BALLET HELP DESK

After-School Training Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 83
Total Reviews: 138

WestMet Classical Training

After-School Reviews

General

Who is Reviewing?

2

Program

2

Season Attended

1
1

# Of Levels In School

1
1

Dancer Age

1
1

Hours of Dance Each Week

2

Was Student Scholarshipped?

2

Years At School

1
1

Leveling by Age or Skill?

2

Teacher Background

2

Parents Required to Volunteer?

2

Curriculum

Days Per Week

1
1

Classes Per Day

1
1

Weekend Classes?

1
1

Weekend Schedule

1
1

Students Per Class

1
1

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

1
1

Pointe Classes Per Week

1
1

Live Music in Technique Class?

2

Dedicated Men's Program?

2

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

1

Men Taught Batterie?

1

Boys In Level

1
1

Separate Technique Class for Boys

1

Techniques Taught

2
1

Technique Teacher Rotation

2

Did School Director Teach?

1
1

Classroom Corrections

2

Attention From Teachers

Very Little
2
A Lot

Quality of Instruction

Poor
2
Excellent

Did Technique Improve?

Not at all
2
Tremendously

Curriculum Comments

  • Daily technique, character, contemporary, conditioning, stretch, theater jazz, variations, pilates/PBT
  • Rotating schedule of technique on flat, pointe, contemporary, PBT, Pilates, Broadway jazz, character

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class

1
1

Partner Ratio

1

Who Taught?

1

How Much Partnering Improved

No
1
Tremendously

Quality of Pas Teaching

Poor
1
Excellent

How Were Corrections Given?

1

Description of Partnering Class

  • The girls rotated who took partnering for each quarter - this way there were fewer girls in the class.

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles

2
1
1
2

Other Class Quality

Poor
2
Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

2

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught

2
1
1
2

Contemporary Quality

Poor
2
Excellent

Master Classes?

2

Master Classes Description

  • The directors bring in some of the best choreographers in the country.
  • Master classes with high quality instructors such as YAGP judges and/or former/current professional dancers are offered or brought in throughout the year and summer

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

2

Physical Training Types

1
1
2
2
2
1
1

Physical Training Schedule

2

Were Trainers Certified?

1
1

Physical Training Quality

Poor
1
1
Excellent

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

1
1

How Parents Notified?

1
1

How Treatment Obtained?

1

PT Available?

2

Was There a Recovery Plan?

1
1

Describe Recovery Plan

1

Mental Health Therapists Available?

1
1

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

2

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

2

Were Students Weighed?

2

Was "Coded Language" Used?

1
1

Additional Comments

  • A sports mental health professional was brought in as a special opportunity for all, and physical therapist recommendations are given as needed for physical needs

Communication

Formal Orientation?

2

Handboook & Paperwork

2

Quality of Communication?

Poor
1
1
Excellent

Who Received Communication?

2

Exams

Formal Exam?

2

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?

Not
1
1
Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?

Not
1
1
Completely

Describe School Culture

  • supportive, dedicated, intense, no-drama
  • Small and driven

Placement Notification Timing

1
1

How Dancer Was Notified

2

Dancer Had Mentor?

1
1

Mentoring Details

  • They give the students incredible, personal attention. The students are welcome to talk before or after class with the teachers at almost any time, or can set a meeting. The directors come from a professional background and do a great job of preparing the kids for the professional life.
  • No mentoring program but the older students are very supportive and taught to be helpful to the younger ones. They are made to assist with hair, makeup, etc as parents aren’t allowed backstage.

Overall School Culture

Lord of the Flies
1
1
Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building

2

Safety of Area Around School?

Not Safe
2
Extremely Safe

Studio Space

Cramped
1
1
Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness

Dirty
2
Spotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

2

Programs Performed

2

Shows per Program

1
1

Casting

1
1

Peformance Calendar

  • There was Nutcracker and a spring performance
  • Nutcracker, Winter preview of works show, Spring Show(both a full length ballet excerpt and pieces from the year)

Competition

Competitions required?

1
1

Did Dancer Compete?

2

Competition Categories

2
1
2

Competitions Attended

2

Solo Rehearsals

2

Pas de Deux Rehearsals

2

Ensemble Rehearsals

2

Costume Responsibility

1
1

Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?

2

What Were the Additional Fees?

1
1

Competition Fees Clear?

1
1

Competition Fees Reasonable?

2

Why?

  • They're expensive, but they are what they are
  • Normal fees

Experience Description

  • A great experience
  • It was great! People that participated in competitions have a great time and get more experiences to bond with the other students, and more opportunities for individual improvement than if we didn’t.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

2

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?

Not at all
1
1
Strongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

2

Private Lessons equally available to all students?

Strongly disagree
2
Strongly agree

Explain

1

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

2

School's SI Required?

2

Outside SI OK?

2

How Did School Help?

  • The directors gave good advice on where to audition and how to prepare. They help make videos if needed.
  • They will help with photo/video and suggestions-if wanted of where might be a good fit for the student.

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction

2

Continuing Ballet Placement

2

Emotional Support

1
1

Performance Opportunities

2

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect

  • The training is incredible. Some of the best around. All the dancers are very strong, making the drive to be better very tangible.

Program's Worst Aspect

  • The kids sometimes seemed overworked.

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

  • Even with being over danced I wouldn't change a thing because it is good preparation for the professional world.

Anything Else We Should Know?

  • Be ready to work. Be ready to have a lot expected of you. The directors can be hard on you, but only because they believe in you and want you to be prepared. If you're willing to work and take corrections they'll make you a great dancer.
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