The program in divided into 3 levels, Lower, Middle and Upper. Each of those levels are meant to span 2-3 years.
Trainee 2 years, studio company
Dancer Age
13
18
Hours of Dance Each Week
More than 26 hours
Company Affliated?
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
They range from 10-100% tuition scholarships
Years At School
2 years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
4
5
Classes Per Day
2
5
Weekend Classes?
No
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
I did not have weekend class
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
3
Daily
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Unsure
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
Unsure
Techniques Taught
Balanchine
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Did School Director Teach?
Always
Often
Classroom Corrections
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
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
Daily
No partnering
Partner Ratio
Most girls had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
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
Typical partnering class
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
African
Character
Modern
Musical Theater
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
No
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Improv
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Yes
Master Classes Description
Classes with visiting choreographers
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Yes, for everyone
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
PT Available?
No
Yes, for extra fee
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
No
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
Cast in Winter Show?
Yes
How Chosen
Audition
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
3
Rehearsal Hours
6-10
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
How Chosen
All students allowed to audition
Students chosen for roles by staff - NO AUDITIONS
Was Casting Fair?
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
3
5
Rehearsal Hours
More than 10
Perfomance Opportunities
Most performance opportunities are through SRB's Ensemble, which students in the Middle level and above may audition for
Mixed rep, community performances , Nutcracker abd story ballet
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
a mixed bag
Very positive and nurturing
Placement Notification Timing
February
summer
How Dancer Was Notified
In-person meeting with school director/staff
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
Support for auditions, moral support and encouragement informally
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Is Student In Upper Levels?
No
Highest Levels of School?
Trainee, Studio Company
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
10%
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
Some find positions elsewhere and about half leave ballet
How Many Left and Went to College?
30%
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
No
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
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
B-
Career Support and Placement
A
D
Emotional Support
A
B
Housing & Food
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A
A+
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
The performances are excellent and having access to company resources ie costumes etc is very special
Great training and professional development, excellent performance opportunities, positive environment
Program's Worst Aspect
The hours of ballet are insufficient, the classes are large and corrections are generally not dancer specific. There are a few gems on the faculty, but the program could use an overhaul.
Wish there were more classical ballet productions each year.
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
It would be great if SRB had an actual pre-pro program that was more in line with other company affiliated schools of similar size. Richmond Ballet is a well-respected company. The school could better reflect that.
Same as above
Anything Else We Should Know?
As is stands, this is more of a recreational program. Dancers with professional ambitions would be better served in a more comprehensive program.
