“The values I learned at Ballet Chicago have made me a stronger and more independent person. The friendships and community I built there are still integral to who I am. Every accomplishment since leaving—whether performances at SAB or professional training—attests to their profound impact on my life. Ballet Chicago leaves an enduring mark on everyone who trains there, inspiring new generations and bringing beauty, love, and inspiration to all. The school will always have my heart, and I am forever grateful for the invaluable lessons that have shaped me into the dancer and person I am today.”
– Lucie Richard, Alumna, SAB Student, NYCB Apprentice beginning September 2025

 

“My time at Ballet Chicago had a profound influence on who I am today. During my teenage years, I spent over 40 hours a week at Ballet Chicago in class, rehearsal, or performance. It shaped my work ethic and fostered self-motivation that has been determinative of my success as an attorney. Ballet Chicago formed my beliefs about the integrity of my work, my dedication to what’s right and just and correct. It’s where I developed fidelity to technique, accuracy, and detail, which is central to both ballet and the practice of law. The culture at Ballet Chicago instilled a dedication to self-improvement without competition, a collegiality that makes it possible to cheer on your peers without succumbing to comparison, that I find extremely helpful in the workplace. Twenty years later, my Ballet Chicago friendships are still strong. I treasure the years I spent at Ballet Chicago and have taken the values I developed there into all parts of my adult life.”

– Sarah Hess, Senior Staff Attorney at Legal Council for Health Justice

 

"I can honestly say that without the School of Ballet Chicago and the Ballet Chicago Studio Company, I would not have a career in professional ballet. The Ballet Chicago organization did for me what it did for a number of my contemporaries: it welcomed those of us who possessed the mere desire and determination to dance and proceeded to mold and shape our talent into a tangible force. Along the way, I believe that Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair cultivated in each of us skill - poise, commitment, and confidence among them - that have served us all well regardless of the specific path we each ultimately chose. I feel privileged to have grown up in the Ballet Chicago family - and it is a family - and know that I am a more completely developed dancer and fully realized individual as a result of my years there."

– Genevieve Custer Weeks, Founder & Owner Tutu School

 

 “I am delighted to share my exceptional experiences at Ballet Chicago, which significantly influenced my career path. Under Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair's tutelage, I acquired invaluable skills in discipline, respect, and hard work. The knowledge and encouragement I received from them and the faculty have equipped me for a successful dance career. I am deeply grateful for the institution's impact on my life and the inspiration it provides to other dancers like me pursuing their dreams.”

– Montes Pirtle, Dancer with Boulder Ballet

 

"I could never have made it this far without the foundation I gained at the School of Ballet Chicago. I am forever indebted and grateful." 

– Lara O'Brien, Former Principal Dancer, Carolina Ballet

 

Zee Almutairi, now an attorney specializing in labor law, writes that Mr. Duell and Ms. Blair were “crucial to my intellectual and emotional development. The lessons [they] taught me have guided me in everything I’ve done since I walked out of the ballet studio.”