In recognition of the Hinsdale community's rich tradition of arts innovation and virtuosity, the Hinsdale Dance Academy seeks to inspire and cultivate excellence in classical and contemporary dance:

Through distinctive collaborations with area arts organizations, performers, and musicians to explore the fusion of movement with other forms of artistic expression;

By affording everyone, children and adults alike, access to the highest quality dance training;

By providing a platform for young talented dancers to develop into Dance Artists who can flourish in a stimulating and nurturing environment whilst preparing for a professional dance career;

By espousing artistic enrichment through professional dance concert performances, educational outreach, youth participation, and charitable partnerships.

The Hinsdale Dance Academy was founded on October 22, 2012 by Ms. Jennifer Grapes.  In its inaugural year, Hinsdale Dance Academy welcomed over 80 students, comprised of 60 families.  The Academy’s first annual recital, The Little Mermaid, was an enormous success.  The Hinsdale Ballet Theatre, the pre-professional youth company of Hinsdale Dance Academy, beautifully staged two exquisite productions:  Giselle in April 2013 and Swan Lake, Act II in July, 2013.  Ms. Grapes’ original work, The Nuts Allergy, qualified at the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix to go to the New York City Finals.

The 2013-2014 was also an incredible year for Hinsdale Dance Academy.  The Academy welcomed many new families and faculty members, as well as a plethora of master classes that included teachers from the Australian Ballet, Ballet Austin, Joffrey Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet.  HBT produced its inaugural holiday classic, The Nutcracker, to a sell-out crowd.  HDA’s Junior Company competed locally, taking top honors in all of their divisions.  HDA’s second annual recital , Dreams Can Come True, was also received by a sold out crowd, thus making the entire performance season sold out.  In this second year, five of Ms. Grapes’ students from the Hinsdale Ballet Theatre qualified to go to the YAGP finals in New York City.  Three students placed among the Top 12 in Chicago.

Currently in its sixth school year, the Hinsdale Dance Academy has presented four full-length ballets in total: The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Giselle, and last year, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was added to the repertoire.  All productions have included professional dancers from around the world.  After two successful school years, HDA outgrew their home at 414 Chestnut Street and moved into their permanent home at 645 Blackhawk Drive.  Their current dance facility boasts over 8,000 square feet of dance space, including three studios, a large dressing room, study lounge, waiting area, a 59x65 feet state of the art rehearsal space, and was the host of the 2015 YAGP Chicago master classes.  In the last five school years, 22 HDA students have qualified or attended the Youth America Grand Prix New York City Finals, with 8 of them placing in the Top 12 as soloists.  This includes placing third in the classical and contemporary solo divisions for two of the last five years.  This is just a small testament to the high caliber of classical dance training that is provided to HDA students.  Last year, HDA welcomed guest artists from prestigious companies such as the American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Hagen, Boston Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, New York City Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, and Ballet Augsburg (Germany).  HDA company dancers have also received the opportunity to work with European, cutting edge choreographer, Riccardo DeNigris, the resident choreographer for Ballet Augsburg.  Mr. DeNigris’ work qualified to go to the 2016 Youth America Grand Prix Finals.

As the Academy continues to grow and develop, it holds steadfast to its foundational promise:

The Hinsdale Dance Academy is dedicated to providing an elite dance education by exposing the western suburbs and its surrounding communities to the highest quality training and performances.  In accordance with Ms. Grapes' philosophy of raising successful dancers and young adults, HDA believes that its students benefit from not just high quality classes, but, a plethora of performance and experience opportunities.  Class is the canvas of a painter for a dancer, and the performance is the paint in which a dancer uses to shade, color, and create their art.  One cannot exist without the other.  Class and performance work hand in hand to create well-rounded dancers and young adults.  It teaches commitment, dedication, and that hard work always pays off.  Life lessons through dance lessons.  Our hope, at HDA, is not to just create dancers, but, to create successful employable young adults.

Hinsdale Dance Academy is located at 645 Blackhawk Drive, Westmont, IL.

Our facility features over 8,000 square feet of dance space, 3 studios, a large dressing room and lounge, and ample parking space.  One studio features 65 x 59 feet of studio space with 30 feet ceilings.  All studios are equipped with state of the art sprung floor systems, marley, and sound systems including JBL speakers.

An elite facility for a premier program.

For rental prices please call 630 484 3241 or email director@hinsdaledanceacademy.com.