"Depends on student and whether tbey are involved with company"
"Children’s program and 8 Classical program levels"
Dancer Age
15
Hours of Dance Each Week
11-15 hours
16-20 hours
Company Affliated?
No
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Years At School
4 years
7 or more years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
3
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
2
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Technique Teacher Rotation
Different depending on week
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
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
"Cuban"
"Cuban methodology , contemporary,, pas de deux , character, Afro Cuban, tap, physical conditioning, PBT , theater,"
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
2x per week
Partner Ratio
Everyone had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
Male and female teacher together
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
The teacher focused on one or two couples and the rest of the students were on their own
Description of Partnering Class
"Not enough boys"
"They are not to many boys but rotate all the time"
Additional Comments
"Cuban partnering is world class strong, protective, and known for incredible turns to the girls."
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
African
Character
Modern
Musical Theater
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Yes
Master Classes Description
"Contemporary and ballet"
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Other
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Some were certified and some were not depending on class
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
Parent was informed same day, in person
Student told parent. School not involved
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
No
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
"The doctor create a treatment plan, which the school follows.On select Saturdays, Houston Methodist provide dancer assistance or guidance with an injury, or physical therapy by appointment at the studio"
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Yes
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Yes
Additional Comments
"Sporadic Saturdays Houston Methodist also provides Mental Health guidance"
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
4-5
More than 15
School Winter Show?
Yes
Company or School Show?
Company affiliated production and the students perform certain parts
Cast in Winter Show?
Yes
How Chosen
Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff
Winter Show Role
Dancing part
Were You Paid?
No
Rehearsal Impact on Classes
1
3
Rehearsal Hours
6-10
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
How Chosen
Some students are chosen to AUDITION by Artistic Staff
Students chosen for roles by staff - NO AUDITIONS
Was Casting Fair?
No
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
1
3
Rehearsal Hours
3-5
6-10
Perfomance Opportunities
"School affiliated with a company that host many performance opportunities"
"Company opportunities and School opportunities"
Were You Paid?
No
Competition
School Does Competitions?
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
% of Students Who Performed
"They only had certain students participating"
"Some Students are invited and you have the option to choose or not"
How Chosen?
"Staff ask certain students"
"By invitation only"
Competitions Cost Extra?
"Competition fees, costume fees, training fees"
"Coaching fee, choreographer fee, costume fee"
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
"Add to a certain point"
"No"
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
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 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
"The teachers created a competitive environment which leads to favoritism between the students"
"Absolutely Exceptional, professional, caring ,great Team of talented staff, a great environment"
Placement Notification Timing
"No."
"Before you register for next season"
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Yes
Mentoring Details
"Teachers favored certain students"
"A great guidance in all aspect, dancing and life"
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Highest Levels of School?
Studio Company
There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
30%
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
Some find positions elsewhere and about half leave ballet
How Many Left and Went to College?
30%
50%
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received no help - I was on my own
Describe How School Helped
"Only offered help to certain dancers."
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+
B+
Emotional Support
A+
D
Housing & Food
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A+
B-
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"The training in technique is great"
"Everything. The method it’s very rigorous and disciplined with caring and purpose"
Program's Worst Aspect
"Lots of favoritism which caused a competitive environment! Body shaming to certain dancers. Staff was not to supportive of dancers going elsewhere for training. After a few years that has changed."
"Love everything"
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"The environment"
"Nothing"
Anything Else We Should Know?
"The owner and staff are renowned international dancers/ teachers , exceptional coaches who bring expertise, professionalism, and genuine care. It feels like family here, and the space is truly safe and supportive. If someone looking for a professional dance carrier , this is the place."
