Ballet Memphis

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Dancer

Program:

Ballet Memphis

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

the highest level is 8

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

6-10 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Please Describe Scholarship:

there are scholarships but I did not qualify for one or need one

Years At School:

2 years

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Unsure

Teacher Background:

Former professional ballet dancer

Parents Required to Volunteer?

Parent Volunteer Requirement:

bring food for show receptions, cleanup, set up, decorate, and chaperone youth ballet nights to go see company performances, run little gift shops at nutcracker (these are only if your child is in the youth ballet. school parents are not obligated to do anything)

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

Classes Per Day:

Weekend Classes?

Yes

Weekend Schedule:

Half day

Students Per Class:

10-15

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

Yes

Pointe Classes Per Week:

Live Music in Technique Class?

Dedicated Men's Program?

Yes

Boys In Level:

There were no boys in my level

Techniques Taught:

General Classical, 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

Attention From Teachers:


Very Little	A Lot

Quality of Instruction:


Poor	Excellent

Did Technique Improve?


Not at all	Tremendously

Curriculum Comments:

the overall technique that is taught is a wide range depending on the teacher. this was the schedule this season for my level: Monday: ballet technique (some people did pointe) Tuesday: ballet technique Wednesday: technique and pointe Thursday: youth ballet technique class Saturday: ballet technique and modern (another day that most people did pointe)

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

Modern

Other Class Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

Yes

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught:

Improv, Technique

Contemporary Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Master Classes?

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

How Parents Notified?

My student did not get injured

How Treatment Obtained?

I did not get injured in class but what happened depending on the severity of the injury was if it was more like a sprained ankle or a less severe injury that you wouldn't have to go to the doctor for someone would get an ice pack and you were able to sit out as needed or mark as needed. but if it was more severe like a broken bone most likely a parent would be called instantly and they can decide whether to take and ambulance or have a parent drive.

PT Available?

Was There a Recovery Plan?

Describe Recovery Plan:

it was more sit out for a week or two and then slowly go back and only do what you can without pain, or modify as needed

Mental Health Therapists Available?

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

Were Students Weighed?

Was "Coded Language" Used?

Additional Comments:

very good program about being inclusive, non toxic, and inviting!

Communication

Formal Orientation?

Yes

Handboook & Paperwork:

Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year

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:

non toxic, friendly, supportive

Placement Notification Timing:

yes. you get a letter in the mail with your placement and areas you have improved in or need to work on

How Dancer Was Notified:

Written communication via email or regular mail

Dancer Had Mentor?

Mentoring Details:

we didn't really have specific "mentors" but I think everyone has their favorite teacher or the teacher they could talk to or get advice from for whatever really

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?

Yes

Programs Performed:

1-3

Shows per Program:

Casting:

School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions

Peformance Calendar:

if you are in the youth company, you have two extra shows which we don't audition for, our teachers choose the parts. but if you are just in the school, you have one show, and that is the nutcracker, which there is an audition for, as well as a little show in the spring that is your whole class dancing together. as for schedules, they can get pretty intense if you are in the youth company as you are rehearsing nutcracker and fall show at the same time. but usually for the youth company we have rehearsals 2-3 times a week. when you are one of the top in the highest level (8) you get to understudy company shows, and even dance with the company in nutcracker.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

Yes

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?


Not at all	Strongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

Anyone who wants them

Private Lessons equally available to all students?


Strongly disagree	Strongly agree

Explain:

they are, you do have to pay for them but they are. they aren't really mentioned by the staff but everyone knows they can take them if they'd like

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

Yes

School's SI Required?

Outside SI OK?

Yes, it's strongly encouraged

How Did School Help?

the teachers are very supportive and almost treat the students like their own kids, and they will occasionally give advice to the whole class about auditions but you usually can just ask for advice and they'll give it to you. as for acceptances they will celebrate with you, and for rejections they'll most likely comfort you.

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

A+

Continuing Ballet Placement:

A+

Emotional Support:

A+

Performance Opportunities:

A+

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

the teachers push you but are still very supportive and only want the best for you

Program's Worst Aspect:

nothing!

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

I would personally love a full time option but I know that it would be a small group that would do it and most people have school

Anything Else We Should Know?

it's such a fun, yet serious environment. exactly the way a school should be!

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