Evanston School of Ballet

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The Philosophy

In dance, the body is the instrument. Since every human body is different, we believe it to be of the utmost importance that every student learn through understanding rather than solely by imitation. To this end, we strive to help each student become aware of his or her strengths and weaknesses in order to achieve the greatest potential and do so without injury. Classes, therefore, are carefully graded.
We also believe in the power of music to motivate and inspire the human spirit; therefore, we provide live accompaniment for all the classes.

The Teachers

Kerry Hubata recieved her training from Phyllis Wills and earned her Cecchetti student and teacher certificates under her tutelage. She also studied at the Ellis-DuBoulay School, the University of Utah, the National Ballet School, Toronto, and with Vera Volkova at the Banff School of Fine Arts. She was a principal dancer with Evanston Concert Ballet and has done innovative work in liturgical dance. She is a member of the Cecchetti Council of America and has been teaching for 44 years, having co-founded The Evanston School of Ballet with Phyllis Wills in 1968.

Juliana Lehman recieved extensive dance training, including formative years at The Evanston School of Ballet. She began her professional dance career performing with the Houston Ballet. From there she returned to her Midwestern roots to join Ballet Theatre of Chicago. While at Northern Illinois University, she participated in their strong dance program which included guest performances with Ballet Concerto of Fort Worth, TX. After a brief jaunt with The Chicago Ballet, she continues to freelance with select choreographers and companies. Teaching allows sharing of her dance knowledge and experience.

Erika Lindstrom Milbratz is delighted to begin her seventh year teaching at The Evanston School of Ballet. She trained at The Evanston School of Ballet and Indiana University. Mrs. Milbratz also has a Masters of Education from Pepperdine University. She has danced with Evanston Concert Ballet, Lyric Opera, Indiana University and Chautauqua Ballet, including leads in "Sleeping Beauty" and "Nutcracker", and she has choreographed for The Evanston School of Ballet.
Meghann Mueller received both a BFA in Dance and a BA in History from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She began her early dance training at the Evanston School of Ballet under Kerry Hubata and Laura Wade. During summers, Meghann studied at the Joffrey Ballet and on scholarship at the Milwaukee Ballet. While at TCU, she had the opportunity to perform works by TCU faculty members, as well as several guest artists including Elizabeth Johnson, Dana Nicolay, and TCU Choreographer in Residence Fernando Bujones. In the spring of 2006, Meghann's work, Narrow Anguish, was performed at the American College Dance Festival in the adjudicated concert. In 2007, Meghann formed Project606 Dance with former classmate Maureen Caspers. The company has performed throughout Chicago including at the revered Hamlin Park Fieldhouse and at the Atheneum Theater as a part of Dance Chicago.

About the School
The school is directed by Kerry Hubata and was founded in 1968 by Kerry Hubata and Phyllis Wills. It is dedicated entirely to education in classical ballet and includes work from pre-ballet through professional levels.
Students may expect to be offered a sound technical preparation for professional work. At the same time, the school offers classes designed to meet the interest of students who wish to study ballet for personal enrichment and fitness.
Richard Phillips, in the Chicago Tribune of March 23, 1984, reported that "from conversations with nearly two dozen dancers and dance professionals," Evanston School of Ballet was one of three ballet schools to "emerge with near-unanimous praise."
The highly qualified regular staff is augmented by distinguished guest teachers, who have included, alphabetically: Gwynne Ashton, Marijan Bayer, Nanci Crowley, Ann Hutchinson Guest, Penny Jay, Joan Kunsch, Enrique Martinez, Kay Mazzo, Kenneth Melville, Brunhilda Ruiz, Jurgen Schneider, Dame Kirsten Simone, Paul Sutherland, George Verdak, Maia Wilkins, Anne Woolliams and George Zoritch.
The Evanston School of Ballet is pleased to offer lecture demonstrations for schools and other groups.

Schedule of Class, 2010-2011 Season
Fall Term: September 13 through December 11; no classes November 21 through November 28 (Thanksgiving vacation)
Winter Term: December 13 through March 19; no classes December 19 through January 2 (Christmas vacation)
Spring Term: March 21 through June 18; no classes April 17 through April 24 (Easter vacation) and May 28, 29, 30 (Memorial Day)
Summer Term: To be announced

*Intermediate: Tuesday 1:30, Wednesday 6:45, Friday 6:45
Pointe and Variations: Tuesday 7:30 (Faculty permission required)

Classes in the Intermediate and higher levels are at least 1 1/4 hours and may include pointe work.
*Intermediate and advanced level students are encouraged to take lower level classes for strength and technique.
Children Pre-Ballet (6 and 7 years old): Saturday 9:00

Basic/Intermediate: Monday 5:30, Friday 5:30
Tuition Per Term: Each term includes twelve weeks of classes, exclusive of vacation days.
Tuition is due on or before the first day of class.

5 classes per week, $550
Advanced students may take unlimited classes for $550 per term

Promptness. Promptness is requisite at all levels; tardy students are not admitted to class.
No gum or jewelry allowed in class.
Girl's uniform. Black leotard, pink footed tights, pink shoes, hair neatly and securely arranged off neck. Advanced students may wear any solid color leotard with pink footed tights, pink shoes. Sweat pants or leg warmers are not to be worn in class.
Boy's Uniform. T-Shirt, black or gray tights, dance belt, white or black shoes. Sweat pants or leg warmers may not be worn.
When dance attire is worn to and from the school, outer clothing must also be worn.
Classes that are missed may be made up within the term.
*Any student not in compliance with these regulations may be excluded from class.

Evanston bus #201 to Prairie Avenue, walk 1/2 block east.
Evanston elevated train to Central Street, transfer to westbound #201 bus.
Nortran bus to Green Bay Road and Central Street, Walk 1 1/2 block west.
Metra (Northwestern) railroad to Central Street Evanston station, walk 1 1/2 blocks west.