Midwest Ballet Academy

Academy Instructors

Mim Eichmann, director, ballet instructor: B.F.A. in Ballet Performance and Education, Jordan College of Music at Butler University – opened the Midwest Ballet Academy in 1993.  Many dancers trained by Ms. Eichmann have joined professional ballet companies, have majored in ballet in college, as well as have received training and scholarships at prestigious summer ballet intensives and school year residencies at schools such as American Ballet Theatre, The School of American Ballet (training school for the New York City Ballet), and Pacific Northwest Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and Boston Ballet, among others.

Greg Begley, guest faculty, B.A. in Dance, Point Park College, Pittsburgh, PA is a former ballet master and featured dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Company, a former principle dancer with Ruth Page Chicago Ballet, and soloist with Pittsburgh Ballet.  Currently a faculty member with Hubbard Street and Ruth Page Foundation, Mr. Begley will be assisting in the training of our Ballet/Pointe V, Midwest Ballet Theatre students.

Shannon Brodie, instructor, BFA in Theater – emphasis in Dance, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL is an MBT alumna, who is currently a member of No Mi La Mad, a Chicago-based professional dance company whose directors seek to blend dance genres from classical ballet to jazz to modern.

Caitlin Brodie , Colleen Gandolfi, instructors, are MBT alumnae currently attending Collegeof Dupage and Benedictine University, respectively. In addition to their many roles danced with MBT, Colleen has taught at MBA for the last five years and Caitlin has been a favorite substitute instructor over the past several years.

Jennifer Michaels, instructor, BFA in Dance, Northern University, DeKalb, IL, graduated from The Chicago Academy for the Arts High School, danced professionally with Chattanooga Ballet and has taught all levels of ballet in the Chicago area, Chattanooga, and Washington D.C.

Diane Willett, ballroom instructor, has taught at Willowbrook Ballroom, College of DuPage and North Central College since 1994. Courses are offered in 8-week sessions, learning basic patterns of foxtrot, waltz and swing dance. To enroll, please contact Diane at dancnft1@yahoo.com.

Year-End Festival

All students enrolled in the Academy perform at the Year-End Festival, which is held the last Saturday in May at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. Students begin preparing for the Festival at the start of the Spring Session. There are no recital fees, costumes, tickets or other costs associated with the program. The Academy does not participate in dance competitions.

Class Descriptions

PreBallet – children learn simple rhythm & coordination exercises, pantomimes, distinguishing right and left sides, introduction of some ballet terminology and concepts, folk dances, ballet positions, working individually, with a partner and within a group.

Primary Ballet – children continue working to distinguish right & left sides, rhythm studies, some pantomimes and folk dances, continued introduction of ballet terminology, working individually, with a partner and within a group.

Ballet I -  introduction/continuation of ballet concepts and terminology at the barre and center; more difficult steps and combinations by the end of the semester.

Ballet II,  III,  III/IV – continuing ballet studies including more difficult steps and combinations, terminology, introduction of body shadings, gradual use of  simple adagio, petite allegro and grande allegro in center work. Children will almost always be in a level for more than one year.

Ballet III/IV – students continue with increasingly difficult adagio, petite allegro and grande allegro work, seeking to strengthen their technique with more intricate steps, ‘beats’ and combinations, in preparation for Ballet IV and introduction to pointe work.  Students should be committed to studying two times per week when at all possible.

Pointe – girls must be at least 11 years old, with very good ballet technique skills, including strength, balance, and alignment to begin pointe and must consistently study a minimum of two classes per week.

Adv. Ballet V/Pointe – an advanced, professionally paced class.