Levels as follows (lowest to highest): Junior Women, Intermediate Women, Senior Women
Junior. Intermediate Senior
Dancer Age
14
15
Company Affliated?
No
Was Student Scholarshipped?
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
All students at the school are on full tuition scholarships. Financial aid is available for room/board. The school also awards a few merit scholarships for room/board.
Full tuition scholarship offered to all accepted. Then additional aid for room and board
Curriculum
Days Per Week
5
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
3
Daily
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
Yes
Boys In Level
5-10
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Yes
Techniques Taught
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Never (school admin was NOT designated as an upper level teacher)
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
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
Monday-Friday:
All students in the academic center from 8am-11:50am
Lunch from 11:50am-12:30pm
Technique from 12:40pm-2:20pm
Monday Additional Classes: 2:30-3:30pm Partnering
Tuesday Additional Classes: 2:30-3:20pm Variations & 5:30-6:30pm Nutrition/Kinesiology
Wednesday Additional Classes: 2:30-3:30pm Pointe & 3:40-5:10pm Jazz/Modern
Thursday Additional Classes: 2:30-3:20pm Variations & 5:30-6:30pm Nutrition/Kinesiology
Friday Additional Classes: 2:30-3:20pm Pointe
Saturday Class: 9:30-11am Character/Modern
* Rehearsals ran Oct-Dec and Feb-May and were an additional 2-3 hours per week
1st Semester
Ballet Technique
Pointe
Men’s Work (in addition to Ballet Technique)
Partnering
Repertoire
Spanish Dance
Fundamentals of Music
2nd Semester
Ballet Technique
Pointe
Men’s Work (in addition to Ballet Technique)
Partnering
Repertoire
Character Dance
Pilates
Fundamentals of Music
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
3x per week
Partner Ratio
Everyone had to share a partner.
None, there were enough boys for every girl.
Who Taught?
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
Males were the main focus
Description of Partnering Class
Simple turns and lifts
My daughter this year attended twice a week but was asked to join more her 2nd semester because she was casted in a partnering role.
Additional Comments
It was on Monday, which was often a holiday so it often wasn't actually offered weekly
Partnering at Junior level is basic technique. Usually does not have lifts until later in the year and only if the boy is ready
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
Jazz
Modern
Spainish
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
No
Master Classes?
No
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Yes
Physical Training Types
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
It was a Pilates and stretch class combined
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
School called parent
How Treatment Obtained?
They took them to the doctor of your choice or if needed the ER.
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
The recovery plan was based off of recommendations from the doctor and the teachers followed PT instructions or doctor instructions
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Yes
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Yes
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
Unsure
Yes
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Yes
Additional Comments
Put-downs were not uncommon at HARID. My daughter and classmates were called “Big Babies” and a classmate was called “a mother-fXXXer” in class and another classmate was told she looked "like Jeffrey Dahmer" when she danced. Students’ scholarships/placement in the school were often threatened in class in front of classmates. Several students shared the same first name; after an especially rough rehearsal, one teacher said “Good job Susie….(large pause)SMITH” to highlight that the other Susie wasn’t performing up to par. Students who messed up a combination in one class were forbidden to attend afternoon rehearsals due to their mistakes. One teacher frequently made students cry and often resorted to yelling at them.
The teachers can be harsh with words but I never felt it was something she couldn’t handle. If I ever felt they overstepped they got a call from me.
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
Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff
Winter Show Role
Dancing part
Were You Paid?
No
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
Two shows. Winter performance and then end of year performance.
Were You Paid?
No
Competition
School Does Competitions?
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
How Many Compete?
Varies- During the year my dancer attended, only select senior students were invited
It depends on the staff. Not everyone is allowed to compete. This year only boys allowed
% of Students Who Performed
1%
10%
How Chosen?
Teacher selected from senior level students. More males chosen vs females.
The teachers and director chose
Competitions Cost Extra?
My child didn't participate so I don't know
Yes
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
N/A
Not sure. My daughter didn’t get chosen her freshman year. This year only Senior boys chosen
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Unsure
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
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
Unhealthy Mental and Physical Culture
Technically focused, intense, tough love, family
Placement Notification Timing
May
You are notified at the end of each year if you are invited back. Placement class is done the first week back the following year.
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?
There are no bridge levels
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
N/A
I was in the upper level and graduated in 2022. I was offered a few 2nd company spots and decided to go to a post graduate program at PNB.
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
N/A
No bridge
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
All find bridge level positions at other ballet schools
How Many Left and Went to College?
2
3 out of 13
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received some help
Describe How School Helped
N/A
Helped with resume and bringing some companies in for auditions. Wrote me two amazing recommendations for companies.
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
Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?
Yes
Type of Housing Provided:
Dorms
Housing Minimum Age
13
14
# of Roommates:
1
Adequate # of RA's?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Type of Bathrooms:
Private in room
Curfew?
Yes
Curfew Reasonable?
Yes
Nightly Room Check?
Yes
Dorm Strictness
Extremely Lax
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Strict
How Infractions Handled?
A little harsh
My student had no infractions this year (as far as I know!)
How Roommate Issues Handled?
N/A
Yes. RAs that were assigned to you assisted with any issues.
Housing Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Students Required to Clean Room?
Yes
Laundry Available?
Yes
Laundry Free?
No
Yes
Evening Activities?
No
Yes
A/C In Room?
Yes
Weekend Outings?
Yes
Transportation Between Housing and Studios?
Housing is on campus. Bus is only needed for outings off campus. You literally walk across the courtyard to the studios.
Walked without chaperone
Safety Around Housing
Not Safe
1
2
3
4
5
Very Safe
Overall Rating of Housing
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Additional Comments
Housing is on the same campus as the studios. Very safe. Rules are in place for safety of all students. Housing staff is strict but caring.
Meal Plan
Meal Plan?
Yes
Food Quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough Food?
No
Yes
Late Meals Available?
Yes
Dancer w/ Dietary Needs?
No
Academics
How Did Academics Work?
Integrated
Academic Support
Students attended in person classes provided by school
Students were required to attend study hours regularly
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
A-
Emotional Support
B
D
Housing & Food
B+
Performance Opportunities
B
B+
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
The grounds are beautiful and well-maintained. The campus is overall very safe and secure.
Balanced and Well rounded program. Focus on ballet technique in this level. Fixing the small things.
Program's Worst Aspect
The teachers were not kind or encouraging. I believe many comments made to students fit the definition of bullying.
Her freshman year I didn’t have many negatives other than she didn’t get As in ballet class which hurt her GPA. I had a hard time understanding why she was getting a C. But after 4 years I am more understanding.
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
The focus on weight and food control. Staff discussed weight concerns with several of my daughter’s classmates. It affected my dancer's perception of her body and her perception of what is considered an “acceptable” dancer’s physique. Two full years later, she says her relationship with food is not healthy because of her experience at HARID.
That’s hard to say because the training she received was exactly what she needed to be where she is today. I guess if I would change things would be more towards academics and their staff being more understanding with kids that have learning disabilities and making adjustments to help them succeed with less stress. My daughter has dyslexia and it was tough for her in the beginning.
Anything Else We Should Know?
HARID has a beautiful facility and well-trained dance faculty. They have a track record for producing working dancers. The school can do a better job of developing the whole dancer by focusing on students’ mental and physical health.
No program is perfect. There isn’t one program out there that will get you a contract. That is up to your dancer and luck to be honest. The competition for company contracts is astronomical and to believe that a famous school or a school attached to a company will get you a leg up is just not true. These days it takes a lot of post grad programs /trainee/ or 2nd company work before a company will even consider you for core. Harid has an old school approach to teaching ballet but realistic in what that life will be like and what work ethic is required to make it. Everyone’s experience is different as it should be we are all different. Our experience wasn’t perfect but it was exactly what she needed and what worked for our family. From what my daughter says in the ballet world Harid is known for producing very strong, hard working and professional dancers. Maybe that is the reason Harid is considered a diamond in the rough of ballet schools.
