Ballet Chicago

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent

Program:

Ballet Chicago

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

Prep Division, Student Division (levels 1-5), Studio Company (Levels 6-8)

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

6-10 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Years At School:

5 years

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Skill

Teacher Background:

Former professional ballet dancer

Parents Required to Volunteer?

Parent Volunteer Requirement:

Parents chaperone backstage for performances. No requirement.

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

Classes Per Day:

Weekend Classes?

Yes

Weekend Schedule:

Half day

Students Per Class:

Less than 10

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

Yes

Pointe Classes Per Week:

N/A

Live Music in Technique Class?

Yes

Dedicated Men's Program?

Boys In Level:

There were no boys in my level

Techniques Taught:

Balanchine

Technique Teacher Rotation:

Usually the same every day

Did School Director Teach?

Occasionally

Classroom Corrections:

Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day

Attention From Teachers:


Very Little	A Lot

Quality of Instruction:


Poor	Excellent

Did Technique Improve?


Not at all	Tremendously

Curriculum Comments:

There are multiple levels. Levels 1-5 are student division and 6-8 are the studio company.

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

None

Contemporary Offered?

Master Classes?

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Yes

Physical Training Types:

Body conditioning, Stretch class, Other

Physical Training Schedule:

Several times a week

Were Trainers Certified?

Yes

Physical Training Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Strength & Conditioning Comments:

Her level was focused on pre-pointe conditioning.

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

Unsure

How Parents Notified?

Parent was informed same day, in person

PT Available?

Unsure

Was There a Recovery Plan?

My dancer did not get injured

Mental Health Therapists Available?

Unsure

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

Were Students Weighed?

Was "Coded Language" Used?

Additional Comments:

Program says they are adding a formal PT relationship next year for all levels.

Communication

Formal Orientation?

Handboook & Paperwork:

Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces

Quality of Communication?


Poor	Excellent

Who Received Communication?

With parents and students

Exams

Formal Exam?

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?


Not	Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?


Not	Completely

Describe School Culture:

close-knit

Placement Notification Timing:

yes

How Dancer Was Notified:

Written communication via email or regular mail

Dancer Had Mentor?

Yes

Mentoring Details:

informal

Overall School Culture:


Lord of the Flies	Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building:

Yes

Safety of Area Around School?


Not Safe	Extremely Safe

Studio Space:


Cramped	Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness:


Dirty	Spotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

Programs Performed:

1-3

Shows per Program:

More than 5

Casting:

Everyone auditions for parts

Peformance Calendar:

Nutcracker (all levels) - 9 shows. Spring Show (levels 1-8) - 2 shows. In-studio showcase (prep- level 6). In-studio showcase with music school (levels 6-8)

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

Yes

School's SI Required?

Outside SI OK?

Yes, it's strongly encouraged

How Did School Help?

Studio hosted and advertised auditions for other programs.

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

Continuing Ballet Placement:

Emotional Support:

Performance Opportunities:

A+

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

Quality instruction

Program's Worst Aspect:

Some concerns about favoritism from school director

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

Performance ticket prices are high.

Anything Else We Should Know?

Amazing Nutcracker - chance to perform to sold-out crowds in historic Chicago theaters

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