We did some work in our PT classes but that was only twice.
PT offered?
Not sure
Yes
Extra fee for PT?
No
We didn't use PT
Injury rate
I wasn't aware of injuries
Seemed average
Teaching
Who taught?
Different depending on week
Different each day
Guest teachers
Yes
Year-round teachers taught
Alongside guest faculty
Throughout the program
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
Marley top
not sure of the material below ballet flooring
Sprung floors with secure marley
Studio space
Cramped
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of Space
Studio cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Schedule
Classes per day
4
5
More than 5
Saturday classes
No
Yes
Saturday class duration
Half day or less
N/A
Leveling
Leveling
Assigned after placement class
Assigned when accepted
Leveling type
Ability
Did students move levels?
No
Yes
Leveling fair?
No
Yes
Students per class
10-15
16-24
25-30
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
1
Bathrooms
Private in room
Coed bathrooms
No
Air conditioning
Yes
Housing comment
It’s a hotel across the street. Very good.
Hotel next to ballet studios.
Where did they stay?
Rented an apartment or house
Student lived at home
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
No
Housing cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Cleaning required
No
Meal Plan
Meal plan
Yes
Food quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough food
Yes
Dietary needs?
No
Yes
Specific needs
Vegetarian and food allergies
Dietary options
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Lots
Activities
Weeknight activities
Yes
Weekend outings
Yes
Attended weekend outings
I didn't attend any of them
Yes, all of them
Yes, some of them
Favorite
Amusement Park, River
He loved the small , free local trips around town
Seeing a musical
The Dolly Parton show
Least favorite
She enjoyed all
They were all great
All were nice.
I liked all of them!
Logistics
Quality of handbook
Spotty
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Program communication
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Transportation
Walked with chaperone
Walked without chaperone
we rented a house, so my mother drove me
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 personal and small. Lots of attention.
For my dancer , it was the chance to be seen by people who will decide casting this season.
getting to do pointe every day, dancing all day and exposure to other dance forms
The guest teachers were wonderful. Training was great. My dancer really enjoyed her weeks there feels that she benefited from the training. Housing was convenient. Lunches were good.
I like the classes we had that like rotated like exposure. It was fun doing contemporary and improve, all of us agree we ADORE the nutrition and PT classes. Although it had some issues I also liked we learned real rep and not a workshop. It was cool learning a ballet you wouldn’t normally do.
Least liked about program
I hate that there was only 2 partnering classes a week .
I didn't feel challenged, or learn any new perspectives on technique. I was hoping to walk away with more insights. I can't look back on the experience and say, "wow, I learned so much."
The schools director Tara Penick is causing issues. She is unkind, condescending and rude to the dancers. Known to make them cry. Students, company members and teachers are leaving because of her. My dancer did not have any issues with her but witnessed it and was told by many year round dancers and trainee/company members not to dance there because of Ms Penick. The general consensus is that no one likes her — not the students or the staff. The behavior of some of the year round students was also reflective of the environment that is being fostered there. My dancer was not considering year round there, but she is glad to know in case she ever considered it.
There was a really heightened level of stress this year for obvious reasons. One teacher really let it affect class and would always get upset at people/ blame the wrong people for mistakes that happened. Last year was more enjoyable because no one was worried about things and of course there wasn’t someone new coming into position.
Suggested changes to program
The amount of partnering- they'd do it every day
smaller classes
Dinner meals should be provided. Dinner was not included nor did dancers have a place to cook. Eating dinner out every night for 5 weeks is expensive, not really healthy and the dancers were tired of it. We did not know that dinner was not included until we had already signed up and paid. Miss Penick is more of an issue for year round— not the summer as she did not teach that many classes.
More Pointe!! I know it’s insane but I reallyyyyyy wanted to improve my pointe this summer, and while I do I wish it was more.
Culture of program
Nurturing and positive!
Great - a really great time.
seemed like every level had a culture of its own
The culture of the intensive was good. The guest teachers and majority of the staff and students were pleasant and kind. The only issue was Miss Penick.
Honestly I’m not very sure. No one was really competing for a year round spot. I’m not knowledgeable enough to speak on this.
Other comments
It exceeded expectations.
sounds like this year they are placing dancers in their level at the start of the intensive. I feel if they had done that for my year, I likely would have been placed in a different level and would have maybe been more challenged. The program had a 3 week or 5 week option. I did the 3 week program so I did not participate in the end of program show. When we were rehearsing what would later be performed in the show, they separated the class into 3 and 5 week students. It seemed like 5 week group got more attention and corrections on spacing etc.
Will it make you a prima, no. It has connections to a company which is a huge difference. It’s a very good first few intensive program. I think honestly it’s just what you want that year
