Svalander Judith School of Ballet

Fantastic dance school! I am an adult who returned to ballet after a ten year hiatus. My first day I met Mrs. Svalander and she was so welcoming and friendly… a lovely woman to talk to. The teachers are knowledgeable and care about helping us adults move along at our individual levels and pace. The other students in the class are equally welcoming and friendly. I’m SO pleased that I made the choice to take class at this amazing school! I highly recommend.

I took lessons here in the late 70s/​early 80s, now my daughter has danced here for a few years and LOVES it. My training here allowed me to dance professionally, my daughter has similar plans. She might not be the most svelte dancer in class, but nobody, NOBODY has ever mentioned this to her at Svalander’s. She loves her teachers, training is of professional quality, prices are reasonable, and classes cover a wide range of styles (alas, no hip-​hop), but ballet is still king at this school and is taught VERY well. PROFESSIONAL and ENCOURAGING. Look no further for the best dance academy in the region.

THE institution for ballet and dance training, in Mchenry County.
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!

This place is HORRIBLE!!!
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.