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
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.
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
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
African
Character
Contemporary
Contemporary and Cunningham.
Cunningham
Graham
Horton
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
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
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.
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
Unsure
Yes
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
Not directly through school. They provide a list of medical preferences
School facilitated
PT Available?
Yes, for extra fee
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Describe Recovery Plan
All student driven
NA, was not given through school
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Yes
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
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
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
2-3
4-5
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, 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
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
"Standing around part" e.g. party attendant, royal guard, etc.
How Chosen
A few students are chosen by the Artistic Staff
Was Casting Fair?
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
4
Perfomance Opportunities
Company performances, School performances
Were You Paid?
No
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
Placement Notification Timing
Dec - Feb
Feb/March
February
Spring conferences
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, Second Company
Trainee, Studio Company
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
1-2
None
1
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.
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
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).
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
# of Roommates:
3
Type of Bathrooms:
Private in room
Curfew?
No
Curfew Reasonable?
No
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
Housing Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Students Required to Clean Room?
Yes
Laundry Available?
Yes
Laundry Free?
Yes
Evening Activities?
No
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.
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-
B
Career Support and Placement
A
B
B+
C-
Emotional Support
A
A-
C-
Housing & Food
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.
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
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Ethics
It’s a good program, good instruction, well run.
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.
