BALLET HELP DESK

Summer Intensive Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 255
Total Reviews: 2234

Russian Masters Ballet: St Petersburg

Summer Intensive Reviews

General

Dancer age

2
1

Gender

3

First time at a summer intensive?

2
1

Year of SI

2
1

Weeks available

2
1

Weeks attended

3

Reviewer

1
2

Curriculum

Techniques taught

3

Partnering (based on age)

3

Dedicated men's program?

2
1

# of boys in level

3

Other dance genres

1
3
3

Quality of other classes

Not Helpful
1
1
1
Helpful

Injury Prevention

Strength classes?

1
3

PT offered?

2
1

Extra fee for PT?

2
1

Injury rate

3

Teaching

Who taught?

3

Guest teachers

3

Year-round teachers taught

2
1

Attention from teachers

Very Little
2
1
A Lot

Technique improved?

No
3
Yes - Tremendously

Studios

Dance floors

1
1
2

Studio space

Cramped
2
1
Lots of Space

Studio cleanliness

Dirty
3
Spotless

Schedule

Classes per day

1
1
1

Saturday classes

3

Saturday class duration

3

Leveling

Leveling

3

Leveling type

2
1

Did students move levels?

2
1

Leveling fair?

2
1

Students per class

2
1

Performance

Performance?

3

Rehearsals happened

2
1

Casting equitability

Uneven
2
1
Even

Rehearsals detracted from class?

Completely
1
1
1
Not At All

Housing - General

Housing provided

1
2

# of roommates

1

Bathrooms

1

Coed bathrooms

1

Air conditioning

1

Housing comment

  • "Cleaning by housekeeping once a week, they laundered the sheets and towels and provided fresh ones weekly"

Where did they stay?

2

Housing - Supervision

Curfew

1

Curfew reasonable?

1

Room check

1

How strict were dorms?

1

Infraction handling

1

Housing - Cleanliness

Laundry available

1

Laundry free

1

Housing cleanliness

Dirty
1
Spotless

Cleaning required

1

Meal Plan

Meal plan

1

Food quality

Gross
1
Excellent

Enough food

1

Dietary needs?

1

Specific needs

  • "kosher"

Dietary options

Limited
1
Lots

Activities

Weeknight activities

1

Weekend outings

3

Attended weekend outings

1
2

Favorite

  • "The performances at the Mariinsky Theater and the trip to the gulf of finland"
  • "The dancer did not enjoy the outings."
  • "None. She preferred to focus on classes, but the program has too many cultural activities."

Least favorite

  • "The bus tour would be boring if you have already done it"
  • "The dancer recommends not attending any outings."
  • "All of them. I recommend the students focus on classes and"

Logistics

Quality of handbook

Spotty
2
1
Comprehensive

Program communication

Limited
1
2
Comprehensive

Transportation

2
1

Neighborhood safety

Not Safe
3
Very Safe

General Comments

Overall recommendation

Definitely Not
1
1
1
Absolutely

Best aspect

  • "Getting to dance in the legendary Academy and making new friends from all over the world"
  • "The best part was studying at the esteemed Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet."
  • "Getting access to the esteemed Vaganova Academy"

Least liked about program

  • "It was difficult going and not knowing any russian at all, there are translators but it can still be difficult to communicate with the language barrier"
  • "The program had too many electives and excursions, which took away the focus on ballet."
  • "Too many distractions like elective classes, trips, rehearsals, and so on, instead of focusing on class and technique."

Suggested changes to program

  • "Nothing!"
  • "The electives need to be made optional for a small fee."
  • "Focus on technique and improvement rather than cultural activities."

Culture of program

  • "Everyone was very nice! Some eating disorders were definitely visible though tried to keep hidden"
  • "The program was organized. However, full-time VBA students also participated in the program. These students were heavily showcased during the gala show. It seemed like they prepared their variations well in advance before the program even started."
  • "It was like a field trip or cultural camp and not a ballet intensive."

Other comments

  • "I wish I stayed longer and could come back again"
  • "It is still worth trying out, but expect to lower your expectations when it comes to results."
  • "Worth trying out once, if you’re curious and a fan of Vaganova academy. We’ll think twice before returning."
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Age: 16, Female
Overall Rating

Attended 2026, Stayed In Housing, Special Diet
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 10, Female
Overall Rating

Attended 2024
3 out of 5 rating
Age: 10, Female
Overall Rating

Attended 2024
2 out of 5 rating