Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, is located in the Exelon Education Center at Joffrey Tower in Chicago, Illinois and is the only training program owned, operated or endorsed by The Joffrey Ballet. The Joffrey Ballet is not affiliated with any other Joffrey dance training or school program. For more information, please contact The Joffrey Ballet at 312.784.4600.
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About the Academy
Welcome to the Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet. Ashley C. Wheater, Artistic Director, continues Robert Joffrey's and Gerald Arpino's standard of excellence in dance education and performance. The eminent staff and faculty emphasize the highest caliber of Classical Ballet training and other various dance disciplines. Whether the student has professional aspirations and is preparing for the professional dance world, or is looking to experience the magic and joy of dance for the first time, the Academy of Dance has a class for you!
Summer Session
Summer Session class schedules are posted in the Children's, Youth and Adult Open Divisions
Children's and Youth Division:
Classes will be held from June 14 - August 22
Priority Registration begins Monday, May 24, 2010 (for returning students)
Open Registration begins Monday, May 31, 2010
Adult Open Division:
Classes will be held from June 7 - September 5
YAGP Results
Regionals: The Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the world's largest international student dance competition, held its Regional Semi-Finals in Chicago from February 5-7, 2010. Several workshops were held at Joffrey Tower and seven Academy students participated in the competition at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.
The Academy of Dance is proud to announce the eight awards that were presented to the school and students, including being named as the 2010 Outstanding School.
Houston Thomas - First Place, Classical Category, Juniors Julia Turner - Third Place, Classical Category, Juniors Isabella LaFreniere - First Place, Contemporary Category, Juniors Leah Christianson - Second Place, Contemporary Category, Juniors Sarah Chun - Second Place, Classical Category, Seniors Michael Sayre - Second Place, Classical Category, Seniors Michael Sayre - Third Place, Contemporary Category, Seniors
Isabella, Leah, Julia and Houston will be competing in the Finals in New York this March.
Finals:
Leah Christianson won First Prize in the Junior Division and was invited to participate in the Gala, Stars of Today meet the Stars of Tomorrow, and danced with professionals from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Kirov Ballet and Staatsoper Berlin
Isabella LaFreniere placed in the Top 12 women in the Junior Division
Houston Thomas placed in the Top 12 men in the Junior Division
Alexei Kremnev represented the Academy on the panel of international judges
The Academy of Dance is honored to have received so many awards and congratulates all participating students!