Pre-Professional Division
Program Details
- Requirements Audition
- Ages 10–18
The Pre-Professional Division at the Joffrey Academy of Dance is designed to meet the highest artistic standards. Led by Karin Ellis-Wentz, Head of Conservatory and Pre-Professional Program, the artistic staff trains dancers to develop a strong foundation in classical ballet.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JOFFREY BALLET'S DUTY TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS FREE OF KNOWN HAZARDS, JOFFREY HAS ADOPTED A POLICY REQUIRING ALL STAFF, FACULTY, AND ELIGIBLE STUDENTS/PARTICIPANTS TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMMING AND ACTIVITIES AT JOFFREY PROPERTIES:
ALL COVID-19 VACCINE ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS ARE REQUIRED TO SHOW PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY IN-PERSON CLASSES OR ACTIVITIES HELD AT JOFFREY TOWER, SOUTH LOOP STUDIOS, OR SPECIFIED PERFORMANCE LOCATIONS.
EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 2022, FULL VACCINATION INCLUDES BOOSTER SHOTS FOR ALL THOSE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THEM PER CDC GUIDELINES. BOOSTER SHOTS SHOULD BE RECEIVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ONCE AN INDIVIDUAL IS ELIGIBLE.
VALID PROOF OF VACCINATION INCLUDES VALID PHOTO ID (AGE 16+) AND VACCINATION CARD, PHOTO/COPY OF VACCINATION CARD, DIGITAL RECORD OR APP, OR PRINTED RECORD FROM VACCINE PROVIDER.
MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE IN PLACE FOR JOFFREY FACILITIES WHEN IDENTIFIED AS WITHIN A HIGH COMMUNITY LEVEL BY THE CDC, OR IF REQUIRED BY STATE OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS, OR A PARTICULAR PERFORMANCE VENUE. IN THE EVENT MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE NOT REQUIRED, INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTARY MASK USE AND SOCIAL DISTANCING SHALL BE ACCEPTED AND RESPECTED.
INDIVIDUALS AGE 2 AND OLDER WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN SIX FEET OF SOCIAL DISTANCE WHILE ONSITE. ANYONE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS IN A STUDIO WILL REMAIN MASKED WHILE IN THE STUDIO WITH THE INDIVIDUALS.
THIS POLICY WILL COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND IS BASED ON GUIDANCE FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION AND LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES, AS APPLICABLE.
Auditions and Admission
Placement in the Pre-Professional Division is by audition only. Students may audition by submitting a video audition.
Visit the Academy's Audition page for more information.
Important Dates
Schedule subject to change.
The 2021-2022 Pre-Professional Division schedule can be found here.
- Fall Semester: September 7, 2021-January 23, 2022
- Academy Fall Program (Levels IV-VI): November 19-21, 2021
- Thanksgiving Break - No Classes: November 24-28, 2021
- Winter Break - No Classes: December 20, 2021-January 2, 2022
- MLK Day - No Classes: January 17, 2022
- Spring Semester: January 24-June 4, 2022
- *UPDATED* Winter Presentation (Levels III-VI): March 4, 2022
- Spring Break - No Classes: April 11-17, 2022
- Spring Performance (Levels III-VI): May 19-22, 2022
- Memorial Day - No Classes: May 30, 2022
Financial Aid Application
Students applying for Financial Aid for the 2021-2022 season must submit an application by June 1. Click here to fill out the application.
International Student Information
The Joffrey Academy is now offering M1 visas for international students. To learn more, please visit our International FAQ page.
Required Class Attire
Joffrey Academy’s dress code is designed to encourage unity, discipline, and improved concentration among our students.
Ballet
Option 1:
Wear Moi Faustine leotard in Burgundy
White ¾ hip alignment belt
Block Adaptatoe convertible tights style T1935L or Body Wrappers convertible tights style A31 in flesh-tone or pink*
Body Wrappers black chiffon wrap skirt style P981
Flesh-tone or pink* split-sole ballet slippers
Flesh-tone or pink* pointe shoes (for those on pointe)
*tights and shoe colors must match
Option 2:
Body Wrappers short-sleeve “snug fit” pullover t-shirt in white style M400
Body Wrappers convertible tights in slate gray style M92
Thin white socks
White canvas split-sole ballet slippers
Flesh-tone dance belt
Jazz
Fitted black dance shorts or black leggings
Black jazz shoes
Ballet
Option 1:
Wear Moi Faustine leotard in Prune
White ¾ hip alignment belt
Block Adaptatoe convertible tights style T1935L or Body Wrappers convertible tights style A31 in flesh-tone or pink*
Body Wrappers black chiffon wrap skirt style P981
Flesh-tone or pink* split-sole ballet slippers
Flesh-tone or pink* pointe shoes (for those on pointe)
*tights and shoe colors must match
Option 2:
Body Wrappers short-sleeve “snug fit” pullover t-shirt in white style M400
Body Wrappers convertible tights in slate gray style M92
Thin white socks
White canvas split-sole ballet slippers
Flesh-tone dance belt
Character
Option 1:
Black character shoes in 1.5” heel
Natalie black character skirt (below the knee) style N8108 or Body Wrappers black circle skirt (below the knee) style 511
Option 2:
Black jazz shoes
Optional black jazz pants
Jazz
Fitted black dance shorts or black leggings
Black jazz shoes
Ballet
Option 1:
Wear Moi Faustine leotard in Royal Blue
White ¾ hip alignment belt
Block Adaptatoe convertible tights style T1935L or Body Wrappers convertible tights style A31 in flesh-tone or pink*
Body Wrappers black chiffon wrap skirt style P981
Flesh-tone or pink* split-sole ballet slippers
Flesh-tone or pink* pointe shoes (for those on pointe)
*tights and shoe colors must match
Option 2:
Body Wrappers short-sleeve “snug fit” pullover t-shirt in white style M400
Body Wrappers convertible tights in slate gray style M92
Thin white socks
White canvas split-sole ballet slippers
Flesh-tone dance belt
Character
Option 1:
Black character shoes in 1.5” heel
Natalie black character skirt (below the knee) style N8108 or Body Wrappers black circle skirt (below the knee) style 511
Option 2:
Black jazz shoes
Optional black jazz pants
Modern and Contemporary
Fitted black dance shorts or black leggings
Black socks without logos (Contemporary)
Ballet
Option 1:
Wear Moi Faustine leotard in Navy
White ¾ hip alignment belt
Block Adaptatoe convertible tights style T1935L or Body Wrappers convertible tights style A31 in flesh-tone or pink*
Body Wrappers black chiffon wrap skirt style P981
Flesh-tone or pink* split-sole ballet slippers
Flesh-tone or pink* pointe shoes (for those on pointe)
*tights and shoe colors must match
Option 2:
Body Wrappers short-sleeve “snug fit” pullover t-shirt in white style M400
Body Wrappers convertible tights in slate gray style M92,
Thin white socks
White canvas split-sole ballet slippers
Flesh-tone dance belt
Character
Option 1:
Black character shoes in 1.5” heel
Natalie black character skirt (below the knee) style N8108 or Body Wrappers black circle skirt (below the knee) style 511
Option 2:
Black jazz shoes
Optional black jazz pants
Modern and Contemporary
Fitted black dance shorts or black leggings
Black socks without logos (Contemporary)
Option 1:
Wear Moi Faustine leotard in Black
Flesh-tone camisole leotard
Flesh-tone trunks
Black bike shorts
Option 2:
Body Wrappers black and white fitted t-shirts style M400
M. Stevens black and white tights style 1099 or Body Wrappers black and white tights style M92
Black ballet slippers
Black bike shorts