Only 3 pilates classes offered for the 5 week period
Pilates Mat
PT offered?
No
Extra fee for PT?
No
We didn't use PT
Injury rate
I wasn't aware of injuries
Seemed average
Teaching
Who taught?
Different depending on week
Different each day
The same every day
Guest teachers
Yes
Year-round teachers taught
Throughout the program
Throughout the program, Alongside guest faculty
Attention from teachers
Very Little
1
2
3
4
5
A Lot
Technique improved?
No
1
2
3
4
5
Yes - Tremendously
Studios
Dance floors
Sprung floors with secure marley
Studio space
Cramped
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of Space
Studio cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Schedule
Classes per day
4
5
Saturday classes
No
Yes
Saturday class duration
Half day or less
N/A
Leveling
Leveling
Assigned after placement class
Assigned when accepted
Leveling type
Ability
Age
Unsure
Did students move levels?
No
Yes
Leveling fair?
No
Yes
Students per class
10-15
16-24
25-30
Performance
Performance?
Small demonstration
Rehearsals happened
During daily class
Casting equitability
Uneven
1
2
3
4
5
Even
Rehearsals detracted from class?
Completely
1
2
3
4
5
Not At All
Housing - General
Housing provided
Yes and my dancer lived there
Yes but my dancer did not live there
# of roommates
1
2
3
Bathrooms
Private in room
Private in suite
Shared bathroom in apartment
Coed bathrooms
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Housing comment
"Very little to no chaperones"
"There were adult chaperones living in the units with the youngest children"
"Directors were very responsive to housing and roommate issues. Apartments are on floors with other tenants of the building, but generally a chaperone is on each floor where dancers are located."
"in a regular apartment building, floor 4 always smelled like weed"
"The dancers live in apartments in the same building as the dance studio"
"Good for a very independent dancer"
"the housing is not just for the ballet students, there were college students and young adults from nearby schools living in the building. The building was old and the ac went out several times but the school director was responsive in helping to get it fixed."
"Lots of space in the apartment. However, it was a building with quite a few issues. The AC went out a few times, and the toilet was clogged three times out of the four weeks we were there; we had to get our own plunger. Also, it seems that management didn't update their fire alarm system, since the alarm went off once and the firefighters couldn't switch it off as well. Had to clean the apartment and take out the trash ourselves, however there are no cleaning equipments provided, so we had to borrow it from the year-round students. Also, the building is shared with tenants from outside of the studio."
Where did they stay?
Student lived at home
Housing - Supervision
Curfew
No
Yes
Curfew reasonable?
Yes
Room check
No
Yes
How strict were dorms?
Just about right
Very lax
Infraction handling
Fair
N/A
Housing - Cleanliness
Laundry available
Yes
Laundry free
No
Yes
Housing cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Cleaning required
Yes
Meal Plan
Meal plan
No
Activities
Weeknight activities
No
Yes
Weekend outings
No
Yes
Attended weekend outings
Yes, all of them
Yes, some of them
Favorite
"Navy Pier/Beach"
"Lincoln Park zoo"
"lincoln park zoo"
"Color Factory"
"the girls decided what they wanted to do and planned it each weekend activities ranged from museums to Navy Pier to shopping."
Least favorite
Repeated Responses:
"N/A" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
"During NASCAR weekend, dancers were discouraged from outings due to enormous crowds downtown. Unfortunate timing but appreciated rules to keep dancers safe."
Logistics
Quality of handbook
Spotty
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Program communication
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Transportation
Dorms were in same building as studios
housing is in the same building as studio so just an elevator ride
It was in the same building, my dancer just went downstairs to the studio
Public transportation without chaperone
Studio is in the same building as the housing
Walked with chaperone
Walked without chaperone
Neighborhood safety
Not Safe
1
2
3
4
5
Very Safe
General Comments
Overall recommendation
Definitely Not
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Best aspect
"Housing was located in the dame building as studio"
"Quality of instruction, guest teachers, extensive repertoire"
"The staff are incredible"
"Attention to technique and instruction was phenomenal. Teachers were invested in students and available for help."
"teachers very dedicated and attentive to every student"
"Small class size, lots of individual attention"
"Excellent teachers"
"The training was strong and my dancer got individualized attention throughout the training"
"The training. My daughter came home a much better dancer"
"Love the character classes and how we get to plan out our outings."
Least liked about program
"Definitely favored students and ignored others"
"Wish the studios were larger"
"No strength or conditioning besides 3 individual pilates classes"
"More organized and planned activities on the weekends would be helpful in facilitating student bonding. Many activities were left to students to plan. Having a set schedule for weekend activities would be helpful."
"lack of communication/organization"
"Supervision outside of classes was lax"
"Commuting and lack of housing that would work for younger dancers"
"For a 12 year old, the housing, lack of meal plan and lose chaperoning may not be a good fit. Our daughter is very independent and did fine but if a kid is used to more guidance and direction and needs activities every evening, etc. they wouldn't do well in this enviornment."
Suggested changes to program
"Smaller class sizes and less favoritism"
"I wish the hours were longer"
"More structured planned activities outside of training for students. The air quality issues and NASCAR weekend put a damper on a lot of opportunities. Just bad luck with timing!"
"more laid out fees, meal plan"
"Chaperones"
"Would like partnering"
"The chaperone system and the body conditioning class."
Culture of program
"Not healthy"
"Intense but fun"
"Fairly positive"
"Healthy"
"strict but nurturing"
"Supportive, fair"
"Hard work, but fun"
"Supportive, owners are nice and are strong trachers"
"good strong culture where everyone was there to work hard and also kind to one another from what my daughter prescribed. She did note that there were clear "favorites" but not a strong enough culture of that to make it unbearable."
Other comments
"Placement seemed primarily by age with some exceptions for ability. There are only 2 levels, with a mix of ages in each. Demonstration included classical repertoire, character dances, and contemporary choreography that was taught over the course of the session (so not separate rehearsals, but not taking technique class time either). Casting struck a balance between group work for everyone and featured opportunities for a fairly broad range of students (variations run multiple times in small groups to show more students). Younger students had partnering some opportunities because there were younger boys. Saturday classes were optional with small class sizes. Many talented students in the program. Easy to make friends and socialize during breaks and after class."
"Training hours were efficient and promoted rest and recovery. Better than overtraining, and not aware of any injuries incurred during this time. We would go back for training any time."
"Instructors are fantastic! It is a great small program!"
"My dancer's home studio noticed significant improvement in her after doing the 5 weeks at A&A"
"This program is more suitable for really independent dancers if they are going to be living alone. There were barely any rules, and cooking and cleaning would be left all up to themselves, so it is up to whether your dancer is disciplined or not. The director was super helpful and replied emails really fast regarding any questions about the program."
