BALLET HELP DESK

After-School Training Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 95
Total Reviews: 171

Richmond Ballet

After-School Reviews

General

Who is Reviewing?

2
1

Program

3

Season Attended

2
1

# Of Levels In School

  • "11 or 12, two classes for little little kids. 3 for the lower division, middle division, and upper division. There is also a minds and motion program, but it’s different for levels, and I’m not in it so I wouldn’t know."
  • "there are four sections with either three or four levels in the section there is children’s division which is for starting out dancers then there is lower division for children going into point division you start point and start doing performances on point you start technique more upper division they prepare you for professional or college dancing and build your technique more"
  • "9 levels, 3 lower, 3 middle, 3 upper. There was also baby ballet classes"

Dancer Age

3

Hours of Dance Each Week

1

Gender

3

Company Affliated?

2

Was Student Scholarshipped?

3

Years At School

1
2

Leveling by Age or Skill?

1

Teacher Background

1

Parents Required to Volunteer?

1

Curriculum

Days Per Week

2
1

Classes Per Day

3

Weekend Classes?

1
2

Weekend Schedule

2
1

Students Per Class

2
1

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

2
1

Pointe Classes Per Week

2
1

Live Music in Technique Class?

3

Dedicated Men's Program?

3

Boys In Level

2
1

Separate Technique Class for Boys

2

Techniques Taught

1
3

Technique Teacher Rotation

3

Did School Director Teach?

1
1
1

Classroom Corrections

1
2

Attention From Teachers

Very Little
1
2
A Lot

Quality of Instruction

Poor
1
1
1
Excellent

Did Technique Improve?

Not at all
1
2
Tremendously

Curriculum Comments

  • "We had ballet, and then other subjects. There was character, musical theater, and modern. I have been told they are working on getting contemporary and variations for the uppers! I think it’s mostly classical, but we have a lot of cechettii too. We always learn some basics in vagonava and balenchine, but mostly the vagonava part."
  • "at Richmond ballet in middle division you take three ballet technique classes including point and then there are three extra classes including theater which is jazz but with musical theater music modern and character"
  • "No public curriculum, but supposedly had one. Dancer said teachers mostly taught in their own style. The front runners were RAD, Balanchine, and Cecchetti."

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class

3

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles

3
3
3
1
1

Other Class Quality

Poor
1
2
Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

2
1

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught

1
1

Contemporary Quality

Poor
1
Excellent

Master Classes?

2
1

Master Classes Description

  • "nutcracker, ensemble which is a auditioning group for the best dancers at Richmond ballet, and mozartiana (only 23/24 season)"
  • "Some fridays there would be master classes with the AD, african dance was one, etc."

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

3

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

1
1
1

How Parents Notified?

2
1

How Treatment Obtained?

  • "There is pt on the building for an extra cost after the injures, but it was available on short notice for dancers getting hurt in class. I’ve never heard of a student needing an ambulance but I’m sure it would be called if needed."
  • "I would sit out during class"
  • "Up to dancer and family"

PT Available?

2
1

Was There a Recovery Plan?

2
1

Describe Recovery Plan

  • "one of the dancers i knew had a hairline fracture which i know is not as bad but they only let her sit out for a week because we had a performance. she had a doctors note saying she had to wear a brace but they wouldn’t let her and made her tape it or she would not perform."

Mental Health Therapists Available?

2
1

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

3

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

2
1

Were Students Weighed?

3

Was "Coded Language" Used?

1
2

Additional Comments

  • "We did have I guess “coded language” but it was also engage your abs, nothing hurtful I don’t think. I’ve a student got hurt in class or was right there, but if they needed more of for a long time it was a fee I believe. I never got hurt but heard all of this through friends."
  • "PT was open if dancer had emergency issue needing checked"

Communication

Formal Orientation?

3

Handboook & Paperwork

1
1
1

Quality of Communication?

Poor
1
2
Excellent

Who Received Communication?

3

Exams

Formal Exam?

3

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?

Not
1
2
Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?

Not
1
2
Completely

Describe School Culture

  • "Really nurturing, but had meanies."
  • "sorry i dont know how to"
  • "Some serious, other extracurricular"

Placement Notification Timing

  • "The summer before, but you could ALMOST always assume you were moving up, sometimes not."
  • "1 week after summer intensive"
  • "Dancers and parents were talked to if student should not move up, but most of the time dancers moved up without issue. School year calendar was posted over Summer Intensive."

How Dancer Was Notified

1

Dancer Had Mentor?

1

Mentoring Details

  • "Dancers could go to teachers for advice, but nothing formal"

Overall School Culture

Lord of the Flies
1
2
Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building

3

Safety of Area Around School?

Not Safe
2
1
Extremely Safe

Studio Space

Cramped
1
2
Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness

Dirty
1
1
1
Spotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

1

Programs Performed

1

Shows per Program

1

Casting

1

Peformance Calendar

  • "For Nutcracker students auditions, but some things like company productions students were hand picked. The school has one spring show and the ensembles have an extra one. The lower ensemble did do lots of shows with Minds and Motion (5-7?)."

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

1

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

1

School's SI Required?

1

Outside SI OK?

1

How Did School Help?

  • "Involved during their first few years. Round table hosted before audition season to guide dancers. Could meet with faculty, but most of the older dancers had experience and did everything themselves."

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction

1

Continuing Ballet Placement

1

Emotional Support

1

Performance Opportunities

1

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect

  • "Certain teachers really got involved, and the ability to be more serious or less serious about your training."

Program's Worst Aspect

  • "Students are put together not matter their future, so not everyone is very committed. Also, a certain teacher is considered very condescending and tends to bully kids. The schedule also doesn't really allow for students to miss anything even though the spring show is around student's graduations."

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

  • "I would start grouping kids MORE on skill so my dancer could improve more."

Anything Else We Should Know?

  • "My daughter has really found a home here and loves lots of the teachers. It is a shame that the certain teacher makes it hard for the students and falculty."
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Age: 13, FemaleInstruction
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Attended 2024-25
Age: 13, FemaleInstruction A
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Attended 2023-24
Age: 13, FemaleInstruction B-
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Attended 2023-24