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Northwest Ballet Academy

5 ★★★★★ 61 Google reviews · Ballet school in Schaumburg, Illinois

Ballet school Free trial Adult classes Kids & teens Pointe Pre-professional

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / first class new students can usually try a class free or at a discount — call ahead or check their schedule to book your first one
  • Ages classes for ages 3–13 — check the schedule for the right level for your dancer
  • Adult classes classes for grown-ups, including absolute beginners — it's never too late to start at the barre
  • Pointe pointe and pre-pointe work for dancers who are ready — the pre-pointe strengthening comes first
  • Pre-professional a serious, conservatory-style track for committed students aiming high
  • Recitals end-of-year performances and shows — ask about costume and performance fees when you enroll
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone +1 847-885-3370
  • Website & schedule northwestballetacademy.com — enroll and see the live class schedule

Hours

Monday 4:30–9 pm
Tuesday 4:30–9 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am–12:45 pm, 4:30–8:45 pm
Thursday 4:30–9:15 pm
Friday 10:15 am–1:45 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Studio hours shift for holidays, recitals, and term schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The programs they offer

Ballet programs on the schedule at Northwest Ballet Academy, confirmed in families' own reviews and the studio's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

💃 Adult Ballet 8 mentions

“At the end of the year they put on amazing performances that everyone from the youngest students to high school level and adult dancers get to be a part of.”

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🌱 Adult Beginner Ballet 3 mentions

“If you took dance as a kid, or wish you did, it’s never too late to start.”

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🌸 Kids Ballet 24 mentions

“The instructors are very nice and give students age-appropriate instructions which help kids to understand and improve their skills.”

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🩰 Pointe 3 mentions

“Ballet, Pointe, Character, Modern, Jazz classes are offered for kids and adults, as well as a separate Cecchetti ballet curriculum, not seen in many other studios.”

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Pre-Professional

“Recitals are story ballets where the younger dancers are part of a story with the pre-professionals.”

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☀️ Summer Intensives

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🧸 Toddler & Pre-Ballet

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How they train

The training methods and syllabi Northwest Ballet Academy teaches, drawn from their own info and students' reviews — the quickest way to tell how a studio approaches classical technique.

🎭 Cecchetti Method 3 mentions

“In addition to ballet classes, my older one are now taking jazz, modern, and character, and Cecchetti classes and those new dances classes gave her more passion on dance.”

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Methods are mined from the studio's own info and reviews — they tell you the approach, not a formal certification or exam board. If a specific syllabus matters to you, confirm it with the studio before enrolling.

What families & students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 61 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“She has created a friendly, warm, and open environment for dancers of all levels, abilities, backgrounds, ages, and body types.”

💛 nurturing, non-competitive 14 mentions

“The dance studio is family owned, the new owner Lori is a kind, thoughtful, professional leader and mentor to the kids.”

🎭 beautiful recitals & performances 21 mentions

“I especially love that as an adult, I have the opportunity to take intermediate level classes and have the same performance opportunities I did when I was younger.”

💃 great for adults 8 mentions

“NWBA is a wonderful place that helped me fall in love with ballet again as an adult!”

🗓️ well-run & communicative 13 mentions

“Lori Baduria, the owner, is an incredibly professional, hard-working, and kind person who is passionate about dance.”

💪 builds confidence & discipline 5 mentions

“My daughters have been learning discipline and balancing school and dance lessons and other activities.”

From the reviews

Northwest Ballet Academy is a gem of a studio. Lori Baduria, the owner, is an incredibly professional, hard-working, and kind person who is passionate about dance. She has created a friendly, warm, and open environment for dancers of all levels, abilities, backgrounds, ages, and body types.

★★★★★ — Elizabeth, Aug 2023

I have attended performances of Northwest Ballet Academy for the past 13 years and have always been impressed by the level of their students' technical proficiency and the shows' production value.

★★★★★ — Erin, Jun 2022

We came to Northwest Ballet 5 years ago after trying a couple of others in the area. No comparison! The training at Northwest is fantastic. Professional teachers, disciplined environment (you can't be late for class or you can't take that day...love it!), and my daughter has achieved so much.

★★★★★ — Nancy, Sep 2015

Fantastic ballet studio with great teachers. My daughter has been going here since 7 and always looks forward to her lessons. There is definitely a sense of family at this studio that you see with especially with the older dancers.

★★★★★ — Thomas, Aug 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 61 reviews →

Adult ballet at Northwest Ballet Academy

Northwest Ballet Academy runs classes for grown-ups — confirmed on their own site. If you've never taken ballet, or you're coming back to it after years away, this is for you — and a good studio genuinely welcomes a nervous first-timer. A few things worth asking before you go. First, which class to start in — look for one labeled "absolute beginner" or "adult beginner" rather than an open or "all levels" class, so you learn the fundamentals at the right pace. Second, drop-in or term — many adult programs let you pay per class to try it, then move to a term or monthly package once you're hooked. Third, what to wear — comfortable clothes you can move in, plus socks or bare feet, are plenty for a first class; you won't need a leotard or ballet shoes to walk in the door. It's never too late for first position.

Check adult classes on their site

Your first ballet class at Northwest Ballet Academy

Nervous about walking into your first class? Almost everyone is — and a good studio expects beginners, whether your dancer is five or you're returning at fifty. Here's what to know. What to wear: comfortable clothes you can move in, with socks or bare feet; a leotard and tights are nice if you have them, but not required, and pointe shoes are years down the road — never day one. What to expect: class usually starts at the barre with slow, simple movements to warm up, then moves to the center — follow along, copy the teacher, and don't worry about getting it "right" the first time. Arrive early: come 10–15 minutes ahead to change, find a spot, and let the teacher know it's a first class so they can keep an eye out. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Ballet is for every age and every body. If you're returning from an injury or have a health concern, mention it to the teacher before class so they can offer modifications.

Where to find Northwest Ballet Academy

1069 N Salem Dr, Schaumburg, IL60194

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.