Our Program

Recreational Program

The recreational dance program at VH School of Ballet is perfect for dancers who want to learn, grow, and have fun in a supportive and environment. Classes are offered for ages 3 to adult, for beginners to advanced, in Preballet, Ballet levels A through E, PrePointe & Pointe. Ballet level placement and advancement is based on instructor recommendation only. Students may choose to take as few or as many classes as desired. Supplementary classes are available in Contemporary, Jazz, Character and Classical Variations. The winter/spring session will conclude with a Spring Recital.

Options: Students may choose to audition for Chicago Festival Ballet performances, such as Nutcracker and the Spring Ballet if desired. Students may also choose to enroll in repertoire to participate in the Summer Intensive Performance.

Studio Company

Chicago Festival Ballet’s Studio Company provides advanced students with the training and experience needed to pursue a professional dance career. Studio Company members are selected by audition only, as well as during VH Dance Center’s Summer Intensive Program. Studio Company members expand their repertoire in ballet, pointe, jazz dance, character and contemporary dance. Dancers are featured in Chicago Festival Ballet’s Nutcracker and Spring Ballet performances, alongside professional dancers, and in local community outreach performances. This professional exposure is an indispensable and important part of their training, giving them the opportunity to understudy professional roles, and appear regularly on stage with Chicago Festival Ballet and in Studio Company productions. Studio company dancers' headshots will be featured on our website.

Chicago Festival Ballet’s Senior and Junior Studio Companies are comprised of advanced level ballet dancers in high school and middle school levels who have shown dedication and commitment to the art of ballet. Studio Company dancers have the opportunity to experience performing in a professional company, alongside the professional dancers of Chicago Festival Ballet. The companies perform several times a year, locally and throughout the Midwest, for the annual Nutcracker performances, as well as the annual Spring ballet. Dancers are featured at the summer intensive performance, and also perform at other events and outreach performances such as with the Chamber Orchestra & Opera Sinfonietta Bel Canto.

Studio Company consideration is made by audition only as well as during the Summer Intensive.

Recommended audition age is 12 and up. Dancers outside of this age range will be considered. (to be determined by audition).

Instructor placement required for level.

Auditions may be scheduled in person or video.

Our Studio Companies train serious ballet students three to five days a week, depending on the level.

Studio Company members attend classes in:

Ballet technique, pointe, or prepointe, contemporary, & jazz
Studio Company and Company rehearsals
Additional classes: Variations, Character, Classical Repertoire & Strength training/Conditioning
Supplementary workshops are included in styles such as modern, acro, hip hop, Pas de Deux and partnering for well-rounded dance training.

Junior Studio Company

These intermediate level students are in prepointe, or beginning pointe work, and attend ballet technique classes three days a week, including pre-pointe/pointe, contemporary, jazz, character, and classical variations.

Senior Studio Company: Levels 1 & 2

The advanced students Studio Companies 1 & 2 are on pointe and attend ballet technique classes four days a week (Level 1) or five days a week (Level 2), including classes in pointe, contemporary, jazz, character, and classical variations.

Studio Company – Adult Ensemble
The Studio Company – Adult Ensemble is designed for dedicated adult ballet students who seek a high-level training and performance experience with the flexibility to accommodate busy work and life schedules. Members train twice a week in ballet technique & pointe or pre-pointe and Contemporary. Members take part in Studio Company rehearsals and performances alongside Chicago Festival Ballet.

Adult Ensemble dancers are featured in company productions such as The Nutcracker and our Spring Ballet, as well as community outreach performances. This unique program offers adult dancers the opportunity to perform, grow artistically, and be part of a supportive, professional company environment—without the time demands of a full-time training schedule.

Enrollment is by invitation or audition only.

Performance Opportunities

Company members perform regularly in Studio Company and Chicago Festival Ballet productions, including outreach performances such as with Sinfonietta Bel Canto.
Featured Roles: Opportunities to perform in corps and featured roles in full-length classical ballets.
Professional Experience: Understudy and performance opportunities alongside the Chicago Festival Ballet Professional Company.

Commitment

School year: 37 weeks, all-inclusive monthly tuition payments, which includes all required classes, masterclasses, rehearsals, costume and performance fees. (tour fees for out-of-town performances are extra)
Summer intensive: 8 weeks, 2 tuition payments.

Tuition information is available by request. Placement in this program is by audition only.

Studio Company Members’ headshots are featured on our website.

Graduates of the Senior Studio Company will be considered for professional positions with Chicago Festival Ballet.

Auditions

Auditions may be in-person or by video.

Exercises to include in a video audition are listed below.

Please fill out the form below to submit your video or schedule your in-person audition, and we’ll be in touch!

Please film videos in an area with sufficient space and lighting, preferably a studio space.

Total video should not exceed 5 minutes in length.

Video must include the following:

At the Barre: (one side)

Plié, tendu, jete, rond de jambe and grand battement

On Center: (one side, on pointe if not a beginner)

Adagio: include Grand plié, developés to each direction, penchée, promenade
Waltz: include Grand pirouette in any position, pirouettes en dehors and en dedans, pirouette finishing in any open extension
Petite Allegro: include jumps with battu
Grand Allegro: men include tours and women include fouettés
Women: Classical Variation
Men: Pas de Deux & Variation

Please do not submit performance footage. Video must be the required classwork.

To schedule an audition, or submit a video audition, please fill out the form below.

CLASSES

Children's Ballet

Preballet

An introduction to movement, music, and beginning ballet for ages 3-5 year-old. Class is 45 minutes once a week.

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Level A

These classes are beginning ballet lessons, which help the student transition from Pre-Ballet to a structured ballet class. Recommended for ages 6 and up, this class includes stretch, barre and center, learning positions, combinations, and ballet vocabulary. Offered Tuesday & Saturday. Curriculum requirements 1.5-hour class once a week.

Level B

Builds on the technique learned in Level A and progresses to more advanced technique and combinations. Full curriculum requirements: 1.5-hour class twice a week.. Offered Friday & Saturday.

Recommended options: Jazz/Hip Hop

Level C

Prepares the students for the advanced level classes, building on the technique learned in level B. Includes pre-pointe 3x/week to prepare the students for pointe shoes. Full Curriculum requirements: Ballet technique 3x/week, pre-pointe 3x/week. Total 6 hours a week.

Recommended options: Character, Contemporary/Jazz

Advanced Level Classes

Level D:

Ballet technique: 4x/week, Prepointe/Pointe 4x/week: Full Curriculum total 8.5 hours a week.

Level E:

Ballet technique: 5x/week, Pointe 5x/week: Full Curriculum total 11 hours a week.

Special Classes

Whether you’re looking to learn new dance moves, hone in on your existing talent, or work on getting in shape these classes are what you are looking for. The instructors are committed to giving each student attention while also moving the class forward. Our dedicated instructors are ready to answer any questions about our classes - simply contact us or stop by.

Adult/Teen Beginning Ballet

A beginning level ballet class, for adults and teens 16 years of age and older. No dance experience required. 1-hour class once a week

Adult Intermediate Ballet

An intermediate level ballet class for adults. Some dance experience needed. A 1-hour class once a week. Pre-pointe option: add 30 minutes class time

Adult Contemporary/Hip Hop

A beginning level combination class of Contemporary & Hip Hop (Alternating weeks) Recommended for adults 18 and over. 1 hour class once a week.

Character

This class is for intermediate to advance level dancers, and teaches the stylized representation of movements and styles from traditional and national folk dances, used to provide divertissements for story ballets. This class focuses on Russian and Spanish character dance. Required for Levels D & E and the Pre-Professional Program.

A one-hour class once a week

Contemporary/Jazz II

Combination of Contemporary & Jazz. Contemporary is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Open to levels C, D & E, or ages 10 and up, or with instructor permission. 1 1/2-hour class once a week.

Intro to Acro

Introductory Acro class, recommended for students ages 6-10. A five-week mini-series.

Jazz/Hip Hop

A beginning level jazz & Hip-hop class, for students in levels A & B, or ages 6-9. 1-hour class once a week.

Level E Intensive/Adult Advanced Ballet

Advanced Ballet class for Level E students or advanced adult students. Includes Pointe/Prepointe. Recommended for level E students, ages 12 and up, or advanced adult students. Instructor permission required.

Teen/Preteen Beginning Ballet

A beginning level ballet class, recommended for preteens and teens ages 10-15. No dance experience required. 1-hour class once a week.

The Mix: Pop Music Dance Class

Get ready to move, groove, and feel the beat at *The Mix*! This fun, high-energy adult hip-hop dance class is designed for everyone—whether you're a total beginner or looking to rediscover your love for dance. Jamie Overla’s dance experience includes touring with Beyoncé, Usher, Nicole Scherzinger and performing at the Super Bowl, Grammys, American Music Awards, and Dancing With The Stars. No experience? No problem! Jamie designed *The Mix*! to include everyone’s vibe no matter what level, all you need is your passion for dance and music!

Set to an irresistible playlist of pop and hip-hop hits, *The Mix* combines easy-to-learn choreography with confidence-boosting moves that will have you feeling like the star of your own music video. Leave your worries at the door, bring your best energy, and let loose in a judgment-free zone where fun and fitness collide.

This isn’t just a dance class—it’s your chance to express yourself, connect with others, and let your inner superstar shine. So, what are you waiting for? Get on the dance floor and join *The Mix*

Competition Team

Students chosen for the competition team are required to attend a summer competition rehearsal class, along with the full curriculum required for their level. We will compete in a minimum of two to three regional competitions. The Mini-team will participate in a minimum of 1 competition. Dancers who are chosen for the team at auditions will be placed in specific dances or teams by the competition instructor. Solo opportunities will also be assigned by the competition director. Attendance at all rehearsals & competitions is mandatory, beginning with the summer term and each dancer is responsible for their registration and costume fees. Information packet will be emailed to dancers chosen for the team.

Competition Team Rehearsal

For dancers selected for the competition team. By audition only. Choreography will be set for the 2024-25 competitions. 1 hour class once a week. Competition team members must enroll in and attend the full curriculum for their level and are required to also enroll in Contemporary/Jazz II. Team dancers who miss regular classes and/or rehearsals may be required to take extra private lessons, at the discretion of the competition director. Students who are assigned solos must make arrangements for weekly private lessons to rehearse. These private lessons are not part of the student’s regular required curriculum, and payment arrangements must be made directly with the instructor for private lesson fees. Private lesson rates are set by each individual instructor.

Mini Competition Team Rehearsal

For dancers selected for the mini-competition team, ages 5-10. By audition only. Choreography will be set for the 2024-25 competitions. 30-minute class once a week. Mini competition team members must also enroll in and attend the full curriculum for their level and must also enroll in Contemporary I.

4222 Meridian Parkway, Suite 100 Aurora, IL 60504