About Barrington Dance Ensemble

Barrington Dance Ensemble (BDE) is a nonprofit, traditional ballet company dedicated to developing young artists and bringing exceptional ballet performances to our community.

Founded in 1989, BDE provides talented young dancers with meaningful opportunities to grow as artists through rigorous training, professional mentorship, and fully staged productions. By bringing emerging dancers together with accomplished professional guest artists, BDE creates an environment where young performers can experience the discipline, collaboration, and artistry of a professional ballet company.

Inspiring Young Artists. Enriching Our Community Through Ballet.

Our Mission

Barrington Dance Ensemble engages and inspires the community by providing cultural enrichment through exceptional dance education, performance, and scholarship.

Developing Young Artists

At the heart of BDE is our audition-based Company for dancers ages 11–18.

Company members build upon their technical training through rehearsals, coaching, master classes, and performance opportunities. They work with professional guest artists, choreographers, teachers, and coaches while taking on increasingly challenging roles and responsibilities.

For dancers pursuing collegiate or professional careers, this experience provides valuable preparation for the next stage of their development. For all Company members, it fosters confidence, discipline, collaboration, leadership, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Bringing Ballet to the Community

Each season, BDE presents two major productions: the holiday tradition of The Nutcracker and a fully staged spring ballet.

Our productions pair young dancers with professional guest artists, offering audiences the opportunity to experience high-quality traditional ballet close to home.

While membership in BDE's Company is earned through annual auditions, participation in BDE extends beyond the Company. Auditions for The Nutcracker are open to dancers from the broader community, creating an opportunity for more young performers to take part in this beloved holiday tradition.

Expanding Access to the Arts

BDE believes the experience of ballet should extend beyond those who perform on our stage.

Through scholarships, educational outreach, community partnerships, and complimentary and subsidized tickets, we work to reduce barriers to experiencing and participating in the arts.

Our outreach brings dance to schools, children, older adults, and community organizations while inviting new audiences into the theater—helping foster creativity, connection, and an appreciation for the arts throughout our community.

Honoring Our Legacy. Building What Comes Next.

Barrington Dance Ensemble was founded in 1989 by Mary Brennan with a vision of creating meaningful performance opportunities for young dancers while bringing exceptional ballet to the Barrington community.

Today, BDE carries that legacy forward under the artistic leadership of Artistic Director Jacqueline Moscicke.

As we enter our next chapter, BDE remains grounded in the traditions of classical ballet while continuing to strengthen opportunities for young dancers, deepen our community partnerships, and introduce new audiences to the beauty and artistry of ballet.

BDE & Barrington Dance Academy

Barrington Dance Ensemble is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization in residence at Barrington Dance Academy.

Barrington Dance Academy provides year-round dance education and technical training, while BDE provides an audition-based company and performance experience. Together, this relationship gives young dancers the opportunity to build upon their studio training through rehearsals, professional mentorship, and fully staged productions.

BDE is independently governed and supported as a nonprofit organization.

Made Possible by Our Community

BDE's performances, professional guest artists, scholarships, outreach, and accessible ticket programs are made possible through the generosity of individuals, families, foundations, businesses, volunteers, and community partners.

This support allows us to invest in the artistic development of young dancers while ensuring that exceptional ballet remains an accessible and vibrant part of our community.

Whether you join us in the audience, audition for the Company or The Nutcracker, volunteer, partner with us, or make a gift, there is a place for you at BDE.

Experience the artistry. Support the next generation. Be part of BDE.