BALLET HELP DESK

After-School Training Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 108
Total Reviews: 196

Olympia Dance Center

After-School Reviews

General

Who is Reviewing?

3
1

Program

4

Season Attended

4

# Of Levels In School

  • "There are many different levels from Pre-ballet to 4 beginner levels, 3 intermediate levels, and one advanced level for the top of the school."
  • "(From lowest to highest): Beginner 1, Beginner 2/3, Beginner 4, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2/3, Advanced 1"
  • "Begginer - 1 through 4, intermediate 1 though 3, advanced"
  • "7"

Dancer Age

1
3

Hours of Dance Each Week

2
2

Gender

4

Was Student Scholarshipped?

1
3

Please Describe Scholarship

  • "The scholarship covered all tuition and included necessary effort to help out during performances and other program-related activities."
  • "All mens scholarship 100% of classes paid for"
  • "As the most advanced male in the program, my son had a full tuition scholarship (still paid fees to participate in Ballet Northwest company productions). This was confidential. I believe a number of boys received them, and they were expected to help with volunteer time (only occasional). Tuition overall was $800 per quarter for 6+ classes."

Years At School

1
1
2

Leveling by Age or Skill?

2
1
1

Teacher Background

3
1

Parents Required to Volunteer?

4

Parent Volunteer Requirement

  • "Parents usually help out with costume making (sewing, mending, etc) for the company. They also fill these roles by being ushers during performances, taking attendance during tech week, and filling out other miscellaneous roles throughout the season."
  • "Typically 2 shifts of helping out in either the theater, costume shop, or other per family per performance, with a minimum of 3 performances per season"
  • "Volunteering at performances"
  • "Volunteer hours required for dancers in Ballet Northwest Company. Required 5 shifts (each typically 2 hours) for Nutcracker production, 4 shifts for spring show. Roles included sewing costumes, tracking people coming and going from the theater during productions, organizing and running the boutique for shows, providing backstage supervision for dancers, moving in and breaking down sets."

Curriculum

Days Per Week

2
1
1

Classes Per Day

1
3

Weekend Classes?

3
1

Weekend Schedule

1
2

Students Per Class

3
1

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

3
1

Pointe Classes Per Week

2
2

Live Music in Technique Class?

4

Dedicated Men's Program?

3
1

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

4

Men Taught Batterie?

2
2

Boys In Level

4

Separate Technique Class for Boys

3
1

Techniques Taught

2
4
1

Technique Teacher Rotation

4

Did School Director Teach?

4

Classroom Corrections

2
2

Attention From Teachers

Very Little
4
A Lot

Quality of Instruction

Poor
3
1
Excellent

Did Technique Improve?

Not at all
1
3
Tremendously

Curriculum Comments

  • "It uses the ABT curriculum through level 5a. Each week there are 4 classes of my level plus whatever classes/rehearsals you do through the amateur company run by the studio. There are Hip-Hop, contemporary, African, Jazz, and Tap classes to name a few"
  • "ABT curriculum"
  • "Four days a week of ballet technique for mixed boy/girl classes, with pointe to follow. Once a week partnering class instead of pointe, occasional men's technique class at same time as pointe."

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class

3
1

Partner Ratio

3
1

Who Taught?

4

How Much Partnering Improved

No
1
3
Tremendously

Quality of Pas Teaching

Poor
1
3
Excellent

How Were Corrections Given?

1
1
2

Description of Partnering Class

  • "It is relatively introductory level partnering class because we get guys from all over the area to come who are behind on partnering technique. When the class is full the ratio of guys to girls is around 11:~30. The moves covered don't go too in depth but a vast majority of basic partnering is covered as well as several lifts and tricks."
  • "Combinations including turns, jumps/lifts, across the floor, adagio, etc"
  • "Turns, jumps, then across the floor combos every 2 months a variation for a class or 2"
  • "Includes wide variety of partnering techniques at introductory level. Includes fish lifts and occasional shoulder sit practice--oldest men may do a few press lifts in after class 1:1 instruction."

Additional Comments

  • "The corrections varied between males and females but usually the girls got more corrections than the guys. It is one of the only partnering classes for a ways and many guys from all over come and take it."
  • "Instruction focused more on beginners in class, and guys new to partnering. The class draws guys from across the region--some need to catch up a lot on technique because they aren't regular ballet students at the studio. But having more men in the class (maybe 10 in class with 20 women) helps with everyone getting a turn."

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles

4
1
4
4
2
3

Other Class Quality

Poor
4
Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

4

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught

3
3
1
2

Contemporary Quality

Poor
2
2
Excellent

Master Classes?

4

Master Classes Description

  • "Various guest artists for our Nutcracker or spring shows would teach classes as well as travelling teachers from all over the place. This past year we've had teachers from PNB, University of Utah, Sarasota Ballet, and a few others."
  • "Classes by ex-principal dancers from various studios including PNB"
  • "Once a week on Saturday there was a guest masterclass"
  • "Master classes offered to advanced dancers in the Ballet Northwest company (affiliated with Olympia Dance Center) Including Heather Jackson (OBT), Kyle Davis (PNB), Casey Herd (PNB), Lauren Ostrander (Sarasota Ballet), Timothy Lynch (PNB, U Utah), Gerard Theoret (Royal Winnipeg), choreography workshop with Eva Stone (PNB and own company). Company dancers also got progressing ballet technique classes regularly."

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

2
2

Physical Training Types

2
1
2
2
2
2

Physical Training Schedule

1
1

Were Trainers Certified?

2

Physical Training Quality

Poor
2
Excellent

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

3
1

How Parents Notified?

3
1

How Treatment Obtained?

  • "We usually either went to the doctor on our own (with a parent) or we got a physical therapy recommendation from the school or other dancers."
  • "Our local healthcare network. School had volunteer PT backstage for dress rehearsals & performances (mother of one of the dancers). They also provide volunteer PT screening early in season."

PT Available?

2
1
1

Was There a Recovery Plan?

4

Mental Health Therapists Available?

1
3

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

3
1

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

3
1

Were Students Weighed?

4

Was "Coded Language" Used?

2
2

Additional Comments

  • "There are mental health seminars and nutrition seminars throughout the year offered by the company. This is only for company members which is around 60-70 of the dancers in the upper levels of the school."
  • "The company had mental wellness workshops (including the risks of making dance the sole focus and being balanced in activities outside of school) and nutrition classes. Dancers with a wide variety of body types participate fully in company productions. Feels like a very accepting and healthy environment."

Communication

Formal Orientation?

3
1

Handboook & Paperwork

3
1

Quality of Communication?

Poor
2
2
Excellent

Who Received Communication?

4

Exams

Formal Exam?

4

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?

Not
1
3
Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?

Not
1
1
2
Completely

Describe School Culture

  • "Everyone is connected and happy."
  • "Like a second family"
  • "Kind, fun, unserious at times"
  • "Friendly, open, accepting, enthusiastic, positive"

Placement Notification Timing

  • "Because it is a recreational studio you can usually talk to one of the teachers and get placed at some point. I do not remember when placement comes out because I've been in the top level for a few years now."
  • "Within a few weeks of the season start"
  • "At summer intensives august-ish"
  • "Teaching goes through ABT level 5 (owners are certified). My dancer has been at top level for several years. When he was younger they told us informally what class to register for the following year."

How Dancer Was Notified

1
3

Dancer Had Mentor?

4

Mentoring Details

  • "The mentorship was in the form of private lessons outside of the school with my coach Xijun Fu who gives excellent coaching."
  • "Older male dancer advised me on technique"
  • "Very formal and professional always one or more people in the room never 1 on 1"
  • "One of the technique teachers (who also taught men's technique) became my dancer's private coach--he was phenomenal and has coached several Olympia dancers before they left for professional training (PNB, OBT, SFB, BW). Only a handful of dancers move on."

Overall School Culture

Lord of the Flies
1
3
Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building

1
3

Safety of Area Around School?

Not Safe
4
Extremely Safe

Studio Space

Cramped
3
1
Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness

Dirty
3
1
Spotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

2
2

Programs Performed

3
1

Shows per Program

1
1
2

Casting

3
1

Peformance Calendar

  • "The Nutcracker has a company cast and a community cast both of which only rehearse on the weekends unless the dancer has a principal lead role and availability during the week. The spring show is for company members only and many members of the company audition for various dance festival pieces. There are 3 dance festivals throughout the year and usually one other performance in the fall. The studio hosts recitals at the end of the year at the start of June which covers all of the levels and different styles of dance."
  • "Nutcracker in the December, Olympia dance festival in March, Spring show (Rotating between Swan lake, Coppélia, Sleeping beauty, and Don Quixote), Recital in June, and various shows in the summer such as YCS, or Young Choreographers showcase, where individual dancers make a piece and choose dancers to perform said piece"
  • "August young cherographers shows, september fall showcases, December nutcracker, January olympia dance festival, may spring show, june recital"
  • "in 2025-26 Ballet Northwest (not a professional company but it provides our community's only Nutcracker and sold over 10,000 tickets at the Washington Center for Performing Arts which seats 950 last season) held a 55th anniversary gala in the fall, 8 Nutcracker performances, hosted the Olympia Dance Festival (and dancers performed in ballet, contemporary, and hip hop pieces), Centralia Dance Festival, Evergreen Dance Festival, full production of Swan Lake, and my dancer performed with live music as a collaboration with the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, plus dance school end of year recital. Spring productions rotate: Swan Lake, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty and Don Quixote (so high school age dancers get to be in each one before graduation)."

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

1
3

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?

Not at all
2
1
Strongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

2
1

Private Lessons equally available to all students?

Strongly disagree
1
1
1
Strongly agree

Explain

  • "They are not usually available because students do not typically know about them very much until the very top level. They are only available to select students who want to be coached. Private lessons are not usually talked about very much among students but are more well known within the company."
  • "Mainly just costs, as some dancers may not be able to afford certain rates"

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

4

School's SI Required?

4

Outside SI OK?

4

How Did School Help?

  • "The program puts out a list of various summer intensives that come to PNB every year during audition season to help kids find a summer intensive that fits. Most students' first summer intensive after the studio's is Oregon Ballet Theater's summer intensive because it is close and well reviewed. Summer intensives used to only be talked about though word of mouth but recently that has changed as more kids follow the pre-professional track."
  • "They offered scholarships to other intensives and helped with photos/videos required for certain intensives"
  • "Encouraged everyone to audition then see from there"
  • "The school provided one email with the calendar of upcoming summer intensive audition opportunities. They do not really engage in supporting auditions unless specifically requested. My dancer worked with his 1:1 dance coach to prepare audition materials and discuss audition strategy. His coach taught 1 class/week at the school but they trained together at a separate studio."

Outcomes

Percent That Went Full-Time

3

Percent That Went To College

2
1

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

No support
2
1
Lots of support

Support Description

  • "The school does not provide many options for continuing dance after high school as that is not their main goal as a recreational studio. For the students who want to go into a post graduate program or other pre-professional training, they usually talk to Xijun Fu who does private lessons and has connections across the dance world in the US and elsewhere. Many of the seniors graduating high school go on to do something related to dance in college which is what the percentage above means."
  • "They really just helped me improve as a dancer all the way through training, and helped me get to where I am today without any bias (such as if I was not planning to dance post-high school, giving attention to other dancers), as well as giving me guidance for what I should and should not be doing or trying out for as far as my own personal growth as a dancer, with emphasis on my own success in their help"
  • "Supportive comments on improvements, congratulations on audition outcomes, but not much direct engagement. I believe the studio owners have been more engaged in supporting other dancers in taking next steps--my dancer had support from an outside coach and so didn't ask the school to be involved."

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction

4

Continuing Ballet Placement

1
2
1

Emotional Support

1
2
1

Performance Opportunities

1
3

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect

  • "One of the best aspects of the program is how inclusive it is and how professional everyone is. The company is full of mature dancers of a variety of ages which makes for a very connected and strong community."
  • "The community that includes both the dancers themselves, the staff at the studio, and the love that the town community in Olympia has for us"
  • "Variety of teachers"
  • "Friendly, organized, positive, fun, great opportunities for performance, and my dancer has thrived in a community of other male dancers (although few are as serious as he has become). The Ballet Northwest company affiliated with the school is the oldest in Washington State. My dancer's much older sisters also danced through high school and had really positive experiences and made friends for life."

Program's Worst Aspect

  • "It doesn't push as hard as I would've liked because I want to go on to a professional career which is not the goal of the program. This is not a problem for many of the people not looking for a career in dance."
  • "The shows we do in summer are inconsistent due to people going other places for intensives. Not really a complaint about this school specifically as I’m sure it would be the same elsewhere, but given the fact we have had the option sometimes I just wish we had it ALL the time."
  • "Not doing competitions"
  • "Occasionally late minute schedule changes were annoying and communications could come via the Band app, company website or email, so it was sometimes a bit confusing to figure out what was going on. Not much of a problem."

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

  • "I'd like for the teachers to promote what a career in professional ballet looks like and how to get there more. It isn't talked about a whole lot and I think that many students would be far more motivated if they see a goal or example that a professional career is viable."
  • "Better men’s classes"
  • "Doing competitions"
  • "My dancer wanted more demanding training, but I think the level of instruction was the right balance in helping all dancers feel included and successful."

Anything Else We Should Know?

  • "Olympia Dance Center is owned by Ken and Josie Johnson, who both danced ballet professionally and have ABT instructor training. Ken danced at the studio as a child (when it was Johanssen's Dance Studio) and founder Mary Johanssen is still involved in day to day operations in her eighties. It's a wonderful community institution. Very organized--their Nutcracker and studio recitals run like well-oiled machines even though there are a lot of very small children involved. Ken, Josie and their instructors are welcoming, kind, friendly, accessible, encouraging, and run the school well. In 2026 they moved to a new building (they now own it) with fabulous new studios and co-located arts organizations in the building (Irish dance, Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, several healthcare providers and other community organizations). New sprung floors, new marley, great light. It's a vibrant place and time. Ballet Northwest productions are top-notch for student performances. They produce 8 Nutcracker shows each year (plus student matinee) and all roles are danced by students (except they often hire a Cavalier, who last year came from the pro training program at ABT). They do a great job of bringing in big(ish)-name dancers for master classes and their summer intensive. They also hold an annual spring choreography workshop (this year with Eva Stone from PNB) and later a "Young Choreographer Showcase" in which students create and perform original works."
Reviews
1 -4 of 4 results
Sort By:
Filters:
Dancer Age
Gender
Age: 16, MaleInstruction
Placement
Performance
Attended 2025-26
Age: 14, MaleInstruction
Placement
Performance
Attended 2025-26
Age: 16, MaleInstruction
Placement
Performance
Attended 2025-26
Age: 16, MaleInstruction
Placement
Performance
Attended 2025-26