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The School
Profile
Honored by Chicago Magazine as one of three schools offering the city’s best ballet training.
"Known for the history it is making . . ." - Ballet Review
Founded in 1993 as The Hyde Park School of Ballet, the Hyde Park School of Dance (HPSD) began with one teacher and 30 young students in a single studio. The non-profit School now operates three studios, has a faculty of ten and enrolls over 300 students of all ages. Led by founder and artistic director, August Tye, HPSD has become a key part of the growing and vibrant south side Chicago arts community.
Recognized for providing top-notch training in a supportive, nurturing environment, HPSD welcomes anyone with the desire to dance regardless of age or ability. The School emphasizes progressive training in ballet technique beginning with creative movement for three year olds and continuing through pointe and stage presentation. Supplementing the ballet curriculum are classes in Modern Dance, Jazz and Hip Hop, and master classes taught by some of the city’s top dancers. Each summer HPSD students are accepted into some of the country’s premier training programs, including the School of American Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Boston Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater. Alumni of the school have gone on to train and dance with the Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Joffrey Ballet.
The training at HPSD includes more than just dancing. The School’s emphasis on original choreography offers students the opportunity to actively engage in the creative process as they perform the works of their teachers and learn the art of choreography themselves. Students also take on leadership roles as Student Teachers through participation in the Teacher Trainee Program.
HPSD also offers its students the opportunity to participate in frequent public performances. These include yearly appearances at the 57th Street Children’s Book Fair, and with the University of Chicago Symphony, as well as the annual presentation of The Nutcracker. In addition, HPSD performs as part of the citywide Dance Chicago festival.
The faculty of the School are professional dancers who have performed with many companies, including the Ballet Theater of Boston, Metropolitan Ballet Theater of Detroit, Ohio Ballet, Joel Hall Dancers, and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. They are selected as faculty members not only for their artistic talent, but also for their abilities as teachers.
The Hyde Park School of Dance does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin, in the administration of its admissions or educational policies, scholarship programs, or any other school-administered program.