I have been going here almost my whole life. I cannot express the family I have made in my time…read morehere! The instructors make an effort to connect with you on a personal level and I have become close to many of them. They really care about technique here and, as I have visited other studios, I have noticed that DMA does a really spectacular job. Not only this, but they are really well-rounded. You can get a quality education in ballet, jazz, modern, musical theater, tap, and hip hop with teachers that are great in their field. They are home to even some professionally-affiliated companies like the Chicago Repertory Ballet Youth Ensemble which I was a part of for 2 years, and the Trifecta Youth Ensemble which I have been a part of for a while. No matter what style you're interested in, they have something for you. They have a musical theater program that brings in agents and gives help with self taps from working actors, they have a ballet conservatory, they have hip hop companies, a tap company, jazz company, and a modern company, as well as a mini Glenbrook South poms "prep" company and an Edgebrook All-Stars poms "prep" company. If you just want to take classes with no companies, they have that, too. Don't be fooled, just because they have many different styles doesn't mean they are lesser quality, because DMA puts care into every style they have. As a mainly ballet-lover, I am able to do a variation (dance) en pointe as well as be in the modern company. It's great because even though I did not like ballet as a kid, I grew to love it in the classes I took and was able to decide to take more of them because of the opportunities here. I was even able to go to the YAGP National FInals in Tampa because of the fantastic ballet company. Needless to say, please consider DMA. I am close to being a senior in high school and will cherish the time I had here. I really feel well-prepared as a dancer and a person because of my time here. They really instill in you that a dancer is worth more than their body, the titles they won, or what style they do. To us, dance is an art form and a sport. I have loved it here and feel like a part of a family. Please consider coming here! (also I know there are some negative reviews from a while ago but the place has come under new management)