welcome to the fremont ballet school
Founded in 1964, The Fremont ballet school has been one of northwest ohio’s premiere dance studio for over 6 decades
current news
Dancing the role of Dr. Coppélius in the Fremont Ballet School’s 2026 production of Coppélia, Mr. Eric Hillenbrand.
The last time the Fremont Ballet School staged Coppélia was in 2014, and the role of Dr. Coppélius was danced by our beloved founder, Mr. Ernst Hillenbrand. As most of you know, Mr. Hillenbrand passed away in January 2025. We miss him dearly, and when choosing this production, Mr. H was at the forefront of our minds. It was imperative that we chose someone to play the role of Dr. Coppélius that would do our “Mr. H” justice. So, we reached out to Mr. Eric Hillenbrand, Mr. H’s eldest son, who so graciously accepted the role.
We are so extremely grateful and humbled to have Mr. Eric Hillenbrand working with our dancers in this production. It feels so special to have such a direct connection to Mr. H in our new studio space, rehearsing alongside our students just as Mr. H would have done. We cannot wait for you to see this production realized on stage, May 9-10. Tickets on sale mid-April.
Mr. Eric Hillenbrand’s professional performance biography:
Eric Hillenbrand enjoys an extensive performance background in the Greater Toledo community. His stage career includes performances with Toledo Opera, Toledo Ballet and many regional theater companies, with roles including the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, Peron in Evita and Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls.
He is also a former artistic director of Toledo Repertoire Theatre and a current Toledo Rep trustee, most recently performing for them in the title role of Man of La Mancha. Off-stage, Eric is a noted developer and renovator of historic properties, as well as the owner of 20 North Gallery, Toledo’s oldest independent gallery.
In dance, 2025 marked Eric’s nineteenth annual performance of Drosselmeyer in Toledo Ballet’s Nutcracker, honored to follow in the role previously performed by his father Ernst Hillenbrand, and thereby celebrating 70 years of the Hillenbrand Family’s commitment to Toledo Ballet. Eric is proud to honor his father’s legacy in Fremont Ballet School by reprising “Mr.H’s” final role of Dr. Coppélius.
What do we believe in?
Our Philosophy
Who are we?