The lower school consists of grades 1-6, and the professional division is academy B and academy A (which is graduation year)
1-6 lower school 6B, Academy B, Academy A graduation year.
Dancer Age
16
17
Company Affliated?
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
Full scholarship awarded at YAGP Jr.Gold Medal 2018
Years At School
3 years
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
4
5
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
Daily
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
Yes
Boys In Level
11-15
16-20
Separate Technique Class for Boys
Yes
Techniques Taught
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Occasionally
Often
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
John Cranko is the most Vaganova program in Europe outside of Vaganova. Each grade has a maximum of 12 girls and 12 boys in the program but often times it is less. My class last year had only 10 boys and this year it looks like it will be back down to 10 after final cuts are made in December. We have class every day (Mon-Sat) in ballet technique with the teacher who is assigned to us for level 6- academy A, much like Vaganova has a final primary teacher. We also work with the other teachers just not as frequently. We have Spanish dance, including castanets, men’s rep, pas de deux taught by the school director, plus rehearsals, body conditioning, modern, etc. we also have ballet history and theory, anatomy, makeup, German Language (although all classes are taught primarily in English (most faculty speak English, German, and Russian, with several also speaking Italian and Polish. It’s very multicultural). We get to perform with the company when needed and have our own performances as well. Our school year goes from Sept 11-July 21 this year. We have 2 weeks off for Christmas. 2 weeks in April and this year 2 weeks in May/June although if we are cast in the company’s production of Swan lake I believe we get only one week.
Classical Technique 2, Variations and Rep class, rehearsals, then either Spanish (flamenco), Pas, concentrated pointe skill class, contemporary workshop. Then. 1-2 academic classes for Academy A &B Students only
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
2x per week
Partner Ratio
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
Description of Partnering Class
The partnering class is taught by the director of the school, and often there are more boys than girls, so they will sometimes bring a few girls from the level above or below so that everyone has a partner. Also, a few get cast in classical pas de deux for performances so that increases the number of pas rehearsals you have. I currently take both my level and the level above mine, plus cast in a pas, blue cast in the pas section of the 35 min neoclassical ballet that is being set on is this year: so I have a lot of pas de deux. The school director is very careful with me though as I’m 6’1.5 and still growing and he doesn’t want to risk me injuring my back or shoulders. So he keeps the lifting per day to a minimum as well as pairing me with smaller dancers until my muscles full form. It’s pretty amazing.
Technique often occasionally rep.
Additional Comments
The partnering class is taught by the director, however the classical pas rehearsals are taught by a former prima ballerina with the director coming in every few weeks to see the progress, or if there is something not quite working. My primary teacher also comes in and gives his advice, especially on the variations and coda. It’s a small faculty but they are all on the same page and it seems as if everyone knows everything that is going on!
Everyone looked forward to it because the Director mostly teaches this class
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
contemporary
Flamenco
Modern
None of the above
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
No
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
Usually when a guest choreographer comes in. Otherwise not often.
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Other
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Weight training
Physical Training Schedule
Occasionally
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Some were certified and some were not depending on class
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
It is taught by one of the principal dancers from the Stuttgart Ballet and focuses a lot on injury prevention, nutrition, and warm up.
Just for the men
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Yes
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
How Treatment Obtained?
N/A
PT Available?
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Describe Recovery Plan
N/A
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Yes
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
Unsure
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
Unsure
Yes
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
Yes
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
4-5
6-7
School Winter Show?
No
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
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
I had both types of parts
How Chosen
A few students are chosen by the Artistic Staff
Was Casting Fair?
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
5
Perfomance Opportunities
I was chosen to dance in the company production of Romeo and Juliet as well as the company/school Christmas gala. Next semester I’m cast in several tours and a few company productions as well as the school’s performances. I’m very lucky. Not all dancers get that opportunity
Got to perform with the company in their winter ballet. Also performed in Christmas gala, end of year gala.
Were You Paid?
Yes
If Paid, Please Describe
Per show
Competition
School Does Competitions?
No
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
How Many Compete?
It’s very rare for the school to allow anyone to compete. I was allowed last year to compete in a major international competition and possible Prix de Lausanne next year. But it is very atypical.
% of Students Who Performed
Almost zero %
How Chosen?
No clue. It’s definitely not something the school does often. Before last year, only one dancer had competed in Prix and YAGP Finals and that was back in 2019. He won Grand Prix at finals and 2nd at Prix.
Competitions Cost Extra?
No
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
It added as I was able to be coached often by the director of the school as well as more one on one with both my primary teacher and the teacher for the level above. It was a phenomenal experience for me.
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?
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Strongly agree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Yes, Dancer only. The meeting was with Artistic Director and my teachers
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
Amazingly supportive and professional
Very intense. Jealous environment
Placement Notification Timing
December
Yes
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
Last year 8 dancers were taken on either as apprentice (6) or full corps member (2) of the Stuttgart ballet. There is no second company or junior company.
No
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
N/A
Not common
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?
None. Almost all received apprenticeships or full company contracts. I believe only 2 ended up in paid 2nd company positions.
0
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received lots of help
Describe How School Helped
I was offered 4 full company contracts and 2 paid 2nd company contracts in major companies after last summer. I felt I was too young to go and my director fully supported me in my decision to stay. This year he is letting me spend more time focusing on my training and I feel less pressured to perform in galas etc, as I have his full support and understanding. We have had two conferences about my wants for next year, target companies and strategies etc, so I feel incredibly supported and guided. I know it isn’t typical, but I feel the faculty and director here really do try and help make sure their dancers land somewhere that will be healthy and good for them.
She was hired into the company for which I was trained to be in, that was attached to the school.
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?
Yes
Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?
Yes
Type of Housing Provided:
Dorms
Housing Minimum Age
11
# of Roommates:
0 (lived in single)
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?
My student had no infractions this year (as far as I know!)
How Roommate Issues Handled?
Talked through and mediated if needed. When things got really bad with a few of his friends, roommates were switched if everyone was in agreement
Not handled
Housing Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Students Required to Clean Room?
No
Yes
Laundry Available?
Yes
Laundry Free?
Yes
Evening Activities?
No
A/C In Room?
No
Yes
Weekend Outings?
No
Yes
Transportation Between Housing and Studios?
In the same building
The studios and dorms are in the same building
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 new John Cranko facilities are world class. Only 4 years old it is over a 500 million dollar facility and everything has been thought of. It sits about a 10 min walk from the opera house, has its own theatre the exact size of the opera house stage, 9 studios, workout area, cafeteria, and dorms to house 80 dancers. Laundry is done for the kids 2/3 times per week. The oldest students on the top floor have access to their own kitchen if they want to cook and have the option of doing their own laundry as well, but it is completely optional. The school is in a beautiful residential area but a very short and safe walk to the main pedestrian downtown shopping area.
Rooms are cleaned by staff daily, large kitchen to share with floor
Meal Plan
Meal Plan?
Yes
Food Quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough Food?
Yes
Late Meals Available?
Sometimes
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+
Career Support and Placement
A+
Emotional Support
A+
C
Housing & Food
A+
Performance Opportunities
A+
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
The training is some of the best in the world and the faculty and staff really support the kids.
The attention to technique and dance theory class
Program's Worst Aspect
The food
They didn’t care to know about student to student conflicts
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Unsure
The instagram is currently run by one student who was chosen by the previous student and is usually a secret. Instagram is not handled professionally by the school at all. This control creates a bullying tactic that is used often against other students.
Anything Else We Should Know?
The lower 6 levels must attend German Public school to learn German as well as a few other subjects. Most American students also do their own academics online which can be overwhelming for some, especially in the academy levels.
Your teacher stays and moves up with you. The year runs from early September to the end of July.
