but it is one guy doing the choreo for the end of intensive showcase. He doesn't teach any technique at all. The jazz was musical theater style jazz.
Character
Contemporary
Flamenco
Horton
Jazz
Modern
Musical Theater
They say they offer contemporary and moder
This was the Partnering Intensive
Quality of other classes
Not Helpful
1
2
3
4
5
Helpful
Injury Prevention
Strength classes?
Body Conditioning
kickboxing!
meditation
Not sure
Pilates Mat
Pilates Reformer
Progressing Ballet Technique
Reflexology
Stretch Class
Yoga
PT offered?
Not sure
Yes
Extra fee for PT?
No
We didn't use PT
Yes
Injury rate
I wasn't aware of injuries
Seemed average
Seemed like a lot of injuries
Teaching
Who taught?
Different depending on week
Different each day
The same every day
Guest teachers
No
Yes
Year-round teachers taught
Alongside guest faculty
Throughout the program
Throughout the program, Alongside guest faculty
Attention from teachers
Very Little
1
2
3
4
5
A Lot
Technique improved?
No
1
2
3
4
5
Yes - Tremendously
Studios
Dance floors
Cement with marley on top
Questionable if all studios were sprung.
Sprung floors with marley but with wrinkles and missing tape
Sprung floors with secure marley
Sprung wood floor
The main studio my level was in was very large (A) but the floors were not properly sprung like the rest of the studios. I did here that there are plans to have the floor replaced soon though
Wood floors not sprung
Studio space
Cramped
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of Space
Studio cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Schedule
Classes per day
4
5
More than 5
Saturday classes
Yes
Saturday class duration
Half day or less
Leveling
Leveling
Assigned after placement class
Assigned when accepted
Leveling type
Ability
Age
Unsure
Did students move levels?
No
Yes
Leveling fair?
No
Yes
Students per class
16-24
25-30
Performance
Performance?
Full show
Parents observe a class
Small demonstration
Rehearsals happened
Both in and out of class
During daily class
Outside of class
Casting equitability
Uneven
1
2
3
4
5
Even
Rehearsals detracted from class?
Completely
1
2
3
4
5
Not At All
Housing - General
Housing provided
Yes and my dancer lived there
Yes but my dancer did not live there
# of roommates
1
3
Bathrooms
Private in room
Private in suite
Coed bathrooms
No
Yes
Air conditioning
No
Yes
Housing comment
They were more strict with the 12&13 yr olds. My dancer never got in trouble so I have no idea how infraction were handled
Older students interacted with younger students in a sitting area and were able to bully younger students without any consequences.
Students were not allowed to leave the building unless they were walking to class. They were allowed to be on the grass in front of the dorms, but it was discouraged. Only on grass with a chaperone.
The dorms used, at Columbus College of Art and Design, were old. The bathrooms, unfortunately, needing cleaning the day the dancer's moved in. Not even a roll of toilet paper was provided. The units were dusty and there was mold in some of the air conditioning units. The dorm rules were very strict in terms of dancers being allowed freedom to even walk around campus, let alone a coffee shop/corner grocery.
No bathroom fans, the suite was extremely humid. Very limited area within dorm boundaries to walk to, and had to check out with large enough groups corresponding to age just to sit outside the dorms
She had a great time
It was old but sufficient. The dorm where they stayed is currently being renovated.
The dorm was old and dilapidated
Older dorms but overall clean. Common space in the suites were small but that also meant less for them to clean! 1 shared microwave on each floor, dancers have to provide their own mini fridge/microwave for dorm suites. Common areas on each floor were popular hangout spaces.
Walking distance from BalletMet, each room had a window facing out and the blinds sucked. They blocked no light at all. However, everyone was on the 3rd or 4thr floor of the building.
Very nice dorms
The blinds were a little bit wonky, but the beds were super comfortable. Lots of storage, but my dancer is a minimalist
Where did they stay?
Rented an apartment or house
Stayed with local family or friends
Student lived at home
Housing - Supervision
Curfew
Yes
Curfew reasonable?
No
Yes
Room check
Yes
How strict were dorms?
Just about right
Somewhat strict
Very strict
Infraction handling
Fair
N/A
Skewed depending on student
Skewed depending on the RA
Housing - Cleanliness
Laundry available
Yes
Laundry free
No
Yes
Housing cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Cleaning required
No
Yes
Meal Plan
Meal plan
Yes
Food quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough food
No
Yes
Dietary needs?
No
Yes
Specific needs
Dairy free
Dye free
Peanut, tree nut allergy
Vegan
Dietary options
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Lots
Activities
Weeknight activities
Yes
Weekend outings
No
Yes
Attended weekend outings
I didn't attend any of them
Yes, all of them
Yes, some of them
Favorite
Shopping at the mall
There was only 1 weekend putting to a museum within walking distance.
Very few outings were planned and the communication about the outings was very limited. Dancers needed to sign up for weekly Target runs as well as weekend outings on a clipboard in the main dorm lobby. Unfortunately, every level had a different class schedule each day. So, often dancers wouldn't make it back in time to sign up for the outings until the list was full. My dancer wasn't able to get her name on a single Target run. Instacart became our only option.
The Easton Town Mall
They only took us to Easton (twice), the book loft, and the art museum down the street from the dorms
Shopping.
The mall and Barbie movie
There were not a lot — a trip to a mall and the museum nearby
Mall
Museum and mall
Big group outing to the Mall
Columbus Zoo
Least favorite
The coffee shop
There was only 1 outing and Target trips.
The outing to the movie theatre was fun. The kids had hoped to see fireworks on the 4th of July, but, instead, the RA's had them go stand/sit outside the dorm doors on the concrete steps and try to spot fireworks a ways off. The art museum was a lovely excursion for the dancers who were able to make the sign up.
She didn’t want to see the Barbie movie
N/a
None
There weren't many so getting away from the dorm was always a plus
Just go do the ones you have energy for
N/A
Logistics
Quality of handbook
Spotty
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Program communication
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Transportation
At least 2 chaperones accompanied any amount of group of dancers, injured dancers recieved car rides to and from the dorms and balletmet. For special performance opportunities offered to dancers sometimes we were given walks or car rides. Cars were used during rainy days.
Did not live in dorms
Groups of 4 for 15 yo.
Private bus
Walked with chaperone
Neighborhood safety
Not Safe
1
2
3
4
5
Very Safe
General Comments
Overall recommendation
Definitely Not
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Best aspect
The dances a lot!!! More than other programs. They had great injury support for the little stuff. They offered medicated ice and were very observant if dancers had issues. My dancer had a blast! She came home stronger and improved a lot. She said the dorms were great. A bit strict for the younger kids but as a mom I am ok with that. We loved it! This was the best first SI experience. She is still in contact with her roomies!
It was very close to home. Nice talented teachers
It was intense and teaching/faculty was good.
The training was top notch. The instructors and staff were fantastic. My dancer was given individual attention, learned and grew, and returned an improved dancer. The rep was beautiful and the variety was welcomed.
Teacher rotations exposed dancers to different techniques
The classes, people, facility
All classes were on pointe (outside of barre) so definitely gained a lot of strength, liked that the pas classes were an hour and a half and good ratio of girls to boys
Seemed like all the dancers improved
Conditioning
The high level of training and personal attention. Faculty was amazing.
The teachers
From a parent perspective, this program was amazing. Excellent communication, aware of where and what my daughter was doing daily, safety was first.
Rigorous classes, teachers are attentive, University cafeteria in general provided great meal options for dietary plans and restrictions
The men's program was fantastic. Offered 3 pas de deux classes for men in the highest 2 levels.
The opportunity to focus on partnering for these kids who danced through Covid years without it!
Dedicated teachers, friendly classmates, chill vibe, activities during down time
Least liked about program
How strict the staff was towards the younger dancers but I understood why. My dancer is independent so she can handle more freedom. Not all kids her age can.
Bullying and lack of anything to stop it even when reported.
It was still covid, so the final demonstration was on Zoom, no parents were allowed in the studios. Pilates, conditioning and seminars were all done on Zoom while student was in their dorm room. Initially, students had to socialize in the hallways and could not enter each others dorm rooms. Masks were required at all times. Could not leave dorms. Was at Columbus College of Art and Design.
The communication, after the initial registration email, was almost non-existent. Emails and phone calls were not returned, whether due to simple questions, health related issues, program or dorm procedures. This was not our individual experience, but the experience of many dancers and parents.
1. Level assigned was too low, so technique did not improve; 2. Many dancers did not have formal/pre-pro training, correcting them and extra repetition took away from class time, my dancer ended up standing around and watching while these dancers ran combos 3. Much younger year-round dancers allowed to take intensive classes, making older dancers feel bad taking classes with students 2-3 younger than intensive age minimum
N/A
Larger classes and less individual attention than I expected, but lots of good/helpful general corrections
Class size was large
N/a
Not enough outings.
The lack of activities and not being able to go off-campus
Nothing
Placement class was a little chaotic, lowest level SI was grouped with very young BalletMet Academy students that didn't have to audition to participate in the program so my dancer didn't feel challenged to grow. She did make the most of it and improved technique.
The organization, coordination, communication, leveling, and overall classes in the week-long Partnering intensive and the week long Company Repertory week were terrible and I nearly injured myself badly based on bad level placement.
Suggested changes to program
It seemed like they accepted a lot of students of all ability levels. I hope they get more picky and build this into a program for higher caliber dancers. It is a bit more affordable than some of the other programs and the training is incredible. I feel like it’s a hidden gem but I hope they raise their standards.
More supervision in the dorms social areas. Offer outings every weekend.
Housing.
A designated communication contact with a commitment to returning phone calls and emails would make such an improvement. Also, the dorm culture was very hostile for some of the dancers. The RA's seemed either reluctant or at a loss for how to help in bullying situations. The lack of professionalism by some of the dancers was present in and out of the studios. If BalletMet is able to better clarify and manage their behavior standards for dancers and for dancers towards other dancers, the wonderful technique and classwork would really shine!
Assign level earlier to use this as a factor in deciding which intensive to choose
A kitchen in the dorms
More individualized attention from certain teachers, more activity options
Not sure
N/a
Maybe more fun outings on weekends but would change nothing about the training
Leveling was pretty accurate, but the “home students” were often in too high a level.
More contemporary or modern classes.
The institution Ballet Met as a whole could improve drastically, however the classes themselves are incredibly good.
according to my dancer: later bed check : )
Culture of program
Focused on dance I think. I have no idea. My dancer had no drama issues and the kids were great. She had a lot of fun and improved a lot
Allows bullying
Intense.
The teachers were wonderful, the culture of the dancers was often hostile and bullying was accepted or the other cheek was turned by the administration. The current dancers were not welcoming to summer attendees from other companies and programs.
Good - teachers had a positive attitude, gave corrections often without negative attitude, explained the different techniques
Warm, welcoming, inclusive
Great, attentive faculty, all students were friendly
Everyone was friendly
N/a
My daughter described it as an internship more than a typical summer intensive. The training/faculty/rep were fantastic, but there wasn’t a lot of freedom for the dancers outside of class and few outings. If a dancer wants fabulous and intense training, this is the place to be. If they are looking for more of an experience/summer camp vibe with lots of fun outings and freedom to explore surroundings, this wouldn’t be the place for them. The focus is on training.
My dancer improved a lot and the schedule was pretty intense, so only come to SI if that is your priority.
Fabulous
Open, welcoming
Do it or don't do it, many teachers don't care.
Positive
Very welcoming, positive, dance focused
Other comments
This program was awesome and cheaper than the surrounding programs that are equivalent.
Teachers were not always good a classroom management and certain classes would get out of hand talking and misbehaving.
If you have a serious ballet dancer who is 16 and above, I would highly recommend the technique and rep work at BalletMet. If your dancer can avoid staying in the dorms and instead find an AirBnB type situation, I think they could enjoy a wonderful summer in Columbus. I do not recommend the program for younger dancers - due to the flooring in the studios used by the younger levels and the dorm life atmosphere.
Good for first intensive; pass if your dancer is looking for a challenge
It was a lot of fun
My daughter loved the faculty and valued the training so much, she is now a trainee there.
Maria Torija, the director, is an incredible teacher, truly a master teacher. My dancer had her for technique quite a bit. Would echo the other reviewer that suggested this was more suited for 15/16 and up, mainly due to the fact that the lower level dancers often had many of their classes in the “marley over concrete” studios.
Highly recommend.
Don't really worry about dress code, no one there follows it at all.
My dancer loved it and felt like the dancers bonded quickly because of the short duration of the partnering intensive.
My daughter had a wonderful experience. She made lo†s of friends and loved the classes. She was so happy she didn't really get homesick. Our hearts are full!
