Ballet demands exceptional training, and for dancers in Illinois seeking pre-professional preparation, the path often leads beyond state lines. While the Prairie State offers strong regional programs—notably the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of the Joffrey Ballet—aspiring professionals frequently relocate to institutions with direct ties to major ballet companies. This guide examines five prestigious training destinations that draw Illinois students, clarifying their actual locations and distinctive offerings.
Understanding the Pre-Professional Landscape
Pre-professional ballet training typically begins between ages 11 and 14, with students dedicating 20–30 hours weekly to technique, pointe work, partnering, and performance preparation. For Illinois families, this commitment often involves evaluating boarding options, summer intensive programs, and eventual relocation. The institutions below represent the pinnacle of American ballet training, though none maintain primary campuses in Burbank, California—a common misconception requiring correction.
East Coast Institutions
1. School of American Ballet (New York City)
The School of American Ballet stands as the official school of New York City Ballet and the guardian of the Balanchine aesthetic. Founded by choreographer George Balanchine and philanthropist Lincoln Kirstein in 1934, SAB occupies the Samuel B. and David Rose Building at Lincoln Center—approximately 2,800 miles from Burbank.
What distinguishes SAB:
- Exclusive focus on the Balanchine technique: speed, precision, épaulement, and musical phrasing
- Direct pipeline to New York City Ballet; advanced students perform in NYCB's Nutcracker and other productions
- Highly selective admission via national audition tour, including Chicago stops
- No tuition for final-year students, though earlier divisions require significant investment
For Illinois dancers: SAB's winter term runs concurrent with academic schooling, necessitating either professional children's school enrollment or online education. The school offers limited boarding; most students reside with families in the metropolitan area.
2. Joffrey Ballet School (New York City)
Separate from Chicago's Joffrey Academy, the Joffrey Ballet School in Greenwich Village preserves the democratic, athletically bold vision of founder Robert Joffrey. Established in 1953, the school emphasizes versatility across classical and contemporary repertoire.
Program highlights:
- Year-round pre-professional division plus extensive summer programming
- Training in classical ballet, jazz, modern, and character dance under one roof
- Performance opportunities in NYC venues including the Peter Jay Sharp Theater
Note for Illinois readers: Do not confuse this with the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of the Joffrey Ballet, located in Chicago's Joffrey Tower. The Chicago academy offers equivalent pre-professional training without requiring relocation.
West Coast Institutions
3. American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School (Costa Mesa, California)
Located in Orange County—approximately 45 miles southeast of Burbank—the ABT Gillespie School implements American Ballet Theatre's National Training Curriculum, a comprehensive system developed by artistic director Kevin McKenzie and a panel of medical and dance professionals.
Key features:
- ABT-certified teachers trained in the eight-level curriculum emphasizing safe progression
- Direct connection to ABT's National Summer Intensive and Project Plié diversity initiative
- Performance opportunities with ABT performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Practical considerations: The Gillespie School serves Southern California's robust dance community. Illinois students typically access ABT training through the company's Chicago summer intensive or the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in New York.
4. The Colburn School (Downtown Los Angeles)
Situated in Los Angeles's Bunker Hill neighborhood, The Colburn School offers one of America's most generous pre-professional dance programs. The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute, established in 2010, provides comprehensive training entirely tuition-free.
Exceptional aspects:
- Full scholarships covering tuition, housing, and academic schooling for accepted residential students
- Faculty drawn from major companies including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Los Angeles Ballet
- Performance in the 1,000-seat Zipper Concert Hall and collaboration with Colburn's renowned music conservatory
Geographic clarification: Colburn's campus sits in downtown Los Angeles, not Burbank. The school's residential program specifically accommodates out-of-state students, making it viable for Illinois dancers seeking West Coast training without the financial burden typical of pre-professional programs.
5. Los Angeles Ballet Academy (Multiple Los Angeles Locations)
LABA operates studios across the Los Angeles metropolitan area, including North Hollywood and Pasadena—communities adjacent to Burbank. Founded by former American Ballet Theatre dancer Jennifer Backhaus, the academy emphasizes technical foundation supplemented by contemporary and commercial dance training.
Program structure:
- Classical ballet syllabus progressing through pre-professional levels
- Additional training in contemporary, jazz, modern
