"Prep Division, Student Division (levels 1-5), Studio Company (Levels 6-8)"
"8"
Dancer Age
11
12
Hours of Dance Each Week
11-15 hours
6-10 hours
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Years At School
5 years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Skill
Teacher Background
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Parent Volunteer Requirement
"Parents chaperone backstage for performances. No requirement."
"Parents help with costumes and chaperone backstage for rehearsals and performances"
Curriculum
Days Per Week
4
5
Classes Per Day
2
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
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Boys In Level
There were no boys in my level
Techniques Taught
Balanchine
Technique Teacher Rotation
Different depending on week
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Occasionally
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
"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?
No
Master Classes?
No
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Other
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
"Her level was focused on pre-pointe conditioning."
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Unsure
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Parent was informed same day, in person
PT Available?
Unsure
Yes, for extra fee
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Mental Health Therapists Available?
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Additional Comments
"Program says they are adding a formal PT relationship next year for all levels."
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Handboook & Paperwork
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces
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
"close-knit"
"Closeknit and Caring"
Placement Notification Timing
"yes"
"Not yet. Will happen over the summer."
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
"informal"
"One of her teaechers is an informal mentor. My dancer feels comfortable asking her questions."
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
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
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)"
"8 full Nutcracker performances plus 2 shortened versions and 3 exhibition showcases of excerpts; 2 performances of the spring show plus 2 exhbition showcases of excerpts; 1 in-studio showcase"
Private Lessons
Private Lessons Available?
No
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
"Studio hosted and advertised auditions for other programs."
"The school hosts auditions for many other summer programs."
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A
Continuing Ballet Placement
A
A+
Emotional Support
A
Performance Opportunities
A+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"Quality instruction"
"Performance Opportunities"
Program's Worst Aspect
"Some concerns about favoritism from school director"
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"Performance ticket prices are high."
"I would prefer earlier ending times for young dancers."
Anything Else We Should Know?
"Amazing Nutcracker - chance to perform to sold-out crowds in historic Chicago theaters"
