Ready to Begin? Read up on all the details for the Conservatory and Trainee Programs.

Performance Opportunities

• Frequent Performances: Appearances with the Studio Company and Trainee repertoire throughout the season, including outreach events at schools, churches, retirement communities, and cultural centers across Chicagoland and the Midwest.

• Featured Roles: Opportunities to dance corps, soloist, and principal roles in Ballet 5:8’s full-length productions such as Beyond the Nutcracker and Cinder Ella, as well as original works by Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager and guest choreographers.

• Professional Experience: Understudy and performance opportunities alongside the Ballet 5:8 Professional Company for Trainees and select Conservatory dancers, including appearances on regional and national tours.

• Festival Participation: Select dancers perform at prestigious events such as the American Youth Ballet Festival, Dance for Life Next Generation, and the Chicago Youth Dance Festival, gaining experience on high-profile stages.

• Digital & Film Projects: Opportunities to appear in professionally produced reels, trailers, and original dance films—building performance presence and audition materials while developing media fluency.

• Emerging Artist Showcase: A fully student-produced concert that empowers dancers to explore choreography, curation, and production. This unique opportunity encourages creativity, collaboration, and leadership.

• Community Partnerships: Engagements through outreach and collaborations with schools and nonprofit partners, using dance as a tool for education, storytelling, and cultural connection in diverse communities

Men’s Program

• Men’s Allegro & Variations: Build explosive power, stamina, and control.

•  Weight Training & Injury Prevention: Develop the strength and conditioning essential for partnering and longevity.

•  Partnering Technique: Master safe, seamless partnering through repetition and refinement.

• Choreography Retention: Accelerate learning and memory skills through male-focused repertoire coaching.

• Mentorship by Male Professionals: Men are mentored by School alumni and now Company Artists Christian English and John Szwast. They offer personalized feedback and real-world insight from current Ballet 5:8 professionals, including regular opportunities to work with male guest artists.

• Guest Faculty: 2025-26 Guest Faculty Michael Caye of Atlanta Ballet will be working with the men’s program

• Built for Advancement: Whether transitioning from recreational training or preparing for a collegiate or professional path, the Men’s Program gives dancers the tools, confidence, and mentorship to thrive in today’s ballet world.

Housing & Amenities

Ballet 5:8 partners with Trinity Christian College to offer on-campus housing just 30 minutes from the studios:

• Location: South Hall, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL

• Cost: $500/month (shared room) or $1,000/month (single room)

• Features: Suite-style rooms with private bathrooms, free WiFi, on-site laundry, secure keycard access, 24-hour campus security, parking, and dining options

• Note: South Hall does not have air conditioning.

• Terms: First and last month’s rent required at registration; non-refundable.

Evaluation & Mentorship

• Twice-Yearly Evaluations: Detailed progress feedback to guide each dancer’s growth.

• Ongoing Mentorship: Year-round mentoring with pathways to audition for Ballet 5:8’s Second Company and Professional Company.

• Exam Week: Formal syllabus assessments near year-end determine level placement and advancement.

Academic Support

Conservatory dancers completing high school have multiple options:

• Local Early Release: Many dancers attend area public schools with early release to accommodate training.

• Study Space: Students are welcome to come to the studios to use our spacious lobby or meeting room to study before their ballet classes.

• Online Education: Partnership with accredited Laurel Springs Online School offers flexible online courses tailored for serious dancers, complete with dedicated counselors to support academic success and graduation planning.

Level Placement

The Conservatory includes the highest three levels of training at the School of Ballet 5:8. Dancers master advanced Vaganova syllabus levels, integrating ballet technique, pointe, pas de deux, contemporary styles, character dance, and more. Cross-training with strength, Pilates, and Progressing Ballet Technique sustains the physical demands of modern dance careers. The program fosters individual attention in an encouraging environment that cultivates discipline, artistry, and resilience.

Conservatory graduates consistently earn scholarships and placements at prestigious summer intensives and professional programs nationwide. The Trainee program does not have levels. Trainees are often awarded contracts with the Second Company at Ballet 5:8 or other entry-level company positions with companies around the world.