

Artistic Director
Alyce Keaggy Brinkmann
Alyce Keaggy Brinkmann, Owner and Artistic Director of IDC, boasts a successful 13-year career as a leading artist with Milwaukee Ballet Company. With over 35 years of experience, she's been a prominent dance instructor in Chicago's Northwest Suburbs. In 2000, she founded Illinois Youth Dance Theatre (IYDT), a renowned non-profit pre-professional youth ballet company.


A Distinguished Dance Career
Alyce Keaggy Brinkmann's career as a leading artist with Milwaukee Ballet Company spanned an impressive 13 years. During her tenure, she amassed an extensive classical repertoire and performed principle roles in iconic ballets such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, and Romeo and Juliet. She had the privilege of collaborating with renowned choreographers including Enrique Martinez, Lynn Taylor Corbett, Jean Paul Comelin, and Margo Sappington.
In her two years with the joint venture of Milwaukee and Pennsylvania Ballet, Alyce danced principle roles in George Balanchine’s Symphony in C, Square Dance, Scotch Symphony, and Serenade. She also toured nationally and internationally as a guest artist and served as a principal dancer with Williams/Gerard Productions of New York.
Alyce Keaggy Brinkmann received her training on scholarship with Larry Long at the Ruth Page Foundation of Chicago, during which time she performed numerous roles in the Chicago Tribune Charities production of “The Nutcracker.” Her training journey was enriched by the mentorship of notable teachers such as Lupe Serrano, Victoria Simon, and Elena Tchnichova.
Founding and Nurturing Artistic Endeavors
In 1999, Alyce Keaggy Brinkmann embarked on her journey as a founder by establishing Performing Arts of Spring Grove. Just a year later, in 2000, she founded its non-profit performing company, Illinois Youth Dance Theatre (IYDT).
Her passion for dance education extended to a faculty role at Milwaukee Ballet School. In 2010, Alyce Keaggy Brinkmann and her partner, Louis Dixon, jointly established Illinois Dance Conservatory (IDC). Through these institutions, Illinois Dance Conservatory and Illinois Youth Dance Theatre, she introduced a comprehensive training and performing program that prioritized daily classical work and repertoire.
Ms. Keaggy Brinkmann's unwavering artistic vision for rigorous training and outstanding performance has been instrumental in shaping aspiring young dancers into accomplished artists.

Credit: Kelly Stachura Photography