BALLET HELP DESK

Full-Time Training Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 91
Total Reviews: 311

A&A Ballet

Full-Time Reviews

General

Who is Reviewing?

4
3
6

Program

13

Season Attended

2
2
9

# Of Levels In School

Repeated Responses:
  • "N/A" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Two-the other level is Youth Company"
  • "1st level of 2 in day program"
  • "2"
  • "Youth Company & Conservatory - mostly split by age cut-off"
  • "2 morning program classes and 5 night program levels and 2 children level"
  • "2 daytime levels- unsure of how levels are determined"
  • "2 levels in morning program, Conservatory and Youth Company, and then levels (based on age) in the Night Program"
  • "Creative movement, night time class levels 1-7, two day time levels"
  • "2 daytime levels"
  • "2 levels- Conservatory is younger. Youth Company is older"
  • "2 in the day program"

Dancer Age

1
3
3
5
1

Hours of Dance Each Week

2
6
1

Gender

11
1
1

Company Affliated?

12
1

Was Student Scholarshipped?

13

Years At School

2
5
3
1

Full time or after school?

9

Curriculum

Days Per Week

13

Classes Per Day

12
1

Weekend Classes?

13

Weekend Schedule

13

Students Per Class

7
5
1

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

2
11

Pointe Classes Per Week

1
4
8

Live Music in Technique Class?

12
1

Dedicated Men's Program?

6
2
5

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

1
8

Men Taught Batterie?

2
3
4

Boys In Level

2
10

Separate Technique Class for Boys

12

Techniques Taught

3
13

Technique Teacher Rotation

5
5
3

Did School Director Teach?

4
1
8

Classroom Corrections

8
5

Attention From Teachers

Very Little
1
1
1
2
8
A Lot

Quality of Instruction

Poor
1
1
1
10
Excellent

Did Technique Improve?

Not at all
2
1
3
7
Tremendously

Curriculum Comments

  • "Ballet class, pointe class every morning, a short break before afternoon classes. Afternoon classes consist of repertoire, character, contemporary and pilates, rotated during the week. During show season, repertoire classes are substituted for rehearsals"
  • "Daily: Technique, Pointe & Repertoire; 2 hours/week: Contemporary; 1 hour/week: Character & Pilates; Option to join Contemporary Company, 2 hours/week"
  • "Daily: ballet, pointe, repertoire. Once a week: pilates/body conditioning, contemporary."
  • "Technique, pointe daily Rep, conditioning, contemporary, character, depending on the day! And optional privates with the teachers."
  • "Vaganova training by the main teachers. Technique, pointe daily and two hours of a mix of repertoire, character, contemporary, conditioning after technique and pointe. Four classes a day plus optional privates."
  • "1:30 min tech class, 45 min pointe (m-f), 30 min lunch, 1 hour contemporary class (w&f), 1 hour body conditioning (t), 1 hour character class (f) only for the first quarter of the the first semester. All other afternoon classes are scheduled to be a variation class but are predominantly used as rehearsal time for upcoming show or competition."
  • "Technique, pointe, variations, character, contemporary"
  • "Daily technique and pointe, weekly repertoire, contemporary and character classes"

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class

13

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles

13
1
1
2

Other Class Quality

Poor
1
1
2
8
Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

13

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught

5
11
6
13

Contemporary Quality

Poor
1
5
2
5
Excellent

Master Classes?

9
4

Master Classes Description

  • "ballet/pointe"
  • "Master class is taught for technique and pointe"
  • "Master classes of technique and pointe"

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

13

Physical Training Types

9
7
4

Physical Training Schedule

13

Were Trainers Certified?

3
2
8

Physical Training Quality

Poor
1
3
2
5
2
Excellent

Strength & Conditioning Comments

  • "Wish it were stronger/offered more often"
  • "Needs to be a stronger program with weight training"
  • "more attention should be given and parents made aware of areas that require additional needs for each student."

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

13

How Parents Notified?

4
1
8

How Treatment Obtained?

  • "I choose a doctor no input from school"
  • "Personal outreach, made our own appointments"
  • "arranging for urgent care or physician office visit"
  • "Nearby urgent care, physical therapists, and massage therapists"
  • "On my own."
  • "yes"
  • "Outside pt"

PT Available?

13

Was There a Recovery Plan?

3
10

Describe Recovery Plan

Repeated Responses:
  • "N/A" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Recovery plan was given by doctor and dancer communicated to teachers"
  • "Determined between physician and physical therapist & communicated by dancer to the studio"
  • "Teachers were gracious about re entering dance"

Mental Health Therapists Available?

13

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

11
2

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

1
6
6

Were Students Weighed?

13

Was "Coded Language" Used?

4
2
7

Additional Comments

  • "School is not fair"
  • "Wish they provided a physical therapist onsite"
  • "Studio does not get involved; however, receptive & accommodating to plan of care established by MD/PT"
  • "There is none and no support"
  • "Student feel uncomfortable eating in front of director, a not an overall supportive and nurturing environment."
  • "The teachers were understanding about injuries and open to dance modifications"

Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker

Performance Opportunities

13

School Winter Show?

13

Company or School Show?

13

Cast in Winter Show?

13

How Chosen

13

Winter Show Role

12
1

Were You Paid?

13

Rehearsal Impact on Classes

1
2
3
1
2

Rehearsal Hours

3
4
2

Performance: Ballet Season

Cast in Company Productions?

1
12

Kind of Part Given?

10
2

How Chosen

2
2
1
7

Was Casting Fair?

1
2
9

Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?

2
2
1
5
2

Rehearsal Hours

3
3
2

Perfomance Opportunities

Repeated Responses:
  • "Nutcracker and Spring Ballet" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Very few opportunities"
  • "Two shows a year for conservatory students. More opportunities for Youth Company"
  • "Nutcracker, Spring Ballet and YAGP solos and ensembles"
  • "Nutcracker, Spring Show, Competition solos & ensembles"
  • "Nutcracker, spring show, competition solos & ensembles"
  • "I had a amazing opportunity to dance Clara in the winter nutcracker show and for the spring show, A&A is doing sleeping beauty and I have an amazing opportunity to dance red riding hood and more."
  • "Nutcracker, yagp, spring performance"
  • "Very performances but the ones we had were good."
  • "Nutcracker, Spring Ballet, YAGP solos and Ensembles"
  • "School opportunities"

Were You Paid?

12

Competition

School Does Competitions?

13

Competitions Required?

13

How Many Compete?

1
1
1
1

% of Students Who Performed

Repeated Responses:
  • "90%" (2 responses)
  • "Most" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "10"
  • "70%"
  • "Almost all are selected"
  • "80%"
  • "probably half"
  • "70 percent"
  • "30%"
  • "85%"
  • "60%"

How Chosen?

  • "No selection process"
  • "Privates"
  • "Chosen during class rehearsals for ensembles Solos are chosen by the teacher during private lessons."
  • "Anyone who wants to participate is eligible, some people are advised to only do a certain amount of solos or perform with specific limitations (ex: performing on flat)."
  • "solos - if you're interested; ensembles - selected by artistic director (no audition)"
  • "Ask the director"
  • "Decided by the teachers"
  • "mostly you sign up but the teachers advise you about it"
  • "None"
  • "Student and parents decide"
  • "You can compete as a solo if AD ok's it. Ensembles are chosen by AD."
  • "Anyone can participate"
  • "Anyone can compete"

Competitions Cost Extra?

Repeated Responses:
  • "Yes" (3 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Just the private coaching"
  • "Yes- for privates"
  • "Competition organizations; private lessons to prepare"
  • "yes - private lessons"
  • "Fees for costume for any ensemble."
  • "Private coaching and competition fees"
  • "competition fees and privates fees"
  • "Yes, for privates and ensembles along with entry and costume fees"
  • "Fees for private coaching"
  • "Yes fees for coaching, registration for competitions"

Separate Competition Rehearsals?

2
11

Competition Interfered With Training?

Repeated Responses:
  • "Detract" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Added value"
  • "Added- Especially the ensemble Great practice for stage"
  • "Added because students learned about the integrity of the performance"
  • "added value - opportunities to improved technique & skills, work with others in ensembles and perform on stage"
  • "I didn’t really affect anything"
  • "Added- Learning to work as part of a corp for ensembles. Individual feedback and corrections for solos"
  • "add because you get lots more one on one instruction"
  • "No because we gas rehearsals for ensembles during the day which is in the schedule when the time comes and there were solo privates after the regular day"
  • "Rehearsals for ensembles took place during class and detracted from training for those not in the ensembles. Solos sometimes would perform during class."
  • "Added- learned principle roles and learned how to work as a cohesive group for ensemble pieces."
  • "Adds because it helps to refine technique and artistry"

Communication

Formal Orientation?

12
1

Handboook & Paperwork

2
1
1
6
3

Quality of Communication?

Poor
2
2
3
4
2
Excellent

Who Received Communication?

2
11

Exams

Formal Exam?

13

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?

Not
3
3
4
3
Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?

Not
2
2
3
6
Completely

Describe School Culture

  • "Toxic"
  • "Strict, drama free, professional, high-expectations"
  • "Serious, competitive, friendly"
  • "Improvement driven and focused"
  • "mostly supportive, encouraging & fun between dancers"
  • "Hardworking and also very supportive"
  • "Competitive and supportive"
  • "Hardworking and supportive"
  • "Challenging, complex, competitive, friendly"
  • "About money. Only certain students received support"
  • "Dancers friendly, teachers can be toxic"
  • "Serious yet supportive"
  • "Clicky and everyone is on their own journey"

Placement Notification Timing

Repeated Responses:
  • "No" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "In the spring"
  • "In April, before the dance term ended."
  • "spring"
  • "June"
  • "First day of class"
  • "At the end of the year if you ask"
  • "Beginning of the year"
  • "Child wasnt"
  • "no"
  • "On the first day"
  • "Spring"

How Dancer Was Notified

2
7

Dancer Had Mentor?

4
5

Mentoring Details

Repeated Responses:
  • "Older students are mentors" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "informal - individual friendships between dancers. Very much left up to the dancer to seek out advice and establish mentors."
  • "No"
  • "no specified mentor"
  • "Mentor"
  • "N/A"
  • "There was none. Students mostly did not feel comfortable sharing plans for the future including summer intensive auditions and programs."
  • "Director often spoke with daughter, answered questions, guided her and spoke with her regarding her next step and was involved in the transition"

Overall School Culture

Lord of the Flies
2
4
6
1
Warm & Inclusive

School Outcomes

Is Student In Upper Levels?

4

Highest Levels of School?

2
1
5
5

How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level

1
2
1
5

How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?

2
1
1

Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go

1
1
4

How Many Left and Went to College?

2
1
1
1
2
6

Career Support

8
2
3

Describe How School Helped

  • "Dancer was not looking for help but was offered a trainee position and school director was involved in the pricess and mentored dancer"

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building

11
2

Safety of Area Around School?

Not Safe
3
9
1
Extremely Safe

Studio Space

Cramped
1
4
6
2
Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness

Dirty
5
6
2
Spotless

Housing

Was Housing Provided?

5
8

Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?

4
4

Where Did Dancer Live?

4
4
1

Type of Housing Provided:

4
2

Housing Minimum Age

  • "12"
  • "11y"
  • "11"
  • "Not sure"

# of Roommates:

4

Adequate # of RA's?

Not at all
1
1
1
1
Absolutely

Type of Bathrooms:

4

Curfew?

4

Curfew Reasonable?

4

Nightly Room Check?

4

Dorm Strictness

Extremely Lax
4
Extremely Strict

How Infractions Handled?

4
1

How Roommate Issues Handled?

  • "Between the girls, no studio involvement unless parents went to the school about an issue."
  • "between roommates"
  • "Through roommate and roommates parents’ communication"
  • "Handled between roommates or parents get involved"

Housing Cleanliness

Dirty
1
3
Spotless

Students Required to Clean Room?

1
3

Laundry Available?

4

Laundry Free?

3
1

Evening Activities?

4

A/C In Room?

4

Weekend Outings?

4

Transportation Between Housing and Studios?

1
1
1
1

Safety Around Housing

Not Safe
3
1
Very Safe

Overall Rating of Housing

Poor
1
2
1
Excellent

Additional Comments

  • "College students also live in the same apartment building"
  • "Dancers are on their own unless you have arranged a chaperone. Must be mature and self sufficient."
  • "No chaperones - must be very independent"

Meal Plan

Meal Plan?

4

Academics

How Did Academics Work?

13

Academic Support

13

Did the School Support Academics?

Didn't support
5
2
4
2
Definitely supported

Overall Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction

6
1
3
1
1
1

Career Support and Placement

4
3
2
1
1
2

Emotional Support

1
3
4
2
1
2

Housing & Food

1
1
1
1
9

Performance Opportunities

4
5
1
1
1
1

Overall Comments

Program's Best Aspect

  • "None"
  • "The training"
  • "Consistent and excellent training"
  • "The teachers and training are excellent and encouraging and the amount of classes/training hours"
  • "Directors and teachers are passionate and teach a true classical ballet program. Focused on technique and mastering specific movement yet allow for personal style."
  • "Improving"
  • "Strong Vaganova technique, excellent ballet teachers"
  • "Excellent training and growth!"
  • "Some of teachers"
  • "Excellent Vaganova training"
  • "Training"

Program's Worst Aspect

  • "All about money"
  • "Lack of physical therapy/other support"
  • "Small studios and not enough boys"
  • "No modern or jazz, etc classes. There is no Physical Therapy program."
  • "No integrated PT, or any type of ongoing health/wellness program."
  • "Contemporary program needs improvement"
  • "Lack of physical therapists available from the school"
  • "Lack of support and preparation for future"
  • "There was a lot of favoritism. If you were not of a what the director was looking for you were largely ignored. Mostly focused on competitions."
  • "No partnering and not enough boys/men"
  • "Clicky students"

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

  • "Director"
  • "Integrate physical therapy, nutrition and other wellness"
  • "Better communication"
  • "A better healthy dancer program."
  • "Add a more formalized preventative program & (wishful thinking) a PT on-sight to evaluate on a regular basis. Like almost all programs, this one is missing a great opportunity to instill healthy lifestyle habits to strengthen and support these growing bodies. Most dancers stretch and do their PT exercises (that were learned during their PT visits post-injury) daily & on their own, but not really a formal part of the program."
  • "Better contemporary, chaperoned housing"
  • "Integrate school affiliated physical therapists"
  • "Several areas"
  • "For every dancer to be supported and helped to grow to their next level."
  • "Bring in male students for regular partnering. Have a stronger contemporary program."
  • "Less focus on competition placement"

Anything Else We Should Know?

  • "If you aren’t spending a lot of money on privates or plan to stay for years you will not be noticed."
  • "There is no supervision for out of town students, living arrangements are made by the parents."
  • "The teachers value dancers that are focused and want to improve and pay attention to those that are respectful of that."
  • "This is a true pre-professional program and students are expected to work hard."
  • "If you aren’t gifted you won't receive the attention or help needed. Plus you must invest in privates."
  • "If your goal is to compete and you take private lessons; and you come in with a semi strong foundation and good facility, then A&A could be a good fit for you. If however you can not take multiple private lessons each week then you will probably be largely ignored and you may not see much improvement."
  • "Very close knit community of friends."
  • "Dancers are responsible their own success and there is not a lot of hand holding. It is a very individual experience and everyone will have their own experience"
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