Over the past two decades, Lemont—a southwest suburb of Chicago—has quietly developed a reputation as an unlikely incubator for ballet talent. Dancers with roots in Lemont studios have gone on to train at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, the Joffrey Ballet's pre-professional program, and regional companies across the Midwest. That pipeline is fed by three long-standing institutions, each with a distinct philosophy, faculty background, and training emphasis.
Below is a guide to what sets them apart.
The Dance Center of Lemont: Depth of Tradition
Founded: 1985
Leadership: Co-directed by Maria Kostelis and Elena Vasiliev
Curriculum: Vaganova-based syllabus through Level 8; supplementary modern and jazz
The Dance Center of Lemont is the oldest of the three and arguably the most institutionally rooted. Kostelis, a former soloist with the Lithuanian National Ballet, and Vasiliev, who trained at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, established a program that adheres closely to Russian classical methodology. Students progress through structured levels with standardized examinations, and advanced students receive pointe instruction and pas de deux training.
The school's 6,000-square-foot facility includes three studios with sprung Marley floors—two with grand pianos for live accompaniment in upper-level classes. Performance opportunities center on an annual full-length Nutcracker at the [Lewis University] Phillip Lynch Theatre, along with a spring repertory concert that mixes classical variations with contemporary commissions from Chicago-area choreographers.
Notable alumni include dancers who have joined BalletMet's trainee program and the freelance ensemble Ballet Chicago.
The Lemont Ballet School: Community-Anchored Training
Founded: 1998
Leadership: Artistic director Jennifer Walsh
Curriculum: Cecchetti method; strong recreational and adult tracks
Where the Dance Center leans pre-professional, the Lemont Ballet School—under Jennifer Walsh, a former dancer with Cincinnati Ballet and Cecchetti-certified teacher—has built its reputation on accessibility without sacrificing technical rigor. The Cecchetti syllabus provides a clear, anatomy-conscious progression that has attracted families seeking structured training without the intensity of a conservatory track.
The school runs robust programming for adults, including beginner ballet, pointe prep, and a popular "Ballet for Athletes" cross-training class that draws local runners and figure skaters. Youth students perform in two showcases annually at Lemont's CORE Community Center: a winter concert of short classical works and a spring student choreography project.
Several Lemont Ballet School graduates have gone on to dance at the collegiate level at DePaul University and the University of Iowa, often after starting recreationally in middle or high school.
Academy of Dance Arts: Pre-Professional Intensity
Founded: 2005
Leadership: Founder and director Michael Torres
Curriculum: Balanchine-influenced technique; RAD examinations; competition and YAGP preparation
The youngest of the three, the Academy of Dance Arts, has quickly established itself as the most aggressively pre-professional. Michael Torres, a former dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet and Miami City Ballet, emphasizes speed, musicality, and neoclassical rep. The school incorporates Royal Academy of Dance examinations and actively prepares students for the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) regional semifinals.
Class schedules intensify significantly at the intermediate and advanced levels, with students training 15–20 hours weekly and taking required conditioning and repertoire courses. The Academy stages two major productions: a fall contemporary program and a spring classical showcase, often featuring guest artists from Chicago-area companies.
Alumni have been accepted into the Joffrey Academy of Dance's pre-professional division, the School of American Ballet's summer course, and collegiate BFA programs at Butler University and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.
How to Choose
| Factor | Dance Center of Lemont | Lemont Ballet School | Academy of Dance Arts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Students seeking Vaganova rigor with traditional rep | Students wanting structured training across ages and levels | Students targeting conservatory or company tracks |
| Method | Vaganova | Cecchetti | Balanchine-influenced / RAD |
| Performances | Full-length Nutcracker + spring repertory | Two annual showcases at CORE Center | Contemporary fall + classical spring showcases |
| Notable outcomes | BalletMet trainees, Ballet Chicago | Collegiate dance programs, adult lifelong learners | YAGP finalists, SAB, Joffrey Academy |
None of these schools operates in isolation. Faculty occasionally guest-teach across studios, and students have been known to cross-train—taking fundamentals at one school and intensives or summer programs at another. For families new to ballet, most offer trial classes or observation weeks.
The "right" studio depends less on prestige
