There are 6 levels in the school not including the trainee and second company (OBT II). This was the first year of a new curriculum, so it is difficult to describe how exactly the levels work as there has been much change since we started.
6
Dancer Age
10
13
15
Hours of Dance Each Week
11-15 hours
6-10 hours
Gender
Female
Male
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Please Describe Scholarship
N/A
Years At School
2 years
7 or more years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Skill
Teacher Background
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Parent Volunteer Requirement
N/A
Curriculum
Days Per Week
4
5
Classes Per Day
1
2
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
2
3
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Unsure
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Unsure
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
There were no boys in my level
Separate Technique Class for Boys
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?
Never (school admin was NOT designated as an upper level teacher)
Often
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
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
For level 2, there were 2 hour classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the professional division. There was also a demi-track option, which only required the dancers to come on Monday and Wednesday, but then they were not allowed to audition for The Nutcracker. Monday was foot strengthening and then technique. Wednesday technique and character. Friday technique and pirouettes. My dancer also took the Level 1-2 boys' class on Saturday mornings.
OBT has introduced a new curriculum with both professional and Demi tracks which include a total of 6 levels and the additional trainee and OBT II Company. The curriculum is quite detailed but available on the OBT School website.
CPYB, RBS
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
No partnering
Partner Ratio
Everyone had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
Male teacher
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?
Attention and corrections were evenly distributed between the males and females
Description of Partnering Class
Partnering was primarily observation of the upper levels early in the year and progressed to basic concepts for 1/2 hour with the male instructor and girls working with each other. As the year progressed there was a dedicated class, however OBT has only a few advanced male dancers so partnering is limited.
Additional Comments
No
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
Modern
None
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Improv
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
Yes
Master Classes Description
N/A
Company members offer workshops to all levels focused on current performances. Special classes are also offered during school closures such as spring break and winter break occasionally.
one-off workshops to learn rep from company members
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Other
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Some were certified and some were not depending on class
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
The most strength and conditioning that we saw was in the boys' class on Saturday. We wish it was longer, as they only have room in the schedule for a one-hour designated class for young boys, but the teacher made the most of the time he had. For Level 1-2 boys there is not a designated "strength and conditioning class", but it is incorporated into the boys' class on Saturday before they start their work at the barre and center.
No
It was all levels mixed together. My dancer did not find it sufficiently challenging.
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Unsure
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
We researched PT programs that specialized in dancers, and found the one that worked with the OBT company.
N/A
PT Available?
No
Unsure
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Describe Recovery Plan
N/A
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Unsure
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
Yes
Additional Comments
N/A
There is a lot of favoritism, especially towards dancers that have trained at the school longer. It is not a warm environment at all. Only certain dancers feel highly valued.
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Yes
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
With parents only
Exams
Formal Exam?
Yes
Written Feedback?
No
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Outside adjudicator
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Yes and parents were included. The meeting was with 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
Inclusive, friendly, professional, organized
Working toward growth and positivity
professional but not particularly supportive and too much favoritism
Placement Notification Timing
in late spring/end of session
May
Prior to end of year parent/student conferences
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details
N/A
The students receive a 10 minute conference twice a year with their primary instructor to discuss progress and address any concerns. Parents are encouraged to attend.
no mentoring
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
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?
Yes
Programs Performed
1-3
Shows per Program
2
More than 5
Casting
Everyone auditions for parts
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar
There are some company-affilliated shows in the fall and spring that are not The Nutcracker, and the AD selects students (both from graduate levels and lower levels) to participate in extra roles. The students on the "professional track" can audition for The Nutcracker in September - generally the Saturday after Labor Day - and rehearsals start the next Saturday. Every year there is an Annual School Performance in April.
Nutcracker-Balanchine production approximately 20 shows, 2 casts, children’s roles limited by height restrictions-not all students are cast. Only students enrolled in professional track are permitted to perform in company shows. If children’s roles are available in other company shows they are chosen by artistic director -no auditions. Annual School Performance-2 shows open to professional track students only, contemporary showcase -open to all students-1 show in Spring. Optional choreography workshop in spring.
nutcracker, student choreo showcase, spring recital
Private Lessons
Private Lessons Available?
Unsure
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, but only for select students
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
Not sure because my dancer has yet to apply to a SI outside of OBT. He will likely do his first round of auditions in 2027. OBT does not seem to encourage dancers under the age of 12 to audition for outside SIs.
Our school offered an audition workshop at an extra cost to assist students in levels 3 and up to prepare for auditions. This was the first year this was offered.
the school had an auditions workshop that was somewhat useful and a good idea but needs improvement, the school prefers students attend their SI, it wasnt clear how much the faculty understood other programs' SIs
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A
A+
Continuing Ballet Placement
A
B
C+
Emotional Support
A+
B
C
Performance Opportunities
A-
A+
B-
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
The Level 1-2 boys' class was/is a highlight of his week. He also likes learning piroettes.
Excellent training and knowledgeable instructors.
excellent training
Program's Worst Aspect
The teacher would have favorites in the class, and either ignore other students or make comments that would embarrass them. This is not a secret to the director of the school, as several parents communiated this issue to her after the New Year and throughout the spring. My dancer reports that the environment in the classroom has improved.
Disorganization and uncertainty surrounding new curriculum and expectations
the favoritism and cold atmosphere as well as lack of organization by admin
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
More boy-specific classes, including at Level 1-2.
Increased mentorship for upper level students and increased performance opportunities
I would make it a place where all dancers feel valued and supported rather than just a few
Anything Else We Should Know?
My dancer has had a wonderful experience at OBT and made some very close friends. Even though he is one of the only boys in his level, the girls in his level are very inclusive. There is a cohort of young boys coming up in Levels 1 & 2, so hopefully that will grow and the school can expand the boys' program. He loves all the performance opportunities - he was picked to perform alongside the company in Swan Lake and Giselle - and has made some connections with the professional male dancers. They know his name and will say hello to him both in the studio and while backstage. Reports of bullying are taken very seriously, and the school director works hard to make sure that the school of OBT keeps an inclusive, safe atmosphere for all students. If you are looking for a professional ballet school for your dancer, definitely look at OBT.
OBT has a long-standing history of providing excellence in ballet training. The new curriculum looks to be very promising in providing excellent progression in preparing dancers for a career in dance.
Everyone is extraordinarily kind and well meaning but that does not always translate into real value and care for all dancers. They are making a lot of efforts to improve the training and it shows but the growing pains also show, especially at upper levels. Communication is not their strong suit.
