HDA opened it's doors on October 22, 2012, with one studio located at 414 Chestnut Street. By 2015, we had outgrown our studio at 414 Chestnut Street and moved into our permanent home at 645 Blackhawk Drive which included three studios. In 2018, phase two of our studio expansion was completed, with the addition of two more studios bringing the total to five. Because of the growing demand for our exemplary dance education, in 2021, we added a sixth studio. HDA is currently the largest dance facility in the western suburbs totaling over 16,000 square feet of dance space, including six studios with viewing windows (one studio being a 59x65 feet state of the art rehearsal space), a large dressing room, study and teacher lounges, several waiting areas, and ample parking spaces. We are now able to offer more classes than ever, with new programs to meet the needs of all current and prospective clients. Having access to sufficient space also allows us to offer classes during appropriate hours for young dancer's.
Over one hundred HDA students have qualified or attended the Youth America Grand Prix New York City Finals, where some have been awarded the Grand Prix Award. In 2018, HDA was awarded the prestigious Outstanding School Award by the Youth America Grand Prix and in 2021, HDA's founder and director, Ms. Jennifer Grapes Croughan won the Outstanding Teacher Award. This is a testament to the high caliber of classical dance training that is provided to HDA students. Through its faculty’s connections in the dance industry, HDA has welcomed guest master instructors from prestigious companies such as Alvin Ailey, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Augsburg (Germany), Ballet Hagen, Ballet Idaho, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Kirov Academy, Milwaukee Ballet, New York City Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, and the University of Missouri- Kansas City. In 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and now in 2023, HDA company dancers have also received the opportunity to work with European, cutting edge choreographer, Riccardo DeNigris, the former resident choreographer for Ballet Augsburg. Mr. DeNigris’ work qualified to go to the 2016 Youth America Grand Prix Finals, and in 2018 his work placed 2nd in the Ensemble Category and qualified to go to the NYC Finals again. In 2021, his work was again presented at the YAGP finals where it was recognized as one of the Top 24 ensembles in the world. HDA has also presented five full-length ballets: The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Giselle, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Little Mermaid. All productions have included professional dancers from around the world and were presented to sold out crowds. Many HDA students and alumna have gone on to dance in college or professionally, as well as receiving invitations to study at prestigious academies across the globe including: Paris Opera Ballet, Houston Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Princess Grace Academy, Staatsliche Ballettschule Berlin, Kaatsbaan, Cincinnati Ballet, Butler University, CCM, University of Missouri-KC, Point Park University, Indiana University, University of Utah, Albany Berkshire Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, BalletMet, Boston Ballet, English National Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Kentucky Ballet Theatre, Lexington Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet to name a few.
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. Dance teaches commitment, dedication, responsibility, accountability, and that hard work pays off. Life lessons through dance lessons. While we realize that not everyone will go on to dance professionally, we believe that everyone can benefit from quality dance instruction. Our hope, at HDA, is not to just create dancers, but, to create successful, confident employable young adults.
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.