* YAGP Outstanding School Award

⋆ YAGP Outstanding Teacher Award *

YAGP Grand Prix Award

* YAGP Outstanding School Award ⋆ YAGP Outstanding Teacher Award * YAGP Grand Prix Award

Information

  • Auditions

    Admission to ICB programs is exclusively through audition and acceptance, except for students presently enrolled in The Illinois Classical Ballet's academic year.

    Dancers aged 10 to 16 can audition for inclusion in either the ICB Pre-professional or ICB Intensive program.

    To initiate the audition process, kindly visit the Audition Request link and complete the Audition Request Form.

  • School Year

    The academic year is divided into two sessions:

    The initial session commences in mid-August and concludes on December 31 each year.

    The subsequent session starts on January 1 of the following year and concludes in mid-June.

  • Pre-professional

    This program is designed for those interested in entering college/university performing arts programs or pursuing a career as a ballet dancer in the professional dance world.

    The program focuses on refining technique with precision, enhancing strength, and fostering artistic expression. Each student receives individualized instruction, drawing from our teachers' extensive professional performing careers and solid pedagogical backgrounds.

  • Summer Intensive

    Our Summer Intensive program is specifically tailored for advanced and pre-professional dancers to facilitate individual growth in ballet training.

    With a strong emphasis on refining technique, enhancing strength, and cultivating artistry, the program is structured to elevate participants' ballet skills to the next level.

  • Competitions

    Ballet competitions extend beyond mere victories or defeats; they offer valuable personal and artistic development lessons. Participating in competitions imparts qualities of character and resilience, teaching to preserve in the face of challenges.

    If you have the courage to compete and give your all on the stage, success will follow you wherever your journey takes you.

    We view competition not as the ultimate goal but rather as an extension of training—an opportunity for performance and growth. Illinois Classical Ballet actively encourages students to take part in ballet competitions such as YAGP, IBC, UBC, WBC, and others.

  • Additionally we can offer:

    We are pleased to offer:

    • Small-sized classes

    • Individualized instructions for each student

    • Master Classes featuring internationally acclaimed ballet teachers

    • Workshops with world-renowned choreographers

    • Opportunities for private lessons, audition preparation, and competition coaching

    • Assistance with career planning.

Classes

  • Ballet

    The Ballet Class is the cornerstone of a dancer's training, establishing a foundation for excellence in ballet. The main focus is alignment, posture, coordination, and musicality, employing the time-tested barre and center work structure.

    Guided by the principles of the Vaganova method, students undergo an immersive and rigorous classical ballet education. This comprehensive approach equips them with the essential skills required to embark on a professional career in ballet.

  • Pointe

    In the Pointe class, tailored for students with prior ballet training, participants apply previously acquired ballet techniques while wearing Pointe shoes. The class structure encompasses barre exercises, center-floor work, and across-the-floor combinations. These exercises specifically target and enhance the strength of the feet and ankles, a critical aspect for dancers looking to master the intricacies of pointe work.

  • Variations

    Built upon a strong technical foundation, students explore variations from the classical repertoire, specifically emphasizing enhancing strength, stamina, endurance, and overall performance quality. This class serves as a valuable opportunity for students to refine their technique and apply it effectively in performances while developing stage presence.

  • Repertoire

    In the Repertoire class, students are introduced to various excerpts from the classical ballet repertoire. As an excellent preparatory experience, this class offers comprehensive training in executing large sections of ballet performed as a group. An advantage for pre-professional ballet dancers is the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the storylines, characters, and choreography that may become integral parts of their future professional performances.

  • Character Dance

    The Character Dance class is a valuable supplement to classical ballet training, providing students with a broader range of expression and diversity. This extension allows for enhanced growth and development, enriching the overall artistic experience for dancers.

  • Jumps, Turns & Progressions

    Jumps, Turns & Progressions is a class dedicated to movement combinations designed for floor travel.

    Each sequence strongly emphasizes refining techniques related to leaps, jumps, and turns while integrating fundamental techniques like direction change, weight adjustment, level change, and use of space.

    This class is exclusively focused on refining technical skills without incorporating choreography.

  • Stretching & Conditioning

    Strength and flexibility are crucial for executing movements comfortably and gracefully in any dance discipline.

    Our program is designed to enhance muscle development, boost flexibility, and establish a foundation beneficial for mastering the intricacies of both ballet and contemporary dance, allowing for a seamless and graceful expression of movement.

  • Floor Barre

    Floor Barre offers a distinct and focused lesson dedicated to intensive training. Emphasizing strengthening back muscles, promoting good posture, and enhancing flexibility, the class significantly reduces the risk of injury by conducting exercises on the floor. The body moves through patterns commonly found in ballet but in a gravity-reduced environment. This unique approach allows one to correct bad habits and better understand fundamental movement principles.

  • Personal Lesson

    Providing personalized instruction directly to students can effectively address their unique requirements. Whether they struggle with pirouettes or require additional support grasping class concepts, individualized attention can make a significant difference. Advanced dancers may benefit from tailored guidance to maintain their momentum and continuously progress. It's essential to customize private lessons based on factors such as the student's age, skill level, and specific objectives.