"J1 is the junior pre pro level. Dancers are invited into this level as preparation for entry in their senior professional half day program the following year."
"3 childrens levels, then grades 1-5, then jewel levels-pre professional or prima. Then half day professional division pb, and PA1-4. Then you can join the youth company GBYC"
Dancer Age
12
14
Hours of Dance Each Week
16-20 hours
Company Affliated?
No
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Years At School
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
Daily
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
No
Boys In Level
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
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?
Never (school admin was NOT designated as an upper level teacher)
Occasionally
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
"Ballet technique each day, then one day per week Contemporay. Pointe 2 times per week. Variations/repertoire class 1-2 times per week. Conditioning classes 3 times per week."
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
Horton
Jazz
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Improv
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Yes
Master Classes Description
"We were offered, but still required to pay money and the masterclasses were highly encouraged by admin."
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
No
Some were certified and some were not depending on class
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
"The warmup classes here are iconic."
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Yes
Additional Comments
"Its typically pretty good and encouraged to rest injuries, but certain teachers can make an occasional comment."
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
2-3
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
Audition
Winter Show Role
Dancing part
Were You Paid?
No
Rehearsal Impact on Classes
1
Rehearsal Hours
6-10
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
How Chosen
All students allowed to audition
Students chosen for roles by staff - NO AUDITIONS
Was Casting Fair?
For some but not all
No
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
1
3
Rehearsal Hours
3-5
Perfomance Opportunities
"Annual Nutcracker, Year end production of a full classical ballet, opportunity to audition for competitions"
"Nutcracker + spring showcase."
Were You Paid?
No
If Paid, Please Describe
"We paid them"
Competition
School Does Competitions?
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
How Many Compete?
Students chosen by audition
% of Students Who Performed
"20%"
"85%"
How Chosen?
"Audition"
"Audition and they choose what competitions you go to."
Competitions Cost Extra?
"Yes, very high fees for private lessons to prepare for competitions"
"So many all coaching, plus so many costumes, plus travel, and coaches travel."
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
"Added due to private coaching time available"
"It added."
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
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Agree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
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
"Competitive and supportive"
"Disorganized, not too much drama"
Placement Notification Timing
"February"
"They dont kick people or lower peoples levels"
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details
"None."
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Is Student In Upper Levels?
No
Highest Levels of School?
Trainee, Junior Company
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
Unsure
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?
Unsure
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
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
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-
Career Support and Placement
B
B-
Emotional Support
C
C+
Housing & Food
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"Vibe of the building and the quality of teaching"
"The other students. Good focus on technique."
Program's Worst Aspect
"The competitive nature of casting and choosing dancers for competing. Very heavy on favourites"
"Contemporary training (not even near actual contemporary), lack of involvement from director."
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"Add onsite academics and be more inclusive to all students not just the few favourties"
"Better contemporary training, more prep for demonstrations, and more pure technique classes."
Anything Else We Should Know?
"If you are picked as a favourite by the director from the start, you will have many opportunities. But if you are not, it is very hard to change that going forward and you will be passed over for many opportunities."
"They do not allow dancers to take scholarships or attend different summer intensives. Even if the dancer won and earned the opportunity from competitions, the school requires approval from director which will be against the idea. The youth company is basically just a part of the school and the levels are mixed in classes a lot."
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