4 levels for girls in advanced divison:B, C1,C2, D
Two levels intermediate and advanced men
Intermediate division is B1, B2 and intermediate men; Advanced division is C1, C2, D and Advanced Men. Some are then chosen for apprenticeships with NYCB which is a paid position.
There is the children's division, then Intermediate Mens, and then Advanced Mens
Dancer Age
15
16
17
Hours of Dance Each Week
16-20 hours
Gender
Female
Male
Company Affliated?
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
A Donor covered half of her tuition
Financial Aid after a financial assessment
My answer is actually yes and no. Winter term only offers financial based scholarships you apply for. They do not have merit only based scholarships. Some students receiving the financial based scholarships are chosen based on merit by artistic staff to be given "Named Scholarships" which are named for specific donors. My dancer's Named Scholarship covers all tuition and half her boarding costs.
Years At School
1 year
2 years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
2
3
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Full day
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
Daily
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
11-15
16-20
More than 20
Separate Technique Class for Boys
Yes
Techniques Taught
Balanchine
Technique Teacher Rotation
Different depending on week
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Did School Director Teach?
Always
Occasionally
Often
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
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
Technique everyday taken on point for advanced female dancers, rep, and partnering
Monday through Saturday there are 2 to 3 classes per day. Technique is fully en pointe starting in C1 and is daily for 1.5 hours. It's followed by 1.5 hours of either pointe class or variations. Several days per week there is a 3rd class of either partnering, pilates, or contemporary.
Advanced Men classes are Monday-Saturday, typically with two technique classes a day, plus variations and adagio classes twice a week, plus contemporary. In addition, there are strength and conditioning classes and rehearsals most days but I did not include those as regular classes. My son also does a private pilates class 5-6 times a week.
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
2x per week
3x per week
Daily
Partner Ratio
A few girls had to share but most had their own partner.
Most girls had to share a partner.
None, there were enough boys for every girl.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
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
Partnering is available at every level for intermediate and advanced, there are more girls levels so boys do have more partnering than girls.
Adagio partnering class is taught by the director
Unsure
Mainly advanced men with advanced girls, but sometimes the boys held classes with younger girls to start partnering
Usually 1-2 female dancers for each male. C1 had one class per week with Advanced Men and one class per week with Intermediate Men. This was 3 hours per week of partnering total.
Advanced men have one two-hour class with D level, and one one-hour class with C level each week, very intense but fun classes. A lot of additional partnering instruction during rehearsals also.
Additional Comments
its one of my dancer's favorite classes
They learn many NYCB pieces
No
The advanced female students were very knowledgeable and took a leadership role in the partnership
Partnering instruction is great. In C2 and D it is only once per week though (one hour with Advanced Men). My dancer wishes she'd have as much partnering class in C2 as she did in C1.
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
Contemporary
Modern
None
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
Visiting directors, teachers and ballet masters/rep directors work with the students, sometimes for a day or two, sometimes for a week or more. They don't necessarily call it a "master class" but students have many opportunities to work with people from outside the school in a focused way.
Renowned choreographers master classes were offered
Lots of different master teachers throughout the year
In C1 they do have guest teachers occasionally but they teach during regular class time, not as a separate master class type scenario.
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Weight training
Physical Training Schedule
Daily
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
The lady that teaches pilates for apple workouts in the Pilates teacher at SAB
Dancers have access to the pilates room throughout the week as well as two organized pilates classes each week. Some levels also have additional strength/conditioning classes during the week.
Strength and conditioning for advanced men is twice a week with daily pilates offered except Sundays.
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Yes
Yes, for everyone
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
School called parent
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
PT onsite, residential students have access to urgent care and ongoing medical care, accompanied by staff if they are under 18.
Through a school PT and then an external referral
School set up appointments with orthopedic doctor and staff member accompanied her to all appointments.
PT Available?
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
She sat out until cleared by doctor, then slowly returned starting in flats while being overseen by PT.
Mental Health Therapists Available?
Yes
Yes, for everyone
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Yes
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Additional Comments
No
They have seminars regarding injury prevention, nutrition, and mental health. As far as injuries, the school is very clear that they want dancers to sit out if they're having any pain and don't want them to push through injuries.
SAB has a dedicated wellness program and for resident students, every student has a mandatory introductory meeting with a counselor, sports nutritionist, and PT when they begin at SAB and are strongly encouraged to use those resources if they are needed. Every resident student also has a staff advisor they check in with throughout the year.
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
13-15
2-3
4-5
School Winter Show?
No
Yes
Company or School Show?
School puts on it's own production and students dance all the parts
Cast in Winter Show?
Yes
How Chosen
Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff
Winter Show Role
Dancing part
Were You Paid?
No
Yes
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
"Standing around part" e.g. party attendant, royal guard, etc.
Dancing part
How Chosen
A few students are chosen by the Artistic Staff
Students chosen for roles by staff - NO AUDITIONS
Was Casting Fair?
For some but not all
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
1
3
4
Rehearsal Hours
6-10
Perfomance Opportunities
Annual Workshop, Community Lecture-Demonstrations, and sometimes cast in company productions (some students get cast in dancing roles with the company for large productions, but it is not very common)
Stand around part with NYCB and dancing part with SAB- lecture demonstration and winter show
Showcase, community shows, sponsors performances, balls, nutcrackers
NYCB Toulmin Choreography workshops, Student choreography workshops (we get to choreograph pieces ourselves and also dance for other students choreographing pieces), SAB Ball performance, Contemporary performance, Community Performances "The Beauty of Ballet" and end of year Workshop performances and Workshop Benefit
Were You Paid?
No
Yes
If Paid, Please Describe
Paid for the stand around part with NYCB
My son was paid for his performances in the "The Beauty of Ballet" community performances. He was paid per show.
Competition
School Does Competitions?
No
Communication
Formal Orientation?
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 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
serious, formal, professional
Professional Talented Extraordinary competitive love
Excellence expected, students expected to work on corrections
There is a formal mentor/advisor they check in with but he also chats with faculty on a regular basis whenever he needs advice. He feels very well supported.
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?
Apprentice (only if it is not part of the company)
Post- Graduate/Graduate
There are no bridge levels
There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
Apprentices with NYCB are officially still part of the school. They are offered a position by artistic director, at various times (not a formal/set time). There are meetings in the fall where some students are offered apprenticeships, some are told they will not be offered apprenticeships, and some are told that its too soon to make a decision.
All
7 were taken as trainee in 2023
10ish a year
Apprentices are paid and are considered part of the company. This year I think 5 females and 2 males were given apprenticeships.
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
none
No one
None- only SAB students invited to be apprentices. Note- apprentices ARE PAID.
0
None
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
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?
none
No one
Unsure- but most go to other companies
Not known
2-3 grads this year went into college. I'm not sure if they arw pursuing ballet there or not.
10%
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received lots of help
Received some help
Describe How School Helped
School arranges for photos and videos, they invite over a dozen artistic directors to teach upper level class (closed auditions), they host on-site auditions and provide some travel assistance for students that need to travel to audition, and they assist students with communication, resume-writing, etc. Very helpful.
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?
No
Yes
Where Did Dancer Live?
Lived at home
Type of Housing Provided:
Dorms
Housing Minimum Age
14 (I think?)
13
14, but I think sometimes a 13 year old is allowed if turning 14 soon after move in.
14
# of Roommates:
1
Adequate # of RA's?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Type of Bathrooms:
Private in suite
Curfew?
Yes
Curfew Reasonable?
Yes
Nightly Room Check?
Yes
Dorm Strictness
Extremely Lax
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Strict
How Infractions Handled?
A little harsh
Fair
My student had no infractions this year (as far as I know!)
How Roommate Issues Handled?
Unsure. Had a challenging first year with roomate
With mediation
Mine hasn't experienced this
The resident life team sit down with each person and encourage them to discuss conflicts.
Housing Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Students Required to Clean Room?
Yes
Laundry Available?
Yes
Laundry Free?
Yes
Evening Activities?
No
Yes
A/C In Room?
Yes
Weekend Outings?
No
Yes
Transportation Between Housing and Studios?
Public transportation without chaperone
The studio is on the 5th floor of same building
the studios are in the same building as the dorms
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
Laundry is a yearly fee that's included in the room/board cost
The dorms are all located within the same building and a lot of the resident life staff live in the building. The dorms are very strict but fair.
Meal Plan
Meal Plan?
Yes
Food Quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough Food?
No
Yes
Late Meals Available?
No
Sometimes
Dancer w/ Dietary Needs?
No
Yes
What Were Needs?
Dancers need to eat cleaner than musicians at Juillard
None
vegetarian
Dietary Needs Met?
2
3
Academics
How Did Academics Work?
Separate e.g. online, independent study, etc.
Academic Support
Students attended in person classes provided by school
Students were required to attend study hours regularly
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+
Career Support and Placement
A
A+
Emotional Support
A+
B+
Housing & Food
A
A-
A+
Performance Opportunities
A
A-
A+
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
the facilities, faculty and all the practical support
Focused on their achievement and career goals
Amazing faculty, wholistic and healthy approach to dance, wonderful studios and training in NYC
Links to a company and integration with working dancers, clear leadership
Great instruction, very good track record of job placement after graduation
Excellent dance training with very supportive faculty.
Program's Worst Aspect
can be stressful, kids feel they are "always auditioning"
Exceptional training
It is hard to live in such a competitive environment at 15- its tough for all of them. They have to learn to focus on themselves and not compare.
Living and dancing in the same building with very strict rules can feel stifling
The food.
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
more variety of training?
I would like to know about casting and performances further in advance so I could plan to be there.
Greater freedom for older students
Better meal options - the meal plan isn't great.
Anything Else We Should Know?
There are so many rumors about SAB, but its a highly professionally run organization. Parents and students should ask for the information they need and communicate clearly with the staff. They are formal but responsive.
Be grateful for being a part of the history of George Balanchine
Every day is like an audition- it’s never “just class”.
The talent level in the classes is incredibly high and you'll be pushed to be a better dancer because of this. It can be a competitive environment and feel like a constant audition which can be stressful. However, most of the dancers are supportive of each other and mine has found wonderful friendships there. That helps with the stress.
Highly competitive and intense program - it requires a great deal of commitment and determination. Really designed for dancers who are dedicated to becoming professional.
