Throughout the program, Alongside guest faculty, Did not teach during session
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
Cement with marley on top
I’ll have to ask my daughter
Not sure
Sprung floors with marley but with wrinkles and missing tape
Sprung floors with secure marley
Sprung wood floor
Wood floors not sprung
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
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?
No
Yes
Students per class
16-24
25-30
31-34
35-40
More than 40
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
Yes and my dancer lived there
Yes but my dancer did not live there
# of roommates
0
1
2
3
Bathrooms
Private in room
Private in suite
Coed bathrooms
No
Yes
Air conditioning
No
Yes
Housing comment
The air conditioning did not work in my daughter's room and it was too hard.
Room suites come with kitchen area with microwave and fridge. Dorms are at Denver University
Housing was on local college campus, rooms were in pairs with a shared kitchen and bath with one other room. It was kept as tidy as the dancers deemed which did cause some issues. Overall they were nice and convenient to stores and food options
Dorms were good. A little dark in the hallways but safe and clean and had mini kitchens in the suite. They had a roommate and then shared a kitchen and a bathroom
With two other girls.
The housing was at University of Denver. They took the light rail to class each day (10 min ride and walk a few blocks). The light rail stop was next to the dorms. Plenty of places to walk to from dorms in the late afternoons.
Room was cold because she struggled to adjust the AC
Bring your own bedding, and an extension cord. It was two rooms, each for two dancers and their own bathroom, with a common area. No filtered water bottle fountain in the dorm.
There were a few issues with plumery, i heard of other cases that were fairly handled but in my case the issue was not resolved.
The housing was great, kind of a walk to get to cafeteria.
Always someone at the front desk of the area they were staying at who was always very helpful. There were keys to get into the area.
Dorms were very clean and set up nicely as two bedrooms with 2 bathrooms and a living room with kitchenette. Really appreciated the large fridge, sink and microwave!
Apartment style with two bedrooms, two dancers to a room, two bathrooms, and a shared living area. Dancer really liked them.
Housing is set up in suites with a shared living space and kitchenette with one other room. Each room had their own bathroom and shower. Housing is about a mile from the dining hall so my daughter did not eat breakfast often. Lunches that were delivered to the studio were good!
they have 2 private rooms with one shared living space or "common area". In the "common area" there is a kitchenette, couches, and a table with chairs.
Where did they stay?
Rented an apartment or house
Stayed with local family or friends
Student lived at home
Housing - Supervision
Curfew
Yes
Curfew reasonable?
No
Yes
Room check
No
Yes
How strict were dorms?
Just about right
Somewhat lax
Somewhat strict
Infraction handling
A little harsh
Fair
N/A
Skewed depending on student
Skewed depending on the RA
Housing - Cleanliness
Laundry available
Yes
Laundry free
No
Unsure
Yes
Housing cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Cleaning required
No
Yes
Meal Plan
Meal plan
Yes
Food quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough food
Yes
Dietary needs?
No
Yes
Specific needs
Allergic to nuts/pescetarian
Gluten free
Nut and peanut allergies
Vegan
Vegetarian
Dietary options
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Lots
Activities
Weeknight activities
No
Yes
Weekend outings
Yes
Attended weekend outings
I didn't attend any of them
Yes, all of them
Yes, some of them
Favorite
The amusement park
amusement park
Aladdin the musical
The outings were poorly organized and not communicated to dancers not living in dorms, although we paid for the excursions.
The ball game
The Amusement Park. (Elitchs Gardens)
Elitch Gardens
the amusement park
Shopping/movie
She enjoyed being with her friends. I was really nice that they were required to go so the dancers didn't have to pick friend groups or miss something.
N/A - commuter students were not allowed to participate in outings
The amusement park
Frozen
The Colorado Rockies game
The Colorado Rockier Baseball game
The Rockies game
Baseball game
amusement park
Elitch Garden Theme Park
She really enjoyed the amusement park and the musical theater production (Aladdin)
Rockies Baseball Game
Baseball game or Amusement Park
Elhich Gardens
Went to see the colorodo rockies
Amusement Park
& Juliet at Opera House
Shopping and pool day.
Watching fireworks on Fourth of July
Least favorite
She didn’t really like the baseball game
baseball game
N/A
anything where they have to be outside especially in extreme heat
Baseball game
Amusement park on a hot day
NA, all the dancers went on them all if they were in the dorms.
Elitch Gardens
NA
N/A
Went to a community pool, was very crowded.
N/A
Rockies baseball game was very hot.
None of the outings were bad, but we went to a park on Fourth of July and it was kind of boring because there was not any planned activities at the park
Logistics
Quality of handbook
Spotty
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Program communication
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Transportation
After public transportation, they walked with chaperones to the studio.
Public transportation with chaperone
Public transportation without chaperone
Walked without chaperone
We walked in a big group with chaperones and went on the light rail for one stop to arrive at the dorms.
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
Very nurturing environment with solid training.
Teachers were friendly
Having men's class and partnering multiple times a week. About 20 guys total.
Kind faculty and guest artists
Guest teachers who danced at ABT, as well as other experienced teachers
the dorm friends that she made
The training and corrections. Dancer improved tremendously in pointe work. Good workshops for professional life and taking care of your body.
The improvement my dancer made. This was her second time attending and she grew significantly both times.
We were able to walk into the college town, and spend lots of time out of the dorm. It was great bonding and the chaperones were really fun. Dancer also felt like she improved greatly in pointe work.
Friends made, (at this point in her training) more pointe work then her year-round
Company dancers were RAs in the dorm. Teachers were positive and encouraging.
Smaller classes with a lot of attention.
The year-round staff is excellent, as are the guest teachers.
Colorado Ballet kept class sizes small for the level 1 students. 29 total in that level (their website says max 20 for level 1, but there were 29 in the 2024 two week intensive level 1). They split pointe - my daughter had only 7 students in her pointe class, and that class was frequently taught by the school principal. She got a tremendous amount out of the personal attention and education.
A lot of pointe including the performance
How friendly the teachers were.
I enjoyed how nice the teachers were, and how much I learned. Also the salsa day with chips and salsa and big dance party was a lot of fun.
It was a challenging yet fun intensive with a variety of teachers.
The teachers we had were incredible!
Meeting the people
Making new friends and the classes
The variety of teachers, techniques and studios
Well organized program
The instructors, technique, and the friendliness of the staff.
Kennedy loved the teachers and the level of dancing.
The chaperones, the teachers, and the variety in classes and technique style
training and friendship
You got a chance to see the professionals from Colorado ballet which was so inspiring, could also watch a rehearsal of an upcoming show which showcased how good the company was.
My dancer was able to take class with second company members and was thoroughly inspired by that as well as taking classes with the men.
How nice everyone was and how solid the teaching was
The teachers provided a balance between pushing each student but in a respectful and kind manner.
I appreciated that they rotated teachers for daily class.
The classes, RA's, and the food was my favorite part of the program. The classes challenged dancers to go beyond their limits and encouraged them collectively to try their best and go that extra step. A guy was making omelette's and breakfast burrito's too. They also provided lunch at the studios (they chose really good restaurants). Also the RA's were very kind and were very inclusive. They hanged out with many students and played pool with them.
Least liked about program
Too many students per class.
Too many students 47 students. Many were
Moved down because there were too
Many 15-16 year olds not able to get personal attention with this many kids in one class.
the levels were skewed, there were only 4 levels and many people (primarily 15, 16, 17 year olds) were moved to lower levels due to there being too many people in the higher levels. i didn’t feel challenged in my level.
Crowded, many dancers, little corrections
There were too many students for just 4 levels, and I did not like that the extra classes (contemporary, jazz) were only used to prepare a piece for the show at the end of the 2 week session. I would have preferred more dedicated class time instead of learning pieces for a performance
the class size made it hard for equal attention and a few students for clearly showcased during performances
Overcrowded and only focused on certain students
It was a 45 minute trip from dorms to studios. 25 minutes riding the light rail with chaperones and 20 minute walk the rest of the way.
N/A
Intensive was crowded, so not a lot of personal feedback.
Seemed like too many kids per level
Class sizes were too big. My daughter didn't love the walk from the light rail to the ballet - about a ten minute walk and tiring at the end of the day when super hot. Also the dining hall was a bit of a walk from the dorms so the dancers didn't always have the energy to go to dinner.
The numbers have gotten a bit out of control
Not a big issue for our kiddo this year, but at the final performance I got to see the size of some other levels and they were huge. An older girl from my daughter's year round school (also in CO) had attended in 2023, and, while she really liked the faculty and studios, did not return due very large class sizes in higher levels.
One teacher did not pay attention to injuries.
There could be more boy technique classes
Be aware that food is a 10-12 minute walk, which caused my dancer to eventually give up going to breakfast. There was a fridge in the dorm so that worked for breakfast. Although the studio is not far from the dorms the light rail can take a while. Just be aware.
The classes were pretty large
The walk from lightrail to the studio
The 10 minute walk
Sometimes I felt that there were a los of students in a same class,
Commute back and forth the metro and the studio
N/A
She did not like the dorms or where the dorms were located!
could not do all five weeks (had another intensive)
Very hot
N/A
nothing
The walk from the light rail to the studio and the walk from the dorms to the dining hall.
The classes were forty people, and throughout the showcase the females were in one big group. In other words, we had very little to no individuality.
A lot of people are very competitive and there was a lot of bullying and mean girl behavior.
Suggested changes to program
I’d add one more level to spread them out a little more.
Less students
i would add more levels
Improved communication - after acceptance email there was NO communication.
Observation classes instead of full performance, so that there is more time for classes instead of rehearsals. Also more levels or less students so that there can be more individual attention and corrections.
the class size and take a couple days of observing the students before placing them into levels.
They should admit less students if they do not have the capacity to encourage the love for dance for those who may not become professionals but truest desire to improve.
Add one more level. There was a big difference between some of the stronger level ones and weaker level ones.
Nothiing it was great.
Not have obvious favorites. My dancer tended to be a favorite and she could tell because she got more personal feedback than others, and teachers would talk to her more.
More selective admittance or more levels
Decrease class size.
Make it touch more difficult to get accepted to lower class size.
Based on feedback from other families, I'd say smaller class sizes for upper levels. But again, the level 1 class size was great.
More attention to injuries.
More boys to attend,
A bit more guidance for first time attendees. It was pretty overwhelming navigating it all. It would be great if Elitchs was an option for ALL the students. They went during the first two weeks so students in the three week program didn’t get to go and it’s right next to the dorms. It would have been fun.
Maybe more extra classes other than just ballet
More classes per day
The walking
Opt for a longer duration of the intensive
My daughter would stay longer than two weeks, it went by so fast and she had a great experience.
I would love to have been given an evaluation. Given that she was there for 5 weeks feedback would have been nice. She has received feedback from the two previous intensives she has attended and it is super helpful for her to know what she can work on during her regular dance season.
nothing
more classes with the academy head since her classes were so fun
She wishes she would have done all 5 weeks!
more partnering
Partnering for all levels.
I would have more classes so that each class had up to twenty people.
I would change the bullying policy because they did not enforce it as much as they said it would.
Culture of program
Fostering friendship among dancers while also fostering a sense of professionalism.
She liked the teachers and friends
some great people, some very cliquey people, somewhat exclusionary. i made nice lifelong friends. the teachers are great but more individual corrections would’ve been nice.
supportive
the teachers were sweet.
Unwelcoming - there some instructors that were cruel and made disparaging remarks to the class as a whole and in specific
Friendly and welcoming put professional.
Colorado Ballet is definitely a family aspect they remembered my daughter from 4 years earlier. When given an offer there were multiple existing company members and staff she felt she could get advice from and genuinely cared for her.
Very fun time with the people, dancer felt welcomed and had a lot of fun.
Welcoming, supportive, fun, rigorous
Positive, energizing and supportive while pushing them to achieve growth.
Very friendly and inclusive. The teachers were fair but demanding.
Friendly and supportive
Very positive - quite challenging but nurturing. My daughter LOVED her instructors- both visiting and year round faculty.
Very friendly, encouraging, supportive. A great first time away SI. Organized, and just overall a great program.
Very warm and honest.
encouraging and lots of fun
Caring and professional. There were some very caring students and some very cliquey students, as is life.
It was really positive! I didn’t have any negative experiences.
Very good
It was very friendly and inclusive
Fun and work hard
Extremely professional and friendly atmosphere.
Positive and professional
kind friendly and welcoming, still able to cultivate your talent
Very good
Very positive.
encouraging
Positive.
For the most part, the teachers were friendly and the students were very close.
There were a few nice people, but a lot of cliques and groups that formed on the first day.
Other comments
This program is very underrated! I highly recommend it.
Too
Many students
not at this time
Amount of people in levels could be skewed. Split into 4 levels. Level one had 25-30 dancers while level 2 had 40+. Level 3 and 4 had 16-24.
Dancer tended to be a favorite by most teachers. So had more attention and corrections compared to some other students. So that might contribute to training questions.
I would recommend this program
My daughter loved it and is considering going back again.
I highly recommend this program. All dancers improve and have a chance to shine.
I heard they created more levels (6 instead of 4) for the coming summer, so hopefully this will help with the class size issue. My dancer still loved the program.
The guest faculty is a great bonus. Sterling Baca (Philadelphia Ballet) did rep for the level 1 and 4 students, and my daughter loved learning from him. Similarly, the CO Ballet faculty is wonderful - I was very, very impressed by them.
One time this girl fell and broke her ankle and the teacher continued to show the combination, after around 1 minute the teacher finally noticed.
There were both parent observations and a show at the end of the program which were great.
I highly recommend this program and my daughter had such a wonderful experience, she went back the following summer. Erica and her staff are really professional, helpful, and encouraging.
Appreciated the organization of all aspects of the program
invited daughter into their pre-professional program (currently in!)
Good balance of free time and time to work on technique, fun classes.
My dancer is going year round at Colorado Ballet in August and these 2 weeks solidified her decision because it was such a positive experience.
Ms. Maria and Mr. Sterling is the best!!!! Also, we had to walk 30 minutes to the studio and we were not allowed any form of transportation other than the light rail but we were only on there for 5 minutes to go to one stop. We were 15 minutes away from the breakfast and dining center so it would be tiring to walk there in the morning and after class, but they have a soft serve machine.
