Our School History
Founded in 1989, Von Heidecke Chicago Festival Ballet (CFB) has steadily grown since its inception at Scotland's prestigious Edinburgh Festival when Mr. von Heidecke received full funding from a grant from Chicago Artists Abroad. In December 1990, under the sponsorship of Discover Card and the Gaylord Donnelley Foundation, the DuPage Arts Center presented the VHB in its first full-length Nutcracker. Simultaneously, Mr. von Heidecke founded the Von Heidecke School of the VHB in order to offer the highest level of training in classical ballet with a faculty of reknowned international artists of the ballet world.
Our Mission Statement
• To maintain the highest artistic standards and uncompromising quality of spirited performances through the traditions of classical ballet.• To develop a repertoire of classical, romantic, and neoclassical works focusing upon the great musical compositions of the 19th and 20th century masters.
• To allow art to evolve and forge ahead with the times by encouraging collaboration between dance and other artistic disciplines and thus provide the catalytic means of stimulating exploration, growth, and creativity.
• To further cultural enrichment by providing diverse works which are readily accessible to the public, including urban and rural communities, underprivileged, disabled, and all ethnic backgrounds.
• To offer a continuous educational program which will focus on nurturing and providing a high quality of opportunities and careful guidance to young aspiring artists seeking the development of professional careers.
• To develop and expand a program of national and international touring while representing DuPage County, the Chicagoland area, and the State of Illinois.
