The Premier Ballet School of Orange County

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent with dancer input

Program:

The Premier Ballet School of Orange County

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

Level 1 (5-7 Years), Level 2 (8-10 Years), Level 3 (11-12 Years), Intermediate (13-14 Years), Advanced (14+)

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

11-15 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Years At School:

5 years

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Age

Teacher Background:

Former professional ballet dancer

Parents Required to Volunteer?

Parent Volunteer Requirement:

Volunteer hours encouraged for Nutcracker and Spring Show

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

Classes Per Day:

Weekend Classes?

Yes

Weekend Schedule:

Full day

Students Per Class:

16-24

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

Yes

Pointe Classes Per Week:

Live Music in Technique Class?

Dedicated Men's Program?

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

Men Taught Batterie?

Boys In Level:

Less than 5

Separate Technique Class for Boys:

Techniques Taught:

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 Little	A Lot

Quality of Instruction:


Poor	Excellent

Did Technique Improve?


Not at all	Tremendously

Curriculum Comments:

Ballet Technique & Pointe (5x Week), Character (1x Week), Repertoire (1x Week), Stretch (3x Week), Jazz (1x Week), Modern (1x Week), Contemporary Company Class (1x Week)

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

Character, Modern, Jazz, Horton

Other Class Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

Yes

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught:

Improv, Repertoire, Choreography workshops, Technique

Contemporary Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

Occasional Ballet Master Class, Monthly Contemporary Master Classes, Mini Contemporary Intensives (1-2x Year), Contemporary Artists in Residence (1x Year)

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Yes

Physical Training Types:

Stretch class

Physical Training Schedule:

Once or twice a week

Were Trainers Certified?

Physical Training Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

How Parents Notified?

My student did not get injured

PT Available?

Was There a Recovery Plan?

My dancer did not get injured

Mental Health Therapists Available?

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

Were Students Weighed?

Was "Coded Language" Used?

Communication

Formal Orientation?

Yes

Handboook & Paperwork:

Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces

Quality of Communication?


Poor	Excellent

Who Received Communication?

With parents and students

Exams

Formal Exam?

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?


Not	Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?


Not	Completely

Describe School Culture:

Strong Technique Emphasized in Supportive Environment

Placement Notification Timing:

Late Spring/Early Summer

How Dancer Was Notified:

In-person meeting with school director/staff

Dancer Had Mentor?

Yes

Mentoring Details:

Informal

Overall School Culture:


Lord of the Flies	Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building:

Safety of Area Around School?


Not Safe	Extremely Safe

Studio Space:


Cramped	Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness:


Dirty	Spotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

Programs Performed:

4-5

Shows per Program:

Casting:

Everyone auditions for parts

Peformance Calendar:

Palm Desert Choreography Festival (Nov), Nutcracker (2 Shows Sunday after Thanksgiving), Choreography In-Studio Showcase (Spring), Spring Showcase (1st Sunday in June)

Competition

Competitions required?

Did Dancer Compete?

Yes

Competition Categories:

Solos, Ensembles

Competitions Attended:

YAGP, CDC, UBC, ADC/IBC, ICON, NYCDA, NUVO, Jump, 24Seven

Solo Rehearsals:

Take place outside of regular classes

Pas de Deux Rehearsals:

Our school doesn't have students compete pas de deux

Ensemble Rehearsals:

Take place outside of regular classes

Costume Responsibility:

Student responsible for sourcing and paying for costume

Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?

What Were the Additional Fees?

Annual Fee per Dancer, Registration Admin Fee per venue, Solo/Duo/Ensemble Admin Fee per venue

Competition Fees Clear?

Yes

Competition Fees Reasonable?

Yes

Why?

Comparable for region

Experience Description:

Loved them! Enjoyed the performance opportunities and classes. Successful placement(s) and many scholarships. Fun memories with supportive friends, teachers and parents.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

Yes

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?


Not at all	Strongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

Anyone who wants them

Private Lessons equally available to all students?


Strongly disagree	Strongly agree

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

Yes

School's SI Required?

Outside SI OK?

Yes, it's strongly encouraged

How Did School Help?

School is open to provide feedback, if asked. School assists with audition materials, if needed. School celebrates acceptances.

Outcomes

Percent That Went Full-Time:

More than 50%

Percent That Went To College:

41%-50%

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


No support	Lots of support

Support Description:

Assisted with audition materials and recommendations

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

A+

Continuing Ballet Placement:

A+

Emotional Support:

A+

Performance Opportunities:

A+

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

Excellent technical and artistic training with supportive teachers and families

Program's Worst Aspect:

High demand for privates with limited studio space and time available

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

More studio space, more classes, more boys

Anything Else We Should Know?

Amazing friendships are formed at the studio. Strong dancers are developed (physically & mentally). While many students compete, participation in competitions is optional. Teachers truly care about each student. Performances are beautiful and take place at The Irvine Barclay Theater. The contemporary training is outstanding. Premier Youth Dance Company members are given great exposure to a variety of styles, master teachers, choreographers, performance opportunities, and more with an emphasis on artistry.

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