They use apartments used by visiting artists. They are large and have in-unit laundry, are in a safe area and are very quiet.
Where did they stay?
Hotel
Rented an apartment or house
Stayed with local family or friends
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
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Cleaning required
Yes
Meal Plan
Meal plan
Yes
Food quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough food
Yes
Dietary needs?
Yes
Specific needs
Vegetarian-leaning
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
The Sarasota Botanical Gardens
The beach
None
Logistics
Quality of handbook
Spotty
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Program communication
Limited
1
2
3
4
5
Comprehensive
Transportation
Driven by parent
Parent drove
Private bus
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
Solid technique training
Friendly faculty and helpful corrections. Very strong technique!
For my young dancer, living away from home for the first time, I felt like she had her own "Cuban mom" as her RA. The teachers are warm and encouraging, and remembered specifics about my dancer from her audition on day 1. The other dancers were friendly and my dancer met kids from around the world.
Small, and if you are a favorite, lots of attention and good casting.
Very supportive, engaged teachers who gave a lot of corrections and individual attention.
Strong partnering, many good technique classes (lots of work on turns), strength training 3x a week. My child loved the ballet history and health and nutrition classes, too. My dancer had a minor injury while there and they were very accommodating and understanding. The main technique teachers were very approachable and kind.
Least liked about program
Communication was loose
No mirrors in the studio for my level.
I bought character shoes that weren't used. Comms before starting the program were sparse, but once it began I felt very comfortable asking questions.
Many of the pre-pro year round kids are not particularly friendly.
Contemporary classes were mainly just rehearsals for the show. Would have liked more contemporary technique.
One main technique/variations teacher was difficult to understand and many times had difficulty explaining things in English.
All the contemporary classes were just rehearsals for the end performance. Dancers not participating in the performance at the end (the 3 week option) were only invited to participate if there was a participating dancer absent from the class. Dancers not invited to take a spot were told to watch and learn from the side. The first 2 weeks had 6-7 out of 25 classes per week devoted to just rehearsals. The third week had 10 out of 20 classes devoted to just rehearsals (the 4th of July fell on that Friday and there were no classes).
They offered a $360/14 days commuter's catered lunch option, but it turned out to be a rotation of the following (2 items total most days): 1 main food (a meat sandwich, a wrap, or a plate of salad with small amount of chicken) and 1 side (a cookie, rice pudding, banana bread, acai bowl, tropical fruit bowl or bag of chips). I ended up having to send a second lunch with my dancer to make sure they were full.
The handbook is out of date. I purchased character shoes and a character skirt that were never used. Most of the students didn't wear spaghetti strap leotards even though I was told by the office staff that it was required and in the handbook.
Suggested changes to program
They need to update their handbook supply lists! I bought the platter tutu listed and they never used it not once. Also bought character shoes they never used once. I even emailed to be sure she needed the platter tutu and was emailed back that she definitely needed to order it and they had very specific instructions for the tutu. A custom tutu that was 275$. They even sent links of where to order them. Details such as how many layers etc. And then mid program, I asked by email why she wasn’t using it yet and was emailed back that they decided to not use them this summer.
I wish the dates lined up better with our short summer so my dancer could participate in the end of SI show. It was fully staged with beautiful costumes.
Better communication. It was pretty bad.
More levels (there were only three this year).
Better communication. Updated handbook. Dancers need to be actively participating in ALL the classes or they need to stop offering a 3 week option. It would have been nice to know that some classes might have some language barrier difficulties and/or be partially in Spanish, in case that was an issue for non-Spanish speaking dancers. Better or less expensive commuter lunches if they are going to offer it.
Culture of program
Friendly, welcoming
Friendly and focused on great technique. But communication not great.
Warm, diverse, a hidden gem
Very clique-y.
Very warm and supportive. Like a family.
There seemed to be some favoritism, but it wasn't over the top. Certain dancers seemed to get more attention than others. Encouraging atmosphere, understanding teachers. A little difficult to fit in with the other dancers, if you weren't from the studio's year round program. We only did the 3 week option, so I can't comment on the performance/casting side of the program.
Other comments
This is not a flashy intensive but really great technique classes from 9am to 4pm. Very solid training, no forced turnout or concerns we might have had. Loving and dedicated teachers. We did not participate in the end of session performances but they had two and looked amazing.
Located in a beautiful city on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. Really enjoyed the area very much! Although my dancer did not board there, we heard from other dancers very positive things about the housing situation and that the food was excellent! We did pay the extra money to have lunch provided at the studio, which our dancer absolutely loved. Overall, our dancer thoroughly enjoyed this intensive and grew so much in technique! This school is known for excellent turning skills!
Many dancers seem to travel back and repeat this program, and I can see why.
The summer program is fun and very different from the year round program. They definitely recruit during the SI, prospective students should be mindful it is a different vibe during the year.
Dancer can’t wait to return next summer and stay for the full five weeks! She felt her technique improved a lot and she loved the teachers.
My dancer definitely improved in several areas. I think this would be a great program if attending all 5 weeks (and maybe skipping the lunch meal plan).
