"25 hours required for the heat between the nutcracker and spring ballet. The list of roles is extremely extensive. There is even a Photo Booth team for the lobby for the performances. Anything you can think of…Cary has it."
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
3
4
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Full day
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
Daily
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
5-10
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Techniques Taught
Balanchine
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Did School Director Teach?
Never (school admin was a designated upper level teacher)
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
"Multiple teachers taught different styles, the teacher who taught most was training them in aspects of the Balanchine technique and the other teachers were Cuban and general classical technique. Days started at 11 AM with technique class, then pointe or mens class, followed by lunch and variations and ensemble coaching, with lastly an afternoon class usually contemporary or another technique class."
"Cary Ballet has their own curriculum they’ve developed over 30 years that is extremely effective."
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
2x per week
Partner Ratio
Most girls had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
Male teacher
How Much Partnering Improved
No
1
2
3
4
5
Tremendously
Quality of Pas Teaching
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
How Were Corrections Given?
Attention and corrections were evenly distributed between the males and females
The teacher focused on one or two couples and the rest of the students were on their own
Description of Partnering Class
"Three different pas de deux classes, one for each PTP level and one for the afternoon Studio program. The classes were poorly structured and the dancers didn't learn much all year, repeating the same combos all year and never working on anything advanced. One of the teachers didn't care much for the safety of the men and as opposed to teaching them proper technique to ensure their safety as well as the girls safety, were often just told to workout more. The other teacher cared about the safety of everyone, but his classes didn't evolve all year and he only taught the highest level pas de deux class, and it is to my understanding that the teacher has just left the program."
"Partnering is heavily incorporated into the nutcracker, full length spring ballet, and the end of the year showcase - this is in addition to partnering work in class."
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
None
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Improv
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Yes
Master Classes Description
"Professional choreographers and company dancers would occasionally teach class, but only the highest level, leaving the lower levels without an experience."
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Weight training
Yoga
Physical Training Schedule
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Some were certified and some were not depending on class
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
"The pilates and PBT classes are taught by an amazing teacher who truly values the students and their growth. My child who was a student heard that the "mens conditioning" classes were almost a waste of time and that the teacher wouldn't give beneficial workouts for the time they had."
"The PBT and 4pointe and conditioning classes are very consistent and they work. Cary invests in continuing education for their institutors in these things and it shows. They also do floor barre which all dancers should be doing."
Injuries / Health / Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Unsure
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
"They would generally turn every injury of a dancer to a local partnered dancer PT specialist."
PT Available?
Yes, for extra fee
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
"The dancers would follow as the PT recommended and the teachers would ensure they follow that protocol."
"The school works closely with an amazing physical therapy group and they have plans designed specifically for Cary ballet students. They also are on site during nutcracker season for performances and provide preventative treatment."
Mental Health Therapists Available?
Yes, for an extra fee
Yes, for everyone
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Yes
Additional Comments
"The teachers themselves do not focus on the mental health of the students, but just turn some of them to a specialist that they know. If a student is tired or is showing obvious signs of mental exhaustion, none of the teachers really do much to show that the students best interests are at heart."
"The school does seminars with industry leaders on these topics throughout the year. We even had one on concussions in ballet this past year."
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Unsure
Yes
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
"Supportive with a toxic undertone"
"Familial, professional, organized, fun (see Augustine DeSousa’s YouTube and instagram accounts), and motivating."
Placement Notification Timing
"After the first day of classes"
"June"
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
"A couple of the teachers, although they didn't teach many of the classes my dancer took, were going out of their way to check in on the kids and adapting the dancers stress and exhaustion levels to focus on a more productive class that day."
"Formal and informal. The best I can describe it is being taken under someone’s wing. Everything from emails about summer intensive plans, casual conversations filled with advice, to specific request for dancers to use certain resources and work on specific things during free time."
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
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
Programs Performed
1-3
Shows per Program
4
More than 5
Casting
Everyone auditions for parts
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar
"Nutcracker, Spring Works, and end of year showcase"
"11 Nutcracker performances, 2 (matinee and evening of the full length spring ballet), 2 (matinee and evening) spring showcase performances"
Competition
School Competes?
Yes
Competitions required?
No
Did Dancer Compete?
No
Yes
Competition Categories
Ensembles
Pas de Deux
Solos
Competitions Attended
"YAGP, ADCIBC, Prix De Lausanne"
Solo Rehearsals
Take place during regular class time
Pas de Deux Rehearsals
Take place during regular class time
Ensemble Rehearsals
Take place during regular class time
Costume Responsibility
Student responsible for sourcing and paying for costume
Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?
No
What Were the Additional Fees?
"Competition registration, ensemble, and Coaching fees"
Competition Fees Clear?
Yes
Competition Fees Reasonable?
No
Why?
"Some of the dancers wished to not participate in an ensemble, yet were forced to pay the fees required."
Experience Description
"Not worth it. The director will only appoint her attention the students that win at said competitions which are often scripted. For example, the director would be scheduled to have coaching with one of her prize winners and after have coaching with students who hadn't won much at a completion and she would just coach that one student who won a prize and then leave the building and cancel her other coaching with the other students, So the rest of the dancers never really received much guidance from her. The other teachers for the most part treated all the students equally and did not care about the outcome of competitions and primarily focused on the students growth during the coaching and competition process."
Non-Competing Dancers Left Out?
No
Why?
"There are so many things to do at Cary Ballet that you’ll never be lacking. You will be wearing beautiful costumes and performing and rehearsing and all of that no matter what. Many sibling sets there have some kids competing and some not and all are busy and given opportunities."
Private Lessons
Private Lessons Available?
No
Unsure
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, but only for select students
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
"The teachers do not help the students at all. It is strongly advertised that the directors guide the students through their audition process but that was not the case. Most students having to film their own videos,, not getting recommendation letters on time for summer intensives, and just being told to send videos everywhere."
"They don’t speak into too much unless you ask. I’ve had frank discussions about what was best for mine. And they also ask for all dancers to let them know about acceptances to other programs so they can be celebrated in the end of year showcase program. All of the acceptances are listed!"
Outcomes
Top Level of School?
No
Yes
Percent That Went Full-Time
21%-30%
Percent That Went To College
More than 50%
How Much Support Did Dancer Receive in Taking the Next Steps in Ballet?
No support
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of support
Support Description
"The school itself had a good support system with dancers next steps, the directors however had opinions on where a student would be headed and if they didn't like it, they would make it clear to the student that they didn't approve of that decision."
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A+
B-
Continuing Ballet Placement
A
A+
Emotional Support
A+
C+
Performance Opportunities
A+
B+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"The coaching from the teachers that cared about the students"
"So professional. And fun every single day. So much evidence of growth."
Program's Worst Aspect
"The residence program was horrible for my child, I heard about cases of bullying being dismissed and not handled, and poor food being made for the kids."
"Sometimes there is disappointment or uncertainty with leveling or roles or other opportunities. We’ve been at enough programs to know that’s everywhere."
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"Make it less completion based."
"Again, we’ve been to enough places to know Cary is one of the best out there. I’m happy to let them run it how they see fit. They want it to be excellent. That is clear. So I’ll trust they’re handling problems as best as they can. These people have dedicated their lives to training students and giving them opportunities. They are at the studio all of the time. Some of the things they deal with…I couldn’t do it. It’s a large school and they try to keep a lot of different people happy. How they’re sane I don’t know. But they are warm and they are brilliant. Truly."
Anything Else We Should Know?
"Be prepared to self motivate and self advocate."
"Enjoy their Instagram accounts…for Cary Ballet Conservatory, Cary Ballet Company (don’t miss this one - see what the students spend so much time working on), Augustine DeSousa, and Augustine DeSousa’s YouTube channel. It shows what it’s like there. Exciting and fun!"
