About Ballet at HPSD

Hyde Park School of Dance was founded in 1993 as Hyde Park School of Ballet, and ballet still comprises the bulk of our programming, from foundation-building classes for our youngest dancers all the way up to pointe technique and partnering for advanced students. 
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As Chicago's only ballet school headed by an RAD-certified instructor,* our teaching approach is based on the Royal Academy of Dance training method, which emphasizes careful attention to the instruction of the most rudimentary fundamentals, progressing carefully and deliberately from level to level so as to minimize potential for injury. RAD dance instructors are more concerned with ensuring their students perform their steps with consistently improving technique than performing increasingly difficult steps at a lower standard of safety and artistry.

When enough time is spent achieving optimal technique before introducing new vocabulary, it is easier for the student to learn more difficult steps while maintaining the ability to perform the basics at peak standards. 

Ballet For Little Ones

First Steps, Creative Movement, and Pre-Ballet

Dancers under the age of seven are introduced to our program through a series of basic movement classes rooted in ballet fundamentals, providing a solid foundation for expansion into any form of dance.

These age-appropriate classes are fun, playful, and carefully structured to maximize the enjoyment and personal growth of our littlest dancers. Accompanied by live pianists and instructed by dancers who are active in the world of professional ballet. 

Ballet classes for dancers up to age 7 begin with First Steps (for toddlers aged 18 - 36 months together with a parent or caregiver) and progress to Creative Movement (for 3 & 4 year-olds) before moving on to Pre-Ballet (for dancers aged 4-7).
 

Ballet For Dancers 7 to 18