BALLET HELP DESK

Summer Intensive Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 255
Total Reviews: 2239

Orlando Ballet

Summer Intensive Reviews

General

Dancer age

4
5
8
7
8
4
3
2
2
1

First time at a summer intensive?

36
8

Year of SI

1
1
17
11
8
6

Weeks available

1
1
2
27
10
3

Weeks attended

2
14
7
19
2

Reviewer

1
9
1
29
1
1
1
1

Curriculum

Techniques taught

4
3
2
6
17
26

Partnering (based on age)

6
1
37

Dedicated men's program?

12
18
14

# of boys in level

1
1
6
36

Other dance genres

10
1
41
40
1
5
4
6
2
1
28
32
36

Quality of other classes

Not Helpful
1
1
8
12
22
Helpful

Injury Prevention

Strength classes?

23
1
1
38
35
8
22

PT offered?

5
11
28

Extra fee for PT?

14
29

Injury rate

26
15
3

Teaching

Who taught?

21
16
7

Guest teachers

10
6
28

Year-round teachers taught

9
27
8

Attention from teachers

Very Little
3
11
16
14
A Lot

Technique improved?

No
1
2
10
15
16
Yes - Tremendously

Studios

Dance floors

1
1
1
40
1
1

Studio space

Cramped
1
1
7
6
29
Lots of Space

Studio cleanliness

Dirty
1
43
Spotless

Schedule

Classes per day

18
21
5

Saturday classes

2
42

Saturday class duration

42
2

Leveling

Leveling

43
1

Leveling type

31
6
7

Did students move levels?

12
2
30

Leveling fair?

8
36

Students per class

3
16
16
5
3
1

Performance

Performance?

24
18
2

Rehearsals happened

10
16

Casting equitability

Uneven
1
4
5
16
Even

Rehearsals detracted from class?

Completely
2
1
2
10
25
Not At All

Housing - General

Housing provided

2
24
18

# of roommates

2
21
1

Bathrooms

1
9
13
1

Coed bathrooms

23
1

Air conditioning

24

Housing comment

  • "My daughter was one of 7 that was give a private room, there was no extra cost with the request. She shared the en suite bathroom with the room next to hers which had 2 other girls in it. It was jack and Jill style. The dorms were extremely nice and her room was HUGE, three beds with dressers would have fit with room to spear."
  • "The campus was beautiful!! The dorms were gorgeous old buildings that were new on the inside- top notch!"
  • "luxurious dorms"
  • "I wish cleaning was included for the bathrooms during the summer intensive"
  • "No activities at all"
  • "Lunches are to go- so they were not great. Basic and repetitive- white bread mostly, not that healthy."
  • "Rollins college dorms are beautiful!"
  • "The bathroom is shared between 2 rooms. Kids have to clean it, and you need to bring a bathroom rug"
  • "There are multiple dorms at Rollins College so experience can be really different depending on which building your housing assignment slotted you in. My Dancer was in Strong Hall. Dancers picked up lunch at breakfast from Dining Hall during breakfast. Food seem to create some digest issues for all the dancers in my daughters circle."
  • "cleanliness was not enforced. daughter ended up moving because her roommate was gross"
  • "each dorm building is different but all very close to dinning and the other buildings"
  • "No that’s it"
  • "There was a roach infestation. The dancers were subsequently moved to a different dorm building."
  • "It was really good!!"
  • "The dorm area is genuinely beautiful and it’s near a little town with a lot of small stores and restaurants to visit"
  • "Very big rooms including a closet area and very small bathroom. Long walks on campus which is beautiful. Lots of activities and fun daily."
  • "Beautiful college campus"

Where did they stay?

8
1
10
1

Housing - Supervision

Curfew

24

Curfew reasonable?

2
22

Room check

24

How strict were dorms?

20
1
2
1

Infraction handling

1
10
10
1
5

Housing - Cleanliness

Laundry available

24

Laundry free

3
2
19

Housing cleanliness

Dirty
1
3
13
7
Spotless

Cleaning required

5
19

Meal Plan

Meal plan

1
23

Food quality

Gross
2
5
10
5
1
Excellent

Enough food

5
18

Dietary needs?

16
7

Specific needs

Repeated Responses:
  • "Vegetarian" (3 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Tree Nuts"
  • "Dairy allergy"
  • "T1d"
  • "Food allergies"

Dietary options

Limited
1
1
2
3
Lots

Activities

Weeknight activities

5
19

Weekend outings

2
42

Attended weekend outings

6
12
24

Favorite

Repeated Responses:
  • "Disney" (6 responses)
  • "Universal" (2 responses)
  • "Universal Studios" (4 responses)
  • "Pool party" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure"
  • "Disney and universal studios"
  • "Pool party and Disney"
  • "Walt Disney World"
  • "Magic Kingdom"
  • "Disney World Magic Kingdom"
  • "universal studios"
  • "Universal Sutdios"
  • "Disney World!"
  • "Choreography Workshop"
  • "Cirque de Soleil, Disney, Universal, Water Park"
  • "Beach and Disney"
  • "July 4th Pool Party and Coco Beach outing"
  • "Universal Studios, Disney World , Disney Springs"
  • "Disney World Trip"
  • "disney world magic kingdom, so much fun and girls could travel in groups without a RA is over 14 years old"
  • "Disney world magic kingdom"
  • "Universal Studios and Coco Beach"
  • "Disney world"
  • "Circus de solie"
  • "I loved Disney world, but I liked them all"
  • "All of them"

Least favorite

Repeated Responses:
  • "NA" (2 responses)
  • "N/a" (3 responses)
  • "N/A" (3 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Beach"
  • "All were excellent and a plus of the program compared to others"
  • "Disney springs, to hot and just walking around"
  • "Orlando eye tour"
  • "Weather dependent so not fair, but due to lightening the water park was not a success"
  • "pool party"
  • "Outdoor - it's hot in Florida!"
  • "Rollins Pool Party"
  • "She did not participate in the Disney Springs or Disney outings. Too Hot."
  • "All the outings were great- just be warned the heat is INTENSE in the summer. Think nearly 100 degrees with high humidity."
  • "Disney Springs"
  • "None of them, they were both great."
  • "None"
  • "There was a choreography workshop I disliked, but I’m not good with choreography and I don’t think there was anything wrong with it"
  • "If there is an option to ride share, it’s easier to door dash or get groceries delivered."

Logistics

Quality of handbook

Spotty
1
5
37
Comprehensive

Program communication

Limited
1
3
8
32
Comprehensive

Transportation

1
1
1
1
1
1
34
1
1
1
1

Neighborhood safety

Not Safe
1
7
36
Very Safe

General Comments

Overall recommendation

Definitely Not
2
6
8
28
Absolutely

Best aspect

  • "The instruction at this intensive is wonderful. The teachers appear so dedicated to the students. They are supportive but really challenge the dancers. The kids dance a lot and they improve a lot! The show at the end is so well done."
  • "The full show at the end. We used their in house theater with full auditorium seating and lighting in full costume."
  • "My daughter loved this program. Roommate was wonderful and all the RA’s were great, but communication was by far the best I’ve experienced at a summer intensive."
  • "My daughter loved the program. Communication was excellent and everything was addressed timely. They kept them busy (almost too busy) there wasn’t a lot of down time."
  • "The teachers were wonderful and the facility is incredible"
  • "My daughter loved it. She got stronger and improved in her technique"
  • "The daily PBT has been extremely helpful. All the teachers are extremely knowledgeable and attentive. My dancer has loved the program and seen a lot of improvement, which seems to be the sentiment among all the dancers."
  • "As a parent, I’d say the communication was the best we’ve had anywhere. We enjoyed every aspect of the program!"
  • "Significant pointe work for her first summer on pointe. Level placement was good."
  • "It was intense. 3 ballet classes/day + Saturdays. Field trips and dorms were awesome as well."
  • "The hands on attention"
  • "My daughter felt challenged and will be going to their year round academy program"
  • "Tiler Peck master class by SoDanca"
  • "Variety of teachers and styles"
  • "Great teachers and overall program"
  • "Teachers seemed fair and attentive to all students. IT was intense but evenings allowed for downtime or going out in the area. The residence/campus is lovely!!"
  • "Excellent training and attention"
  • "Flexible timing, beautiful studios, strong teachers"
  • "Quality and qualification of teachers"
  • "Small class sizes"
  • "Teachers were friendly and helpful. Nice location in Orlando. Gorgeous facility."
  • "Very Well Organized and Very Communicative"
  • "Teachers, field trips, dorms, communication, kids"
  • "Networking"
  • "Ms. Kim Marsh"
  • "The ballet studios are beautiful and year round staff is wonderful."
  • "Made good friends, really liked the teachers, good organization"
  • "The training was amazing, the corrections were very clear and easy to follow. Beautiful show at the end with costumes for each piece they were in. Lots of pointe time and ballet time. My dancer had pointe 6 days a week, In addition to repertoire on pointe and really grew in strength and technique!! Also loved that they danced hard all day 9-4 with only one hour for lunch. Dancer’s last SI at a three letter school had huge 2 hr breaks in between classes and didn’t have half the growth they did at Orlando."
  • "Per daughter: Social aspect"
  • "Very ballet focused - 2 technique classes per day and only 1 other genre dance. Lots of dancing - 9:00-4:30 every day. My daughter LOVED Natasha Glos' classes."
  • "Great communication from staff."
  • "The teachers are very attentive, given enough time off but still worked very hard, the dorms were also very nice and clean"
  • "The quality of teaching and attention to details!"
  • "Good people"
  • "The consistent hours danced each day did not fluctuate."
  • "Amazing teachers, studios, exposure to types of dance, excellent growth, care a lot about artistry"
  • "Friendships made"
  • "How much corrections you got from the teachers"
  • "My daughter had a great time and improved tremendously"
  • "I absolutely loved all of the teachers. They were very helpful with their corrections and were also very nice. I also think that the dorms were nice and the community that they create was really inclusive and fun. Also the field trips were well managed and controlled while being very entertaining and pleasant. Personally, it’s my favorite summer intensive I’ve been to so far."
  • "The facility, the staff, and the training was just amazing!"
  • "The exposure to classes she doesn’t get at her home studio"
  • "Orlando runs an excellent summer intensive. The students are at the studio from ~ 9-4:30 everyday. They have about an hour break for lunch and are otherwise dancing. Classes weee excellent - fun, challenging - and even with short intensive technique improved. Studios are beautiful. Ancillary classes were also excellent. There was a conditioning class 5 out 6 days each week in addition to dance classes. All meals are provided including a boxed lunch, including on weekends - exception being buy your own lunch at Sunday outing. Age 11-14 supervision is excellent. Each RA has a small group of students ~10 that they are responsible for. RAs coordinate multiple fun activities each night dancers can sign up for. Winter park where the housing is located is beautiful and easily accessible by walking. Excursions are amazing and tightly run. Girls were lovely. Sweet, friendly, Supportive and encouraging. Communication from school was excellent."

Least liked about program

Repeated Responses:
  • "N/A" (3 responses)
  • "Large classes" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "I had no complaints"
  • "My class seemed to be 13-20 in age and mixed students who are in BFA or trainee programs with people who didn’t know what a tendu was. It was the widest range of skill levels having the experienced older ones and even some younger students with people who could not take variations en pointe. The teachers also seemed to greatly cater to the students who had no idea what was going on causing the people who were looking for valuable corrections to be skipped. All of the corrections were extremely surface level just explaining how to do a step and not how to correct it to be better."
  • "The cost. The dorms are extremely nice but expensive. They also house several other camps there throughout the summer so depending on when there group headed to the cafeteria food was sometimes picked over and running very low."
  • "Not knowing her schedule or hours until after the first day made it challenging"
  • "I would have liked more men's classes and more dedicated partnering classes. They did do men's work and partnering within some of the classes, but there could have been more."
  • "Nothing."
  • "food as Rollins College dining room was being remodeled"
  • "not enough boys in the SI"
  • "The placement and the focus on level 6"
  • "Nothing"
  • "Not enough partnering classes for students"
  • "Lack of boys and thus partnering"
  • "Flexible timing, beautiful studios, strong teachers"
  • "Still COVID year, so there was no housing and no weekend outings."
  • "Classes were too big and leveling did not seem fair. There were dances in some levels that probably should have been in lower levels. Not sure how levels were determined."
  • "Size of Groups -- 30"
  • "Classes seemed huge, and the improvement only happened in certain aspects."
  • "Lack of males (only 5), same teacher whole time, 34 people in Level 5"
  • "Quality of the other classes and the last 2 weeks were just rehearsals. Teachers had favorites and not much attention."
  • "The food and lack of transparency for those invited to audition for trainee. Program said there was would be a specific audition class but they popped into regular class and never stayed for the full class. my dancer did not feel it was enough time to observe all the dancers. In level 6 they were all there for either Trainee or OB2 positions."
  • "Disappointed didn't get to have all of the guest instructors (reserved for highest levels), not enough pointe work at level assigned, no partnering at level assigned."
  • "The sack lunches could have been better. More options for picky eaters."
  • "Per daughter: roommate"
  • "Too many students per class."
  • "Lower level classes were huge and the upper levels were very small. It made it very hard to improve or receive feedback in the lower level classes. Some of the girls in middle levels (2-3) were bumped down due to too many students in those levels."
  • "after the first 2 to 3 weeks students will have the same ballet teacher everyday."
  • "Big class sizes"
  • "Pricey"
  • "The food was not great."
  • "Nothing really"
  • "Too much attention given to year-round students."
  • "Cost"
  • "The lunches weren’t my favorite but they do sell snacks there in case you need them. There’s also trips to grocery stores and target too if you wanted to buy yourself something specific."
  • "The dorm food and receive more dance corrections"

Suggested changes to program

Repeated Responses:
  • "N/A" (3 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "I wish there were more boys for the program for partnering, but recognize this is a supply and demand issue"
  • "Level placement or reevaluating. And smaller class sizes. Mine had 40 students in a room that definitely could not hold all of us."
  • "Take those weekend outings into account as some of them seemed so exhausted that Monday class felt like they were drained."
  • "Cost, it’s a big expense to families."
  • "To know the drop off/pick up times in advance and for them to remain consistent"
  • "More guys so there would be a stronger men's program."
  • "Have year round housing at Rollins!"
  • "Class size"
  • "perhaps lower class sizes and more guest teachers"
  • "More boys"
  • "dorm activities, better placement assessment"
  • "Mote time with electives"
  • "More boys and partnering opportunities would be great of course!"
  • "A little more consistency with the teachers so my daughter could get to know someone and vice versa"
  • "Smaller classes is always great"
  • "more attention from teachers"
  • "Smaller class sizes for more attention."
  • "Much smaller class size for technique"
  • "different teachers"
  • "Jazz classes, more pilates, more teachers each day."
  • "program was fine. the food could really use a revamp or at least offer lunch boxes deliver to the ballet studio so it was be less industrialized."
  • "The leveling and the food"
  • "Nothing, it is great"
  • "better lunches - ugh the tuna!"
  • "Smaller class sizes"
  • "Assign levels at auditions to make sure the classes aren't overcrowded."
  • "more variety in teachers"
  • "Smaller classes, maybe one more level. This was just the 2 week though so I’m not sure what the 5 week leveling would be like."
  • "Reevaluate levels after week 1."
  • "Unsure"
  • "Partnering would be offered."
  • "Nothing"
  • "I guess lunches but it wasn’t a big issue for me and I’m a super picky eater so it shouldn’t be too bad"
  • "Some contemporary classes and not just modern"

Culture of program

Repeated Responses:
  • "Supportive" (4 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "It is a very positive but challenging environment."
  • "Hard to tell, the teachers seemed extremely irritated at my level with the general lack of knowledge coming from the majority of students and dumbing down classes and it reflected poorly on the rest of the class and our treatment. It was also extremely clear with favoritism seeing how my class was treated compared to the other levels. My class felt an overwhelming sense of being pushed aside and not cared for as much."
  • "Wonderful culture. My daughter loved it."
  • "Very good. Staff seemed to be able to pick up very quickly on problems within the students and handled them. They are very strict on the behavior that is allowed."
  • "Very welcoming"
  • "It's been an amazing experience. The dancers have been really nice and focused, and the teachers have been very invested in the students."
  • "Supportive, challenging, exciting"
  • "Welcoming, friendly"
  • "intense, busy"
  • "Inclusive, kind but serious"
  • "Like any other ballet school you get nice and mean kids."
  • "If your looking to join a company go for it"
  • "Very friendly and helpful"
  • "Great overall culture"
  • "Excellent. Very positive."
  • "Wonderful!"
  • "Serious with a fun Florida twist"
  • "Professional"
  • "Supportive."
  • "Encouraging and Friendly (Faculty, Administrators, and Fellow Dancers)"
  • "It seemed great. My daughter was very happy with it"
  • "competitive for older dancers wanting Trainee and OB2 spots"
  • "Very kind environment, with a lot of fun memories."
  • "Very supportive and inviting"
  • "Ballet with a big scoop of fun in Orlando"
  • "Fun, Supportive"
  • "Positive"
  • "Amazing! So nurturing and healthy!"
  • "Very good"
  • "Supportive and a great environment."
  • "Caring, serious, but fun when appropriate"
  • "Friendly"
  • "It was very good"
  • "Overall friendly and kind staff"
  • "Really positive and fun. I felt encouraged to improve myself and the teachers and staff were all really sweet and funny. I think that the culture was overall fantastic."
  • "Supportive environment"
  • "Supportive, encouraging, fun, challenging"

Other comments

Repeated Responses:
  • "No" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "I just wish I could have experienced it differently. Other students were enjoying their time in the program a lot but my class didn’t get the same respect from the teachers."
  • "The classes can sometimes be big… if you are looking for smaller classes then this program is not it. Over all it was perfect for my DD"
  • "My daughter loved it so much!!"
  • "I would absolutely recommend"
  • "NA"
  • "If over 18, can apply to be an RA and get free tution, room, and board."
  • "The studios are beautiful"
  • "Everyone was very kind and organized. Facility is stunning. The placement was not correct at all. based on seeing the showcases it was confirmed"
  • "Don't expect anything wonderful with lunches."
  • "Nope~!"
  • "My dancer did the junior intensive"
  • "For kids staying 5 weeks, the last 2 seemed to focus a lot on the final showcase. The kids lost 3 of 5 strength classes (which were a big reason we chose this program). In the last 2 weeks there was only 1 tech, 1 pointe, and the rest seemed showcase rehearsal, which was frustrating for my daughter, who hoped to keep working on technique."
  • "First program that Dancer would consider going back"
  • "As always. Very unique experience. Dancer choose this SI over SI's at TBT, Cincinatti Ballet, OKC Ballet, ABT Florida, Charlotte Ballet,, and Louisville Ballet because she was offered a 50% scholarship for only the 5 week program and was informed she was invited to the audition class for trainees. She was placed in the top level with other dancers who were there specifically to secure trainee or OB2 positions. Would not have gone without the scholarship or the invite for the Trainee class."
  • "Great teachers, no favoriting. Tons of communication to the parents."
  • "Logan, the coordinator, deserves all the accolades. Not sure it would have happened without her! Rollins College is a great safe place for your child. The ballet instruction was very good. All day classes M-F and half day on Saturday. The 2 lowest levels were distributed in skill so (I assume) instructors could adequately give corrections. Do the 5 weeks if you can, you get the most bang with the final show. It was very well done!"
  • "My daughter would definitely return. She was 11 and in the lowest level, but still grew a ton. She really loved her instructors and how ballet focused it was. She came back very strong!"
  • "The most well organized intensive she has attended. Teachers were great. A really good balance between hard work and fun outings. Winter Park downtown is right across the street and the dancers enjoyed shopping/meals etc. daily off campus. Very positive experience!"
  • "I feel that the school always trying to improve"
  • "Highly recommend. I’ve been twice and made lifelong friendships. I think that it really helped me grow as a dancer and person and highly recommend it. Also the studios have a really nice view of the lake, which doesn’t really matter but I felt I should share. If you got in you should definitely consider it."
  • "Everyone was so kind and supportive, I made a lot of friends. Students and parents had good communication and just overall the training and the staff and the beautiful facility was just amazing!! I enjoyed it so much and would definitely recommend."
  • "We have been to several intensives - many are lacking in basics like providing meals, supervision, and adequate class schedule with conditioning and adjunct dance classes with long breaks in day. Orlando stands out as a program that checks all the right boxes."
Reviews
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Age: 13
Overall Rating

Attended 2026
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 19
Overall Rating

Attended 2026
3 out of 5 rating
Age: 13
Overall Rating

Attended 2026, Stayed In Housing
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 13
Overall Rating

Attended 2026, Stayed In Housing
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 11
Overall Rating

Attended 2026
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 14
Overall Rating

Attended 2026, Stayed In Housing, Special Diet
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 15
Overall Rating

Attended 2025, Stayed In Housing, Special Diet
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 12
Overall Rating

Attended 2025
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 15
Overall Rating

Attended 2025, Stayed In Housing
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 17
Overall Rating

Attended 2025
5 out of 5 rating