"1 ECC is a very small program and did not have levels as there were only 14 dancers in the program"
"Because of the school size there's no levels"
"Young dancers program 9-11 and Pre professional program 12-17"
"small school, not that many levels because everyone is mostly at the same level, occasional split between younger/older kids"
"Junior and senior"
Dancer Age
12
13
14
15
Hours of Dance Each Week
16-20 hours
Gender
Female
Male
Prefer not to say
Company Affliated?
No
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
"ECC works out terms of scholarships with each family. For us it was tuition with a deep discount for private coaching."
Years At School
1 year
2 years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
5
Classes Per Day
2
3
4
5
Weekend Classes?
No
Weekend Schedule
Full day
I did not have weekend class
Students Per Class
10-15
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
2
Daily
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Yes
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Always
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
"ECC usually has 2-3 classes per day, with the day starting around 8:00 and ending by 3:30. Each dancer had private coaching weekly to prepare for competitions as well as semi-private coaching. There were daily 1:45 min technique class as well as men’s class, pointe, character, contemporary, conditioning etc."
"Day starts with technique every morning and then it could be pointe class/mens tech or stretching, pilates, partnering, ensemble, charachter, contemporary, as well as an injury prevention, ballet history, or weight training for men"
"Group class in the morning, followed by men’s class on techniques, also have modern stretch Pilates character and dance history. Private class is per request."
"2H Technique class taught by 1 of 3 teachers
Pointe/variations classes
Pilates class
Modern
Occasional anatomy class
Rehearsals depending on numbers
2-3 privates a week either by themselves or in a semi private with one of the three teachers"
"Group class daily with bar and center for 90 min with dancers age from 10-18 including boys and girls in one class, directed by one teacher only."
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
2x per week
No partnering
Partner Ratio
Most girls had to share a partner.
None, there were enough boys for every girl.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
Male and female teacher together
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
Females were the main focus
Description of Partnering Class
"Partnering classes rotated so was usually not fixed. There was also a good bit of partnering in the ensemble works for YAGP, as well as pas de deux for competition as well."
"General partnering technique for everyone as a class, or variation learning for upcoming competitions or performances as a private"
"Three boys throughout the season in total that were capable of partnering the older girls (6) and then 2 younger boys who did the partnering with the younger girls
Some girls were given a pas so they had private rehearsals on top of it"
"Partnering class taught in 1-1 private class cost @$135 per hour"
Additional Comments
"The men’s program has grown tremendously since attending."
"My kids danced his first pas de deux this year and got first place in yagp regionals"
"Amazing exposure to partnering. Daughter learned a lot and also had her first pas that scored and placed 1st"
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Ballroom
Character
Contemporary
Modern
Pilates /gyro
strength/conditioning
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Improv
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Yes
Master Classes Description
"In the past they were offered but the year he attended there were none."
"There's occasional guest artists that come for a short period and offer few master classes."
"Complexion company comes and ballet master is onsite"
"Complexions ballet master class"
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Body rolling
Gyrotonic or Gyrokenisis
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
"The classes varied each week"
"There are some classes offered every day"
"Amazing local Pilates teacher comes in to teach"
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Unsure
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
School called parent
How Treatment Obtained?
"N/A"
"Teacher will immediately send the dancer to ER"
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
"N/A"
"Na"
"Set by daughters doctors and physical therapists and coaches at the school followed the guidelines willingly"
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Yes
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Yes
Additional Comments
"It is a very positive environment"
"I think school overall cares greatly about students well-being"
"No"
"School is partnered with an amazing mental health coach but it is a separate cost"
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
1
4-5
6-7
School Winter Show?
No
Yes
Company or School Show?
Company affiliated production and the students perform certain parts
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
"Standing around part" e.g. party attendant, royal guard, etc.
Dancing part
Were You Paid?
No
If Paid, Please Describe
"N/A"
"Winter show is just a showcase of group and solo numbers"
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
How Chosen
All students allowed to audition
Was Casting Fair?
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
5
Perfomance Opportunities
"One major ballet production at end of the year, sleeping beauty, Paquita, etc
YAGP, Prix de Lausanne, and other comps"
Were You Paid?
No
Competition
School Does Competitions?
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
Yes
How Many Compete?
All
All students are allowed
% of Students Who Performed
Repeated Responses:
"100%" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
"Entire company"
"All"
"Almost everyone chose to compete"
How Chosen?
"Acceptance is very selective and all dancers are highly encouraged to compete"
"All dancers are encouraged to compete"
"None"
"Everyone is given the opportunity to compete. Coach and child decide variations together"
"No"
Competitions Cost Extra?
"Yes. Private coaching fees as well as coach expenses while at competition"
"Average $ 800- 1000 per trip to pay for the coaching fee, flight and lodge split between dancers"
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
No
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
"Added tremendously. The one on one truly benfitied my dancer!"
"Adds a lot of value, as you get to learn various variations and the competitions give good exposure to dance companies and ballet world"
"Competition absolutely add value to the training. It’s like a setting a small goal for the Dancer. And kept them more motivated and driven on the daily basis."
"Added, amazing opportunities came from this"
"Hard to say"
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces
Vague and incomplete
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
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Neutral
Strongly agree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Yes and parents are included. The meeting was with Artistic Director and my teachers
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
"Close and family-like"
"Support and cheering on each other is encoraged. All kids are friends with each other and so are the parents."
"Unsure. We stayed only for the year as he already had his acceptance to a full-time European school. Otherwise he would have continued at ECC"
"There's no placement, it is one group. The parent notifies the school whether they wanted to return next year."
"May"
"End of season"
"Yes"
How Dancer Was Notified
Phone call from school
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details
"No customized training plan for individual dancers. Teacher comes in the private class without preparation, consistently distracted by phone messages and frequent bath room times without explanation during private classes."
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Is Student In Upper Levels?
No
Yes
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
N/a
N/A
Unsure
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
N/a
N/A
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
All find bridge level positions at other ballet schools
Some find positions elsewhere and about half leave ballet
How Many Left and Went to College?
N/a
Not sure, but most students get into ballet companies.
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
"We already had European placement going in to the 2021-2022 school year"
"N/A"
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
Stayed with a host family
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+
C
Career Support and Placement
A+
C
Emotional Support
A+
C
Housing & Food
A+
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A+
C
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"The very individualized approach for each dancer in the program. Each family meets with the director at the beginning of the year to set goals and see how to navigate the year. The director states in constant contact with us throughout the year. Our dancer accompanied pushed every goal they set and then some."
"This school produces the best dancers out there through quality training and individualized attention, as well as providing emotional and physical support."
"Personalize training, a lot of attention from teachers, encouraging and inclusive. Dancers are highly selective to join the school with the big dream in the professional world. It created a very positive and supportive atmosphere for dancers as they share the same dream and goals to become a professional ballet dancer."
"Classical ballet program with daytime program"
Program's Worst Aspect
"There was nothing about the program that we felt negatively about."
"There is nothing that we could complain about (well maybe the cost - ballet is expensive)"
"Small school with limited opportunity of community performance"
"N/a"
"The program is overpriced, with additional hidden fees that were not clearly communicated or disclosed in advance. Travel charges for competitions were never itemized, resulting in a lack of transparency. The actual cost can approach $30,000 to $40,000 per year, which was not communicated to parents before signing the contract.
Director did not deliver on their promises, often giving less attention to dancers due to unexplained distractions.
The school attracts dancers with misleading promises and incomplete financial disclosures. Many families were caught off guard by mounting bills and ended up facing financial hardship."
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"This is such a unique program. The men’s program has grown and there are now 2 additional full-time faculty members on staff aside from the director. I wish this program could be offered to more dancers but that would drastically change the dynamics, which is what makes this program so unique."
"We really like the schools approach to training and wouldn't change anything. My kid is in the hands of professionals."
"Director focus on teaching the dancers"
Anything Else We Should Know?
"We have nothing but amazing things to say about ECC. It is still a fairly young program and still finding its niche, but the training is top of the line and the director truly cares for every single dancer she works with. The results this school has had both at YAGP, international competition, and pre-professional and professional placements speaks for itself."
"This is really one of the best ballet schools out there, their alumnis are well known, all the students score very high in competitions and get noticed by many professional ballet companies. Great start to a dancing career."
"Define a right teacher, who truly care about the kids."
"My daughter grew the most in her two years at elite. Amazing instruction and opportunities. Thoroughly impressed with the teachers and the level of training. She was well prepared for competitions, got into PDL, and received high remarks, had her choice of basically any school after and wound up at a top school in Europe"
"I do not recommend this program. Considering what parents pay ($30-$40k a year),compared to what the director actually delivers, it borders on being a scam. While the school may win at regional competitions, it did not succeed at the national level due to a weak curriculum and a lack of teacher commitment. Direction appear distracted by unknown staffs and are not fully focused on teaching, raising concerns about the program’s overall quality and direction."
