Grainger Academy Summer Programs

Grainger Academy Summer Programs include Summer Intensives, Summer Dance Workshops, Children's Program classes, Dance Lab Program classes, an Adult Summer Intensive, and Group Master Classes. Summer Session classes in the Children's and Dance Lab Programs run as weekly class options that occur for an entire 8-week session. The Adult Summer Intensive focuses on technique, classical repertoire, strength, and flexibility through challenging yet fun classes taught by the Academy's faculty.

• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer Session classes run as weekly class options over an entire 8-week session

Founded in 1956, Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet provides training and education to all ages, levels, and backgrounds. Summer Programs include both auditioned and non-auditioned options for all ages and abilities, with Summer Intensives audition-based for ages 7–22 and Summer Dance Workshops non-auditioned for ages 7–18. Summer Session offers Children's and Dance Lab Program classes throughout the summer for ages 2–18, and the Adult Summer Intensive is for ages 18 and older and does not require auditions. Students from all over the world can experience Joffrey training, and Group Master Classes can be requested for groups of dancers. The Academy’s award-winning programming has been lauded by parents and educators nationwide, and Joffrey has received Ingenuity’s Equity in Arts Education Award. Joffrey Community Engagement is the largest provider of dance education in Chicago Public Schools. The organization’s mission is advancing dance through artistic excellence, innovation, and arts education, and its leadership team includes Ashley Wheater MBE as The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director, Greg Cameron as President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jim McDonough as Board Chair.

Last updated April 18, 2026.