"Backstage, wardrobe, front of house: could pay to get out of"
Curriculum
Days Per Week
4
5
Classes Per Day
1
2
Weekend Classes?
No
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Full day
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
2
3
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
No
Men Taught Batterie?
No
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
Did School Director Teach?
Often
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
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
"Contemporary and ballet classes"
"Mix of French, Classical, and Balanchine teachers. Generally a technique class + a supplementary class (besides contemporary class)"
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Jazz
Modern
Musical Theater
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Improv
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Yes
Master Classes Description
"Mostly adults. Classes had the same teachers mostly."
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Student told parent. School not involved
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
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
"Very kind, no talk about being thin"
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Adequate but missing several key pieces
Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces
Quality of Communication?
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Who Received Communication?
With parents and students
With parents only
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
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
"Family, warm"
"Amazing, but some mean students"
Placement Notification Timing
"Summer"
"Email"
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
"Mentorship program extra cost"
"Mentorship program offered, but all teachers are very hands-on and will mentor all"
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
No
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
4-5
8-12
Shows per Program
2
3
Casting
Everyone auditions for parts
Peformance Calendar
"Nutcracker, end of year, company production, community outreach, mentorship. Company was 2 shows. Community was one per but happened most months in the fall. Nutcracker was 9 shows. End of year was 1. Mentorship was 1."
"occasional fall show, nutcracker, occasional feb. show, company spring show, june showcase"
Private Lessons
Private Lessons Available?
Yes
Are Private Lessons Encouraged?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly recommended
Who Takes Privates?
A select few kids
Anyone who wants them
Private Lessons equally available to all students?
Strongly disagree
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly agree
Explain
"N/A"
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
"They would help with videos and things in privates or mentorship program both are an extra fee."
"Help with audition process, mentoring, positive environment"
Outcomes
Percent That Went Full-Time
10%
11%-20%
Percent That Went To College
21%-30%
More than 50%
How Much Support Did Dancer Receive in Taking the Next Steps in Ballet?
No support
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of support
Support Description
"I was not at that age yet"
"Supported, most students don't"
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A-
A+
Continuing Ballet Placement
B
Emotional Support
A+
Performance Opportunities
A
A-
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"Community and teacher. You can take as many classes as you want."
Program's Worst Aspect
"Some girls in it were not very nice. They favored the people who had been there the longest. Casting in spring was not very fair."
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"Casting fairness. If wish there were auditions to take out some of the kids that are very below where the rest of the class is"
Anything Else We Should Know?
"Very amazing teachers. People are generally great. You can take as many classes as you want making it easily over 28 hours of good classes. Amazing family like community."
