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 (5) Modern (1) Character (1) Pointe (2) Boys (1)"
"Daily technique, repertoire and sometimes rehearsals."
"Optional early tech, technique, and then pointe/men's class, variations, rehearsal, or pas de deux. Weekends have additional character or contemporary classes."
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
2x per week
No partnering
Partner Ratio
A few girls had to share but most had their own partner.
Most girls had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
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
Description of Partnering Class
"2x per week, partner sharing"
"Adagio, turns, jumps, lifts, and then across the floor. Usually 1.5 hours."
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
Hip-Hop
Horton
Modern
None
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Improv
N/A We did not have contemporary in our level
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Yes
Master Classes Description
"Guest choreographers and professionals"
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Occasionally
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Unsure
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
School called parent
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
"Harkness Dance Institute (PT)"
"Walk in medical center"
"School affiliated with doctors/pts."
PT Available?
No
Unsure
Was There a Recovery Plan?
No
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
"individualized, closely monitored"
"No plan needec"
"Communicated with doctors, able to take lower level classes/modify class to regain strength while coming back."
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Unsure
Yes
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
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
"High standards, personal and professional"
"Nurturing, friendly instruction but challenging and intense work ethic."
"Students are very kind."
Placement Notification Timing
"towards the end of the year"
"Students are not notified until after the summer intensive that they are required to take if they’re in the pre-professional program"
"At the end of summer intensives for older division."
How Dancer Was Notified
In-person meeting with school director/staff
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
"Informational phone calls, question answering, and just general perspective of the Ballet world."
"Teachers are very helpful."
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
4-5
Shows per Program
4
Casting
Everyone auditions for parts
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar
"Choreographic workshop (in studio) in the Fall, Winter show and Spring show at NYC venues."
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
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Yes
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
"There is a Fall and Spring conference . Usually summer in intensive plans are discussed in the Fall Conference."
"Meet with administration to discuss where you are applying and if you want help recording videos/photos for auditions."
Outcomes
Percent That Went Full-Time
More than 50%
Percent That Went To College
41%-50%
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
"Very supportive and interested."
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A+
Continuing Ballet Placement
A+
Emotional Support
A+
Performance Opportunities
A+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"Top notch training from faculty, challenging repertoire, by building a strong work ethic and confidence. Exposure to relevant choreographers and professionals."
Program's Worst Aspect
"Hard to say, maybe lack of housing/dorms for students. You have to find it on your own. It can be a little bit challenging in NYC. If you have to find your own housing, or a roommate it can be a little stressful."
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"Offer housing /dorms and it will change everything…"
Anything Else We Should Know?
"This school is a hidden gem. The training and faculty is top-notch. The casting for shows is fair and equitable, (based on skill). It is a nurturing, friendly, and supportive culture. Even though it’s nurturing and friendly, it is also very challenging, demanding, and builds a very strong work ethic for students. Studios are great (6 studios) clean and spacious."
