Ballet Academy in Lincoln Park strives to create an environment to develop and foster natural and creative potential of a child, from awakening an interest in the art of dance to gaining professional skills. Dance lessons and performances facilitate in developing very important characters in a child: hard work, discipline, push for perfection, responsibility, and teamwork.
“Behind every dancer who believes in themselves, is a teacher who believed in them first.”
Vera Zhukova
Artistic Director, Ballet & Character Dance Instructor
Vera Zhukova is the founder and artistic director of Ballet Academy in Lincoln Park, which she has successfully led for over 21 years. Under her direction, the Academy has grown into a vibrant community with two locations, offering high-quality ballet training for children of all ages.
In addition to her work at the Academy, Vera has been teaching character dance at Salt Creek Ballet School in Westmont, Illinois, for nearly 20 years. She was also invited to teach character dance during the summer programs at the Joffrey Ballet School in Chicago, where she worked for several seasons.
Vera’s ballet teaching is rooted in the Vaganova syllabus, a method proven to inspire discipline, artistry, and a love of dance in young students. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge of ballet and dance theater, helping each child grow in confidence and reach their full potential.
Before moving to the United States, Vera built a distinguished career in Russia. She earned her diploma in ballet pedagogy and character dance at the State Academy of Art and Culture in Chelyabinsk, and later served for 13 years as artistic director of the Municipal Children’s Dance Theater in Yekaterinburg. In 2000, she was honored with the Russian Federation’s Award of Excellence in Dance Pedagogy.
Her lifelong dedication to dance—both as a performer and teacher—has shaped generations of students, many of whom have gone on to continue their dance education or pursue careers in the performing arts.
Janell Huckstadt
Instructor for "Little Steps", Pre-Ballet, Ballet and Jazz classes
Janell is a Chicago-based movement instructor and dancer. She has been teaching ballet technique and creative dance to children since receiving her BA in Dance from Columbia College Chicago in 2014. She draws on the enjoyment of years of nannying and learning child development to combine creative expression with the discipline of ballet. She also holds a certificate in Therapeutic Dance from the Embodiment Educational Institute of Chicago and is currently studying for her certificate in Trauma Informed Somatic Therapy. Aside from teaching with the Ballet Academy of Lincoln Park she also hosts classes and workshops as a therapeutic dance facilitator and performs in various improvisational dance projects.
Yevgeniya Zhukova
Manager & Substitute Pre-Ballet Instructor
Yevgeniya Zhukova, warmly known as Miss Yevi, began her dance journey at the age of four with the Municipal Dance Theater in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Throughout her childhood and early teens, she performed at numerous dance festivals and competitions across Russia, Eastern Europe, and Asia. After moving to the United States, she continued her training with Salt Creek Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance School in Chicago, while also competing at state and national levels with her high school dance troupe.
Today, Yevgeniya serves as both a manager and a substitute teacher for pre-ballet classes at our school. She brings not only her decades of dance experience but also her dedication to children’s overall growth and well-being. In addition to her dance background, Yevgeniya is a certified 200-hour yoga instructor with a specialization in children’s yoga, and she holds an MBA in Nutrition.
While her role in the school has evolved, dance remains a lifelong passion. Yevgeniya continues to take classes for her own development and joy, and she is committed to supporting young dancers—both in the studio and in their broader journey toward health, confidence, and balance.