"9; levels 8-9 are usually high-school-aged dancers and make up the studio company, level 7 dancers are studio company apprenticeships; dancers are sometimes held back a level"
"9"
Level Dancer Was In
"6"
"one of the upper 3 levels"
Dancer Age
13
15
Hours of Dance Each Week
11-15 hours
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Please Describe Scholarship
"Every year the school gives out 2-3 merit scholarships (full tuition plus free summer classes), but my kid didn't receive one this year."
Years At School
1 year
3 years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Skill
Teacher Background
Both
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Yes
Parent Volunteer Requirement
"costume assistant, backstage help, prop management, schlepping, ushering, selling snacks/flowers at shows, monitoring dressing rooms - no specific number of hours, but every family must volunteer at least a bit"
"everything from helping with costumes to load-in/-out at theater--each family had to have at least one parent/guardian volunteering at the two main performances every year (not sure whether/how that was enforced, as it did seem like some parents volunteered more than others)"
Curriculum
Days Per Week
4
5
Classes Per Day
2
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Pointe Classes Per Week
3
4
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
There were no boys in my level
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Often
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
"Monday technique and pointe (2.5 hours), Wednesday technique, pointe and modern (3 hours), Friday technique and contemporary (2.5 hours), Saturday technique and point (2.5 hours)"
"ballet/pointe (or batterie) four days; one modern and one contemporary class every week"
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Horton
Modern
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Injuries / Health / Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Additional Comments
"When offering corrections, teachers must obtain verbal consent, overall and at the time, before touching any student. Nonbinary students are supported, and dancers can pursue pointe or batterie, delay pointe work, and otherwise veer from the regular syllabus with guidance from the teachers."
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
"A couple of weeks after the end of the regular term (usually at start of June)"
"June"
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details
"n/a"
"It's obvious that some dancers get mentoring, but not sure how those dancers are selected for the special treatment."
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
2
4
Casting
Everyone auditions for parts
Peformance Calendar
"Whole school: 4 performances of Nutcracker (with members of the recently disbanded Post:ballet company), 1 spring showcase, 1 ballet ball fundraiser; the studio company (levels 7-9) usually has 2-3 additional performances per year with the community/in partnership with other arts organizations in the area"
"Nutcracker x4, spring show x1, fundraiser show x1; the studio company sometimes has 1-2 extra performances a year"
Competition
School Competes?
No
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
Explain
"Cost, studio availability, time constraints"
"Each student got 1 free private lesson. But outside of that, studio/teacher availability and cost mean that not all students can access private lessons."
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
No
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
"There is an SI seminar/roundtable so dancers/guardians can ask questions; photography sessions are made available (at a cost) to get audition photos (headshots/arabesque, etc.); at levels 6 and up, all dancers must attend at least 2 in-person auditions per year, no matter whether they plan to actually go to an SI; teachers are very available to answer questions/provide advice about SIs"
"SI roundtable every year and you can sign up for an audition photoshoot organized by the school (but it's expensive). Apart from that, not much guidance regarding the audition process unless you ask for it. Not all staff are acquainted with the current SI landscape."
Outcomes
Highest Level of School?
No
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A
B+
Continuing Ballet Placement
A+
B+
Emotional Support
A
B
Performance Opportunities
A
B+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"Inspiring and accessible faculty; warmth/inclusivity of the program; live musicians!"
"Live music always. The artistic director is a true gem."
Program's Worst Aspect
"Dancers are required to attend a makeup class if they miss due to illness or a scheduling conflict, and it was sometimes difficult finding an appropriate adult open division class that works with a dancer's busy schedule."
"Too many different (and inconsistently present) teachers. One of the best teachers in the school (who usually teaches this level) decided to teach one of the lower levels this year--it was unclear why this happened and very disappointing. The school director, while well meaning, is condescending, and the kids didn't enjoy their class."
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"Nothing!"
"More consistency in teachers/teaching. Add a weekly conditioning class of some kind."
Anything Else We Should Know?
"This is a joyful place, and my dancer loves her teachers, even the quirky/demanding ones. The AD is a kind and enthusiastic person, and all of the leadership and admin staff are communicative and helpful and foster a healthy and respectful environment."
"The school director recently resigned and it's unclear when a replacement will be hired."
