Eastern Connecticut Ballet

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent with dancer input

Program:

Eastern Connecticut Ballet

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

8 levels in the student division

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

11-15 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Years At School:

7 or more years

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Skill

Teacher Background:

Former professional ballet dancer

Parents Required to Volunteer?

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?

Yes

Dedicated Men's Program?

Boys In Level:

There were no boys in my level

Techniques Taught:

Balanchine

Technique Teacher Rotation:

The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule

Did School Director Teach?

Often

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:

For each upper level, there are 1-2 classes per day at least 5 days a week. You also can take classes at lower levels for free to supplement. A few days a week there is live music, not every day. The school is lead by legendary former Balanchine ballerina Gloria Govrin so the style is Balanchine. The other faculty also primarily danced at Balanchine style companies such as Miami City Ballet. This is a small school so each level is only around 10 students (or less). Sometimes levels combine for class.

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

Character, Modern, Jazz

Other Class Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

Every year there are a few master classes, usually with current or former NYCB dancers.

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

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?

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:

nicest ballet culture ever seen.

Placement Notification Timing:

summer

How Dancer Was Notified:

Written communication via email or regular mail

Dancer Had Mentor?

Yes

Mentoring Details:

This is a small school. All of the teachers serve as mentors to the older students.

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:

A halloween show with 6 performance, Nutcracker has 3 public performances and one school show, and the spring show has 2 performances. They are adding a 4th show this year

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

Yes

School's SI Required?

Yes

Outside SI OK?

Yes, it's strongly encouraged

How Did School Help?

They provide guidance at the beginning of the year and support the students throughout the process. If you want to be in the student company you must do 4 weeks of summer intensive, either an outside intensive or the school's. The school brings in amazing guest teachers for the summer intensive

Outcomes

Percent That Went Full-Time:

11%-20%

Percent That Went To College:

11%-20%

How Much Support Did Dancer Receive in Taking the Next Steps in Ballet?


No support	Lots of support

Support Description:

The school provides ample support to students and families

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

A+

Continuing Ballet Placement:

A+

Emotional Support:

A+

Performance Opportunities:

A-

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

Incredible training

Program's Worst Aspect:

Would prefer more master classes

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

Very little

Anything Else We Should Know?

ECB is truly a hidden gem. Ashley Bouder, former NYCB principal dancer is coming to run the school alongside Gloria Govrin. Many students drive from long distances due to the strength of the school.

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