There are 6 levels - an additional level has been added for the 2025-2026 school year for those who need advancing since the caliber of student is increasing tremendously. Levels are are done by age and skill. Pointe usually starts at level 4 and is not automatic. There are post graduates who are in the highest levels. Levels for the next year are usually determined from the previous year and the summer intensive. If it is a new student they will assess during numerous classes for placement.
Dancer Age
13
15
16
17
Hours of Dance Each Week
21-25 hours
Gender
Female
Prefer not to say
Company Affliated?
No
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Please Describe Scholarship
N/A
Years At School
3 years
7 or more years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
1
3
5
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Full day
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
2
3
4
5
Daily
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Unsure
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
5-10
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Did School Director Teach?
Always
Never (school admin was NOT designated as an upper level teacher)
Occasionally
Often
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
Never dancer specific: only general corrections to entire class
Occasionally dancer specific: mostly general corrections were given
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
One technique class a day followed by all rehearsals and no pointe or men’s class.
Day students had 4-5 hours during the day, followed by short lunch, then had 2 more classes in evening. Evening classes were not “required” but students who attended all classes were favored.
There was a mish/mash of techniques, they took what they liked from each style and taught that way. There was also contemporary, modern, and intermediate tap taught by a student.
Teachers teach Vaganava, RAD, and Cecchetti based curriculum. Daily classes include ballet and pointe techniques, pas de deux, modern, and PBT.
Day program from 12-4 Monday through Friday consisting of pbt (progressing ballet technique), ballet technique, pointe, men’s, pas de deux, and repertoire classes. Evening classes from 5-8 Monday through Friday were ballet technique, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary, Contemporary pointe, Classical pointe, Tap, and repertoire classes. Saturday morning pbt, ballet, and alternating pointe and pas de deux, and rehearsal in the evening.
Combo of vaganova, ceccetti and RAD
Ballet, Ballet w/ pointe, Modern, Contemporary, PBT and Repertoire. Additional and optional classes include tap, jazz, musical theater, hip-hip and a social media class.
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
2x per week
No partnering
Partner Ratio
Everyone had to share a partner.
Most girls had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
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
The teacher focused on one or two couples and the rest of the students were on their own
Description of Partnering Class
Partnering class occurred once a week, but the two boys that were there were assigned their partners for the year and so only those specific 4 people were allowed to partner in shows. It was specifically the teachers daughter and the owners son.
Class taught by the directors (husband and wife) so each was able to help correct based on their perspectives. Husband helped the male dancers and the wife helped the girl dancers.
We would rotate 3-4 girls to a boy, started with the basics and worked up to harder things throughout the class. teachers were so knowledgeable and fun, and I learned so much
Several boys switched around with all the girls, beneficial for both boys and girls. My daughter learned a lot and improved very much
Partnering was taught by both a male and female dance instructor - both former professional dancers at well known companies. Partners rotated fairly and everyone was given equal time.
Additional Comments
The girls were not given many chances to partner due to their focus on the teachers daughter and owners son along with 2 other favorited females.
Only school in central Indiana with several boys!
When my brother and I auditioned for other summer intensives we were complemented specifically on our experience in pas de deux and they said we must have amazing teachers!
Very Beneficial, she was able to partner on stage with ease
N/A
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
Hip-Hop
Horton
Jazz
Modern
Musical Theater
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
The directors have ties with many people due to their extensive careers so friends would come in and teach including instructers from Juliard, Butler, IU, and Broadway.
Butler faculty provided some master classes. A social media master class was offered for students taking the class.
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Weight training
Physical Training Schedule
Daily
Once or twice a week
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Some were certified and some were not depending on class
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
It's great
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
School called parent
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
Student lived at home
Given I formation regarding physical therapists or doctors that they recommend
When my brother fell and hurt his foot during a jump one of the directors drove him to Urgent Care herself immediately
N/A
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
No recovery plan at all. All therapy, rehab and recovery done by student and outside PT. Teachers had little to no interest in restrictions or rehab plan and were generally unimpressed with number of injuries incurred over the year.
N/A
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Unsure
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Yes
Additional Comments
Injuries prevalent and very toxic environment.
They occasionally made comments about how some girls were too heavy for the boys to lift, so that was their reasoning for always choosing the the same people for everything. There were several evening mandatory classes required for the day program students with an already heavy training schedule upwards of 25+ hours per week which resulted in several injuries of students throughout the season.
Very few injuries, the only one in her level involved a congenital hip issue
If there is anything wrong regarding injury, health, mental health, etc., a staff member immediately calls the parent. They will also allow student to talk with parent and determine next steps together. Meetings can also occur to come up with a plan. Very very supportive and have students best interest in mind.
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
2-3
4-5
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
4
Rehearsal Hours
6-10
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
I had both types of parts
How Chosen
A few students are chosen by the Artistic Staff
All students allowed to audition
Students are chosen to audition by Artistic Staff
Students chosen for roles by staff - NO AUDITIONS
Was Casting Fair?
For some but not all
No
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
1
4
5
Rehearsal Hours
6-10
Perfomance Opportunities
One winter performance (1/3 ballet, 2/3 jazz and tap), one mixed repertoire (all musical theater and jazz), and one spring show.
Winter show, February show, spring ballet
They did a Christmas show, a February show and a spring ballet.
Several performance opportunities because artistic directors feel like performing is an important part of a dancers training!
All students are given opportunities for parts, and teachers are excellent at choosing what parts will look best on each dancer while giving plenty of stage time to all.
Original (and absolutely amazing) Christmas ballet, original jazz/modern show, Don Q in the spring, ballet and musical theater showcase after SI
Winter show and spring ballet. There is also an early fall and February performance. Other small performances are often provided (with notice and optional). Daytime students perform for community service during the day.
Were You Paid?
No
Competition
School Does Competitions?
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
How Many Compete?
All
All who want
Any student that is interested
Anyone who wants to participate and pay can participate
Anyone who wants to participate is allowed.
As many as want to
% of Students Who Performed
N/a
There was no selection process, it was open to anyone who paid regardless of their skill level
Maybe 5%
5%
%50
Probably 75% sign up from the upper levels
Unknown exactly.
How Chosen?
N/a
Sign up for YAGP and they put you in a group or with a coach.
There is no selection process.
Any student that is interested in competing is allowed to!
Whoever wants to
Audition and they say you can do a solo or be in an ensemble or both
Somewhat - everyone can participate but staff will discreetly speak with someone if they feel improvements should be made prior to competing.
Yes, choreography fees, private fees, studio paperwork fees, and competition registration fees.
Yes
Yes, competition fees and coaching fees
Yes the competition fees and privates and contemporary choreography fee
Small administrative fees.
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
Detract, lots of class time used to rehearse competition pieces for individuals.
Neither, there was minimal attention paid to the process and no privates offered above the very few that came with the package price.
Detracted, because there wasn’t an equal amount of time spent with each student.
Add because it allows us to work on variations and receive coaching from our directors who have won several international competitions
This added value to my training year, the competition I did was amazing experience, and I learned so much during the coaching and performing
Added value. It was great for my daughter to work one on one with a teacher to learn a variation.
Add - provided additional performance, one on one time with teacher(s), fun travel with friends from ballet school, improved stage presence and dealing with nerves.
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Adequate but missing several key pieces
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces
Quality of Communication?
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Who Received Communication?
With dancers only. Parents not involved
With parents and students
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
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
Favoritism, toxic, low morale
Cultish, unhealthy, toxic.
Backstabbing, heavy favoritism, disorganized, last minute, stressful
We are like a family!
Encouraging, supportive, caring, amazing people
Supportive, friendly, helpful, genuine, best interest at heart
Fun, less competitive, kind, nurturing, supportive.
Placement Notification Timing
2 weeks before the start of the season
At time registration payment is due.
May
The end of summer
Yes
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
Mentoring is more informal. There are some teachers that student gravitate to (can be different for everyone). If issues arise or want to talk about future, corrections, summer intensives, or life, many students have an "informal mentor" or simply an instructor they can speak with.
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Is Student In Upper Levels?
Yes
Highest Levels of School?
Post- Graduate/Graduate
There are no bridge levels
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
N/a
N/a
N/A
No bridge level
No bridge level
No bridge level yet
Unsure
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
2
N/a
N/A
Students often join the day program from out of state
No bridge level
N/a
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
A few find positions elsewhere but most leave ballet
All find bridge level positions at other ballet schools
How Many Left and Went to College?
0
2 in the 2022/2023 season
5
A few, most auditioned and got traineeship or higher at companies
All who wanted to
None. College strongly discouraged by artistic directors.
Unsure
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received lots of help
Received no help - I was on my own
Describe How School Helped
N/a
The school’s culture expedited our exit.
They did not help… they were very strict and didn’t even want their students to go to summer intensives without their approval
Directors helped with filming audition video and giving advice
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
No
Yes
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
Yes
Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?
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
A+
B-
C
D
Career Support and Placement
A
A-
A+
C
C-
Emotional Support
A
A+
D
Housing & Food
A+
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A
A+
B
C
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
Some friendships made by my dancer. But it was actually a horrible experience.
Ability to learn from retired professional dancers in a warm nurturing environment
The amazing teachers and staff! The nicest people you will ever meet, all truly care about every single student and want what is best for them
Absolutely amazing training, caring teachers and staff always available. My dancer improved tremendously with their attention to detail and care for each student.
This program strikes a great balance between being supportive and fun while still maintaining a rigorous training environment. Dancers are offered many performance opportunities, all of which are optional, creating a low-pressure and inclusive atmosphere. Leveling is fair and reflects each dancer’s hard work and progress. Most graduates move on to trainee positions, college dance programs, or professional careers. While the focus is on classical ballet, all styles of dance are included. Dancers are encouraged and supported in whatever professional path they choose.
Program's Worst Aspect
Toxic environment, cultish behavior. Extreme favoritism. Owner’s son and teacher’s daughter promoted heavily on all marketing material. No importance placed on school or schoolwork. Contracting families into attending only their summer intensive and attempting to obtain rights to decide if student can attend another summer intensive. No evening program available for upper levels/high school. Gaslighting behavior from administrators. Terrible communication. Very high rate of injuries.
The excessive hours and all the blatant favoritism.
Some parents thought that their dancers deserved better roles and to be placed in higher levels and made us feel uncomfortable (but they mostly left)
There used to be families that bullied other kids, but they left because they were unhappy with the parts they got and thought they deserved more
We had some instances of bullying from kids and moms. There was exclusion and gossip and jealousy and lying. The staff addressed these issues as they were reported or witnessed, but the girls continued their behavior. Thankfully they all left and now the atmosphere is completely different and absolutely wonderful. Everyone is so much more relaxed and happy and there has been none of that since the people left.
Those same people thought their children deserved to be front and center at every show. They work hard to showcase every student and the parents didn't like that. Thankfully these issues are no more since they left! I suspect the bad reviews are from these parents. The overwhelming majority of dancers and parents are long time students who are extremely happy and welcoming to new students.
Communication could be improved, but the staff is receptive and continues to grow and improve.
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Nothing. It is running itself into the ground and will not survive.
It is a conflict of interest to have the teacher teaching the students in the same level her daughter is in. The teacher should be teaching levels below the level her daughter is in. Teachers daughter and owners son were dating and their affection toward each other made people uncomfortable in the studio.
Nothing!
We are so happy. The performance opportunities and training are the absolute best. I couldn't ask for better role models in the teachers and staff for my daughter.
More individualized feedback throughout the year would help dancers better understand their growth areas and stay motivated. It would also be great to see additional resources or mentorship opportunities for those interested in choreography, college auditions, or non-performance tracks. For older dancers, structured guidance in navigating college versus professional company paths would be a valuable addition. While the program offers a wealth of opportunities, the workload can occasionally feel intense. Incorporating more strengthening, conditioning, or recovery-focused classes could help dancers stay balanced and avoid burnout.
Anything Else We Should Know?
Do not waste your money, mental health, physical health, or time.
They choose their “favorite” student from each level and spend their time focused on certain chosen people and ignored the rest of the kids. Opportunities for roles were biased. It was the teachers daughter and owners son and another student was dating one of the owners other sons. Certain parents had a lot of “say” in the going’s on inside the studio. If you asked questions or had concerns, you were blacklisted and it was taken out on your kids in the way of attention/corrections and roles.
I would 100% recommend. My daughter has been able to go into any ballet master class or audition with confidence because of the excellent training she's received.
