"Professional training program contains 3 levels: Conservatory, Trainee (split into 2 levels), Studio Co"
"The day professional training has three focused on ballet (Conservatory - still in HS, , Trainee & Studio Co - post HS)"
"Pre-pro (evening up to level 6), day training: HS students Conservatory, Ballet Trainee, Contemporary Trainee, Studio Co."
"Levels as follows: Pre-Pro, Conservatory, Trainee, Studio Company"
"There is conservatory (full time day training), contemporary ballet trainee program, ballet trainee program, and studio company program. Studio company is the highest bridge level."
"Conservatory, Ballet Trainee (split into two groups), Contemporary Ballet Trainee, Studio Company"
Dancer Age
15
16
17
18
19
Hours of Dance Each Week
More than 26 hours
Gender
Female
Male
Company Affliated?
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
"Tuition scholarship. Scholarships available to male and female dancers, not all dancers on scholarship in fact most are not."
"Tuition Only Merit Scholarship. I do not know if others were on scholarship- it wasn't discussed"
"The studio company is fully scholarshipped. They provide housing in downtown Chicago in a very secure apartment building that is a 10 minute walk on well-traveled streets from the Joffrey studios. They also provide free in-house physical therapy, a free gym membership, and a monthly stipend that covers most living expenses if you live frugally."
"Technique and pointe daily, weekly partnering, rep/variations/rehearsal daily or 2 times a day, weekly contemporary, modern twice a week, conditioning twice a week"
"Every day started with class and was followed by men's class. This was followed by different classes depending on the day; partnering class, rehearsal, contemporary or contemporary partnering, Graham/Horton, flamenco, African, improv, character, jazz, Pilates, and conditioning."
"Usually 4 classes per day consisting of daily ballet technique class, men's class/pointe for female dancers, variations, rehearsal, on a rotating bases - contemporary, character, cross training, professional development classes."
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
3x per week
Partner Ratio
A few girls had to share but most had their own partner.
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
"Good instruction, included practicing lifts and rep"
"All boys in the morning programs would have several partnering classes together and rotate amount the groups of girls. Last year there were two boys in the class so not as much as this year"
"This is for last year only, this year is very different. Last year it was two boys and twelve girls"
"Conservatory partnered with Trainees and Studio Co. Way more men then women. Attention/Corrections given to both men and women."
"The teacher encourages male dancers to partner different female partners across classes because he says it helps them to learn to partner a wide range of types of dancers."
"instruction in combinations, lifts, performance"
Additional Comments
"Good quality instruction"
"NA"
"Nothing for last year"
"My dancer has attended other well known year-round schools and thought the partnering classes at Joffrey were exceptional"
"Quality time and instruction given in partnering classes"
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
African
Character
Contemporary
Contemporary and Cunningham.
Cunningham
Graham
Horton
Jazz
Modern
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
"Offered to academy students and community"
"NA"
"Mainly just current company or recently retired. They were all in the evening."
"A few guest teachers (usually former Joffrey Ballet Dancers who were in town) were brought in to teach occasionally. My dancer enjoyed these classes. Joffrey offers optional Friday evening classes with company members for an additional fee- these classes are open to the public"
"Master classes taught by company dancers or visiting choreographers on Friday evenings, open to students and community."
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Gyrotonic or Gyrokenisis
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Stretch class
Yoga
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
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
"Classes 2-3 times per week incorporated into training schedule"
"Overall weak. Some days it was more seminar than actual working out. Cross training is not a high priority."
"Pilates and body conditioning classes offered as part of weekly curriculum, but important schedule independent cross training and weight lifting outside of class time."
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
Unsure
Yes
Yes, for everyone
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
"School facilitated"
"Not directly through school. They provide a list of medical preferences"
"There was a form to fill out at the school."
"Medical treatment available locally if needed"
PT Available?
Yes, for extra fee
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Describe Recovery Plan
"NA, was not given through school"
"All student driven"
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Yes
Yes, for everyone
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Yes
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
No
Yes
Additional Comments
"N/A"
"Toxic environment. A few students have dropped out and a few suicide attempts in the past two years."
"BMI was discussed in mid year conference. The goal was 16-17. Eek!"
"Very body positive, mentally positive environment. No complaints in the mental health/general health category"
"They require a mental health and pt meeting at the beginning of the year to have a baseline/benchmark to refer to."
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-12
School Winter Show?
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?
No
No, my level typically does not perform 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
Rehearsal Impact on Classes
4
Rehearsal Hours
6-10
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
"Standing around part" e.g. party attendant, royal guard, etc.
I had both types of parts
How Chosen
A few students are chosen by the Artistic Staff
All students allowed to AUDITION
Some students are chosen to AUDITION by Artistic Staff
Was Casting Fair?
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
2
4
Rehearsal Hours
3-5
Perfomance Opportunities
"Company performances, School performances"
"Performed at the Ravinia Festival with a grammy award winning live jazz band, Wrigley Field, Chicago Live! at the Navy Pier, had a fall show for the academy, Nutcracker, Winning Works (a two week contemporary show showcasing innovative choreographic works choreographed on the dancers by 4 chosen emerging choreographers), Arpino's Reflections and Bournonville's Napoli accompanied by the Reading Symphony Orchestra, the spring show, and Wheeldon's Alice in Wonderland."
"Performances with Studio Co at Ravinia Festival, Wrigley Field, Fall Performance, Winning Works, Young Moves (student choreographed), Spring Performance. Company performance with Nutcracker, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."
Were You Paid?
No
Yes
If Paid, Please Describe
"Paid a stipend and lived in paid housing for Alice in Wonderland because it began after the school year ended."
Competition
School Does Competitions?
No
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
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 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
"Supportive and positive dance environment"
"Big Name, Toxic, Non-motivational, Diverse"
"Toxic, competitive, favoritism, PR driven"
"High-Caliber Training in Healthy Environment"
"Allows independent dancers to thrive."
"professional positive environment, good mix of students from states and international"
Placement Notification Timing
Repeated Responses:
"Dec - Feb" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
"Spring conferences"
"Feb/March"
"February"
"In March."
How Dancer Was Notified
In-person meeting with school director/staff
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
"It was informal, but help/feedback was always available when requested."
"instructors mentored students throughout time in program, if dancer asked for help they likely received it"
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?
Trainee, Post- Graduate/Graduate, Studio Company
Trainee, Second Company
Trainee, Studio Company
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
1
1-2
12 in Conservatory- 4 moved up to Ballet Trainee, 2 moved to Contemporary Trainee, 2 Invited to Return to Conservatory. Of 33 Ballet Trainees, only 1 Trainee was invited to Studio Company.
None
Unsure
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
8
90%+ outside
Most all! 99.999%
The majority of Trainees and Studio Company dancer come from outside the school
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?
0
1-2
I don't know
Not sure
Unsure
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received no help - I was on my own
Received some help
Describe How School Helped
"Instructors reach out on dancers behalf"
"Advised where she wouldn’t be a good fit and where she might be only"
"Teacher excused absences for auditions, wrote letters of recommendation when asked, and offered opinions and advice on offers. We also paid for privates with her teacher to prepare an audition variation which the teacher offered to film (dancer decided to do this on their own)."
"Academy Director, Studio Company Director, Academy Instructors reached out on dancers behalf is requested. Could meet with staff to discuss options."
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
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
Yes
Where Did Dancer Live?
Lived at home
Type of Housing Provided:
Apartment of some type
Housing Minimum Age
"Not sure- school discourages dancers younger than 15 to attend without a parent"
"Not sure"
"Joffrey suggests dancers be age 16 or above to live in student housing"
# of Roommates:
1
3
Adequate # of RA's?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Type of Bathrooms:
Private in room
Curfew?
No
Curfew Reasonable?
No
Yes
Nightly Room Check?
No
Dorm Strictness
Extremely Lax
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Strict
How Infractions Handled?
My student had no infractions this year (as far as I know!)
How Roommate Issues Handled?
"N/A"
"There were no escalations of issues beyond the roommates and families discussing issues."
"no conflicts myself, but apartment leasing staff would assist if needed"
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?
No
Transportation Between Housing and 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
"The housing is student apartments- mostly college students. There are no RAs or adult supervision by Joffrey staff. Students might be placed with other Joffrey dancers, or might end up with random roommates. My dancer had one Joffrey roommate, one college student, and one student from A&A Ballet in her apartment. It is an easy walk from the apartment to the main ballet studios. There is a Target with grocery store conveniently located on the walk between the studio and apartments."
"There are a lot of students from various colleges who live in this housing. We've heard that non-students can also rent there, but are not familiar with any non-students who lived there. The building is very secure and has a security guard in the lobby 24/7."
"Many dancers live at Infinite Chicago which is student/college apartment housing with dancers from Joffrey, A&A, Ballet Chicago as well as college students from many of the local downtown colleges. Dancers can live at other apartments throughout the city. Studio Co housing is at Infinite Chicago."
Meal Plan
Meal Plan?
No
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-
A+
B
Career Support and Placement
A
B
B+
C-
Emotional Support
A
A-
C-
Housing & Food
A
B
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A
B
B-
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"Positive environment, kindness of instructors from company AD down"
"Name and variety of training and exposure"
"The name and being able to see large company productions"
"Teachers were positive- no weight shaming, no yelling or insults. Housing very convenient to the studios. Generally a nice area of Chicago (steps from Millennium Park and the art museum, a short walk to Navy Pier and local beaches). Students were generally hardworking and supportive. This was overall a great program for my dancer."
"The men's training and the performances were the best aspect of the program. Also, studio company members regularly took company class."
"Open communication. High quality instructors. High quality dancers, many international dancers in program. Positive environment. Fun staff."
Program's Worst Aspect
"Good program"
"No hands on corrections and not motivating. Fear based leadership"
"Not going to put into writing"
"Would have loved the opportunity to dance with the company in Nutcracker- only a handful of trainees/Studio Co members got this opportunity"
"Overall it's solid training program."
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"It’s a good program, good instruction, well run."
"Ethics"
"It would be nice for studio company members to have more scheduling flexibility, but we understand this is bridge level, not company level."
"Would have been nice to have a few Saturday's off during the year (training is 6 days/week)."
Anything Else We Should Know?
"Studio Co and second level trainee ballet train together. Many peers did not have opportunities to perform in company productions. Company uses their professionals and includes 3-10 from trainee/studio company. This is not a negative, just something to be aware of if looking for these opportunities."
"It’s a one year guarantee only. Last year 11 of 14 in class were not invited back."
"1 year is all that is guaranteed"
"This is an extremely well run program where the staff is exceptional. The improvement over the last year and a half has been noticeable. My dancer is much more mature as a performer and better equipped to care for their body as an athlete and artist."
"There are a lot of high level dancers in program. Good professional placement into ballet companies from Studio Company and Ballet Trainee levels. Some dancers go on to college (dance and non-dance majors) Not always openings at company level of Joffrey to allow for promotion into company (it's a company where professional dancers tend to stay - a good thing!)A lot of performance opportunities built into training programs, however not everyone has the opportunity to perform in company productions so if this is important, should consider you may not get these opportunities at Joffrey (company uses limited numbers of training level dancers in performances which is reason)."
