Virginia Academy of Dance

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent

Program:

Virginia Academy of Dance

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

Currently 5 levels. Can go up to Level 7. Follows ABT National Training Curriculum levels.

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

11-15 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Years At School:

3 years

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Skill

Teacher Background:

Former professional ballet dancer

Parents Required to Volunteer?

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

Classes Per Day:

Weekend Classes?

Yes

Weekend Schedule:

Half day

Students Per Class:

Less than 10

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

Pointe Classes Per Week:

Daily

Live Music in Technique Class?

Dedicated Men's Program?

Boys In Level:

There were no boys in my level

Techniques Taught:

General Classical

Technique Teacher Rotation:

Usually the same every day

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:

ABT National Training Curriculum for ballet. Number of ballet classes varies based on level. Elective classes available but not required.

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

Modern, Jazz

Other Class Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

Former professional ballerina taught a master class to the upper level dancers.

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Yes

Physical Training Types:

Other

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:

Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year

Quality of Communication?


Poor	Excellent

Who Received Communication?

With parents and students

Exams

Formal Exam?

Yes

Written Feedback?

Yes

Exam Adjudicator:

Outside adjudicator

Exam Rubrics Clear?

Agree

Who Attends Exam Meeting?

Yes and parents are included. The meeting was with Artistic Director and my teachers

Well Prepared For Exam?


Not at all	Completely

How Heavily Did Exams Weigh in Promotions:


Not at all	Heavily

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?


Not	Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?


Not	Completely

Describe School Culture:

Safe, healthy, strong technique, supportive

Placement Notification Timing:

Parent teacher conferences are held in March/April

How Dancer Was Notified:

In-person meeting with school director/staff

Dancer Had Mentor?

Yes

Mentoring Details:

Both of my daughters teachers have provided mentoring in informal ways. They regularly provide advice and support as we have navigated the Summer Intensive Audition process. They helped to provide recommendations for programs to audition for and helped us to select the program she is going to attend.

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:

1-3

Shows per Program:

Casting:

Everyone auditions for parts

Peformance Calendar:

Winter Show (by audition), Spring Showcase (everyone performs)

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

Explain:

Private lessons are available to any student that is interested in taking them.

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

School's SI Required?

Outside SI OK?

Yes, it's strongly encouraged

How Did School Help?

Teachers and the Owner/Director helped us to select programs to audition for and to attend based on what programs they felt would be most beneficial to my daughter's dance education. They have been very supportive when she received rejections and excited at acceptances.

Outcomes

Percent That Went Full-Time:

None

Percent That Went To College:

None

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


No support	Lots of support

Support Description:

VAD is a small and newer dance studio. They are very supportive of girls who wish to continue their dance training beyond high school, but they have only graduated a handful of seniors at this point.

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

A+

Continuing Ballet Placement:

A+

Emotional Support:

A+

Performance Opportunities:

A+

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

Small program, very supportive staff, lots of 1:1 attention and support available.

Program's Worst Aspect:

Limited partnering due to lack of male dancers.

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

Nothing

Anything Else We Should Know?

This is a small ballet school but provides great technical instruction in an area with very few ballet focused options. The small size allows for more personalized instruction and support as well as a friendly community of dancers and their families.

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