Dance Academy of Southern California
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After-School Training Reviews
Programs Reviewed: 118
Total Reviews: 220
Total Reviews: 220
General
Parent
Program:
Dance Academy of Southern California
Season Attended:
2024-25
# Of Levels In School:
6 levels
Level Dancer Was In:
pre-professional (level 5)
Dancer Age:
13
Hours of Dance Each Week:
11-15 hours
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Please Describe Scholarship:
I am not aware of any scholarship
Years At School:
1 year
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Skill
Teacher Background:
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Parent Volunteer Requirement:
it is not required but parents all volunteers during tech week and performance seasons helping with intermission, concession, fundraising and costume prep.
Date Submitted:
5/14/2025
Curriculum
Days Per Week:
5
Classes Per Day:
1
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule:
Half day
Students Per Class:
10-15
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week:
4
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level:
Unsure
Separate Technique Class for Boys:
Yes
Techniques Taught:
General Classical
Technique Teacher Rotation:
Usually the same every day
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 |
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class:
1x per week
Partner Ratio:
Most girls had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
Male teacher
How Much Partnering Improved:
| No | Tremendously |
Quality of Pas Teaching:
| Poor | Excellent |
How Were Corrections Given?
Attention and corrections were evenly distributed between the males and females
Description of Partnering Class:
Once a week, the dancers have a partnering class in which both boys and girls learn Pas de deux techniques. There is a parent observation class at the end of the year for showcasing what they have learnt. It was such a transformative class.
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles:
Modern, Jazz
Other Class Quality:
| Poor | Excellent |
Contemporary Offered?
No
Master Classes?
Yes
Master Classes Description:
They offered 1-3 master classes during the academic year with well-known ballet artists from top tier companies such as Ballet West.
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?
Unsure
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Mental Health Therapists Available?
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
Unsure
Were Students Weighed?
Unsure
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Handboook & Paperwork:
Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces
Quality of Communication?
| Poor | Excellent |
Who Received Communication?
With parents and students
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
School Culture
How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?
| Not | Completely |
How Supportive Were Students of One Another?
| Not | Completely |
Describe School Culture:
team work, friendly, hardworking, dedication, and positive attitude
Placement Notification Timing:
Not yet
How Dancer Was Notified:
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details:
It is a small school and while my kid is not formally assigned to any mentors, but parents, staff and instructors are so helpful. During our first year with this dance company, I reached out to 2-3 parents and they have always been extremely helpful.
Overall School Culture:
| Lord of the Flies | Warm & Inclusive |
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building:
No
Safety of Area Around School?
| Not Safe | Extremely Safe |
Studio Space:
| Cramped | Lots of space |
Studio Cleanliness:
| Dirty | Spotless |
Performance Opportunities
Company Affiliated?
No
Programs Performed:
1-3
Shows per Program:
3
Casting:
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar:
The dancers as preprofessional dancers of the dance company affiliated with the school, participate in 4-5 performances per year including nutcracker. The shows are at the theater and open to local communities. They are all company-affiliated shows.
Competition
School Competes?
Yes
Competitions required?
No
Did Dancer Compete?
No
Non-Competing Dancers Left Out?
No
Why?
It is completely optional.
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:
I think they are equally available
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
Not sure
Outcomes
Top Level of School?
Yes
Percent That Went Full-Time:
10%
Percent That Went To College:
10%
How Much Support Did Dancer Receive in Taking the Next Steps in Ballet?
| No support | Lots of support |
Support Description:
They have been a great support for my dancer
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction:
A+
Continuing Ballet Placement:
A
Emotional Support:
A+
Performance Opportunities:
A+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect:
Their flexibility, excellent training, opportunities or perform on stage multiple times per year, friendly and positive culture...
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