Community Corner
Hinsdale Dance Academy Debuts New Professional Ballet Company
Hinsdale’s very own premier dance school, Hinsdale Dance Academy, will now be the affiliate school to professional company, Western Chicago Ballet under direction of Darren C. McIntyre. Hinsdale Dance Academy is under direction of former principal ballerina, Jennifer Grapes. Mr. McIntyre and Ms. Grapes have joined forces to create the Western Chicago Ballet. The company will consist of professional ballet dancers joining us from around the country...and around the world! Currently the company consists of five girls and four boys. The girls: Danielle Troyano, Danielle Glynn, Natalie Rossi, Kayleigh Danowski and Mica Ward are all joining Western Chicago Ballet this year directly from the Montgomery Ballet in Montgomery, Alabama. Each of the girls are uniquely and beautifully different, providing a great deal of depth and variety to the small company. Each dancer was hand picked from audition classes around the country by former Montgomery Ballet director, Darren McIntyre. Having professional dancers working close in proximity to the young aspiring ballerinas of Hinsdale Dance Academy will be very beneficial to the students development, their training, and their futures. The girls are thrilled to be part of the Hinsdale Dance family and to be working closely with Mr. McIntyre and Ms. Grapes, both whom have had very successful and inspiring careers in the ballet industry.
The men of Western Chicago Ballet all come from very interesting roots. Lucas Athaide has come all the way from Brazil where he danced professionally for several years and it is very evident within his commanding performance skills and mature presence. This year will mark his second year living in the United States, after having danced for a year in Montgomery Ballet as well. Camilo Cardenes Herrera and Andres Angulo are joining us all the way from Cali, Columbia. Both of these men possess similar lean and striking physiques. They each offer an immense amount of power within their dancing and partnering. They will surely turn many heads. For all three of these men, English is their second language. The progress they have made thus far with their English is truly remarkable. We will also have Mauricio Fernandez Gil joining us this season who was born and raised in Mexico. Mauricio spent the past year dancing as a trainee with the renown ballet company, Orlando Ballet. He will definitely be a beautiful asset to the company as well. Each of these four boys provide a coquettish charm that will leave you hooked. The company’s director Darren McIntyre, formerly of Milwaukee Ballet, is of Australian decent. His charming accent and distinct dialect are quite desirable. Chicagoland is fortunate to have Mr. McIntyre and his wondrous talent for this art joining us here in Hinsdale. The roots of these men will surely instill a wonderful sense of culture to Hinsdale and its surrounding areas.
Western Chicago Ballet is aimed to bring forth an even greater arts community to Chicagoland. Each of the company members are looking forward to sharing their passion with the community and to call Hinsdale their home. Previously aforementioned, Western Chicago Ballet will be a wonderful asset to the students of Hinsdale Dance Academy as they will get to work alongside professional company members and watch the life both in and out of the studio of a professional dancer. The students will get to perform with the professionals in productions which is a key learning experience in any young dancer. The professional company members will also be teaching at Hinsdale Dance Academy during the year.
Western Chicago Ballet will present its first performance (in conjunction with the Hinsdale Dance Academy) “The Stars of Today with the Stars of Tomorrow” at the Community House in Hinsdale on Monday, July 28th at 6:00 pm. Admission will be free of charge. Don’t miss the opportunity to get to know the new professional dancers of your area, as they join together with the aspiring dancers at the Hinsdale Dance Academy to bring forth a night of beautiful and unforgettable performance.
For more information, please call the Hinsdale Dance Academy at 630 484 3241.