual evaluations.
Distinctive features: Accessibility and community integration define this studio. All students participate in the annual spring showcase at the Highland Park Community House, regardless of technical level. The school also offers adaptive dance classes for students with disabilities—a rarity in suburban Chicago studios.
Faculty credentials: Director Cathy Schmidt holds a BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois and performed with the Chicago-based Jump Rhythm Jazz Project. Ballet faculty typically hold certifications from major syllabi (RAD, ABT, or Vaganova-derived programs).
Tuition: Monthly tuition ranges from $75–$220 depending on weekly class hours; sibling discounts available.
Extensions Dance Center (Highwood)
Founded: 2010
Location: 400 Linden Avenue, Highwood (adjacent to Highland Park)
Contact: (847) 579-0015 | extensionsdance.com
Located just east of Highland Park's city limits, Extensions Dance Center has established itself as a serious training ground for aspiring professionals while maintaining recreational tracks.
Programs: Early childhood creative movement through Level 8 pre-professional training. The conservatory track requires minimum 6+ weekly hours by Level 5, with pointe work beginning after age 11 with physician clearance.
Distinctive features: Extensions maintains partnerships with several Chicago professional companies, facilitating student attendance at dress rehearsals and master classes. The school's Youth Company performs two full productions annually at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, with repertoire ranging from Nutcracker excerpts to contemporary commissions.
Notable alumni: Several graduates have continued to traineeships with Joffrey Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet; one former student currently dances with Cincinnati Ballet's second company.
Tuition: Conservatory track runs $3,800–$5,200 annually; recreational classes available à la carte at $22–$28 per class.
Barrington Dance Academy (Barrington)
Founded: 1986
Location: 758 W. Northwest Highway, Barrington (25 minutes northwest)
Contact: (847) 382-6333 | barringtondance.com
For Highland Park families willing to drive northwest, Barrington Dance Academy offers one of the region's most established pre-professional programs.
Programs: Comprehensive Vaganova-based syllabus with Russian-language terminology instruction. The academy divides students into Children's Division (ages 3–8), Student Division (ages 8–16), and Pre-Professional Division (by audition).
Distinctive features: BDA's International Exchange Program brings guest teachers from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy and Vaganova Academy every two years. The school's annual Spring Gala at the Barrington High School auditorium features full-scale productions with live orchestra.
Faculty: Artistic Director Svetlana Gavrilova trained at the Perm State Choreographic College and performed with the Moscow Classical Ballet before defecting in 1991. Additional faculty include former dancers from National Ballet of Canada and San Francisco Ballet.
Admission: Pre-Professional Division requires annual audition; younger students may enter through placement class.
Evanston Dance Ensemble / Dance Center Evanston (Evanston)
Founded: 199
