This place is HORRIBLE!!!…read more This is only a review of the children's ballet class: I had my daughter enrolled in the ballet class. She was so excited she couldn't speak when she found out i enrolled her, now i feel awful for sending her to this place. The class is very strict, which isn't a problem for me, as ballet requires a ton of discipline and drive. My daughter was in third grade when i enrolled her. The problem came in when i heard from my daughter what they say to them during class. She was called multiple names by the instructors, told she was fat, told her that her stomach wasn't in good enough shape etc. She also told me that this happened to other girls in the class, and is why she didn't think it was out of the ordinary. This wouldn't happen when parents were watching meaning that the teacher knew her actions were completely inappropriate. My daughter was told in front of the class by the instructor: "it looks like you ate a turkey dinner before you came in" "don't eat before you come in so your stomach doesn't show" "your legs look fat and wobbly" "i am in better shape then you and i am way older" "suck in your cheeks so you don't look so fat" All of these things made me horrified! When I brought it up I was told that ballet requires them to hold the perfect form and that was the reason for her words... to which i replied that you don't need to make personal comments on people bodies types, weight, etc to help someone hold the perfect form. Anyways i hope this helps parents make the right decision on whether to send their child there.

THE institution for ballet and dance training, in Mchenry County…read more Professional. I took classes taught by Mrs. S. back when I was a child. And have taken adult ballet here as a well-aged adult. The professional and polite atmosphere had not changed one iota from childhood to adulthood. Always respectful, yet disciplined. This is THE place to send your children (or yourself) if you truly want to learn the art of ballet. I still reap the benefits of beautiful posture and poise, and I'm pushing 40!

Elite Dance Academy has been such a wonderful experience for my daughter. The atmosphere is…read moreincredibly positive, encouraging dancers not only to grow in their skills but also in confidence and teamwork. One of the best parts has been the friendships my daughter has made. The dancers support and cheer each other on, creating a space where everyone feels valued. The teachers are absolutely fantastic--passionate, patient, and dedicated to helping each dancer reach their potential while having fun along the way. I'm so grateful for the experience we've had at Elite Dance Academy. It's more than just a dance studio--it's a place where kids can thrive, build lifelong friendships, and feel inspired every day. Highly recommend! Laura Vistine

My twin girls LOVE coming to Elite. There is such a variety of classes to offer the dancers and the…read moreclasses are fun! Couldn't be happier with Elite and my girls' progress.

I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate and thank you all for another beautiful performance…read moreyesterday. My daughter isn't a dancer, but we've been coming to your performances as one of our favorite holiday traditions since she was 5 and she's now 11. Your production values get better every year and it's so special to have this incredible, intimate and affordable option to see the Nutcracker. The skill and passion throughout every aspect of this production are apparent, your ticketing is user-friendly and everything is very well organized. While I never have a dancer in your shows, I always tear up a few times thinking of all the hard work and training that goes into each performance. There is something so powerful about the way you tell this lovely story through music and dance. Thank you for all you do for promoting fine arts in the Northshore; it is much appreciated!!

YAYAY!!! For Adult Ballet classes! For beginners! I haven't taken ballet classes elsewhere, so I…read morehave nothing to compare this to. This place does seem to be one of the few in the area that offer ballet for adults.

This is the finest dance studio in Lake County. Kind and talented owners, skilled staff and many…read moreclasses for your busy schedule.

This year was my daughter's first year in dance (pre-ballet). She had such a great time. She is…read morethree years old and managed to learn her routine for her recital!!! Ms. Bridget and her staff are so wonderful. My daughter looks forward to her dance day. Talking to some of the parents, not only do they have children who have started dancing with the studio since the age of three, but they themselves were once students with the studio.

So thankful for my time at Integrity, the atmosphere and positivity of the studio is nurtured by…read morethe incredible owners' Kelly and Elisabeth. The stellar training and a wide variety of classes creates incredible dancers with a love for the art form. I'm also very thankful for Kaleigh Schock Tyton and her immense knowledge of ballet, she's the absolute best! An incredible studio with an incredible faculty. I'd recommend this studio to anyone wishing to better their training and artistry! -Integrity Alum :)

Amazing training. Fantastic teachers especially Kaleigh the ballet teacher!! The owners Kelly and…read moreElisabeth are so great and welcoming and are great business owners. The costumes are beautiful and performances are amazing! Definitely recommend

My daughter has been dancing here since she was 5, she is now 12. We plan to stay with LAD all the…read moreway through high school. At LAD , the instructors stand out as true masters of ballet, blending rigorous classical technique with personalized feedback that elevates every student's progress. Their deep expertise, drawn from prestigious academies worldwide, ensures classes are both challenging and inspiring, fostering a supportive environment where dancers of all levels thrive. The quality of ballet instruction is exceptional, with meticulously structured curricula that emphasize precision, artistry, and musicality in every barre and center combination. I can't recommend LAD enough--it's the gold standard for anyone serious about ballet. Miss Kate is our personal favorite!

Lincolnshire Academy of Dance (LAD) is the best studio ever. The instructors teach excellent…read moretechnique in all styles of dance, are extremely experienced, and many of them still perform, choreograph, or direct in the industry. LAD's environment is positive and loving, and all of the instructors are personally interested in the physical and emotional well-being of all dancers, as if they are their own kids. My daughter took dance lessons for 15 years. When it came time to switch studios halfway through her career, she considered four other studios. Some taught good technique but the environment was toxic, or there was not enough focus on technique and too much focus on competitions, or they made you choose between the studio or high school activities rather than allowing both, or the dress code was not professional in the studio and on stage. Only LAD was highly recommended by one of my daughter's directors at the time. We read all of the LAD instructor bios to learn about the depth and breadth of their experience, attended a recital, and my daughter took a summer class. She was sold, switched to LAD year round, and traveled an hour roundtrip to get to/from the studio for many years. LAD was life-changing for my daughter. She found her passion and the joy of dance, thrived in a positive environment, and also made amazing memories and friendships that she'll cherish forever.

We are so glad to have discovered this studio! We have just started taking classes at this studio…read moreand I could not be happier. In my search for a dance school for my daughter I came across other schools that were just plain snobby or that had did not offer ballet due to extremely low enrollment. At Irina Makkai, the instructor is fantastic as well as enthusiastic, the studio owners, Irina & her daughter Lilla are so nice and the patrons are also friendly & polite! I have been looking for a studio that is well run & professional - but also has a nice atmosphere/ vibe (aka, low drama & unpretentious) and this studio is exactly what I have been looking for! Located in Downtown Highland Park very convenient location. The studio is much larger than it appears with multiple studios that are beautiful. They also have a secondary business Kiddie Corner that offers wonderful cultural & enrichment programs. The owners also have thought about scheduling multiple age group classes so I am able to have my 2 1/2 & 6 year old in class at the same time or 2 classes back to back- which is beyond AWESOME. My kids love the classes we are officially fans!

The Adult Ballet class taught by Rita Ockrim is absolutely wonderful!…read more The class is essentially all about you, about really warming up and strengthening all of your muscles, and you will leave having worked your entire body! Since Rita generally does the class with you, she can tell which muscles have been properly warmed up for subsequent combinations, ensuring that you feel safe and comfortable as you progress through the class. Rita has an immense knowledge and passion for ballet that she would like to share with you. She will take time to explain and to help you feel how to properly execute different movements - which muscles to engage, how to position your head, where to apply pressure to the floor, etc. - all of the details that are generally left out of adult ballet classes, but that make the class much more interesting and valuable whether this information is just a refresher, or if you are hearing these insights for the first time. It shows that Rita genuinely cares about her students and strives to provide whatever it is you are looking to get out of the class. She makes the class as fun and enjoyable as possible, and definitely puts a lot of thought into her music selection. Anyone that has taken ballet knows that there is quite a plethora of cut and dry ballet music out there, or that it can become that way when it's played repeatedly. Rita makes sure to play new music essentially every class, and only recycles the best pieces that you probably wouldn't mind hearing again. If nothing else, you could come to class just for the beautiful and varied music selection! If you haven't danced in a while, don't be intimidated that the class is taught at an intermediate level. Rita will go over and do the combinations with you, so there is no stress in memorizing combinations, instead, you can really focus on what your body is doing. If need be, you can always simplify the combinations, but it is nice to have the option of a more advanced alternative, and to see how it looks when executed properly. This may seem like a lot of praise, but all of it is well deserved. I have been quite frustrated with many of the adult ballet classes I have taken, and I have finally stumbled on a gem that I believe deserves more attention!

We are in our first season with Illinois Dance Conservatory or known as IDC, it has been an amazing…read moretime! My wife and I have 2 daughters dancing with the school, they look forward to their classes every week and every time. Prior to IDC, they didn't get the education and training they deserved and the shocking part was we didn't know what they were missing until IDC. They are professional, knowledgeable especially on those little details that make a true dancer and they are fun of course! Hands down best dance school we've seen! They also have a non-for profit school that hosts the Nutcracker in Lake Zurich, Illinois Youth Dance Theater check that out too! ~Proud parent of two dancers!

From the owner: Illinois Dance Conservatory strives to create versatile dancers through equal parts art and…read moreathleticism by emphasizing technique, self expression, and musicality. Offering classes in Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap and Musical Theater. Registration is on-going. Come try your first week of classes for free!