I know the were sprung. Not sure of other specifics.
lovely
older building
Sprung floors with secure marley
Sprung wood floor
Studio space
Cramped
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of Space
Studio cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Schedule
Classes per day
3
4
5
More than 5
Saturday classes
No
Yes
Saturday class duration
Full day
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?
Yes
Students per class
10-15
16-24
Performance
Performance?
Full show
Small demonstration
Rehearsals happened
Both in and out of class
During daily class
Outside of 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
No
Yes and my dancer lived there
# of roommates
1
Bathrooms
2 community bathrooms per floor
One big bathroom on the floor
Coed bathrooms
No
Air conditioning
No
Yes
Where did they stay?
Hotel
Rented an apartment or house
Stayed with local family or friends
Student lived at home
Housing - Supervision
Curfew
Yes
Curfew reasonable?
Yes
Room check
Yes
How strict were dorms?
Just about right
Somewhat strict
Very strict
Infraction handling
A little harsh
Fair
Skewed depending on the RA
Housing - Cleanliness
Laundry available
Yes
Laundry free
No
Unsure
Housing cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Cleaning required
No
Meal Plan
Meal plan
Yes
Food quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough food
Yes
Dietary needs?
No
Activities
Weeknight activities
No
Yes
Weekend outings
No
Yes
Attended weekend outings
Yes, all of them
Yes, some of them
Favorite
There was only a mall and a college tour - only did the mall and it was fine
Pier 39
Fishermen’s Wharf
It was up to the students/RA what to plan and do. She enjoyed going to the fisherman’s wharf area. Went to the mall and the movies a lot. Skipped Chinatown.
They were planned by friends/RA’s - not official. She enjoyed Pier 39, skipped Chinatown, went to the mall/target/movies several times
Day out in San Francisco sightseeing
Least favorite
N/A
Logistics
Quality of handbook
Spotty
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Program communication
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Transportation
N/A
Private bus
Public transportation without chaperone
Walked without chaperone
We commuted, parked in a parking garage and then walked.
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
The entire thing! kindness, supportive environment, amazing teachers, super challenging
Skills improvement
Amazing artistry, great communication from staff, creativity, friendly- other parents, building is old and lovely (like a movie dance studio with huge windows!)
This program truly nurtures the artist in each dancer and stretched them to limits they they didn’t even know were possible.
The intimacy of the program and the prioritizing of artistry and performance quality.
Individual focus
Getting to explore my artistry and step outside the box. It gave a ton of individual leeway for self expression and growth. We also learned about choreographing.
Incredible artistic growth
Artistry, expansive thinking and movement
The teacher attention to details in every class
The culture was excellent. Inclusive, friendly, supportive. The teachers were attentive and detail-oriented. The staff was responsive. The level was demanding but not overwhelming. My dancer had a great time and wants to attend the older-level program.
Least liked about program
Dorm strictness
No housing option
The location in the worst part of SF; we would not attend again at this location.
Lines is located in the Tenderloin of San Fran. Lot’s of homeless. Thankfully they have security guards and the dancers traveled in a big group each day.
No housing for the junior program, only two weeks offered.
Limited pointe work.
I loved everything about this program! It was amazing!!
NA
NA - great program
Location
Suggested changes to program
Nothing really!
Provide a dorm
The location
More water breaks, adding more than two weeks.
Nothing. It was a great experience.
To get more partnering and have physical therapy more available.
NA
NA
Culture of program
Supportive, kind, creative and unique
Demanding, professional, exciting
creative, fantastic, supportive- AMAZING experience for creativity and contemporary dance!
Amazing! Very rich and beautifully diverse.
Intimate, kind, professional, artistic.
Very focused on helping each dancer find their own artistry.
It was a very positive healthy environment. I made amazing friends and loved all the teachers. It was a smaller SI so it was great to really get to know everyone.
Per my daughter: positive, encouraging, inspiring, etc. She’s a tough judge and had nothing but the best to say
There is only one pointe piece cast and during our year only half those cast in it actually danced en pointe so if that is super important to you, adjust your expectations! Too many dancers expected not to do ballet and then complained to be cast in the pointe piece or didn’t get cast in it and then complained about not getting enough ballet. Be open to the growth opportunities available for every casting and don’t expect anything!
My kid was pushed harder than ever before and walked away inspired. Well done LINES!
You HAVE to be aware that this studio is located in the Tenderloin area of SF and there is, sadly, open drug use outside on the sidewalks, and many housing insecure people directly on the sidewalks. There are also very few close businesses where families could wait during the day/ pick up.
Highly recommend!
Overall the absolute most foundational experience of my career. I have grown so much as an artist and person from my time at lines and hope to return in the future.
I truly loved my 3 weeks at Lines. I would highly recommend it even if you aren’t necessarily interested in contemporary ballet. It helped my classical ballet so much. Really opened me up to help my artistry and expression. I enjoy my dancing so much more now and I understand my body better and it’s movement better. This was an amazing SI!!
