Pittsburgh Ballet "Company Experience"

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General

Dancer age:

First time at a summer intensive?

Year of SI:

2026

Weeks available:

Weeks attended:

Reviewer:

Parent

Date Submitted:

6/30/2026

Curriculum

Techniques taught:

French, Vaganova, Balanchine

Partnering (based on age):

Daily

Dedicated men's program?

# of boys in level:

5-10

Other dance genres:

Contemporary

Quality of other classes:


Not Helpful	Helpful

Injury Prevention

Strength classes?

None of the above

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

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:

More than 5

Saturday classes:

Yes

Saturday class duration:

Full day

Leveling

Leveling:

Assigned after placement class

Leveling type:

Unsure

Did students move levels?

Leveling fair?

Yes

Students per class:

16-24

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:

Yes and my dancer lived there

# of roommates:

Bathrooms:

multiple bathrooms on floor w/ private showers

Coed bathrooms:

Air conditioning:

Yes

Housing comment:

The dorms at Chatham are old - come with proper expectations. And get the air conditioning add-on, it is well worth the fee and need for a doctors note. The food is not great - lots of high fat, low protein meals. Expect to have supplemental food options available for your dancer or give them the ability to DoorDash.

Housing - Supervision

Curfew:

Yes

Curfew reasonable?

Yes

Room check:

Yes

How strict were dorms?

Just about right

Infraction handling:

N/A

Housing - Cleanliness

Laundry available:

Yes

Laundry free:

Yes

Housing cleanliness:


Dirty	Spotless

Cleaning required:

Yes

Meal Plan

Meal plan:

Yes

Food quality:


Gross	Excellent

Enough food:

Dietary needs?

Yes

Specific needs:

Lactose-free

Dietary options:


Limited	Lots

Activities

Weeknight activities:

Yes

Weekend outings:

Logistics

Quality of handbook:


Spotty	Comprehensive

Program communication:


Limited	Comprehensive

Transportation:

Private bus

Neighborhood safety:


Not Safe	Very Safe

General Comments

Overall recommendation:


Definitely Not	Absolutely

Best aspect:

The intensity of training in a program that reflects company life as a dancer. Loved dancing alongside company dancers in daily technique classes, making connections with both faculty and other dancers in the year-round program.

Least liked about program:

Nothing - the program was excellent!

Suggested changes to program:

Let's talk about food and fueling dancers sufficiently for the amount of output this program requires. The dorm food was not good and the catered lunches were worse. For the cost of this aspect of the program alone, something healthier and more nutrient-rich should not be hard to find and supply.

Culture of program:

Work hard, have fun, supportive and creative.