BALLET HELP DESK

Summer Intensive Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 234
Total Reviews: 1882

Chautauqua Pre-Professional Ages 16-21

Summer Intensive Reviews

General

Dancer age

1
2

First time at a summer intensive?

3

Year of SI

2
1

Weeks available

3

Weeks attended

3

Reviewer

3

Curriculum

Techniques taught

3

Partnering (based on age)

1
2

Dedicated men's program?

1
2

# of boys in level

1
2

Other dance genres

3
1
1

Quality of other classes

Not Helpful
1
2
Helpful

Injury Prevention

Strength classes?

1
2
1

PT offered?

3

Extra fee for PT?

3

Injury rate

1
2

Teaching

Who taught?

3

Guest teachers

3

Year-round teachers taught

1
2

Attention from teachers

Very Little
1
2
A Lot

Technique improved?

No
1
1
1
Yes - Tremendously

Studios

Dance floors

1
1
1

Studio space

Cramped
2
1
Lots of Space

Studio cleanliness

Dirty
2
1
Spotless

Schedule

Classes per day

2
1

Saturday classes

3

Saturday class duration

1
2

Leveling

Leveling

3

Leveling type

1
2

Did students move levels?

3

Leveling fair?

3

Students per class

3

Performance

Performance?

3

Rehearsals happened

3

Casting equitability

Uneven
1
1
1
Even

Rehearsals detracted from class?

Completely
1
1
1
Not At All

Housing - General

Housing provided

3

# of roommates

3

Bathrooms

3

Coed bathrooms

3

Air conditioning

2
1

Housing comment

  • "Plans in place for new dorms"
  • "Very hot rooms in some cases"
  • "Housing was just updated this summer. Rooms now have AC, and the bedding is new. The dorm is still on the older end, but totally serviceable."

Housing - Supervision

Curfew

3

Curfew reasonable?

1
2

Room check

1
2

How strict were dorms?

1
1
1

Infraction handling

3

Housing - Cleanliness

Laundry available

3

Laundry free

1
2

Housing cleanliness

Dirty
1
2
Spotless

Cleaning required

2
1

Meal Plan

Meal plan

3

Food quality

Gross
1
1
1
Excellent

Enough food

3

Dietary needs?

3

Activities

Weeknight activities

3

Weekend outings

3

Logistics

Quality of handbook

Spotty
1
1
1
Comprehensive

Program communication

Limited
1
1
1
Comprehensive

Transportation

1
2

Neighborhood safety

Not Safe
3
Very Safe

General Comments

Overall recommendation

Definitely Not
1
2
Absolutely

Best aspect

  • "EVERYTHING"
  • "Performing 4 times and coaching"
  • "Lots of dancing and performance opportunities. Pre-pros had 4 full-length performances on the main stage, plus two in-studio demonstrations which included student choreography. Performing Serenade, staged by Balanchine Muse Patricia McBride, was a highlight. And performing with Houston Ballet 2 was also a great experience."

Least liked about program

  • "Nothing"
  • "Food and housing"
  • "My dancer has attended over 10 summer intensives and isn't a picky eater, but she did not like the food at Chautauqua and said it was the worst of her SIs by far. She said they served really weird food combos like Chinese dumplings with mashed potatoes. They had a salad bar, but it had few selections. She is pretty frugal, but did go out more than normal to grab a bite at the little snack shop to supplement her meal plan. However, there was plenty to eat, and portions weren't restricted. From a parent's perspective, the worst aspect was travel. Chautauqua is really in the middle of nowhere. The closest airport is 1hr30min away."

Suggested changes to program

  • "Nothing"
  • "Food"
  • "Definitely the food. Also, maybe shorten by a week. Seven weeks is long. Several dancers (mine included) left the program on Sunday night after the final performance, and immediately started their company positions the very next day."

Culture of program

  • "Outstanding"
  • "Supportive"
  • "Positive, supportive. Almost all the dancers this summer are ballet majors at IU or in second company/apprentice positions. One of the 2025 "Pre-Pro" dancers is a current corps dancer at PNB. So a very hardworking, focused crowd. The Chautauqua community is very supportive of the arts and the dancers. The dancers are sponsored by guests, who offer things like use of laundry and meals. Some take the kids out on their boats."

Other comments

  • "Best program in America!!"
  • "Most kids in pre pro are actually pro w jobs in second companies or companies"
  • "Chautauqua is a picturesque setting, with ample time to float on the lake or walk the beautiful grounds. Dancers get a pass to see all shows at the amphitheater, which in 2025 included performances by the Counting Crows and Houston Ballet. However, there is very little to do on the grounds during the day, and my daughter was a bit antsy to get back to city life. It's not really a criticism of the program, but just something for dancers to be aware of. You have to be able to make your own fun. Also, in the Pre-Pro level you dance a lot! Very full days, 6 days a week. It was a great experience, but my dancer was definitely exhausted/sore heading into her studio company position after 7 weeks at Chautauqua."
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