Dovetail Studios Children’s & Youth Dance Programs
Dovetail Studios, 2853 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
About
Dovetail Studios Children’s & Youth Dance Programs offers classes in ballet, hip-hop, musical theatre, contemporary, jazz, and dance-influenced group fitness classes. The program also includes Itty Bitty classes, pre musical theater, pre ballet, Hip Hop classes with Gerry, competitive dance companies, and professional classes, as well as works & performance and studio rentals.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Fall classes run from 8/23/2026 through 12/19/2026.
• Price: 45 min class = $25/class; 60 min class = $28/class; 75 min class = $31/class; Adult 60 min class = $18/class.
Dovetail Studios was established in September 2015 and has since evolved into a vibrant arts community hub on Chicago’s North Side. The children’s program culminates in a studio-wide recital performance held off-site during the Winter session, and there are competition dance companies for additional performances in and out of the studio. The studio also offers daily morning classes for professional dancers and dance-influenced group fitness classes. The space has been renovated to be ADA compliant and includes a gender-neutral changing room, three dance studios with ballet barres and mirrors, sound proofing, QSC and JBL powered speakers, separate HVAC systems for each studio, skylights in every studio, two waiting areas, two restrooms, dimmable lighting, ceiling fans, and 18-foot ceilings.
The program is led by Owner and Education Director Joanna Read, who has over two decades of experience in dance education with training in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, and choreography. Each instructor brings years of professional experience and a stated passion for dance education, with diverse backgrounds in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and other styles. The stated goal of the program is to provide outstanding dance training in an inclusive, supportive, and inspiring setting, and the studio notes that everyone is welcome regardless of age, experience, or background.
Parent reviews mention children enjoying pre musical theater, pre ballet, and Hip Hop classes with Gerry, as well as participation in competition teams and musical theater classes over multiple years. Reviews also describe teachers as dynamic, caring, professional, and positive, and note experiences with both recreational classes and competition groups. One review describes concerns about a past instructor’s attendance and communication, followed by a transition to a more dependable teacher and a $100 credit and email from the studio, while also noting that other classes and an adult class at the studio were very positive experiences.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Fall classes run from 8/23/2026 through 12/19/2026.
• Price: 45 min class = $25/class; 60 min class = $28/class; 75 min class = $31/class; Adult 60 min class = $18/class.
Dovetail Studios was established in September 2015 and has since evolved into a vibrant arts community hub on Chicago’s North Side. The children’s program culminates in a studio-wide recital performance held off-site during the Winter session, and there are competition dance companies for additional performances in and out of the studio. The studio also offers daily morning classes for professional dancers and dance-influenced group fitness classes. The space has been renovated to be ADA compliant and includes a gender-neutral changing room, three dance studios with ballet barres and mirrors, sound proofing, QSC and JBL powered speakers, separate HVAC systems for each studio, skylights in every studio, two waiting areas, two restrooms, dimmable lighting, ceiling fans, and 18-foot ceilings.
The program is led by Owner and Education Director Joanna Read, who has over two decades of experience in dance education with training in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, and choreography. Each instructor brings years of professional experience and a stated passion for dance education, with diverse backgrounds in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and other styles. The stated goal of the program is to provide outstanding dance training in an inclusive, supportive, and inspiring setting, and the studio notes that everyone is welcome regardless of age, experience, or background.
Parent reviews mention children enjoying pre musical theater, pre ballet, and Hip Hop classes with Gerry, as well as participation in competition teams and musical theater classes over multiple years. Reviews also describe teachers as dynamic, caring, professional, and positive, and note experiences with both recreational classes and competition groups. One review describes concerns about a past instructor’s attendance and communication, followed by a transition to a more dependable teacher and a $100 credit and email from the studio, while also noting that other classes and an adult class at the studio were very positive experiences.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
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