"Children’s program-Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet, Pre-Professional Program-Ballet 1-5, and Perfprmance Division"
"VI"
Level Dancer Was In
"5"
"Level V"
Dancer Age
14
Hours of Dance Each Week
11-15 hours
16-20 hours
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Years At School
7 or more years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Skill
Unsure
Teacher Background
Both
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
Yes
Parent Volunteer Requirement
"During the production, each family is required to do 7 volunteer shifts. Ticketing, Usher, Gift shop, Concession, Wardrobe, Green Room, Backstage, Check-in, Load-In&out."
"Front desk
Wardrobe
Bldg maintenance
Performance volunteers-
Ticketing, moving, set up and tear down, backstage, wardrobe, ushers, concessions, gift shop, green room"
Curriculum
Days Per Week
5
Classes Per Day
2
4
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
2
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Techniques Taught
Balanchine
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Always
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
"In upper level, there are 2-3 classes per day. It includes Technique, Pointe, Conditioning, Contemporary and Tap. Technique class is 5 days a week.
There are 4 performances per year, Nutcracker, Student choreography show case, Spring production and Finale. Rehearsals are held after regular class."
"Technique 1 per day
Point 2 x week
Contemporary 2 x week
Tap 1 per week
Conditioning 3 x week
Pilates 1 per week"
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
2x per week
No partnering
Partner Ratio
Everyone had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
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?
Females were the main focus
Description of Partnering Class
"Partnering is with other girls generally"
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Jazz
Modern
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
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
"Contemporary, Floor works, Jazz, Indian Dance, Ballet classes by various artists."
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Several times a week
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
"We have Physical Therapist and Pilates trainer as our conditioning teacher. They also were dancers.
Performance Division dancers also take The Ellové Technique® class every week."
Injuries / Health / Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
Parent was informed same day, in person
School called parent
How Treatment Obtained?
"Physical therapist checked the injury and recommended to go to see a doctor. They give us a contact of a doctor who has knowledge of ballet."
"Seek physical therapy"
PT Available?
No
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
No
Describe Recovery Plan
"Went to physical therapy clinic and followed their recovery plan"
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Additional Comments
"School carefully creates safe environment, physically and mentally, for every dancers.
They cooperate with parents and provide snacks especially during production period.
School’s policy is “Dance for all”
There was a seminar about nutrition and Relative Energy Deficiency.
Icing is available anytime."
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Handboook & Paperwork
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Quality of Communication?
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Who Received Communication?
With parents and students
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Strongly agree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
Yes and parents are included. The meeting was with Artistic Director and my teachers
Well Prepared For Exam?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
How Heavily Did Exams Weigh in Promotions
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Heavily
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
"Second home"
"Professional, integrity, artistry, safe, joy!"
Placement Notification Timing
"July"
"Beginning of summer"
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details
"There’s no formal mentor system, but every teachers genuinely care about every dancers because this is very small school.
We have conference at least once a year. You can have more if you need.
Director and teachers are always available to talk if you have issues."
Overall School Culture
Cold & Exclusive
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
No
Yes
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
4-5
Casting
Everyone auditions for parts
Peformance Calendar
"1. Nutcracker: 5 full shows and 2 one hour show and School shows
2. Student Choreography Show Case: 2 shows
3. Festival
4. Spring Show: 2 shows
5. Finale
6. Community Event"
"Nutcracker, 10 performances - December.
Elevate, 2 performances - February
Spring Show 3 performances (tbd in August) - April
Season Finale - June
Community festivals 2-3 performances"
Competition
School Competes?
No
Private Lessons
Private Lessons Available?
Yes
Are Private Lessons Encouraged?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly recommended
Who Takes Privates?
Anyone who wants them
Private Lessons equally available to all students?
Strongly disagree
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly agree
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
"We have a conference to talk about audition. Danvers can ask any faculty about audition."
"Auctions are used for placement of intensive programs"
Outcomes
Highest Level of School?
No
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A+
Continuing Ballet Placement
A+
B
Emotional Support
A+
Performance Opportunities
A+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"Director and all faculties are very thoughtful and they cares about dancer’s physical and mental health the most. The culture of this school is very warm and inclusive."
"Teachers, variety of dance, staff support"
Program's Worst Aspect
"Somehow we don’t have many male students and can’t have partnering opportunity."
"No off season!"
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"We wish program offers Character Dance class."
"More point class time"
Anything Else We Should Know?
"You can get top notch classical and contemporary training with affordable tuition."
"All levels and types are welcome.
Great atmosphere for learning and meeting friends. Supportive teachers who push students to become better and have fun!"
