BALLET HELP DESK

Full-Time Training Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 93
Total Reviews: 319

Oklahoma City Ballet

Full-Time Reviews

General

Who is Reviewing?

2
6

Program

8

Season Attended

4
2
2

# Of Levels In School

  • "All Day - Day Program; there were four levels"
  • "Evening classes go to level 6 then post-grad for students that have graduated high school"
  • "Day 1-4"
  • "Oklahoma City Ballet Studio Company is a bridge between school and main company. Within the studio company are 2 levels, trainee and OKCBII."
  • "6 night program levels, 4 day program levels, trainee program, second company"
  • "Levels were A-D, with D as the highest level"
  • "5/6"
  • "2024-2025 the Day Program had 4 levels. Level A is the lowest and Level D the highest. The director has a Montessori approach which allows the students to dance with levels below and above them. My student found it challenging and inspirational to take class with other levels."

Dancer Age

1
1
1
2
2
1

Hours of Dance Each Week

3

Gender

6
1
1

Company Affliated?

8

Was Student Scholarshipped?

6
2

Please Describe Scholarship

  • "It was 50% Merit and 50% Needs based. I have no knowledge of whether others received scholarships."
  • "Still had to pay tuition and fees (lots of those)"

Years At School

1
1
2
1

Full time or after school?

3

Curriculum

Days Per Week

3
5

Classes Per Day

1
3
2
2

Weekend Classes?

1
7

Weekend Schedule

7
1

Students Per Class

6
2

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

1
7

Pointe Classes Per Week

1
1
1
5

Live Music in Technique Class?

8

Dedicated Men's Program?

2
2
4

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

3

Men Taught Batterie?

3

Boys In Level

7

Separate Technique Class for Boys

5
2

Techniques Taught

2
6
4

Technique Teacher Rotation

2
5
1

Did School Director Teach?

1
3
4

Classroom Corrections

6
2

Attention From Teachers

Very Little
1
1
2
4
A Lot

Quality of Instruction

Poor
1
1
6
Excellent

Did Technique Improve?

Not at all
1
2
5
Tremendously

Curriculum Comments

  • "Classical technique, jazz, modern, physical conditioning, character, repertoire, variation"
  • "Ballet technique was first, everyday, then pointe. On Wednesdays we had jazz or contemporary after pointe."
  • "We started every day with an hour and a half technique class. Followed by 45 minutes of pointe, and then 45 minutes of partnering or variations. We would then do 45 minutes of conditioning before an hour lunch break. After lunch we had 2-3 hours of company or studio company rehearsal. If we were ever called to a company rehearsal, that took priority over our classes and we were excused from classes."
  • "Vaganova technique- technique, pointe, variations, character, jazz, contemporary, repertoire, Pilates, PBT, conditioning"
  • "Technique, pointe, variations, partnering, character, Pilates, jazz"
  • "variations, ballet technique, jazz, conditioning, men's"

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class

4
1
1
2

Partner Ratio

1
4
1

Who Taught?

2
4

How Much Partnering Improved

No
2
4
Tremendously

Quality of Pas Teaching

Poor
1
1
2
2
Excellent

How Were Corrections Given?

4
1
1

Description of Partnering Class

  • "It was beneficial as well as enjoyable. I feel I have grown in partnering."
  • "Lifts, turns, poses and variations taught"
  • "Usually 2-3 girls to every boy. We worked on some partnering skills and lifts, and would do mostly combinations. Occasionally we would learn a pas de deux."
  • "Partnered with trainee and second company men along with day program men"
  • "The male Trainees partnered with the upper level students so there was almost a 1:1 ratio."
  • "The guys got tired because not enough of them. Some were injuried"

Additional Comments

  • "It was one of the most enjoyable classes."
  • "Rotating teachers helped give clear perspectives"
  • "These answers are definitely specific to the 22/23 season. Partnering class quality greatly improved for the 23/24 season."
  • "N/A"
  • "Not enough men"

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles

8
1
7
7
1

Other Class Quality

Poor
3
1
4
Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

8

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught

5
6
5
8

Contemporary Quality

Poor
1
2
5
Excellent

Master Classes?

7
1

Master Classes Description

  • "Guest or visiting teachers"

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

1
7

Physical Training Types

7
1
7
6
5
1
3

Physical Training Schedule

1
1
5

Were Trainers Certified?

2
5

Physical Training Quality

Poor
1
1
5
Excellent

Strength & Conditioning Comments

  • "My strength and endurance has increased"
  • "The PT on staff offers an individualized strength training program to the dancers for them to do on their own."
  • "Love that the program prioritizing consistent cross training in multiple disciplines"

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

3
2
3

How Parents Notified?

3
1
1
3

How Treatment Obtained?

  • "Through my private physician if needed"
  • "We found a doctor on our own."
  • "Physical therapy referral - student did not require more medical attention than that"
  • "We have a company physician with Oklahoma City Ballet that specializes in both family medicine and orthopedics. So pretty much any issue someone was having, they could see her."
  • "On campus PT, sport doc affiliated with OKCB"
  • "On-staff physical therapist"
  • "Insurance"

PT Available?

1
1
3
3

Was There a Recovery Plan?

4
3
1

Describe Recovery Plan

  • "not applicable"
  • "PT recommend treatment plan and class participation. This was communicated to school staff and parent. My Dancer was also empowered to have ongoing open dialogue with teachers about how injury was progressing and make choices for participation base on pain and progress."
  • "In my experience, the recovery plan was established by the dancer. The school was very understanding and it was our job to communicate where we were in the recovery process. I think it depended on the injury how the school handled it, but for trainees and OKCBII, they trusted us to be honest about injuries."
  • "No plan. School did not call parents/guardian. Completely ignored student."

Mental Health Therapists Available?

2
4
2

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

8

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

7
1

Were Students Weighed?

8

Was "Coded Language" Used?

7
1

Additional Comments

  • "Mental health walks we common especially around performances."
  • "Mental health walks are use when they don't have enough teachers. Comments about height and length made to some students (things they can't change). Toxic environment due to nepotism/cronyism. Nepo babies are not moderated but lean into their status, especially holding it over students. You have to constantly monitor what you say and do which adds to stress and anxiety."
  • "My student feels very supported by the school staff both in dance and as a person"

Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker

Performance Opportunities

7
1

School Winter Show?

8

Company or School Show?

8

Cast in Winter Show?

8

How Chosen

7
1

Winter Show Role

8

Were You Paid?

8

Rehearsal Impact on Classes

1
2

Rehearsal Hours

1
2

Performance: Ballet Season

Cast in Company Productions?

2
6

Kind of Part Given?

6

How Chosen

1
3
2

Was Casting Fair?

1
5

Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?

1
1
4

Rehearsal Hours

2

Perfomance Opportunities

  • "I have had really good dancing roles in productions in which there are student roles - GREAT!"
  • "My student danced in the company's performance of the Nutcracker. There was a spring performance for the school. They performed solos and ensembles at YAGP."
  • "Competitions, community engagement performances"
  • "For this season I was involved in 4 company productions: Ballet Under the Stars. Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Western Symphony. In all 4 of these I had dancing roles. In our studio company rep, most of our performances were outreach. A lot of performing at elementary schools, festivals, events, etc. In the outreach shows we all got a pretty even amount of opportunities and casting was pretty fair. We also had a partnership with the philharmonic and got to perform on the main stage. Studio Company has a program performed in the spring called BCI which is all new works created by student choreographers. At the end of the year, we had a spring show. The studio company did swan lake act 2 and excerpts from other things we’d been working on throughout the year. That season was very good with performance opportunities, everyone felt like we were dancing a lot."
  • "Company opportunities: Nutcracker and 1 other, school opportunities: several community engagement programs The Bridge Choreography Initiative where students run everything including choreography, casting, marketing, development, costume, stage management, etc. 1 end of the year showcase"
  • "Students have the opportunity to audition for nutcracker. Some students were selected by invitation only to perform in the professional company Spring show. All students have an end of year Spring performance. Students in both evening and day program have the opportunity to participate in a Ballet Competition (usually YAGP and sometimes ADC)."

Were You Paid?

6

Competition

School Does Competitions?

1
7

Competitions Required?

7

How Many Compete?

1
1
1
1

% of Students Who Performed

  • "It's hard to know since some may decline."
  • "1/3"
  • "50"
  • "30%"
  • "50%"
  • "About 80 percemt"
  • "Maybe 1/2-3/4 of students. Unsure."

How Chosen?

  • "Students receive written notice of their selection for participation and are asked to accept or decline the offer."
  • "Teachers and administration invite students to participate."
  • "By invitation from school directors"
  • "Invitation only"
  • "Invitation to all in higher levels, some in lower levels"
  • "Summer intensive is required or you get invited"
  • "All students invited to participate. Students must compete in an ensemble to be allowed to do a solo."

Competitions Cost Extra?

  • "Yes: Fees, Workshop, choreographer, rehearsal"
  • "Yes, fees for coaches, choreographers, travel fees, costume rental fees, and studio rental fees"
  • "Yes /choreography fees, private lesson:coaching fees , entry fees , coach travel fees"
  • "Rehearsal and coaching fees along with choreography fees for contemporary"
  • "Yes, choreography, training and entry feea"
  • "Yes. Very Expensive, could not afford"
  • "Yes: fees from the ballet competition, fees for studio rehearsals, coach travel, costume rentals or purchase"

Separate Competition Rehearsals?

7

Competition Interfered With Training?

  • "It added value. It helped me to focus more strongly on technique and artistry."
  • "Adds! It is nice to have one on one coaching."
  • "Add- especially the one on one coaching time"
  • "Added, the one on one coaching helped so much. I learned how to perform under pressure"
  • "Added - basically like a private lesson a couple times a week"
  • "Detract. They only care about was competition kids. You get ignored if you can't afford it. Also, they would hold class during ice storm/snows because they did not want to miss rehearsals before a competition."
  • "The competitions have greatly helped my dancer’s comfort level on stage. She always enjoyed class work but struggled to perform. She really enjoyed working on both technique and artistry in the comp rehearsals."

Communication

Formal Orientation?

3
1
4

Handboook & Paperwork

2
6

Quality of Communication?

Poor
1
1
2
4
Excellent

Who Received Communication?

1
7

Exams

Formal Exam?

8

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?

Not
1
2
5
Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?

Not
1
3
4
Completely

Describe School Culture

  • "Inviting, supportive, pleasant, enjoyable, friendly"
  • "Accepting and inclusive"
  • "Inclusive, kind, rigorous"
  • "Healthy, tight-knit, relaxed"
  • "Positive and caring"
  • "Nurturing, challenging, supportive, inclusive"
  • "Unorganized. Egos. Few bright spots."
  • "Empathetic, excellent, disciplined, kind, supportive"

Placement Notification Timing

Repeated Responses:
  • "March" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "At the beginning of the year"
  • "June"
  • "Spring of previous year but can change in fall"
  • "Beginning of next semester"
  • "No. It happens first day of class. March meeting if you get in for the next year."
  • "Student finds out on first day of classes. You don’t find out for the next year until you arrive. We are there for the program and trusting of placement. It is a small program so you can expect to stay in the same level for several years."

How Dancer Was Notified

1
2

Dancer Had Mentor?

3

Mentoring Details

  • "Nothing really formalized"
  • "None."
  • "All the teachers share wisdom to the students at various points during classes and often make themselves available for questions throughout the day"

Overall School Culture

Lord of the Flies
1
1
6
Warm & Inclusive

School Outcomes

Is Student In Upper Levels?

5

Highest Levels of School?

1
1
1
4
1

How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level

1
1
1
1
1
1
2

How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?

1
1
1
1
1

Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go

2
5

How Many Left and Went to College?

2
1
1
1
1
2

Career Support

5
2
1

Describe How School Helped

  • "The school offered me a Trainee position there. I happily accepted. It was what I wanted."
  • "Resume, cover letter and video were required so the staff could review and give feedback. All were encouraged to audition and use the summer for outside training and networking"
  • "They do make you write cover letters/resume. Not helpful. Most students do this already for high school program. Charge extra for teacher time and studio rentals. You have to have a teacher in the room to film your auditions. Again, another fee."

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building

3
5

Safety of Area Around School?

Not Safe
1
7
Extremely Safe

Studio Space

Cramped
1
2
5
Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness

Dirty
1
7
Spotless

Housing

Was Housing Provided?

8

Where Did Dancer Live?

6
2

Academics

How Did Academics Work?

8

Academic Support

8

Did the School Support Academics?

Didn't support
1
1
2
2
2
Definitely supported

Overall Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction

1
6
1

Career Support and Placement

1
1
4
1
1

Emotional Support

1
5
1
1

Housing & Food

1
7

Performance Opportunities

2
4
1
1

Overall Comments

Program's Best Aspect

  • "The staff is excellent. They are easy to talk to and are not intimidating."
  • "Performance opportunities with company , variety of very qualified teachers, School Director heavily involved in all aspects of program and invested in my dancer- as a dancer and human being ."
  • "The size of the program"
  • "The faculty and support."
  • "Training"
  • "Some teachers were good"
  • "One of the best aspects of this program are the many opportunities students are given. They have opportunities to dance in a professional Nutcracker with OKC Ballet in student roles. Sometimes the students are invited to participate in other company shows. We love the competition opportunity. The students spend time on this but it isn’t all-consuming. My student has also had the opportunity to do community performances in outdoor parks. The ballet as a whole seems to try and give performing opportunities for the students whenever it is logistically possible. We also appreciate the level of investment the teachers and staff give. We see them working more hours behind the scenes than can be counted to give students rehearsals, opportunities and help. The teachers are always very approachable before and after classes when my student has had questions or needed help. My student has really flourished in this program. My child experienced a lot of early childhood trauma and has been able to flourish in this challenging but supportive environment. We saw a huge change in her dancing but also confidence when she switched from the evening program to the full-time day program."

Program's Worst Aspect

  • "Need more male students in the day program"
  • "Would love more boys for partnering ."
  • "Flooring in a studio caused shin splints in all of day program."
  • "They can’t keep everyone who wants to stay"
  • "Nepotism. Director always away at competitions so staff are bullies. Nutcracker was awful with staff completely unorganized and on political agendas. We can't say men or women. We have to say pointe shoe dancer or flat shoe dancer."
  • "Sometimes the kids have multiple classes without a short break. There are limited studios so we realize that it’s difficult to schedule these."

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

  • "Need more guys in the day program"
  • "Better communication with parents."
  • "Housing added"
  • "Have the director of the school more."
  • "More funding for more dancers"
  • "Reorganize the school and have staff with degrees in pedagogy. Too many administrative staff and not enough teachers. Parents pay for ballet, and we need to know what is going on in the school other than the pejorative messaging. Hold staff accountable for their actions or inactions. Transparency is incredibly lacking at all levels of decision making, funding and in communications. Staff will not sign emails so you have no idea who is sending out emails. The board needs to hold senior staff accountable for bad hiring choices and finances. Our neighbor is rougher than the PAC, but teenagers needed an arm escort to walk 50 feet to the car. The problems are in the building with company members and trainees being bullied and "too handsy' with students."
  • "Would love to see more consistent training in vocab, dance theory, nutrition, resume building and ballet history. They do provide some seminars throughout the year but would be awesome to see the kids get these more often. My dancer is young and in a lower level so these things might already be provided for the older dancers at the higher levels that we are unaware of."

Anything Else We Should Know?

  • "There is comaraderie among the students. The classes are very structured & professional"
  • "Rigorous training, but fair . Culture of the school committed to excellence without toxic body shaming and abusive behavior. High standards for work ethic - lots of support to find individual path to success."
  • "Love it!"
  • "Go elsewhere if possible. They talk a good talk, but fail to deliver. Only took two students from the school this year and gave half hearted "maybes" to studio company members. They dragged out the decisions making until mid-March, so people took contracts with other schools and company's. We were forced to make escape plans when we started seeing the writing on the wall."
  • "Parents aren’t allowed in the building for both evening program and day program unless it is a parent observation day or open house. This isn’t a negative for our family. We appreciate the independence our dancer has gained by navigating things on her own. We also don’t have time to sit around and wait for her as we have other kids and jobs. We appreciate the safety in knowing random people and parents can’t wander into the building unsupervised. For 2025-26 the Day Program now has an affiliation with a local charter blue ribbon school. The ballet has a teacher come once a week to work with the students at the ballet. The students do their work online the rest of the week. This is a great thing if you are considering switching from evening program or if you are considering moving to Oklahoma City for the Day Program."
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