"There is 5 lower school levels(1-5), 3 upper school levels (Intermediate 1 & 2, advanced), and flex classes for dancers with other interests. Day program had 1 one level(ages 16+)"
"Pre-primary levels. Then levels 1-5. Then Intermediate 1 and 2. Then Advanced. There is also a day program."
Dancer Age
13
14
Hours of Dance Each Week
11-15 hours
16-20 hours
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Years At School
7 or more years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Skill
Teacher Background
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Parent Volunteer Requirement
"Not required, backstage for Nutcracker in the community cast dressing rooms."
Curriculum
Days Per Week
5
Classes Per Day
3
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
4
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Yes
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?
Never (school admin was a designated upper level teacher)
Occasionally
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
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
"Daily technique class followed by pointe during the week. The third class was either partnering, conditioning, contemporary, variations, or repertoire. On Saturdays they had technique and rehearsals after if there was an upcoming performance."
"Technique 5 days per week. Pointe 4 days per week. Contemporary 1 to 2 times per week. Partnering once per week. Conditioning once per week."
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
Partner Ratio
Most girls had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
Male teacher
How Much Partnering Improved
No
1
2
3
4
5
Tremendously
Quality of Pas Teaching
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
How Were Corrections Given?
Attention and corrections were evenly distributed between the males and females
Females were the main focus
Description of Partnering Class
"Mostly partnering technique, occasionally they learned pas de deux."
"Male company dancers and student dancers attended, which was a nice combination. It was a highlight of the week."
Additional Comments
"Males were mostly company men."
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
None
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
Yes
Master Classes Description
"4Pointe masterclasses, and broadway masterclass, taught by cast member of MJ the musical."
"One master class with a dancer from the MJ Broadway musical"
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Stretch class
Weight training
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
"Used our own sports medicine doctor and physical therapist."
"local specialists are available"
PT Available?
No
Yes, for extra fee
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Describe Recovery Plan
"recovery plans were established by the physician and the school followed physician recommendations"
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Additional Comments
"Students are encouraged to observe class if injured. The PT took company as a main priority, but was available if needed."
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
With parents only
Exams
Formal Exam?
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Neutral
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Yes and parents were included. The meeting was with my teachers.
Well Prepared For Exam?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
How Heavily Did Exams Weigh in Promotions
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Heavily
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"
"encouraging and fun, yet serious"
Placement Notification Timing
"At the end of the year"
"May"
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
"Informal"
"private lessons and coaching, assistance with pointe shoe fittings, general support and encouragement, and recommendations for cross training"
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?
Yes
Programs Performed
4-5
Shows per Program
2
Casting
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar
"Nutcracker was company affiliated. Shows in a theater with live orchestra. There were community cast auditions for children roles. Day Program was given opportunity to dance company roles. Rehearsals for older children roles typically on Saturdays. Between 10-14 shows total, shows split between 2 casts for children's roles. Winter Workshop was just students, there were 2 in studio performances. Rehearsals were mostly during our normal class schedule. Staff choose students roles. Sleeping Beauty was a company affiliated production, shows were in a theater with live orchestra. Staff choose roles, there were 5 shows. Rehearsals were during the day and evening. Spring performance was just school, there was 1 show in a theater. Staff choose student roles. Rehearsals during normal class schedule and additional rehearsals on Saturdays."
"For Nutcracker with the company, casting is done based on auditions by the Balanchine repetiteur. Otherwise, casting was done by class placement this year. Nutcracker included 12 shows. Winter Workshop was 2 shows, and Spring Performance was 1 show this year. Some classes performed Sleeping Beauty with the company this year."
Competition
Competitions required?
No
Did Dancer Compete?
No
Yes
Competition Categories
Solos
Competitions Attended
"YAGP"
Solo Rehearsals
Take place outside of regular classes
Pas de Deux Rehearsals
Our school doesn't have students compete pas de deux
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?
"Competition fee, costume, and private lessons to learn and work on variation"
Competition Fees Clear?
Yes
Competition Fees Reasonable?
Yes
Why?
"N/A"
Experience Description
"Did not like the competition, however my dancer benefited from the preparation."
Non-Competing Dancers Left Out?
No
Why?
"Dancer was not interested in competition"
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
"Studio space and teachers are limited in terms of availability, but if a student expresses an interest, they are typically accommodated."
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
"Not a lot of guidance through audition process."
"None"
Outcomes
Percent That Went Full-Time
None
Percent That Went To College
None
How Much Support Did Dancer Receive in Taking the Next Steps in Ballet?
No support
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of support
Support Description
"We have received feedback when we have reached out to the school for guidance."
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A
A-
Continuing Ballet Placement
A-
B+
Emotional Support
A-
B
Performance Opportunities
A
A-
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"The ratio of teacher to students"
"the warm, supportive environment, the company affiliation and frequent interaction with company members, performance opportunities, and generally small class sizes"
Program's Worst Aspect
"Communication in general"
"Little feedback is given to dancers and parents throughout the year, apart from a mid year evaluation"
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"More variety of classes"
"I would like to see more communication and regularly scheduled conferences between parents/students and teachers/administration to promote better collaboration and understanding"
Anything Else We Should Know?
"A positive environment that fosters both growth and artistry."
