Royal Ballet - Los Angeles

#1 of 1

General

Dancer age:

First time at a summer intensive?

Year of SI:

2026

Weeks available:

Weeks attended:

Reviewer:

Parent

Date Submitted:

7/16/2026

Curriculum

Techniques taught:

Royal Academy of Dance

Partnering (based on age):

No partnering

Dedicated men's program?

# of boys in level:

Less than 5

Other dance genres:

Contemporary, Lots of rep and ‘solos’. Some partnering in ‘solos’ but no dedicated class. Contemporary was en pointe. Classical Creative and Virtuosity were also offered.

Quality of other classes:


Not Helpful	Helpful

Injury Prevention

Strength classes?

Stretch Class

PT offered?

Not sure

Extra fee for PT?

We didn't use PT

Injury rate:

Seemed average

Teaching

Who taught?

Different depending on week

Guest teachers:

Year-round teachers taught:

Throughout the program

Attention from teachers:


Very Little	A Lot

Technique improved?


No	Yes - Tremendously

Studios

Dance floors:

Appeared to be wood floors with marley overlay (not sprung). The intensive was conducted in the Music Center/Dorothy Chandler Pavilion studios

Studio space:


Cramped	Lots of Space

Studio cleanliness:


Dirty	Spotless

Schedule

Classes per day:

Saturday classes:

Saturday class duration:

N/A

Leveling

Leveling:

Assigned when accepted

Leveling type:

Age

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:

Where did they stay?

Stayed at nearby DTLA hotel

Activities

Weekend outings:

Logistics

Quality of handbook:


Spotty	Comprehensive

Program communication:


Limited	Comprehensive

Transportation:

Walked without chaperone

Neighborhood safety:


Not Safe	Very Safe

General Comments

Overall recommendation:


Definitely Not	Absolutely

Best aspect:

Access to Royal curriculum in the US setting and access to Royal year-round teachers, including technique taught by Iain McKay the entire first week. My dancer indicated this was a very challenging intensive, she particularly appreciated the rep and solos, the ability to really move in the studios and get direct feedback from Royal teachers. The young women in Red Group (ages 16-19) were all very serious and inclusive - my dancer indicated that she met some wonderful friends at this intensive that she intends to keep connected with for the long term. I also personally found it fascinating how they were able to use photographs for auditions purposes to assemble a group of serious, capable young women dancers that were all able to perform together as a ‘core’ group (in less than two weeks) with everyone working at the top of their potential in the end-of-intensive rep (excerpts from La Sylphide).

Least liked about program:

While lovely and exciting to be at the Music Center, the venue’s studios didn’t have the most optimal facilities for ballet dancing. The floors and the mirror configurations could be improved. My dancer indicated that two young women left early due to injury - unclear whether it was pre-existing or sustained during the intensive). My dancer would have loved for the intensive to be longer and with housing.

Suggested changes to program:

Duration and housing offered (hotel lodging for out-of-towners was very expensive)

Culture of program:

Inclusive, high-achieving, kind but demanding with high expectations of the dancers.

Other comments:

My daughter loved this intensive. She has done many over the years (large, small and three letter schools) and said this was the most challenging and rigorous she’s experienced. She felt very supported and made many connections. She would definitely do this intensive again if given the opportunity.