"Level 1-8, then pre-pro ( advanced) which are the high schoolers"
"6/9"
"9"
Level Dancer Was In
"1 step below pre-pro, level 8"
"Level 6"
"Level 8"
Dancer Age
10
13
14
Hours of Dance Each Week
11-15 hours
16-20 hours
6-10 hours
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Years At School
1 year
7 or more years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Skill
Teacher Background
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Parent Volunteer Requirement
"Usually help younger kids and sometimes older kids backstage during performances"
Curriculum
Days Per Week
3
6
Classes Per Day
1
Weekend Classes?
No
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
I did not have weekend class
Students Per Class
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
3
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Unsure
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Yes
Techniques Taught
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Did School Director Teach?
Always
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
Occasionally dancer specific: mostly general corrections were given
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
"Vaganova. Technique Class Daily runs 1hr45 min, up to 2 hours. All levels, all classes are taught by husband-wife directors to ensure excellent development of technique. Husband trained at same academy Baryshnikov trained, and he is a retired NYCB dancer. Incredible institutional knowledge. Wife trained at Academie de Princesse Grace, also lauded former professional dancer. Both take an anatomy informed approach. All body types included and demonstrate strength, grace, beautiful lines, musicality. While fun and joyful for the littles, it is serious study with a pre-pro approach at higher levels. We came to this studio when my dancer was 13 for more attention and serious training. 3 of her classes have 8-10 students, the other was 15 ish. All kids can participate in privates, competition is optional. There is 1 contemporary per week, taught by principal and choreographer from City Ballet of San Diego. Rehearsals for shows are outside of technique class. They present an annual Nutcracker and 1 Spring Full Length Classical ballet annually. My daughter grew immensely here."
"This is our seventh year at ballet arte and we just completed level six whose kids are, on average 10 years old. For level 6, classes are 3 days per week, 90 minutes per class with opportunities to participate in nutcracker in the fall and the spring show (sleeping beauty, la Bayadere, Cinderella, or swan lake depending on the year). Rehearsals for the show is considered a separate program and take place on Saturdays from 1-5pm three months leading up to the show."
"Monday through Saturday there was one technique class, Wendy there was a contemporary class after the technique class, and Saturday when we’re getting ready for performances there is rehearsal after the technique class."
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
None
Contemporary Offered?
No
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Improv
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
Yes
Master Classes Description
"Guest national and local company present and retired dancers put on master classes, a few times a year"
"Winter and summer workshops with professional dancers and choreographers"
"Intermediate to advanced technique classes in the morning Monday to Wednesday as well as Friday and Saturday for 1h and 30min from 9:30-11:00"
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Yes
Physical Training Types
Other
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
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
Yes, for everyone
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
How Treatment Obtained?
"My child was injured outside of class, falling out of a tree in our front yard and we were referred to a local doctor who has a two year wait list but bumped my son to the top of the list because he is a ballet Arte student."
PT Available?
No
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
"My dancer was in daily communication about his injury and both directors made sure that the dancing supported his recovery"
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Yes, for everyone
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Additional Comments
"Both Sara and Erlunds have the long term interest of their dancers health and well being over and above their performance as dancers"
"I can’t believe some of these questions about being called fat!"
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
No handbook provided
Quality of Communication?
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Who Received Communication?
With parents and students
With parents only
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
"Serious, supportive and comprehensive."
"Friends pursuing excellence together"
"Welcoming, friendly, shy, perfectionists"
Placement Notification Timing
"In early June"
"Yes"
"At the end of the previous year"
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
"Every 10 weeks, director wrote formal evaluation that was helpful, constructive."
"The directors both look out for Aaron and track his progress along the expected path from rambunctious little kid to male principal dancer"
"Sara and Erlands are very helpful in helping dance better"
Overall School Culture
Cold & Exclusive
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
No
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
Yes
Programs Performed
1-3
Shows per Program
1
2
Casting
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar
"Winter Nutcracker, then Spring full length classical ballet ( rotates Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Cinderella, and La Bayadere). Small summer intensive show"
"Nutcracker, spring show, optional competitions, summer intensive"
"Towards the end of the first third of each semester the cast list comes out for the show and rehearsals start, then at the end of the semester there is a warm-up and final run through in the studio followed by 2 days of one run through and one performance each day at the JCC in La Jolla. At the end of each summer intensive there is a performance in the studio for friends and family."
Competition
School Competes?
Yes
Competitions required?
No
Did Dancer Compete?
No
Yes
Competition Categories
Ensembles
Pas de Deux
Solos
Competitions Attended
"WBAC, CDC, and YAGP"
Solo Rehearsals
Take place outside of regular classes
Pas de Deux Rehearsals
Take place outside of regular classes
Ensemble Rehearsals
Take place outside of regular classes
Costume Responsibility
School provides and charges rental fee
Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?
No
What Were the Additional Fees?
"I don’t know"
Competition Fees Clear?
Yes
Competition Fees Reasonable?
Yes
Why?
"Because my mom said they’re much less than at other studios"
Experience Description
"It was very good"
Non-Competing Dancers Left Out?
No
Why?
"No pressure for competitions, we chose to save finances for Summer Intensive instead"
"No kids in my son’s level competed. While they do allow children to compete as young as 8 at the parent’s insistence, we were encouraged to wait until as late as 15. Competitions are no emphasized and all preparation takes place outside of normal class/rehearsal hours"
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
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
"Not sure, we didnt request advice"
"Audtion signups for other summer intensives are posted in the lobby of the studio in time to sign up; they remind us that ballet is art and that if you get the audition or don’t get the audition, it’s not a reflection of your dancing ability. There is always another audition and the most important comparison that of your knowledge of your best self with how you did on any given day."
"They will help you choose arabesque photos as well as advise you on what summer intensives are good based on what they’ve seen with other dancers if you ask"
Outcomes
Highest Level of School?
No
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A+
Continuing Ballet Placement
A+
Emotional Support
A+
A
Performance Opportunities
A+
A
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"Small classes, experienced and qualified teacher/directors ( again with institutional wisdom, pedigree, pedagogy, and past pro careers). They have taught for 20+ years. Students place in top 3 letter summer intensives, and trainee programs. I do not sense favorites, and students of all body types succeed here. They invest heart and soul into students."
"The personal attention and mentorship"
"Everything"
Program's Worst Aspect
"Would love a strength/conditioning class."
"No one knows about it"
"Not enough students to do 4 shows per semester"
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"Would love strength and conditioning class. They had one pre-covid, but haven’t re-instituted."
"More people in the audience for the performances"
"More students who are serious"
Anything Else We Should Know?
"Hidden gem. Directors don’t market. Small and very attentive class sizes. For older students, teacher goes overtime on classtime if the lesson of the day requires more attention and review. Deep learning. Former professonial ballet dancers bring their children here."
"This is one of the best schools in the country for boys to learn ballet and our dancers are willing to drive across the breadth of the county to study here. It’s not your little weekly ballet class/social club. There is a seriousness and intensity at even the youngest levels in which kids of all ages blossom into beautiful dancers."
"The students aren’t snobby, they’re very focused on dancing, and some are very shy"
