Pre-Professional Division
Program Details
- Requirements Audition
- Ages 10–18
The Pre-Professional Division is designed to meet the highest artistic standards. Led by Karin Ellis-Wentz, Head of Conservatory and Pre-Professional Programs, the artistic staff trains dancers to develop a strong foundation in classical ballet, while also offering a well-rounded curriculum in various styles of dance to create a versatile, professional dancer. Students participate in a full schedule of evening and weekend dance classes and have opportunities to perform in the Joffrey Academy’s annual productions.
Auditions and Admission
Placement in the Pre-Professional Division is by audition or trial class only. Students interested in joining for next school year may audition during our Audition Tour. Students interested in joining this current school year may schedule a trial class.
Visit the Academy's Audition page or Trial Class page for more information.
NEW Beginning 2023
Medical Forms Required for All Students
The Joffrey Academy of Dance is requiring all dancers to have a Medical Exam and Medical Waiver on file in order to participate in Joffrey Academy programming. This is for the safety of the dancer and the Joffrey Academy of Dance. Dancers who do not have all medical forms on file by their first class will be permitted to attend and observe class, however, will not be able to dance. Dancers may begin participating fully in classes once all medical forms have been submitted. Medical Exams must have been completed and signed within 12 months of August 31 the year the dancer is registered for Joffrey Academy programming. Students who are still missing forms after three (3) weeks of being enrolled in Joffrey Academy programming will be un-registered from said programming. Forms only need to be submitted once per school year. New forms must be submitted at the start of each fall or at the time the new dancer joins the Joffrey Academy of Dance. Blank copies of the Joffrey Medical Waiver and an Illinois State Medical Form can be found linked in the submission form. To find them, hover your mouse over the part of the form where you upload your files and the link will appear to the right. They are only accessible on a laptop or desktop computer and not on a mobile device. The Medical Exam does not have to be the Illinois State Medical Exam provided. The Joffrey Academy of Dance will accept any medical exam form provided and completed by a licensed medical professional.
Academy Resources
Find our current class schedule here.
Find our school year Academy Calendar here.
All schedules are subject to change.
Students may register using our registration system, Club Automation, which can be found linked below. Specific registration instructions can be found below as well. All classes fill on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to register as soon as you are eligible to ensure your preferred class section.
If you have questions about your Club Automation account or registration, please contact Reception at reception@joffrey.org.
Returning Students: Returning students are students who were registered for the previous semester or year. Returning students should use their pre-existing Club Automation account to register. All returning students are eligible to take part in Priority Registration. Please watch your inbox for details.
New Students: New students will need to create a new Club Automation account to register. New students in the Pre-Professional Division must have admission to the Division via an audition or trial class prior to registering. Please see the top of this page for details.
The Joffrey Academy of Dance does not offer any tuition refunds for missed classes, withdrawal, or dismissal from the program. By registering for classes, families agree that they are liable for the full tuition amount indicated on any Joffrey Academy of Dance materials and adhere to any payment plans or scheduled payments put in place.
The Joffrey Academy of Dance is no longer accepting cash as a form of payment.
To learn more about Financial Aid applications, click here.
The Joffrey Academy has ongoing housing partnerships with Infinite Chicago and The Flats for students in the Pre-Professional Division and Trainee Programs. Housing is unchaperoned and for students 16 and older. Students 15 and under are encouraged to move to Chicago with a parent/guardian.
Infinite Chicago:
Infinite Chicago is located on Wabash and Jackson, is within walking distance to Joffrey Tower, and is designed to fit the busy lifestyle of Joffrey students living in the downtown Loop area. All apartments come fully furnished and include a large array of amenities including an in-unit washer and dryer or laundry room, full kitchen, and cable and internet service.
The Flats:
The Flats is located on Wabash, is within walking distance to Joffrey Tower, and is designed to fit the busy lifestyle of Joffrey students living in the South Loop area. All apartments come fully furnished and include a large array of amenities including an in-unit washer and dryer or laundry room, full kitchen, and cable and internet service.
Studio Late Policy: Our classes require a proper warm-up in order to avoid injury, therefore, either Reception or Faculty may ask students to not participate if they arrive more than 10 minutes late.
Required Class Attire
Joffrey Academy’s dress code is designed to encourage unity, discipline, and improved concentration among our students.
Option 1:
Wear Moi Faustine leotard in Burgundy
White ¾ hip alignment belt
Bloch 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
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
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
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
Option 1: Black character shoes in 1.5" heel.
Natalie black character skirt style N8108 (below knee) or Body Wrappers black circle skirt style 511 (below knee)
Option 2: Black jazz shoes
Optional black jazz pants
Fitted black dance shorts or black leggings
Black jazz shoes
Fitted black dance shorts or black leggings
Fitted black dance shorts or black leggings
Plain black socks (no logos)
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
Trial Classes
Trial Classes
Trial Classes
Trial classes are required for new students ages 10 and up. Click here to learn more about them!
