Berkeley City Ballet

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent

Program:

Berkeley City Ballet

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

11-15 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Years At School:

5 years

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Skill

Teacher Background:

Degree in ballet from college or university

Parents Required to Volunteer?

Parent Volunteer Requirement:

taking tickets at nutcracker, backstage supervision, selling merchandise at events, loading/unloading props and costumes for shows; no required hours but most parents do 1-2 hrs per year

Date Submitted:

3/5/2026

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:

Live Music in Technique Class?

Dedicated Men's Program?

Boys In Level:

There were no boys in my level

Techniques Taught:

General Classical

Technique Teacher Rotation:

Usually the same every day

Did School Director Teach?

Never (school admin was NOT designated as an upper level teacher)

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:

level 5: 4 technique classes per wk, 2 pointe classes, 1 hr contemporary, 1 hr rep, 1 hr pilates plus rehearsals for nutcracker/company performances (1-5+ hrs)

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

None

Contemporary Offered?

Yes

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught:

Repertoire, Technique

Contemporary Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

improv & contemporary taught by BCB alumni from Sidra Bell Dance NY

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Yes

Physical Training Types:

Pilates (mat or reformer)

Physical Training Schedule:

Once or twice a week

Were Trainers Certified?

Yes

Physical Training Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

How Parents Notified?

My student did not get injured

PT Available?

Was There a Recovery Plan?

My dancer did not get injured

Mental Health Therapists Available?

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

Were Students Weighed?

Was "Coded Language" Used?

Additional Comments:

In our experience, the dancer's health is a priority to the teachers and administration of the school. They promote a positive body image and do not try to rush recovery when it comes to illness/injuries.

Communication

Formal Orientation?

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:

warm, nurturing, professional, fun

Placement Notification Timing:

end of May

How Dancer Was Notified:

Written communication via email or regular mail

Dancer Had Mentor?

Yes

Mentoring Details:

No formal program but school director and teachers hold office hours weekly and are very responsive to questions over email. Director and/or teacher came with us to the first two point shoe fittings last year. Director held a Q&A before summer intensive audition season and helped each dancer choose which auditions would be the best fit for them to attend. She organized a group audition at SF Ballet for all the level 5/6 students and accompanied them to the audition. The personalized attention dancers get at this school is just above and beyond all expectations. They are wonderful.

Overall School Culture:


Lord of the Flies	Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building:

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:

Casting:

Everyone auditions for parts

Peformance Calendar:

nutcracker in Dec - 2 shows; spring concert (in-studio) - 2 shows; 2-3 youth company performances per year; optional summer showcase (in-studio) - 1 show

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?

director and level 5/6 teacher held an info session before audition season for parents and dancers and helped choose which intensives to audition for/which offers to accept after auditions were over; teacher helped prepare audition videos; director held weekly office hours by appointment to answer questions

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

A+

Continuing Ballet Placement:

A+

Emotional Support:

A+

Performance Opportunities:

A+

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

small class sizes, individualized attention, high standards for technique in a warm and friendly atmosphere

Program's Worst Aspect:

nothing, this is a wonderful studio; my daughter has had a very positive experience here

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

wish there were more hours in the upper levels

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