Pacific Northwest Ballet - Bellevue

#1 of 1

General

Dancer age:

First time at a summer intensive?

Year of SI:

2026

Weeks available:

Weeks attended:

Reviewer:

Parent with dancer input

Date Submitted:

08/12/2026,

Curriculum

Techniques taught:

Balanchine

Partnering (based on age):

No partnering

Dedicated men's program?

# of boys in level:

Less than 5

Other dance genres:

Contemporary, Character, Modern, Musical Theater, Jazz, African

Quality of other classes:


Not Helpful	Helpful

Injury Prevention

Strength classes?

Yoga

PT offered?

Extra fee for PT?

We didn't use PT

Injury rate:

I wasn't aware of injuries

Teaching

Who taught?

Different each day

Guest teachers:

Year-round teachers taught:

Throughout the program, Alongside guest faculty

Attention from teachers:


Very Little	A Lot

Technique improved?


No	Yes - Tremendously

Studios

Dance floors:

Sprung floors with secure marley

Studio space:


Cramped	Lots of Space

Studio cleanliness:


Dirty	Spotless

Schedule

Classes per day:

Saturday classes:

Yes

Saturday class duration:

Half day or less

Leveling

Leveling:

Assigned when accepted

Leveling type:

Ability

Did students move levels?

Leveling fair?

Yes

Students per class:

10-15

Performance

Performance?

Small demonstration

Rehearsals happened:

During daily class

Casting equitability:


Uneven	Even

Rehearsals detracted from class?


Completely	Not At All

Housing - General

Housing provided:

Where did they stay?

Stayed with local family or friends

Activities

Weekend outings:

Logistics

Quality of handbook:


Spotty	Comprehensive

Program communication:


Limited	Comprehensive

Transportation:

We drove her to/from every day

Neighborhood safety:


Not Safe	Very Safe

General Comments

Overall recommendation:


Definitely Not	Absolutely

Best aspect:

The Francia Russel Center is a beautiful, modern facility and its location on the border of Bellevue and Redmond rather than downtown made it feel really safe. It was also about 2 blocks from public transit, so it was easy to hop on a train after class and visit Seattle.

Least liked about program:

The lack of intensity. My dancer wanted the days to be longer and wanted the classes to be more difficult (although she was in a combined level class so it is possible that this affected the teachers ability to push the students). 3 hours of class per day felt a little bit low for her.

Suggested changes to program:

I wish levels V and VI had not been combined, but I am guessing this was due to low enrollment for level VI. I also wish there had been better communication about what to expect, because some parents were told it would be the same as the Seattle location, while others heard it was going to be less intense.

Culture of program:

Relaxed & friendly.

Other comments:

The teachers at Bellevue are mostly the same as those in Seattle, so the caliber of instruction is pretty high even if they aren't as intense. They were all very kind and gave really thoughtful corrections.