fundamentals 1-3, intermediate advanced, advanced, pre pro
There are no levels in the pre-program at this time, but there are multiple levels in the rest of the program. The Advanced level is really high quality with many talented dancers and rigorous training. Pre-pro and Advanced dance together on weekends. Great experience for both.
Unsure - approximately 7
Dancer Age
16
17
18
Hours of Dance Each Week
16-20 hours
21-25 hours
Gender
Female
Prefer not to say
Company Affliated?
No
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Please Describe Scholarship
The school would like to offer and plans to offer scholarships in the future, as it continues to grow.
N/A
Years At School
1 year
2 years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
1
3
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Full day
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
5
Daily
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Unsure
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Unsure
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
There were no boys in my level
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Unsure
Yes
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Did School Director Teach?
Often
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
Attention From Teachers
Very Little
1
2
3
4
5
A Lot
Quality of Instruction
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Did Technique Improve?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Tremendously
Curriculum Comments
For this level there is one class per day that includes pilates and stretching and then ballet technique. There is no contemporary offered. The pre-pro classes are offered 4 times a week for 3 hours each and then the pre pro students are combined with the intermediate dancers on the weekend.
During the week our three hour class consisted of pilates, technique, and pointe/variations
This past year, the pre-pro class met 6 days a week: four days a week during school hours and on Saturdays and Sundays in classes together with the Advanced levels. The teachers do a great job teaching to the highest level while addressing every student’s needs. There is a daily Pilates class. (Mr. Arrais is a certified classical Pilates instructor.) Technique, pointe, rep, and partnering classes were taught throughout the week.
Classical Ballet
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
3x per week
No partnering
Partner Ratio
Most girls had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
Male teacher
How Much Partnering Improved
No
1
2
3
4
5
Tremendously
Quality of Pas Teaching
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
How Were Corrections Given?
Attention and corrections were evenly distributed between the males and females
Description of Partnering Class
When multiple boys were available, partnering was structured into the Sunday intensive. For the pre pro level despite the lack of boys, the director gave partnering lessons once a week. For our final exam we displayed the black swan pas de duex.
Mr. Arrais himself often partnered with the girls. Students had the incredible gift of dancing with a newly retired principal dancer who has danced with prima ballerinas worldwide. The pre-pro class included one male dancer and during combined weekend classes there consistently were six male dancers. The girls shared partners. There were plenty of opportunities to dance pas de deux.
Additional Comments
Given that there is a shortage of male dancers in most studios in this area, it’s encouraging to see the number of boys in this studio increasing. And what a gift to see Mr. Arrais partnering in class and on stage!
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
None
The my learned one contemporary dance.
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
No
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
Yes
Master Classes Description
Master classes were offered at an additional charge even if they were offered during scheduled class time. The classes were also open to the public. Very high quality instructors were brought in.
This past year there were master classes given by Sarah Lamb in the fall, Noelani Pantastico in the winter, Paul Kay in the spring, and Anais Charlendard at the start of summer.
Amazing opportunities with professionals from all over the world, including dancers and faculty from Royal.Ballet. Arrais Ballet brings in the most amazing guest teachers.
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Body rolling
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Daily
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
We do pilates everyday, it helps you engage your muscles during class and keep up your strength.
Mr. Arrais is a certified classical Pilates instructor. He is an excellent teacher, very aware of individual students’ needs.Thanks to his Pilates classes, my daughter is much stronger and more aware of how her body works and what it needs. She is a much stronger and therefore better dancer than she was last year.
Fantastic part of the program
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Unsure
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
N/A
I did not get injured, but my teachers recommended to my classmates doctors and physical therapists that they worked with during their ballet careers!
The teachers are very helpful with medical recommendations. They have a close connection with excellent doctors and varied therapists in the area who are knowledgeable about and trained to work with dancers. They also have great practical advice and exercises to deal with issues, having gone through a lot themselves.
N/A
PT Available?
No
Unsure
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
N/A
Teachers do not pressure students to dance if they are in pain,
I gave the unsure answer about physical therapy being available at the school, because some injured students are advised by their doctors to do Pilates with Mr. Arrais as part of their recovery plan. The teachers encourage hurt dancers to rest and follow their doctor’s advice.
N/A
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Additional Comments
Teachers do not pressure students to dance if they are in pain, they show respect and care for any student with an injury. Teachers are also against negative body standards and support positive mental health.
Again, I gave an unsure answer above about mental health services being available at the school, because the teachers are extremely open to talking with students about issues and are understanding, helpful, and kind. They also can and do recommend good outside resources.
Paulo Arrais is incredibly focused on dancers’ mental and physical health. It is a safe, positive, nurturing environment.
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
2-3
6-7
School Winter Show?
Yes
Company or School Show?
School puts on it's own production and students dance all the parts
Cast in Winter Show?
Yes
How Chosen
Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff
Winter Show Role
Dancing part
I had both types of parts
Were You Paid?
No
If Paid, Please Describe
N/A
Rehearsal Impact on Classes
1
3
5
Rehearsal Hours
1-2
3-5
6-10
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
I had both types of parts
How Chosen
All students allowed to AUDITION
Students chosen for roles by staff - NO AUDITIONS
Was Casting Fair?
No
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
1
4
5
Rehearsal Hours
1-2
3-5
6-10
Perfomance Opportunities
Nutcracker and year end showcase (in studio)
School year consisted of a large nutcracker production, a tiny nutcracker community show, competition opportunities, and a spring production.
Nutcracker and Nutcracker preview performance, performances at end of master classes and intensives, end-of-year performance, competition performances
Were You Paid?
No
Competition
School Does Competitions?
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
% of Students Who Performed
3/6
99 precent
Almost everyone
Half of pre/pros, not sure about percentage of rest of school.
How Chosen?
Depends on the competition. Director will only invite select dancers to select competitions.
everyone is given the opportunity
Students are invited to participate.
Don’t know
Competitions Cost Extra?
Private lessons, master classes, uniforms
private lessons required to rehearse, competition fees, and costume cost (unless there are costumes available to borrow)
There are standard competition fees. If you don’t want to but your own costume the school is generous about lending their costumes, which are gorgeous.
Competition fees are extra, as is the case anywhere
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
No
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
Detracted a lot
added to stage and rehearsal experience
It definitely added value to the training year. Of course, students pay for their private lessons, adding more lessons if they want and if schedules allow, but there’s no pressure, and the teachers go out of their way to help each student as best they can. My daughter felt they poured everything they had into their students, preparing them, fixing costumes, supporting them, without cost, even when it meant sacrificing their off days. This is not just during competitions but all throughout the year. And the students did really well, placing top 12 and top 24 in Boston and New York.
It is the dancers choice to participate, which would entail working privately with a teacher, which could be very beneficial
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Handboook & Paperwork
Adequate but missing several key pieces
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
No handbook provided
Quality of Communication?
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Who Received Communication?
With parents and students
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
Yes
Written Feedback?
No
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Neutral
Strongly agree
Strongly disagree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Yes, Dancer only. The meeting was with Artistic Director and my teachers
Yes, dancer only. The meeting was with the Artistic Director.
Well Prepared For Exam?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
How Heavily Did Exams Weigh in Promotions
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Heavily
School Culture
How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?
Not
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
How Supportive Were Students of One Another?
Not
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
Describe School Culture
Friendly, competitive parents, favoritism
new, welcoming, and dedicated teachers
Friendly, caring, supportive. With only one or two exceptions! What ballet studio doesn’t have those!
My daughter is remaining in the pre-pro program. At this point there are no levels in the pre-pro section. That is why the final exam wasn’t used for placement, but for practice and reexamining areas needing particular or more work, as well as continued goals.
N/A
How Dancer Was Notified
In-person meeting with school director/staff
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Yes
Mentoring Details
Dancers filmed their own audition videos, some help was provided identifying potential opportunities but only for some dancers.
The teachers here are very caring and are always open to talk
The teachers are great mentors. They are unfailingly kind and helpful, willing to listen and talk, and are more than generous with their time.
As a parent, I could not ask for more caring, kind, mentors and role models than Paulo Arrais and Emily Entigh. They always make themselves available to the students and take time to get to know each student and help each student achieve their individual goals. They have the students’ best interests in mind every step of the way. Paulo consistently informed my dancer of potential opportunities, helped with videos, photos, and provided advice and encouragement throughout my dancer’s time at the school.
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Highest Levels of School?
There are no bridge levels
There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
Unsure
How Many Left and Went to College?
80%
Unsure
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received lots of help
Received some help
Describe How School Helped
Notified dancer of opportunities
My daughter is staying at Arrais Ballet for another year. Four of her pre-pro classmates were older and ready for new dancing experiences, either to dance professionally or start post grad studies or attend school in Europe. The school is too young at this point to be rated on students finding positions. Several of the pre-pros have, and given the training and guidance here, those numbers will continue to grow!
My dancer received help regarding audition information, help selecting programs that would be a good fit, help with videos, help with photos, and Paulo advocated strongly for my dancer for potential positions. My dancer received so much help, advice, support , and encouragement for the next step in her dance journey.
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
No
Safety of Area Around School?
Not Safe
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Safe
Studio Space
Cramped
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of space
Studio Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Housing
Was Housing Provided?
No
Where Did Dancer Live?
Lived at home
Academics
How Did Academics Work?
Separate e.g. online, independent study, etc.
Academic Support
There were no formal study requirements. Students were on their own
Did the School Support Academics?
Didn't support
1
2
3
4
5
Definitely supported
Overall Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A+
Career Support and Placement
A
A+
C
Emotional Support
A+
C-
Housing & Food
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A
A+
C
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
Class instruction
The pre pro program is for dedicated students aspiring for a career in ballet. The class size is small so it gives a more intimate class setting, and the teachers give individualized corrections and attention. Teachers Paulo and Emily have had inspiring careers and because of that have plenty of knowledge about ballet training, and the industry. They care about your ballet career as well as your wellbeing and the studio is a safe space. The studio itself is a great space with three studios and a pilates room. The students here are friendly and non judgmental. I danced here for a year and I have improved greatly and gained lots of strength and confidence. The training is very high quality and the teachers will push you to work hard. I would recommend Arrais Ballet to any aspiring ballerina, and I cant wait to see how this school grows in the future!
The teachers are the best aspect of the program. My daughter could not be happier with the instruction and guidance she is receiving, and she loves and trusts her teachers. She has improved dramatically and has more confidence moving forward. It is clear that Arrais Ballet is a labor of love. The teachers are stellar instructors and human beings. They also give a lot of good practical advice and have great connections.
Paulo Arrais
Program's Worst Aspect
This is a new school that is turning out to be one of many competition focused schools in the area. A pre pro program was offered this year but pre pro students were not a priority. After-school/recreational students were cast above pre-pro students in productions despite representation that pre pros would be given casting priority .Rehearsal for productions happened during class time. Pre pro only offered 3 hours a day 4x a week and is very expensive for what you get. (Comparably priced to Ellison which offers a full day program.) On weekends, pre pro students take class with intermediate dancers (10 hours). .Different standards for different students. For pre pro the “exam” seemed to be optional and no metrics were set or explained and no consequences for not doing “exam”. Good partnering instruction offered sometimes but not on a set schedule. No contemporary class. 5 out of 6 pre pro students are not returning next year. Good training but unfortunately cannot recommended to a serious dancer who wants to dance professionally. School is just not set up for them - maybe this will change over time. Recommend the afternoon program for (recreational)dancers who want to do many competitions and take many private lessons. Summer programming and master classes are excellent.
My long drive! But it’s 100 percent worth it, which is saying A LOT, given how much I hate to drive!
Nothing
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Please see previous comment
Nothing. Truly. I just want it to continue growing and succeeding. This school is so new, entering its second year, and it has accomplished incredible things,thanks to the directors’ and teachers’ expertise, love, drive, self-sacrifice. Just follow them on Instagram and you’ll see. Or come visit a class. Or come see Nutcracker, choreographed by Mr. Arrais himself. Or talk to a student who attends the school or a parent who is there every day. It’s the real world, so you’ll find complainers everywhere. But they are an exception at this school.
Nothing. Arrais Ballet is a very new school, and it has already earned the reputation of providing world-class instruction in a positive, healthy environment. The school is growing rapidly, and keeps getting better and better. As the school grows, the programming has been expanding to include more performance opportunities and more classes. This was the first year a pre-professional program was offered. My dancer enjoyed the small class size and the opportunity to to work with Paulo and Emily every day.
Anything Else We Should Know?
Despite good instruction, do not recommend pre pro program for serious pre pro dancers looking to dance professionally. Pre pro students are not a priority of the school. They are not guaranteed to get good performance opportunities or get invited to perform in competitions. Casting is unfair. There are favorites and there is nepotism. Casting is done secretly and some dancers are told their roles well in advance of everyone else and begin working on their parts in their private lessons before casting is announced. Intermediate students are given more prominent roles than pre pro students who came to the program because they were told that they would have these opportunities. Parents are very competitive. Most students take at least 2-3 private lessons per week all year (some do more) and many will do 3 classical and 1 contemporary variation at competitions. If you do not take private lessons, you will not be considered for a large role in spite of statements to the contrary. Master classes/guest teachers are excellent but are open to dancers outside the studio (even if they occur during class time) and come at an additional cost.(even if they occur during class time). 5 out of 6 pre pro students are not returning next year. Some regret giving up other opportunities to come here and are moving on. This is a new school. Maybe pre pro will grow and strengthen over time but would not recommend the current program to serious students given many other options that are out there for comparable cost or less. Recommend the after-school program for recreational dancers who want to do many competitions. Also recommend to younger dancers. Summer programming and master classes are excellent with high profile guest artists.
Just come see!
If you are a parent looking for a healthy, positive, welcoming environment that offers the most incredible training, instruction, and opportunities to learn from professionals around the world, consider Arrais Ballet for your dancer. As soon as you meet Paulo and Emily, you will understand why the school is thriving. The environment reflects Paulo’s warm and welcoming personality and is infused with his incredible artistry and genuine love for the art of ballet. The dedicated staff and admin team go above and beyond for the students and settle for nothing but the best in terms of flooring, equipment, and studio space. The staff also does an amazing job of scheduling everything and keeping parents in the loop with clear, consistent communication. The staff members are kind, welcoming, supportive, and encouraging. I am incredibly grateful that my dancer is part of this incredible community. Arrais Ballet is a very special place.
