The Conservatory

West Suburban Ballet Conservatory provides serious pre-professional students the tools they need to be successful ballet dancers. Training is rigorous but enjoyable.

Levels

Conservatory Apprentice

  • Ages: 12-13+

  • Frequency: 4x/week

  • Training incorporates more repertoire to develop artistry, personality, and virtuosity. Continued development and refinement of technique is encouraged by focusing on consistency, repetition, and overall movement quality.

Conservatory

  • Ages: 13+

  • Frequency: 5x/week

  • Dancers develop necessary strength, coordination, and artistry for a comprehensive understanding of classical ballet vocabulary and style. Training in other dance forms encourages versatility.

Sample Schedule

 Class Descriptions

  • Ballet Technique

    The best elements of the French, Italian, and Russian schools are combined with a focus on coordination, alignment, and kinetics.

  • Repertoire

    Learning and rehearsing classical ballet repertoire provides dancers with the opportunity to explore artistry, musicality, and dynamics. Repertoire hours include rehearsals for performances and individual/group coaching for competitions.

  • Pointe

    Strong pointe technique is essential to the proper execution of classical repertoire and a major factor in injury prevention.

  • Variations

    Dancers learn solos from classical ballets and work on classical solo competition entries.

  • Conditioning

    Pilates with props, floor barre, TheraBand, and circuit training enhance strength and aid in injury prevention.

  • Character

    A subdivision of classical ballet, character dance focuses on building coordination, musicality, and a more expressive upper body through national and folk-dance styles from classical ballets.

  • Contemporary

    A blend of creative dance, artistry, athleticism, and awareness, contemporary challenges dancers to work with an infinite vocabulary of movement.

  • Open Studio | Study Hall

    Time set aside for dancers to practice on their own and/or complete schoolwork.

Physical Therapy & Pilates Apparatus

WSBC dancers have access to a fully-equipped onsite Stott Pilates studio and in-house physical therapy to enhance training and prevent injury.

WSBC dancers have access to a fully-equipped onsite Stott Pilates studio and in-house physical therapy to enhance training and prevent injury.

Guidance & Enrichment

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WSBC dancers receive the tools necessary to be successful in the field, including:

  • Written and in-person evaluations

  • Customized strength and stretching routines

  • Audition preparation

  • College and career guidance 

  • Resume building  

  • Access to and workshops with mental health and nutrition specialists 

We are proud of our alumni, who have gone on to Fordham University, Ballet West Academy, and School of American Ballet (SAB).

 Conservatory Dancers 2023/2024

Molly A.

Molly A.

Layla B.

Layla B.

Eleanore B.

Eleanore B.

Emily B.

Emily B.

Lily B.

Lily B.

Clara D.

Clara D.

Amelia D.

Amelia D.

Caroline O.

Caroline O.

Evelyn P.

Evelyn P.

Olivia R.

Olivia R.

Samantha R.

Samantha R.

Aria T.

Aria T.