Program areas at Hyde Park School of Dance
Hyde Park School of Dance (HPSD) provides instruction in classical and contemporary dance for students age 3 through adult. In the fiscal year ending 6/30/2022, HPSD enrolled over 500 students offering 70 hours of weekly instruction in two 16- week sessions during the school year and over 20 hours of weekly instruction in each of two 4-week summer sessions. Additional intensive and master classes were also offered throughout the year. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all classes were offered on a hybrid basis so that students could participate live or virtually, expanding our community beyond the local neighborhood.
HPSD awarded 66 scholarships to 33 students between the ages of 7 and 18. These scholarships were awarded based on financial need and dedication to the study of dance, determined in open audition for dancers and interview for parents/guardians.
During the fiscal year ending 6/30/2022, HPSD provided its students with performance opportunities both live and online. HPSD presented our 28th annual performance of "The Nutcracker" which featured a cast of over 100 students and was presented both live and streaming to audiences in local schools and around the world. The annual all school performance Spring Concert was presented at the Museum of Science and Industry and featured three acts including students age 3 to adult. The advanced youth company dancers participated in a variety of public performances, festivals, and enrichment programs throughout the community including the 57th Street Children's Book Fair, Thater Y, HPSD Open House, the Halloween Parade, Flavors Youth Festival, and the Variations Showcase.
Hyde Park School of Dance's Community Engagement outreach program works with schools and local park districts to create robust pathways for talented and committed young dancers through dance based classes, workshops, and free concerts to reach more than 1000 people. In fiscal year 2022, the Community Engagement program taught regular classes at 4 public elementary schools, 3 charter and private schools, and Chicago park district facilities.