After-School Training Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 83
Total Reviews: 138

Springfield Ballet

#1 of 1

General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent with dancer input

Program:

Springfield Ballet

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

7

Dancer Age:

12

Hours of Dance Each Week:

6-10 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

No

Years At School:

7 or more years

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Skill

Teacher Background:

Both

Parents Required to Volunteer?

No

Parent Volunteer Requirement:

No requirement; volunteerism is incentivized during production with comp tickets to the closed dress rehearsal.

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

5

Classes Per Day:

2

Weekend Classes?

Yes

Weekend Schedule:

Half day

Students Per Class:

10-15

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

No

Pointe Classes Per Week:

1

Live Music in Technique Class?

No

Dedicated Men's Program?

No

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

Yes

Men Taught Batterie?

Yes

Boys In Level:

Less than 5

Separate Technique Class for Boys:

No

Techniques Taught:

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

Attention From Teachers:

Very LittleA Lot

Quality of Instruction:

PoorExcellent

Did Technique Improve?

Not at allTremendously

Curriculum Comments:

It follows the CPYB curriculum, which I believe is based on Vaganova. Ballet technique classes are offered for most levels daily, and many levels are mixed throughout the week. Pointe is offered a few days per week, but it was my dancer’s first semester en pointe so she only took one pointe class per week. Saturday classes are not required but are encouraged, as production rehearsals typically take place throughout the afternoon and evening on Saturdays. There is one weekly men’s class. Variations and partnering are reserved for the upper levels.

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

Modern, Jazz

Other Class Quality:

PoorExcellent

Contemporary Offered?

Yes

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught:

Improv, Repertoire, Choreography workshops

Contemporary Quality:

PoorExcellent

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

The school brings in guests occasionally to teach master classes (and typically some private lessons too). This year we had Tim Fox, Fabio Mariano, Nadia Stine, and Julia Wilkinson Manley.

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Yes

Physical Training Types:

Body conditioning

Physical Training Schedule:

Once or twice a week

Were Trainers Certified?

No

Physical Training Quality:

PoorExcellent

Strength & Conditioning Comments:

There are two offered weekly: one for intermediate levels and one for upper levels.

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

No

How Parents Notified?

My student did not get injured

PT Available?

No

Was There a Recovery Plan?

My dancer did not get injured

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?

Maybe

Communication

Formal Orientation?

No

Handboook & Paperwork:

Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces

Quality of Communication?

PoorExcellent

Who Received Communication?

With parents and students

Exams

Formal Exam?

No

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?

NotCompletely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?

NotCompletely

Describe School Culture:

Typically supportive; sometimes catty.

Placement Notification Timing:

Early May

How Dancer Was Notified:

Written communication via email or regular mail

Dancer Had Mentor?

No

Mentoring Details:

There is coaching for the highest level only. Typically there is a yearly conference for intermediate and advanced levels, but we did not get that this year. When I have reached out for advice, however, they are prompt and thorough in their responses.

Overall School Culture:

Lord of the FliesWarm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building:

Yes

Safety of Area Around School?

Not SafeExtremely Safe

Studio Space:

CrampedLots of space

Studio Cleanliness:

DirtySpotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

No

Programs Performed:

1-3

Shows per Program:

More than 5

Casting:

Everyone auditions for parts

Peformance Calendar:

2 stage productions in our historic community theatre - one is always Nutcracker, then the spring show is different each year. School showcase for pre-ballet and elective classes in the spring (like a recital). Touring opportunities at local festivals and events for select students. For the first time this year, they sent 3 of the Level 7 students to YAGP.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

Yes

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?

Not at allStrongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

A select few kids

Private Lessons equally available to all students?

Strongly disagreeStrongly agree

Explain:

Private lessons with faculty are mentioned in the handbook but never encouraged to my knowledge. When pros are brought in for masterclasses and privates, that is typically only mentioned to the upper levels.

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

Yes

School's SI Required?

No

Outside SI OK?

Yes, but only for select students

How Did School Help?

No guidance at my dancer’s level. Lower level students are not encouraged to attend SIs elsewhere. Intermediate students are encouraged only to attend schools that use our same curriculum - CPYB and Littleton Ballet. These do not require an audition from our students - just photos and application. Upper levels typically audition and attend SIs elsewhere.

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

A-

Continuing Ballet Placement:

B+

Emotional Support:

B-

Performance Opportunities:

A

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

The AD (who is leaving us!) is incredible. We really like the curriculum. By far the highest quality dance education in this area.

Program's Worst Aspect:

Talk about moving levels is extremely discouraged. This is because it’s not age-based and jealousy can happen. But I think at a certain level, this can backfire. My dancer was held at two different levels while others moved on, and it wasn’t super clear why, other than a canned evaluation form. The middle school years have been brutal, but that’s not entirely the fault of the program - I suspect that’s just a 12-year-old thing.

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

The conferences have been incredibly valuable. In my dream world, these would happen every semester.

Anything Else We Should Know?

If you’re in this area, this is really the only quality ballet school, but it is for sure quality.
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