Meet a Mom: Maliwan Diemer on Leading Chicago Ballet Arts into Its 40th Year!

This week’s Chicago North Shore Moms’ Meet a Mom spotlight is on the mom behind the nonprofit dance program Chicago Ballet Arts (CBA) whose mission is to provide equitable access and opportunity to high-quality ballet training to all with the desire to learn. We had the pleasure of reconnecting with CBA’s artistic and executive director, Maliwan Diemer, about what makes this 40-year-old professional dance program so unique, as well as her personal background as a dancer with world-renowned teachers Violette Verdy, Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux.

Maliwan gushes about the rich history of this stellar program, and ongoing class options to get your dancer involved in! “It’s always an exciting time for us but the 2025-26 school year will be extra special as we are gearing up to celebrate our 40th birthday!” Get to know Maliwan and Chicago Ballet Arts!

Hi Maliwan! Before we “cut in” (pun intended) please introduce yourself.

My name is Maliwan Diemer and I have the privilege of being the Artistic and Executive Director of Chicago Ballet Arts, a non-profit dance school located in Evanston. I was born in Ohio but lived in Thailand and Malaysia before my family returned to the United States. Growing up in multiple countries definitely helped to shape who I am.

Tell us about your child.

I am the proud mom of one energetic, creative, kind kiddo. While he loves coming with me to Chicago Ballet Arts, so far he has not been interested in taking dance classes. However, he does love a dance party and likes playing the role of artistic director so mom and dad’s dance genes are still making an impact!

What are one or two fun facts to know about you?  

A fun fact about me is that I took my first international flight at just a few weeks old when my parents moved to Thailand. I was so little that my dad had to hold me up for my passport photo (this was way before digital cameras). I feel very fortunate to have been able to spend some of my childhood living abroad in Thailand and Malaysia. My international experience definitely shaped who I am.

We are excited to learn more Chicago Ballet Arts (CBA) and what makes this such a stellar and unique program for future dancers. What is the mission and when was it established?

CBA was founded in 1986 by Clare Carmichael and is celebrating its 40th birthday in 2026! Our mission is to provide equitable access and opportunity to high-quality ballet training to all with the desire to learn. In the process, we strive to instill in our students a love of dance, a respect for the classical disciplines necessary in a performing art, and an expanded capacity for excellence. CBA is proud to offer an inclusive, pre-professional program for ages 5-18 along with classes for younger dancers ages 2-5 and a robust Adult Division!

What was the inspiration behind the formation of Chicago Ballet Arts?

Chicago Ballet Arts (CBA) was founded with the goal of providing access to high quality training to any student with the drive and desire to train seriously in ballet. Clare’s son was taking dance classes (fun fact, he went on to become a professional dancer) and she soon saw the need for a program that would offer the rigor and high standards necessary to pursue a professional career, but with the warmth and nurturing environment of a community-focused school. She firmly believed that students deserved to have the full experience, including professionally run performance opportunities. CBA has always opened its doors to students of all backgrounds and works hard to remove barriers to training. As we near our 40th anniversary, we are still guided by the founding principles.

What sets Chicago Ballet Arts apart from traditional dance studios?

For me, what sets CBA apart is the balance we strike between the rigor and discipline of a pre-professional program, and the intimate, student-centered feel. Many pre-professional programs eventually require auditions or don’t allow all dancers to continue through the entire program. Because of our small class sizes, we are able to provide individual attention and really get to know each student. We once had a student say that when she found CBA, she thought it was “too good to be true.” She didn’t realize that there was a place for a student like her who wanted to train seriously, but in a nurturing, welcoming environment. We work hard to ensure that we are helping each student reach their personal goals. If that includes dancing professionally in the future, wonderful! But if it doesn’t, that is still wonderful and we will celebrate them and provide them with the same high-quality training.

Speaking of a welcoming environment, what impact on diversity and equity has Chicago Ballet Arts made on our local communities?

I am proud to say that when we say we want to provide access for all students with the desire to learn, we do mean all. We work hard to remove barriers that are commonly associated with serious training and this has allowed students who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to train at this level to have it be an integral part of their lives. We are incredibly fortunate to have a scholarship program that was founded through the generosity of Patti Eylar, Charles Gardner, and Jim and Linda Mitchell. Their generosity has enabled us to provide financial support to families in need. We never want tuition to be the reason why a student stops dancing. Even in the very early years of the school, CBA has had a diverse student body. I believe this is directly tied to our mission and our commitment to inclusion. New families often tell us that they came to CBA because they trusted we would provide a safe space for their child. As a bi-racial woman who encountered the challenges of being a dancer of color, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to continue our rich history while finding ways to improve and grow, because the work doesn’t stop. We are just one small drop in the bucket of change that must take place for the larger dance world to truly be inclusive and representative.

We love that messaging, thank you. And how did you personally get involved in this Chicago Ballet Arts? 

I began working at CBA in 2007. I was brought on to start a performance group for the most advanced dancers and soon began teaching classes as well. In August of 2020, I moved into a new role as Artistic and Executive Director and helped the school transition to our home in Evanston. It is both fulfilling and in some ways hard to believe that I’ve been involved for over 18 years. I’ve seen so many students graduate and go on to their next journeys. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with our alumni and learn about their adventures and sometimes even meet their own growing families!

What is the most rewarding aspect about being a part of the Chicago Ballet Arts mission?

By far the most rewarding aspect for me is developing relationships with the students and their families and helping them meet their goals. Whether or not our students decide to go on to professional dance careers, I know the skills they are learning will serve them beyond their time at CBA. I get to sit back and proudly watch as they move into adulthood and with each of them, I see direct evidence that dancing at CBA made a meaningful impact. We have alumni that have gone on to a wide range of wonderful careers but what is truly special is how many of them stay connected to the school years after graduation. In fact, we have alumni who currently work for us and even some alumni who now have their own children enrolled! It really is a beautiful dance family and one of the things I cherish being a part of the most.

What programs are open for students at Chicago Ballet Arts?

It’s always an exciting time for us but the 2025-26 school year will be extra special as we are gearing up to celebrate our 40th birthday! We are currently finishing up our summer programs with classes for ages 2 and up and our Pre-Professional Intensive, which is August 4-9, and then it is full steam ahead into the new school year, which begins August 25, 2025.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank for the success of Chicago Ballet Arts?

There are so many people to thank for our success, including our talented faculty, accompanists, and staff, along with our dedicated board members. But the credit really goes to our students and their families, who have supported the school over the years. So many of our families have volunteered (and continue to volunteer) time and energy in countless ways. What we do wouldn’t be possible without our incredible community.

How do our readers contribute or volunteer their time?

As a nonprofit organization, we can always use volunteers. From assisting with productions to helping with fundraising events or donating services, there are many ways to get involved. Donations in support of our scholarship program are also greatly appreciated.