Hinsdale Dance Academy

HDA is a caring, nurturing, highly professional studio. We drive our girls quite far to attend this studio, because we have looked at the training at many other studios and Hinsdale Dance Academy is truly outstanding. Both of our girls feel are well trained, cared for, and are able to express themselves as artists due to Jennifer’s high standards and warm approach. She is highly qualified, as is her entire staff.

Wow! I took my 15 year old daughter to Hinsdale Dance Academy for their summer intensive, and I have been blown away with the level of training and professionalism provided. I’ve been a fan of professional dance for years, and I love that the faculty have all had professional careers and can share their experiences with the students. My daughter comes out of the studio inspired, driven, and anxious for the next lesson. I also scheduled three private lessons for my daughter with one of their Master Teachers and she feels that she is improving faster then she ever has before. I can’t wait to see my daughter blossom into the best dancer she can be, I recommend HDA to any parent with an aspiring dancer!

Hinsdale Dance Academy is as good as it gets. My daughter was in the Young Childrens Program this past year and we already can’t wait to get started with the Angelia Ballerina program next year. The faculty is so full of energy every single class, making the class fun for the little ones and never with a dull moment! I found that with our previous studio that I will not name, the classes were very mundane and my daughter was often bored and wanting to leave. At HDA, I have to pry her out of the studio after her class is over! The desk staff is wonderful and alway eager to help. My daughter also made great friends in her class because closeness amongst the girls was promoted from day 1 from her teacher. I don’t know how this studio could get bad reviews. I wish there was more class options, but I am excited to see that the fall is offering many new classes at their new studio location when it opens. We all can’t WAIT for the new studio!!! Go HDA!!!

Terrible for toddlers. In 3 weeks, my kid had been yelled at, shoved by the shoulder to the back of the line for no apparent reason, yelled at some more for singing along with ‘Let It Go’ from Frozen soundtrack (who can resist to singing along to this song, let alone three year olds), yelled at some more for not being able to take off her play dress by herself at the end of class because she couldn’t reach the Valcro on her back, then told at the end of the class that some kids did well but some did very bad (all the while the teacher was looking straight at her while saying this). My child is a bright, out going, beloved kid of normal development without any behavioral issues. I endured my child getting physically, verbally and emotionally abused in plain sight. I am truly sorry I actually had to pay to have my daughter go through with that experience.

Hinsdale Dance Academy is a very good ballet school that offers great opportunities for their dancers including the chance to compete in the prestigious YAGP ballet competition and perform in beautiful, professional ballet productions such as The nutcracker, however although the instruction iis pretty good there is not as much emphasis on solid, strong ballet technique. There’s far more emphasis on pointe work and here girls are put on pointe when they are too young and definitely not ready or strong enough. Some girls are put as young as 10 years old. Also, while the instructors are great I wish Jennifer would actually start teaching classes. I’m not sure why she never does. She only teaches rehearsals. Overall a pretty good school. Give it a chance

Finding the right ballet school for your child can be a difficult task. We knew we had found the perfect fit for our daughters when we found the Hinsdale Dance Academy. Our daughters have grown tremendously in their technique and artistry in their time at HDA.
Jennifer is an amazing instructor! As a former principle dancer, Jennifer brings a level of knowledge, experience, and professionalism that is incomparable! She strives for quality and expects great things from her students, and because she instills this confidence and virtuosity in her students, they thrive under her tutelage!
The entire faculty at HDA is par excellence! Even though most instructors carry impressive resumes from the professional level, they remain kind, nurturing, and approachable. They have a passion for dance and they openly share their passion with their young dancers.
I am also impressed by the professional-​level performance produced by the youth ballet company (HBT)! All I can say about Giselle is «WOW!» I can’t wait to see The Little Mermaid/​Swan Lake & Nutcracker! My children LOVED being in HBT’s performance! They loved the rehearsals and performances! Their excitement was infectious! The entire company beamed! The joy the company dancers felt was evident on stage.
One last comment… The students and families that have made HDA their dance home are remarkable! The students are friendly and supportive of one another, and the parents are generous and thoughtful. There is a camaraderie among the students, parents, and faculty that creates a caring and nurturing ethos. I can’t imagine having my children dance anywhere else!

Jennifer’s instruction is as good as it gets! My daughter has been dancing for several years, but since joining HDA, she’s really blossomed. And she loves being there.

Our 17 daughter looked at me with such confidence saying, «This is where I want to stay and dance!» «This is where I want to be!» So many Ballet instructors teach with an iron fist. Jennifer Grapes is tough but never harsh. She is generous of her talents, contacts, patience, and time to her students. She meets them where they are, then brings them to where she knows they can be. Top instruction with top professionals including Jennifer, have already made a huge difference in our Ballerinas life! I also want to add that EVERYONE works very hard because Jennifer sets the bar high. There is room for all her dancers not just the best ones. All the students know what the expection is because Jennfier & her staff make it clear, but nurturing. Very organized place! No guessing when rehearsals are too.

Thank goodness there is finally an alternative for providing the local community with the highest quality dance instruction while at the same time bringing a warmth and humanity to the learning process! My 6 year old daughter came to try out a class, and refused to leave until she had stayed through a second one! I’m also looking forward to taking a class myself, since ballet was an important part of my own childhood and I’ve missed it!