Compassionate Representation for a Brighter Future
Welcome to Ballet Academy in Lincoln Park, a unique dance school for children that has been inspiring a love of dance since 1998. Our goal is to provide unmatched excellence in dance education at all ability, interest, and age levels, from "Small Steps" through the Vaganova curriculum of dance education to our teen/adult classes. We believe that dance is a universe of the imagination, a place of magic and enchantment, beauty and romance. It is our mission to build confidence, coordination, posture, memory, concentration, and an appreciation for art and music in our students. We take great pride in watching our dancers grow with higher achievement and helping them feel more confident about themselves.
At Ballet Academy in Lincoln Park, we strive to create an environment that develops and fosters the natural and creative potential of a child, from awakening an interest in the art of dance to gaining professional skills. Our dance lessons and performances facilitate developing very important characters in a child, including hard work, discipline, the pursuit of perfection, responsibility, and teamwork. We believe that behind every dancer who believes in themselves is a teacher who believed in them first.
Our artistic director, Vera Zhukova, trained and received her diploma in the pedagogy of ballet and character dance from the prestigious State Academy of Art and Culture in Chelyabinsk, Russia. She was a principal dancer with the State Ural Folk Choir and Dance Ensemble from 1975 to 1981, performing in several countries around the world. She was the artistic director of the Municipal Children's Dance Theater in Yekaterinburg, Russia, for thirteen years. Under her direction, students of the dance theater successfully participated in competitions in the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Turkey, and Finland. She received the Russian Federation's honorable dance teacher award in the year 2000.
Vera's former students have pursued dance careers, either as professional performers or dance instructors. She is also the author of a book on dance teaching methods, which has been well received by dance instructors in her native Russia. Prior to founding Ballet Academy in Lincoln Park, Vera was the artistic director of the Dmitri Roudnev Ballet School of Chicago, where she also taught ballet and character dance. She is currently an instructor at Salt Creek Ballet, located in Westmont, Illinois. Her ballet teaching is based on the Vaganova syllabus, which has proven to be highly successful with young children. She thoroughly enjoys working with children and loves sharing her knowledge of dance theater with them. She strives to help her students achieve their full dance potential.
Our instructors, Janell Huckstadt and Yevgeniya Zhukova, share Vera's passion for dance and commitment to excellence in dance education. Janell received her degree in dance from Columbia College Chicago in 2014, with a focus on choreography. She has choreographed and performed with such groups as The Coincidentals and Southern Illinois Dance Company. She loves teaching young dancers and has a special interest in the use of dance as a healing practice.
Yevgeniya, known to her students as Miss Yevi, started her dance career at the age of four years old with a Municipal Dance Theater in Yekaterinburg, Russia. By the age of fourteen, Yevgeniya has participated in many dance festivals and competitions in Russia as well as many other countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. When Yevgeniya traveled to the USA, she started taking classes with Salt Creek Ballet and joined the dance troupe at her high school. With her high school dance troupe, Yevgeniya participated in many state and national competitions. Currently, Yevgeniya is completing her business degree from DePaul University and continuing to share her love of dance with her students.
Overview of Ballet Academy Lincoln Park
Positive Experience with Adult Classes
The adult ballet classes at Ballet Academy Lincoln Park have received high praise from one reviewer, who has been attending classes for 6-7 months. The classes are described as accommodating and encouraging, with a teacher who takes the time to make corrections and adjustments for each student. The pace of the class is well-balanced, starting slow and building up to more challenging movements.
Small Class Sizes and Varying Experience Levels
The adult classes are small, with students of varying experience levels, including former dancers and complete beginners. This inclusive environment allows everyone to feel comfortable and supported as they learn and improve.
Fun and Challenging Classes
The classes are described as fun and challenging, with a focus on proper technique and execution. The reviewer highly recommends the classes to anyone considering trying out ballet or looking to get back into it.
Success with Children's Classes
Another reviewer has praised the children's classes at Ballet Academy Lincoln Park, stating that their girls have made significant progress and developed their skills over the years.
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