WEST RIDGE — When dancers scurry into the basement studio underneath UNO Charter School in West Ridge, they know the rules: Hair in a bun, don't be late, and no talking during class.
But at Chicago Ballet Arts, they also know the school's co-directors, Patti Eylar and Leslie Saunders, aren't the ruthless ballet teacher stereotypes often depicted in pop culture — they're professional dancers, too, and they love working with kids.
"Some people think that if you're a nurturing school, or a nice, school, that you're not really teaching ballet," Eylar said. "But that is not the case, because I believe you can do both."
The school's founder, Clare Carmichael, envisioned a nurturing program, one that taught with structure without the aim of perfection.
The school has three studios, a small, medium, and large, in the basement of former St. Scholastica Academy, which is currently occupied by UNO Rogers Park. [Provided photo/Chicago Ballet Arts: Greg Van Horn, Maxine Lapin & Alyssa Tong]
The school contains three underground studios accessed by a buzzer door in a hidden alcove behind the school.
From the look of the innocuous double-doors that lead you down a staircase and into the school, it's hard to tell that dancers from the Joffrey Ballet, American National Ballet, Ballet Chicago, the American School of Ballet and beyond teach just inside.
Since its inception, the school has never held auditions and has opened its doors to all.
It's been central to the school's mission to allow students the opportunity to learn how to dance — whether they want to pursue it professionally or not, the women said.
The students who do dream of a career filled with dance are off to a good start.
Graduates have gone on to take the stage for Julliard, Sarasota Ballet, Ballet West, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Los Angeles Ballet, and National Ballet of Canada, in addition to a number of dance programs at universities across the country.
The hallway is lined with photos of dancers who talk lessons at the school throughout the years. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
The nonprofit school was started in 1986 by dancer Clare Carmichael, and originally held its first classes at the former Montay College building, before moving to St. Scholastica (now UNO) in 1995.
"Clare really wanted to teach, and she didn't want to be exclusive," Saunders said. "She wanted anyone to be able to participate, but Clare didn't want to dumb it down either."
Now, for the last decade Saunders and Eylar have been running the show, trying to maintain what Carmichaels created 30 years ago while providing a supportive home away from home for many of the students.
The duo said it was Carmichael's end-of-year showcases that initially began to draw in professional talent to teach.
The shows would have dances arranged in chronological order, with a group of professional dancers capping the show off — a way for Carmichael to show prospective students what they could accomplish if they stuck with her program.
Seeing how Carmichael could transform and shape dancers, her friends in the industry began signing up to teach when they weren't touring the world or dancing in major performances.
Eylar points to a picture of herself and her sister as young girls. Eylar would later go on to the American School of Ballet in New York before coming to Chicago. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
Saunders and Eylar are now preparing themselves — and about 140 students — for the school's 30th anniversary show, which is June 18 at the school and is open to the public.
They're the ying to each other's yang, the women agreed, with Eylar heading the school's finances and paperwork and Saunders teaching in the classrooms.
The two smiled as they reflected on their career and friendship together — for the past 10 years each one has been a crucial source of support, guidance, and affirmation to the other.
At the end of the day, the women said they hope their students get the same experience, and feel empowered to chase any dream.
"I'm really proud of the kids, because we don't audition the kids," Eylar said, with tears welling in her eyes. "You look at them, they're all bouncing, their placement is good, and you really can see them get better."
Readying herself for afternoon practice, Saunders agreed.
"It just shows what you can do when you love something," she said.
Being a part of the school has been one of the proudest things she's done, Eylar said. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
Despite being relatively unknown, the school has dancers from Joffrey Ballet, American School of Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance, and more on its staff roster. [Chicago Ballet Arts; Greg Van Horn, Maxine Lapin & Alyssa Tong]
Dancers warming up on the bar before a Wednesday afternoon practice. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
Many of the school's dancers are accepted into collegiate dance programs, though participants aren't pressured into becoming professional dancers. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
Leslie Saunders (l.) and Patti Eylar (r.) co-direct the school, which includes kindergarten through 18-year-olds, at least two of whom have gone off to Julliard. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
Space is limited, the women said, but they like the small atmosphere, which allows them to keep a tight-knit group and costs low. [DNAinfo/Linze Rice]
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