During 22-23, there were 9 levels. 8 was the day program, and the ninth level was trainee.
8 is highest before trainee
The school has a variety of creative movement classes for very little ones, then levels 1-8, followed by trainee.
9
There are levels for littles, then levels 1-8, then trainee
Level 1-8, trainee, second company
Dancer Age
14
15
16
17
19
Hours of Dance Each Week
21-25 hours
Gender
Female
Male
Company Affliated?
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
25% tuition scholarship for August - June
We received a partial tuition merit scholarship. We found out in June '23. I'm not sure how many students receive merit scholarships.
Second company dancers are offered a full tuition scholarship and many are offered subsidized housing. Weekly stipend pay is 250 for first year and 265 for second year.
Years At School
2 years
3 years
7 or more years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
4
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
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?
Unsure
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Unsure
Yes
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Unsure
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
Different depending on week
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
Often
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
The day starts with technique class, sometimes combined with second company technique class. Following, there is pointe class and boys have men's class. On different days students have variation, repertoire, modern, contemporary, and stretch and strengthening which can be anything from Pilates to cardio. Throughout the week there are additional rehearsals for various company and school performances.
Days begin with technique, then pointe class for ladies. Afternoons are a mix of other types of dance (flamenco, modern, character, etc), variations, rep, and rehearsals.
Company rehearsal, contemporary class, pas de deux
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
2x per week
Partner Ratio
Everyone had to share a partner.
Most girls had to share a partner.
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
Corrections were general and there was little attention paid to any specific person
The teacher focused on one or two couples and the rest of the students were on their own
Description of Partnering Class
n/a
There were very few men, so there was a lot of sharing and downtime while waiting your turn.
One hour of partnering class weekly given by the school director. Male dancers get three partnering classes weekly, and girls get one.
very few boys
Partnering class was once weekly for an hour. The school director usually taught the class.
There were two, one hour long pas classes each week. There was slight advancement in material through the year but classes were generally very repetitive.
Additional Comments
n/a
no
It would be helpful to have more male dancers in the program.
no
N/A
No
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
flamenco
Flamenco
Horton
Modern
None
Spanish dance/Flamenco
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
Two master classes were offered - one with a soloist of the company, and one with the AD of the company. Both were open to the public, and they charged a fee for each. My dancer only attended the class with the AD because they were explicitly asked to go, since they could not fill the class otherwise
Occasionally there is a master class taught by either the company's artistic director or other company dancers.
Occasionally there are master classes taught by principals from the company or the company's artistic director.
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Body rolling
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
No
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
n/a
The classes varied a lot based on the instructor.
N/A
Only men were able to attend the conditioning classes. The classes were taught by the school director and did not in any way reflect what science recommends for dancers.
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Unsure
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
Found doctor myself
I believe medical treatment needs to be coordinated by the parent, but not sure.
n/a
On my own accord
We would have to find a doctor
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Describe Recovery Plan
n/a
It was up to us to get a recommendation from the doctor.
I think recovery plans are put together by outside physical therapists and communicated to the school.
n/a
Students perceived a contradictory message from staff regarding injuries. Student were asked to communicate, however when they did so they found themselves to be mocked for being weak or dramatic by the school director. There was no support (physical or emotional) and very little attention given post injury.
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Unsure
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
No
Yes
Additional Comments
The school provided a link with resources on the intranet for mental concerns
There were a lot of injuries amongst students during the year
The school provides a list of mental health resources. Physical therapy is available on site for students when they are dancing in company roles.
During productions students who have corps roles have access to physical therapy.
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
Cast in Winter Show?
No I was not cast
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
I had both types of parts
Were You Paid?
No
If Paid, Please Describe
No payment, but received free pointe shoes.
We weren't paid, but did receive pointe shoes.
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
"Standing around part" e.g. party attendant, royal guard, etc.
I had both types of parts
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
No
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
1
3
4
5
Rehearsal Hours
More than 10
Perfomance Opportunities
My dancer was selected for one standing role during a company performance. There was a showing for elementary school kids where she was performing, and she was cast in the Spring performance, which is the only school performance of the year..
Trainees can be cast in both walk-on and corps roles in company shows. We were cast in some second company shows as well. We are regularly understudies for both company and second company roles. The school also does smaller performances in local public schools and we put on performances for open houses.
I performed in the Nutcracker and Giselle in corps roles, and was able to perform in smaller 2nd company performances, as well as open houses, an end of the year school performance, and a fundraising gala at the end of the year.
Second company dancers are involved in almost all company productions during the season. They also do the end of the year show with the school and a few outreach performances throughout the year.
Were You Paid?
No
If Paid, Please Describe
Just weekly stipend pay
We were not paid.
Competition
School Does Competitions?
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
How Many Compete?
1-2 from each level
1-3 per level
5-10
I'm not sure
I'm not sure.
% of Students Who Performed
10 percent
15%
2
20%
I'm not sure.
Not sure
How Chosen?
Audition class
audition
Students were selected for Prix de Lausanne. Students have to audition to be selected for YAGP.
audition
You have to audition to be selected to compete.
Certain students were asked to participate by the school director.
Competitions Cost Extra?
Yes
not sure - dancer wasn't selected
Yes, there are extra fees for coaching, for choreography, and for costume rental.
yes
Yes - you pay for coaching, choreography for contemporary pieces, and for costume rental.
Yes
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
No
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
It adds value to those who are selected, I should think
n/a
It added value. You gain one-on-one instruction and coaching time, you have the opportunity to learn a variation thoroughly, and you get to work with a choreographer on a new contemporary piece.
added for those selected; widened the gap for those not selected
It adds value. You get to master a variation and you get weekly one-on-one coaching time.
Neither
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Unsure
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Adequate but missing several key pieces
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
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Agree
Disagree
Neutral
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Yes and parents were included. The meeting was with the Artistic Director
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
Toxic, favoritism and nepotism
favoritism, nepotism, not student-centered
Pre-professional, strict, personal, challenging
toxic, unkind, exclusionary
small, supportive, strict
Toxic, manipulative, unhelpful, nepotism rich
Placement Notification Timing
At the end of the school year in early June
before the end of the school year
end of the year
End of year
In June
How Dancer Was Notified
In-person meeting with school director/staff
Dancer Had Mentor?
Yes
Mentoring Details
I would like to make it abundantly clear that many students last year asked the school director for support in advancing their training or careers. No support was provided. Rather the director made comments about the audition material being subpar and how it was completely up to the dancers to get a company contract. In his place, Alexei Charov stepped up and assisted students with making connections, finding auditions, and getting contracts.
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Is Student In Upper Levels?
No
Yes
Highest Levels of School?
Trainee, Second Company
Trainee, Second Company
Trainee, Post- Graduate/Graduate, Second Company, Junior Company, Apprentice (only if it is not part of the company)
Trainee, Second Company
Trainee, Second Company
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
1
Half of the company apprentices came from the second company, and 40% of the second company came from the school.
1-2
Three trainees were promoted to 2nd company, two second company dancers were promoted to apprentice.
Unsure
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
almost all come from outside
Half of the company apprentices came from outside, and 60% of the second company came from outside the school.
most are brought from outside
Two outside dancers were hired to the second company. I don't know about the apprentice level.
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
A few find positions elsewhere but most leave ballet
About half find positions elsewhere and half leave ballet
Some find positions elsewhere and about half leave ballet
How Many Left and Went to College?
4
I'm not sure
Not sure - there were definitely some.
unsure
Unsure
Career Support
Received no help - I was on my own
Received some help
Describe How School Helped
They were not interested in that aspect.
Students can schedule meetings with the director or principal, they can get studio time to make audition tapes, they can get letters of recommendation.
I scheduled a meeting with the school principal for advice.
Many dancers repeatedly asked the school director to reach out to his contacts on our behalf. He refused to do so stating that it was our responsibility to find work. Some also asked if he could merely share some artistic director’s email addresses with us so we could reach out on our own; he replied he was not comfortable giving away that information.
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?
Yes
Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?
No
Yes
Where Did Dancer Live?
Lived at home
Type of Housing Provided:
Apartment of some type
Housing Minimum Age
15
# of Roommates:
2
Adequate # of RA's?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Type of Bathrooms:
Private in suite
Curfew?
No
Curfew Reasonable?
Yes
Nightly Room Check?
No
Dorm Strictness
Extremely Lax
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Strict
How Infractions Handled?
Skewed depending on student
How Roommate Issues Handled?
We handled conflicts on our own
Housing Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Students Required to Clean Room?
Yes
Laundry Available?
Yes
Laundry Free?
No
Evening Activities?
No
A/C In Room?
Yes
Weekend Outings?
No
Transportation Between Housing and Studios?
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
As 18-19 year old second company dancers we were all ready to be living without supervision. Emily Kehler runs the housing program and does a great job of giving students freedom and being very approachable if anyone is having issues.
Meal Plan
Meal Plan?
No
Academics
How Did Academics Work?
Separate e.g. online, independent study, etc.
Academic Support
Students attended in person classes provided by school
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+
C
Career Support and Placement
A-
B
C
C-
D
Emotional Support
B
B+
C-
D
Housing & Food
B-
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A-
A+
B-
D
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
a few good teachers, the opportunity to participate in company productions
Company performance opportunities
Exposure to the company and opportunities to dance with the company.
Small classes with personalized instruction.
Some teachers were great and offered good training
The Spring show took place in a real theater
Program's Worst Aspect
The school director. He took the school to a whole new level of favoritism and uncaring.
Culture, lack of communication
The turnover in directors and principals.
The negative culture, no investment in the majority of the students, extreme favoritism
Sometimes what the company would say was different from the school.
The lack of support from artistic staff members especially regarding injury and career
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
I would not allow that faculty teach their own kids and blatantly prioritize their training over everyone else's. Each student should get a mentor, who watches and makes sure that they are not being left behind.
It felt like the school was more concerned about image than the actual dancers' well-being
It would be nice if there were more male dancers in the program and on-site PT for the day students.
The leadership, from top down; the atmosphere and toxic culture
Not sure!
Davit recently came on the podcast and spent a lot of time talking about how he nurtures his students. I do not find this to be true. At the end of last season there was a scheduling overlap with company and school that resulted in Davit yelling at the second company dancers leading to them running out of the studio crying. A group sent an email to him and the company Human Resources manager explaining that we found his behavior to be inappropriate and elaborating on other ways we hadn’t felt supported through the year. Davit called meetings to discuss this email in which he continued to speak aggressively to all involved and ultimately ended the meeting abruptly by slamming his hands against the desk and demanding the dancers involved leave. One dancer received an email two days later permanently banning them from Philadelphia ballet facilities on account of “disrespectful behavior”. School of Philadelphia ballet does not care about the wellbeing of their students. This kind of retaliation is extremely problematic in a program director.
Anything Else We Should Know?
The training is good, but you really need a thick skin, if you do not want to feel completely discouraged and defeated by the end of the year, unless you are a favorite.
It's a rigorous program but if you put in the work you'll become a better dancer.
buyer beware. This is a tough place.
It's great to be able to work with a professional company. That made all the difference.
The students at the school are very dedicated and compassionate for each other. People have formed great friendships there. The company is very warm and inviting to younger dancers which can be hard to come by in this industry. In addition, there really are some great staff members as mentioned in prior pages.
