BALLET HELP DESK

After-School Training Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 120
Total Reviews: 229

Colorado Ballet

After-School Reviews

General

Who is Reviewing?

2
1

Program

3

Season Attended

1
2

# Of Levels In School

  • "Levels 1-4 include A and B, then levels 5-7 are just single year (unless you get held back). The school also offers a pre-professional program for students that are looking to dance all day."
  • "7"
  • "7 Levels"

Level Dancer Was In

  • "4B (A is first year, B is second year)"
  • "5"
  • "Level 5"

Dancer Age

1
2

Hours of Dance Each Week

2
1

Gender

3

Was Student Scholarshipped?

3

Years At School

1
2

Leveling by Age or Skill?

3

Teacher Background

2
1

Parents Required to Volunteer?

3

Parent Volunteer Requirement

  • "There is no requirement to volunteer, but parents can sign u to volunteer for the kids in company productions, or for the end of year show."

Curriculum

Days Per Week

2
1

Classes Per Day

2
1

Weekend Classes?

3

Weekend Schedule

3

Students Per Class

3

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

1
2

Pointe Classes Per Week

3

Live Music in Technique Class?

2
1

Dedicated Men's Program?

1
2

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

3

Men Taught Batterie?

2
1

Boys In Level

1
1
1

Separate Technique Class for Boys

2
1

Techniques Taught

3

Technique Teacher Rotation

1
2

Did School Director Teach?

2
1

Classroom Corrections

2
1

Attention From Teachers

Very Little
1
2
A Lot

Quality of Instruction

Poor
1
1
1
Excellent

Did Technique Improve?

Not at all
1
2
Tremendously

Curriculum Comments

  • "Colorado ballet academy follows the ABT training curriculum, which is a mix of many styles. At my level (level 4B) we took technique and pointe 3 days a week, a rehearsal for our end of year show once a week, and either modern or jazz once a week. Each day we had usually 2-3 classes in this particular level. On Saturdays, if you were casted in any of the Colorado Ballet Company productions, you would have additional rehearsals after class time,"
  • "technique class, pointe, contemporary, character, conditioning, and rehearsal for the fall and spring show"
  • "A year-round program specifically designed for ballet dancers. It offers rigorous, intensive training alongside professional company dancers, complete with a few high-level performance opportunities."

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class

3

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles

1
1
1
1
1

Other Class Quality

Poor
1
1
Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

1
2

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught

2
1

Contemporary Quality

Poor
1
1
Excellent

Master Classes?

1
2

Master Classes Description

  • "They are only offered some years. I’m not sure which year it was, but they once offered a masterclass with Alexa Margo, a broadway performer, to learn choreography from the musical Hamilton."
  • "My dancer didn't attend, the classes were an additional fee."

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

1
2

Physical Training Types

1
2

Physical Training Schedule

1
1

Were Trainers Certified?

1

Physical Training Quality

Poor
2
Excellent

Injuries / Health / Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

1
2

How Parents Notified?

2
1

How Treatment Obtained?

  • "N/A"

PT Available?

2
1

Was There a Recovery Plan?

1
2

Describe Recovery Plan

  • "I went to a separate doctor and never involved the school. They were very accommodating during my recovery process and would always ask questions to make sure they understood my situation so they could help as best as possible."
  • "from my experience they normally tell you to talk to a doctor or PT to come up with a plan"

Mental Health Therapists Available?

1
2

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

3

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

2
1

Were Students Weighed?

2
1

Was "Coded Language" Used?

1
2

Additional Comments

  • "I don't think some of the teachers, especially the teachers not from this country, understand mental health or do anything to make sure girls are feeling good about themselves."

Communication

Formal Orientation?

3

Handboook & Paperwork

2
1

Quality of Communication?

Poor
2
1
Excellent

Who Received Communication?

2
1

Exams

Formal Exam?

1
2

Written Feedback?

2

Exam Adjudicator

1
1

Exam Rubrics Clear?

2

Who Attends Exam Meeting?

2

Well Prepared For Exam?

Not at all
2
Completely

How Heavily Did Exams Weigh in Promotions

Not at all
2
Heavily

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?

Not
1
2
Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?

Not
2
1
Completely

Describe School Culture

  • "Positive, supportive, everyone was family!"
  • "every one is kind and supports each other"
  • "If you are favorite your succeed"

Placement Notification Timing

  • "The second week of June."
  • "early june"
  • "Yes"

How Dancer Was Notified

3

Dancer Had Mentor?

2
1

Mentoring Details

  • "informal mentoring and advice from teachers"
  • "I did not see ANY mentoring during the last 3 years at CBA"

Overall School Culture

Cold & Exclusive
1
2
Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building

3

Safety of Area Around School?

Not Safe
1
2
Extremely Safe

Studio Space

Cramped
3
Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness

Dirty
2
1
Spotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

3

Programs Performed

3

Shows per Program

1
1

Casting

2
1

Peformance Calendar

  • "Each year there are at least 2 company productions the kids can audition for. The year im reviewing for(25-26), the two were midsummers nights dream and the nutcracker. Every year there is also an end of year full length ballet. This year it was sleeping beauty."
  • "there are company affiliated shows that you have to audition for and there is a fall feature and spring show. rehearsals for the fall feature and spring show take place year round on saturdays"
  • "The schedule varies a lot by level and by performance, but before their final spring show it is quite intense and no thought is made for school finals, drive time from school or if you are waiting around for hours watching other dancers while you do nothing. Also, the performance schedule can change weekly with little notice for shows."

Competition

School Competes?

3

Competitions required?

3

Did Dancer Compete?

2
1

Competition Categories

1
1
1

Competitions Attended

  • "Our school attends YAGP and Denver Ballet Guild."

Solo Rehearsals

1

Pas de Deux Rehearsals

1

Ensemble Rehearsals

1

Costume Responsibility

1

Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?

1

What Were the Additional Fees?

  • "It depends on what you are interested in doing. If you are competing, every student is required to do a large ensemble and you can participate in an additional pas de deux , solo or small ensemble if you choose. All competition is completely optional."

Competition Fees Clear?

1

Competition Fees Reasonable?

1

Experience Description

  • "I loved competing! I competed in Denver ballet guild, which only excepts solo variations. I competed a variation and had a great time! I had rehearsals throughout the year outside of regular classes and also had multiple opportunities to perform the solo at academy productions before the competition."

Non-Competing Dancers Left Out?

2

Why?

  • "the competitions are optional and rehearsals are scheduled separately from the regular class schedule"
  • "It was her choice not to compete, in part because she didn't feel as though she was good enough as CBA does not boost your self-esteem unless you are one of the favorites."

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

3

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?

Not at all
1
2
Strongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

1
2

Private Lessons equally available to all students?

Strongly disagree
3
Strongly agree

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

3

School's SI Required?

3

Outside SI OK?

3

How Did School Help?

  • "teachers give advice on programs they think would be good for you and help you handle rejections when it happens"
  • "They provide a day of additions to other studios in the spring for a fee."

Outcomes

Highest Level of School?

3

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction

2
1

Continuing Ballet Placement

2
1

Emotional Support

2
1

Performance Opportunities

2
1

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect

  • "I loved all the staff. Every teacher has their own way of teaching, and I just feel like there is such a well rounded group of teachers. I learned so much and had an amazing time throughout the program."
  • "the environment is very supportive and the teaching is excellent. I feel like I improve every class."
  • "The friends and the structure it provides."

Program's Worst Aspect

  • "The communication."
  • "I don't like that there are exams because they stress everyone out but they are necessary for level placement"
  • "If you are not considered one of their top dancers, you have limited opportunities."

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

  • "Nothing!"
  • "There is intense pressure to be perfect, even for dancers who aren't on the pre-professional track. Furthermore, if a student isn't moving up to the next level, no warning is given prior to the year-end written evaluation—and even then, the feedback provided is incredibly vague. The school shows a lack of empathy regarding a dancer's effort, attendance, or the social-emotional impact that staying behind has on them among their peers."

Anything Else We Should Know?

  • "If you are considering Colorado Ballet, keep in mind that if your dancer isn't naturally gifted or one of the strongest in the room, or won't be donating extra money to the program, a strong work ethic and good attendance might not be enough. It may not be the right environment for them."
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