Alongside guest faculty, Did not teach during session
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
I don't know
Sprung floors with secure marley
they were definitely in good condition
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
More than 5
Saturday classes
No
Yes
Saturday class duration
Half day or less
N/A
Leveling
Leveling
Assigned after placement class
Leveling type
Ability
Age
Unsure
Did students move levels?
No
Yes
Leveling fair?
No
Yes
Students per class
10-15
16-24
31-34
Performance
Performance?
Full show
Nothing
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
Yes and my dancer lived there
Yes but my dancer did not live there
# of roommates
1
2
3
4
Bathrooms
2 bathrooms in apartment. 4 girls total. 2 in each room
One big bathroom on the floor
Private in room
Private in suite
Coed bathrooms
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Housing comment
It was a shared house with house parents but is now apartments and we don’t have experience with those but the same amazing house parents are in charge and we really liked them and felt our daughter was safe there.
The residential managers were amazing. We were very impressed with it all
It is an apartment
The housing is 2-3 bedroom apartments in a complex with a large swimming pool and gym. Dinner is served family style and dancers make their own breakfast and lunch. The food is healthy and good.
Apartments with no supervision
Apartment living
The pool was a good source of entertainment since not much other was offered
Very large home for the dancers. Several fridges for the dancers to keep their snacks, family style meals in the evening. My daughter's favorite part of housing was the community swimming pool that they had access to.
The dancers live in apartments without real supervision
Where did they stay?
Rented an apartment or house
Student lived at home
Housing - Supervision
Curfew
No
Yes
Curfew reasonable?
No
Yes
Room check
No
Yes
How strict were dorms?
Just about right
Somewhat lax
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
No
Yes
Meal Plan
Meal plan
No
Yes
Food quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough food
Yes
Dietary needs?
No
Yes
Specific needs
Dairy, nuts, legumes
Gluten free
Nut allergy
Vegetarian
Dietary options
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Lots
Activities
Weeknight activities
No
Yes
Weekend outings
No
Yes
Attended weekend outings
I didn't attend any of them
Yes, some of them
Favorite
The sushi restaurant
Shopping was the hi-light and only event that I’m aware of. They didn’t go in to Raleigh for any big events but went to Target, TJ Maxx, etc
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
Don’t know, lived at home
Host family has several big vans and drives them
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
The guest teachers were fantastic (so were the regular teachers) and the house parents were trustworthy and kind. The training was excellent.
The guest teachers, staff, managers, etc were all professional, fair, and kept us informed
We were impressed at how much time was dedicated to technique each day. My dancer was in level 5 throughout the program (levels 1-6 offered). Class size ranged between 10 to 13 girls depending on the session (she attended all). She received 1 hour, 45 minutes of ballet each day and 1 hour of pointe class each day immediately following ballet. The other classes consisted of variations, PBT (progressive ballet technique), repertoire, pas de deux, contemporary or modern, pilates, strength & conditioning, etc. Her artistry definitely improved and she was exposed to new teachers/professionals who brought different viewpoints.
my dancer was happy and also there is no body shaming at all
My daughter loved every minute of class time
My dancer loved the fact that they stressed the learning to balance technique, artistry and details.
Lots of corrections, individual attention, partnering
The variety of teachers and what was taught. The quality of the instruction. The healthy culture of the entire program.
The teachers were great at giving constructive feedback that could be applied. Technique class was appropriately challenging.
From a parent perspective I appreciated that they were also focused on preventing injury rather than just responding to it when it happens.
The safety of the living situation and town
The communication from the staff leading up to the intensive. This was our dancers first time away from home and we were especially skiddish as many covid precautions were still impacting society. The staff really gave us more attention than we probably deserved, they went above and beyond to answer every question.
Size, teachers, variety, schedule
Very little drama and took very good care of the kids. Their safety was top priority.
Making friends from different areas
Least liked about program
My dd level didn’t end up with partnering every week like the other levels and we aren’t sure why.
Email responses can be slow
This was honestly the best SI we've attended...not many cons to list.
They use their typical year round favorites as the leads in the showcase; leveling is definitely not by technique otherwise some students would have been lowered! to make room to move up younger but better dancers
A few organized activities outside of target and the pool would be nice
Dancer enjoyed all aspects of this program.
My daughter missed her placement class because of the travel delays and was placed by age for the first 2 weeks till the next assessment opportunity. If you travel to Cary, don't take the last plane, allow time for delays and cancellations.
Partnering inexperienced dancers because of safety concerns.
unorganized
She liked all aspects of the training
The communication was slow and often times not at all. Check out and check in info came only upon asking ourselves several days before. The lack of outings in the weekends. Cary has so much to offer that events should have been planned to explore the city more.
Nothing, really. It was quality training in a safe environment. My dancer didn't want to leave.
Lack of outside activities
Lack of communication throughout the intensive. We were only given about 1 hour to pack up and move out.
Leveling did not make sense, too much focus on the select favorites
Suggested changes to program
Partnering being fair across levels
More outings. Especially weekend
A larger end of summer showcase perhaps? The end of program showcase is held in-house in the largest studio and is exceptionally well done, but it would be fun to see what they've learned on a stage.
be more selective in choosing who can attend the program to make it higher quality talent, technique and artistry
nothing
Longer class times
It was a well structured program, my daughter really liked it. She wished there was a make up opportunity for the placement class, though.
Only partnering girls in the highest levels.
less focus on end performance, needs more focus on technique
My daughter has no suggestions for change. She really enjoyed the program
The weekend events and better communication.
N/A
Better communication
Showcase should not feature the same select students and.more ballet technique in class
Culture of program
Friendly and inviting. Supportive.
My daughter made tons of friends and loved every minute
The teachers were very warm and supportive. This is definitely a high caliber program that offers a lot. Students in my daughter's group were friendly and focused.
typical non-selective, money-making intensive
fantastic
My dancer felt it was a supportive and welcoming program.
Very supportive, inclusive, and safe. Loved it!
Friendly, healthy, hard working, motivated.
This program allowed her to work hard in an encouraging environment. The year round students were friendly.
Supportive and welcoming
Safe, clean, challenging
Positive
A positive culture. The host parents live there year round with the resident students and are wonderful! Communication with them was excellent.
It was a lot of dancers who attend year round and they were not always inclusive
Other comments
She liked that she got each teacher at least once. She liked that there was a lot of strengthening and conditioning classes. There were some lectures on ballet history and health and dancer wellness - nutrition and injuries. DD loved character .
While my daughter didn't require the housing, the apartments where the dancers stay are in a very safe area and easily walkable to the studio. I would definitely recommend the program to both intermediate and advanced dancers who are considering it!
If you have a serious dancer, one that wants to truly be a professional, go somewhere else; if you’re looking for fun and no pressure, then it’s for you and your dancer
consider it is not dorm living but apartment living
My daughter appreciated that they made each level challenging.
Two things: some pieces taught in Balanchine style, and we were not allowed to record them at demonstration.
Cary Conservatory are moving to a new space in August 2023, and a lot of studio assessments may no longer apply in 2024
Good programs for beginners
She felt that the more work you put in, the more you’ll get out of it. Don’t be afraid to talk with your teachers for any injuries or questions. They are happy to help.
From a parent perspective you should know that they are able to access food to use for breakfast and lunch. They need to be mature enough to plan those aspects on their own. It’s definitely more like apartment living with a planned dinner each day. Worked great for my 17 year old, but might not be for all ages.
The dance training was strong. The instructors were very prepared, full of energy and engaged in the students learning.
We came away disappointed. It has a strong reputation and it was just okay
