Trainee is the highest level of the Academy day program (Academy prep, 1,2,3, and Trainee). OB II is the top level of the school and receives full scholarship and small stipend. There is also young dancer, pre-professional (11+).
ABT levels primary ABC then 1A1B2AB3AB then academy 1,2,3
3 academy levels
The academy is A1 (lowest level), A2 and A3. After A3 there is trainee and then apprentice.
Academy 1-3 (3 being highest)
3 Academy levels, then trainee, then OBII
Highest level of school followed by trainee and second company.
6 levels, trainee, OB2 then company
7
Dancer Age
13
14
15
16
17
18
Hours of Dance Each Week
16-20 hours
21-25 hours
Gender
Female
Company Affliated?
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
She received a scholarship for 1/2 of tuition. Merit scholarships are awarded and families can also apply for financial aid. After applying for financial aid additional need based scholarships can be awarded as well as work studies.
All trainees had full tuition scholarships, OBII's have stipends
She was required to complete ann application for her merit scholarship. She was also required to “work” at the studio. She chose to assist a younger class once a week.
A partial tuition scholarship
Years At School
1 year
5 years
7 or more years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
5
6
Classes Per Day
2
3
4
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
25-30
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
3
4
5
Daily
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
There were no boys in my level
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Never (school admin was a designated upper level teacher)
Occasionally
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
Occasionally dancer specific: mostly general corrections were given
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
Orlando Ballet follows ABT curriculum for the evening program. The Academy day program does not strictly follow ABT- students are also exposed to Vaganova.
Character, modern, ballet/pointe, academy prep, musical theater
ABT curriculum. Ballet daily, Pilates or PBT Mon, weds, Fri. Jazz, charachter, contemporary and flamenco one hour each week. Pointe and variation 4-5 days a week in addition to ballet.
Curriculum includes ballet technique (mostly classical, but one instructor is Vaganova), pointe, contemporary, modern, character (excellent insteuctor) - the school states that there is a variations class and partnering but those never happen. (Extra ballet time and rehearsals). There is also a rotating class - the year she was in that level it was African and Flamenco. Jazz and tap can be picked up in the evening if they would like.
Each teacher had very specific styles, we had around 4 main teachers. The mornings usually started with PBT and ballet class then after lunch would be alternative styles. The days typically got shorter as the week went on.
ABT NTC
Orlando Ballet follows ABT curriculum. As students progress into the day program, ABT is not solely taught. There is exposure to other styles as well. Each day there was ballet/pointe along with other classes such as modern, contemporary, Flamenco, character, PBT, mat Pilates, and musical theatre.
Ballet technique 6 days ; PBT x 2 ; character x2 days, modern x 1 day, contemporary x 1 day, variation weaved into ballet classes
ABT curriculum with added Vaganova technique
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
African
Character
Cunningham
Dunham
Flamenco
Hip-Hop
Horton
Jazz
Modern
Musical Theater
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
Ballet and contemporary master classes
Different instructors came at various times. Hispanic awareness month, Martin Luther king , and choreographers with the company
A masterclass is usually offered every month and oftentimes they are in 2 day workshops.
Mainly workshops with teachers from the school occasionally workshops with artistic staff of the company
There were some extra things the school offered if you paid for them, but not many
Choreographers who set the company would often teach trainees and master classes were offered for rest of school
SAB guest, directors, modern
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
PBT was definitely the high point of the program
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Unsure
Yes, for everyone
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
School called parent
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
We live in the area, so we dealt with injuries on our own.
NA
We facilitated all medical treatment. The dancers do have access to the company PT once per week of injured, however, it is an open time and dancers are seen in order of the hierarchy- company member, apprentices, trainees, then academy. She oftentimes waited so long to be seen that we then got PT outside of the school so she had more control of her time.
School had PT. As far as I know, I had to go to doctors myself.
We had to find treatment on our own
Yes
Picked student up and brought to specialized orthopedic center that partners with OBS
PT Available?
No
Yes, for extra fee
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
NA
The recovery plan was crafted by her ortho and PT and then shared with the school. It entailed resting, starting back with only barre and flat, gradually working back in to pointe and then gradual back into jumps.
My dancer saw PT, and would sit out of class, or part of class, but there was no plan.
A PT plan was established with the company’s PT health group. They release letters instructing academy what dancer is released to do until fully cleared
Physical therapy, attended class with modifications as needed
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Unsure
Yes
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Yes
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Unsure
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
No
Yes
Additional Comments
There seem to be a lot of students who need support with these issues. There is not a lot at the school and I believe this needs to become more of a priority. The physical and mental health and well being of the students should be of the utmost importance.
Overall, the instructors are very kind. There is one instructor in particular though that does these kinds of things - a number of complaints have actually been filed against the instructor and discipline has happened. The school overall frowns on this but it still eeks through in class.
They had one mental health seminar where the speaker told all the girls they were all mentally ill. And then a teenager told them that if a doctor wouldn't put them on prescription medications, they should keep going to other doctors until someone would medicate them. It was highly inappropriate, and they were required to go to the point of being threatened with their scholarship if they skipped it.
Overall, I believe there should be more support from the school when it comes to injuries and mental health
Student felt very cared and supported at all times
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
1
2-3
4-5
School Winter Show?
No
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
Audition
Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff
Winter Show Role
"Standing around part" e.g. party attendant, royal guard, etc.
Dancing part
Were You Paid?
No
If Paid, Please Describe
not paid
Rehearsal Impact on Classes
5
Rehearsal Hours
1-2
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?
For some but not all
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
1
Perfomance Opportunities
Either walk on parts in company productions or choreographed contemporary-ish ballet pieces. There was no classical ballet performed by trainees all year, and nothing was ever performed in pointe shoes by trainees.
Were You Paid?
No
Competition
School Does Competitions?
No
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
How Many Compete?
There is an audition process at the beginning of the school year and students are selected to compete.
Those who audition and instructors feel are ready
There is an audition to participate.
10-15 ( changes on the year)
I didn't do it, so I don't know
I don’t think there was a set number
% of Students Who Performed
1/3
25%
33%
50%
Very small
How Chosen?
Audition
Not sure.
There is an audition at the beginning of the school year
There was an audition
Competitions Cost Extra?
Yes- students pay an audition fee and then pay per solo/group performance for a specific amount of rehearsal time.
Yes
Yes. Fee for hours of learning the variation
Yes - Overall competition fee ( included set number of rehearsals) Costume hire fee and extra if you wanted to do a contemporary solo
Yes, huge fees. $2,000, plus competition fees?
Students had to pay for a certain number of privates. This was approximately $800.
Yes
Yes based on how many competitions you select (1-3)
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
It adds to training value because you are receiving 1 on 1 feedback.
Add. Wonderful training
Added to performance training
Add - allowed to work one on one with teachers and school director
I didn't compete. I probably would have gotten more out of the year if I had, but we wouldn't afford it.
Add- it allowed for private instruction
Added.. the faculty pushed the students
No
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces
Vague and incomplete
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
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Outside adjudicator
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Agree
Strongly agree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
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
intense, well rounded, inclusive
Very supportive and encouraging
Students are all very complimentary of each other.
Challenging, supportive, instructive, inclusive
Diverse, supportive but disorganised
Deflated, at least for trainees
Warm, inclusive, favoritism,
nurturing with expectations of hard work
Social, supportive, high quality preparation
Placement Notification Timing
After spring showcase in May
May
After spring performance
End of the school year / however, notifications aren’t given about advancement to trainee or apprentice until end of the summer which makes it quite difficult to plan.
The very last day of the program
February
At the end of the year
After showcase
After final showcase
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Yes
Mentoring Details
It was informal, but company dancers would give encouragement and advice regarding their dance paths/ schooling
Student did not seek a mentor but students can communicate easily with older dancers as it's very community oriented at my student's level
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, Second Company, Studio Company
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
5
3
No
1 - this is a point of contention with this school - they are not known for promoting from within even though they are incredibly talented dancers to choose from / the 1 that was promoted has a brand ambassadorship that the school loves to promote.
Our level was told that no one would be promoted to trainee level as there were no spots, at the end of the summer intensive there were still spots and they were given to only the people who had stayed for the summer intensive (the people who went elsewhere for the summer were not even considered)
I have no idea
None yet- they find out after summer intensive. No one was invited directly after the school year
Unsure
10%
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
15
Many
Na
10 or more
8-10
About half and half promoted from the school or brought in
About half
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
A few find positions elsewhere but most leave ballet
All find bridge level positions at other ballet schools
Some find positions elsewhere and about half leave ballet
How Many Left and Went to College?
0
1
None that I know of
Not sure
Only a few
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
N/A
None
Had meeting (students had to initiate) to talk through options after completing auditions and given advice
We had to pay for studio time to make audition videos, and if they thought people might be filming for auditions without paying for studio time, they would kick everyone out of the studios, then send out an email making sure they were paying for studio time. It was also very unclear about how to ask off to go audition, and the dancers felt very afraid to ask about it. Dancers missed out on opportunities because they didn't feel like they could ask off to pursue anything else.
Our director/faculty have discussed future recommendations for our dancer in the next year or two
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
Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?
No
Where Did Dancer Live?
Lived at home
Rented an apartment alone or with other dancers
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-
B+
Career Support and Placement
A-
B
C
C-
C+
D
Emotional Support
A
A-
A+
B
C
C-
D
Housing & Food
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A-
B
B-
C
C-
D
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
Variety of dance styles
The instructors are wonderful in all genre
Community engagement and opportunity to perform
Friends made
The diversity of styles studied
The PBT was great. There are a lot of teachers that care. When there was access to the artistic team, that was generally a good experience.
The variety of dance styles taught
The caring faculty and training the dancers receive
Students, teachers, studio is beautiful, director is great. Love it.
Program's Worst Aspect
No men's program/partnering. Minimal variations taught
Long hours
One particular instructor that she had repeatedly
Lack of performance opportunities
Trainees are the unwanted stepchild of Orlando Ballet. The academy is well supported, and the second company is reasonably supported. It didn't feel like there was any plan for the trainees. They were barely looked at, and most were cut without ever being evaluated. They also made the trainees, and only the trainees, go in at 8 am two days a week, but since no one was working in the building, they were almost always waiting for 10 minutes, or more, to get in. So for all the "safety" they claimed, they certainly didn't care about the dancers waiting outside, because they insisted on having them in for an early class without having anyone but the one teacher working inside.
The favoritism
performance opportunities are limited
No partnering in this level
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
More men, more variations, support with finding other training
More men/boys for partnering opportunities
Better rehearsal schedule which created dancing 7 days a week in order to rehearse.
Replace a particular instructor / promote to bridge levels from the school
Learning more classical repertoire and add more classes
There needs to be a much better plan for what the purpose of being a trainee is. If "training" is implied, this should be more than classes. There should be dedicated trainee performances that include classical repertoire, especially since they have a beautiful in-studio performance venue. There should be variations classes, more pas de deux, and there should be a lot more of a plan for the company schedule to include the trainees without having their classes and training sacrificed the majority of the year. Feeling like the main administrators and teachers supported them would go a long way.
Add a men’s program- there were no men in any of the Academy classes last year
I wish there were a more formal schooling option
More performance opportunities
Anything Else We Should Know?
The nutcracker is reserved for trainee, company and the younger dancers.
The leotards chosen as the dress code are “terrible”. Most students live in a couple of apartment buildings that are close by and walk.
The schools website makes it seem like classes like variations, partnering and pointe classes are offered but in reality teachers often just combine these classes to do a 2 and half hour technique class. Often teachers would not show up to class (substitute teacher or a class that hadn’t been assigned a permanent teacher) and we would have to tell school admin that no one had showed up. The communication between company and school was minimum, I never felt like I got to be seen by artistic staff to even be considered for a trainee position. I’m also an international student so being told on the last day what my placement for next year was quite stressful for visa reasons and also things like knowing if I should extend the lease on my apartment.
I simply wouldn't go to Orlando Ballet to be a trainee. Second company has decent potential to get a job with the company, but since almost all the trainees were cut and barely anyone was promoted to second company, you are likely to be wasting a year of your life taking a trainee position.
You will receive great technique work. There is a new school director for summer/next year- not sure how the school will change. Overall great training but they could be better with guiding students as they are moving into bridge programs.
The ballet faculty are amazing and the training is very good. Character, modern and contemporary teachers are fantastic and care very much for the students at the school
