Hudson Conservatory of Ballet

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent

Program:

Hudson Conservatory of Ballet

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

11-15 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Years At School:

5 years

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Skill

Teacher Background:

Former professional ballet dancer

Parents Required to Volunteer?

Parent Volunteer Requirement:

Parents volunteer as ushers, sewers/steamers, backstage babysitting of younger dancers, selling of merchandise at shows

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

Classes Per Day:

Weekend Classes?

Yes

Weekend Schedule:

Half day

Students Per Class:

16-24

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

Pointe Classes Per Week:

Live Music in Technique Class?

Dedicated Men's Program?

Boys In Level:

There were no boys in my level

Techniques Taught:

General Classical

Technique Teacher Rotation:

The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule

Did School Director Teach?

Often

Classroom Corrections:

Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day

Attention From Teachers:


Very Little	A Lot

Quality of Instruction:


Poor	Excellent

Did Technique Improve?


Not at all	Tremendously

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

Modern, Musical Theater, Jazz, Horton

Other Class Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

Yes

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught:

Improv, Technique

Contemporary Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

Guest artists from around the country from places such as ABT are flown in several times a year to offer group master classes in addition to private lessons.

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Yes

Physical Training Types:

Yoga, Weight training, Body conditioning, Stretch class

Physical Training Schedule:

Occasionally

Were Trainers Certified?

Some were certified and some were not depending on class

Physical Training Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Strength & Conditioning Comments:

These are my best guesses for strength and conditioning classes. We are not sure if the teachers are certified or not, but we assume they are.

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

How Parents Notified?

School called parent

PT Available?

Was There a Recovery Plan?

Mental Health Therapists Available?

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

Unsure

Were Students Weighed?

Was "Coded Language" Used?

Additional Comments:

I feel they do an excellent job educating dancers about injury prevention, and they are able to offer recommendations for PTs, doctors, and mental health professionals.

Communication

Formal Orientation?

Yes

Handboook & Paperwork:

Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year

Quality of Communication?


Poor	Excellent

Who Received Communication?

With parents and students

Exams

Formal Exam?

Yes

Written Feedback?

Yes

Exam Adjudicator:

Internal

Exam Rubrics Clear?

Agree

Who Attends Exam Meeting?

Well Prepared For Exam?


Not at all	Completely

How Heavily Did Exams Weigh in Promotions:


Not at all	Heavily

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?


Not	Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?


Not	Completely

Describe School Culture:

This school is the most welcoming and non-toxic dance studio we have ever been a part of

Placement Notification Timing:

During the summer. In June, I believe.

How Dancer Was Notified:

Written communication via email or regular mail

Dancer Had Mentor?

Yes

Mentoring Details:

The director is willing to meet with dancers and parents on an as-needed basis

Overall School Culture:


Lord of the Flies	Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building:

Safety of Area Around School?


Not Safe	Extremely Safe

Studio Space:


Cramped	Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness:


Dirty	Spotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

Programs Performed:

4-5

Shows per Program:

Casting:

School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions

Peformance Calendar:

November: Nutcracker, December: Winter Showcase , January: Performance Preview (those participating in competitions put on a show), April: Spring Recital

Competition

Competitions required?

Did Dancer Compete?

Yes

Competition Categories:

Solos, Ensembles

Competitions Attended:

YAGP only this past year, but have participated in ADCIBC and other local competitions in the past

Solo Rehearsals:

Take place outside of regular classes

Pas de Deux Rehearsals:

Our school doesn't have students compete pas de deux

Ensemble Rehearsals:

Take place outside of regular classes

Costume Responsibility:

School provides and charges rental fee

Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?

What Were the Additional Fees?

$150 registration fee, plus around $2000 for the season (depending on how many solos you do), which does not include coaching sessions or private lessons, finals fees, or costumes

Competition Fees Clear?

Yes

Competition Fees Reasonable?

Yes

Why?

I think the costs are on par with other schools, but it is still a significant cost

Experience Description:

My dancer loves competing and could not imagine not participating

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

Yes

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?


Not at all	Strongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

Anyone who wants them

Private Lessons equally available to all students?


Strongly disagree	Strongly agree

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

Yes

School's SI Required?

Yes

Outside SI OK?

Yes, it's strongly encouraged

How Did School Help?

Students are able to have a one-on-one conversation with the director to figure out the best programs and opportunities for them

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

Continuing Ballet Placement:

A+

Emotional Support:

A+

Performance Opportunities:

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

Every dancer and family I've talked to at this school feels like the teachers care about them and their growth. The dancers are supportive of each other and there is not a focus on winning.

Program's Worst Aspect:

There are no boys, which means no opportunities to learn pas de deux

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

I wish we had opportunities to perform in full-length ballets other than The Nutcracker

Anything Else We Should Know?

The studio spaces are gorgeous, clean, and very spacious. The culture of the school is caring, and the instructors are knowledgable. The have high expectations of the dancers.

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