Beginner level (preparatory - pre-pointe), three tiers of Primary (foundations with beginning pointe, essentials, and advanced) all after school levels. Adagio tier is for full time training for those serious for professional training usually older high schoolers and postgraduate level. Movement to another level can happen anytime of the year as the artistic director sees fit.
5
Dancer Age
11
16
Hours of Dance Each Week
11-15 hours
6-10 hours
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Years At School
1 year
4 years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Skill
Teacher Background
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Parent Volunteer Requirement
Parents can opt in from a few hours at performances to heavy involvement with things like costumes (big lift this year) to the annual gala
Curriculum
Days Per Week
4
5
Classes Per Day
2
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
2
4
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
There were no boys in my level
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
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
1
2
3
4
5
A Lot
Quality of Instruction
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Did Technique Improve?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Tremendously
Curriculum Comments
Technique, pre-pointe, theory, conditioning, and yin yoga
Wide variety of classical styles taught (French, Classical, Balanchine) Variations, pointe, technique, yoga/conditioning/stretching & theory class
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
None
Contemporary Offered?
No
Master Classes?
Yes
Master Classes Description
Natalie Lecznar, former Rockette & Taylor Swift tour dancer
One class with Natalie Lecznar.
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Stretch class
Yoga
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
Yoga and conditioning instructions were provided to work at home during off days or anytime to work on flexibility and strength.
They now have a reformer. Men had specific conditioning exercises. Private Pilates classes also offered by Leslie Rausch
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Parent was informed same day, in person
How Treatment Obtained?
Yes
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
In collaboration w/ physicians length of time mo dance, at home plan, slowly integrated back at barre w/ some limits (ie no deep plié, no releve) Cautious to get dancer back healthy
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Additional Comments
References available to licensed therapists and they refer students to Avant Physical Therapy
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Quality of Communication?
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Who Received Communication?
With parents and students
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
School Culture
How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?
Not
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
How Supportive Were Students of One Another?
Not
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
Describe School Culture
Supportive, caring, loving community, focused, and respectful of one another.
Focused, professional, high expectations
Placement Notification Timing
At a parent, student, artistic director and teacher conference
Will be in August
How Dancer Was Notified
In-person meeting with school director/staff
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Yes
Mentoring Details
Older Adagio student helped my daughter sew her first pointe shoes and gave great suggestions to my daughter.
Informal for some younger dancers
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
No
Yes
Safety of Area Around School?
Not Safe
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Safe
Studio Space
Cramped
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of space
Studio Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Performance Opportunities
Company Affiliated?
No
Programs Performed
1-3
Shows per Program
3
Casting
Everyone auditions for parts
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar
School participated in a late fall community performance, spring school show, and summer community event.
Fall performance, Spring Showcase, Seattle International Dance Festival & the top tier travels to guest perform
Competition
Competitions required?
No
Did Dancer Compete?
No
Yes
Competition Categories
Pas de Deux
Solos
Competitions Attended
ADC IBC
Ballet Championships
World Ballet Championships
YAGP
Solo Rehearsals
Take place outside of regular classes
Pas de Deux Rehearsals
Take place outside of regular classes
Ensemble Rehearsals
Our school doesn't have students compete in ensembles
Costume Responsibility
Student responsible for sourcing and paying for costume
Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?
No
What Were the Additional Fees?
Private lesson costs
Competition Fees Clear?
Yes
Competition Fees Reasonable?
Yes
Why?
Just normal private lesson costs (including choreography for contemporary) 1x per week required
Experience Description
Excellent - learned a lot
Non-Competing Dancers Left Out?
No
Why?
Only students age 15 and older can compete. My child was only 11 this year.
Private Lessons
Private Lessons Available?
Yes
Are Private Lessons Encouraged?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly recommended
Who Takes Privates?
Anyone who wants them
Private Lessons equally available to all students?
Strongly disagree
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly agree
Explain
All booking is done online first come first serve. No choice of another answer for this question as I think it’s equitable if one really wanted a spot or needed it.
Sometimes the comp kids got priority the beginning of the year
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
My child did not apply to other SI’s. Though they provided a professional photographer with the help of the teachers and artistic director to help guide poses for the best photos. Privates could be booked to speak specifically about SI’s.
Students & parents can chose to meet with directors before and and they will council for results if the students/parents want to
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A
A+
Continuing Ballet Placement
A+
Emotional Support
A+
B+
Performance Opportunities
A+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
Kindness and the way they’re able to push each student to reach a higher level of technique or strength.
Serious ballet training, you get out of it what you put into it. Performance opportunities and ability to compete
Program's Worst Aspect
Schedule changes or additions for rehearsals can be done with only one week notice.
Not always easy, teacher can be really tough
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Built in rehearsal schedules earlier than currently given.
Add in modern (doing that next year), more boys but that’s every program
Anything Else We Should Know?
Most caring community and students can work at their own pace. Tools are given to work at home for more flexibility or strength. Parent conferences and parent observations done 6x a year.
If you are a serious dancer this is the program for you
