BALLET HELP DESK

Full-Time Training Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 91
Total Reviews: 312

The Rock School

Full-Time Reviews

General

Who is Reviewing?

2
4
5

Program

11

Season Attended

1
5
3
2

# Of Levels In School

Repeated Responses:
  • "7" (2 responses)
  • "2" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Lowest of the 3 levels for females"
  • "3 girls levels (5-7) 2 boys levels (M2-M1)"
  • "5-7 (3 levels)"
  • "Level 5 out of 3 (6,7)"
  • "5 of 7"
  • "7 levels"
  • "The professional division has levels 5, 5X, 6 and 7."

Dancer Age

2
2
3
1
2
1

Hours of Dance Each Week

2

Gender

8
3

Company Affliated?

11

Was Student Scholarshipped?

4
7

Please Describe Scholarship

  • "100% ballet tuition"
  • "scholarship covered dance classes, housing and food. we payed for academics, performance costumes and competition preparation."
  • "100% tuition, 50% Room & Board, 75% Academics. I think many dancers receive either scholarship or financial aid, but it is awarded individually."
  • "Tuition, Housing and Academics. Separate scholarship application and letter."
  • "tuition scholarship"
  • "Tuition is decided by director, Housing is an application that seems slightly more need based."

Years At School

4
1

Full time or after school?

2

Curriculum

Days Per Week

11

Classes Per Day

2
5
3
1

Weekend Classes?

11

Weekend Schedule

1
10

Students Per Class

3
8

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

3
8

Pointe Classes Per Week

2
1
1
5
2

Live Music in Technique Class?

11

Dedicated Men's Program?

11

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

1

Men Taught Batterie?

1

Boys In Level

9
1
1

Separate Technique Class for Boys

10

Techniques Taught

3
11
7

Technique Teacher Rotation

1
9
1

Did School Director Teach?

5
6

Classroom Corrections

5
5
1

Attention From Teachers

Very Little
1
2
8
A Lot

Quality of Instruction

Poor
1
1
9
Excellent

Did Technique Improve?

Not at all
1
3
7
Tremendously

Curriculum Comments

  • "Technique, pointe and one other class each day"
  • "3-4 classes/day, always a tech class, Pilates 1-2x/week, Partnering 1x/week, Contemp 1x/week"
  • "Daily: technique, pointe/mens Rotating: Partnering, contemporary, variations, Pilates, 2nd technique"
  • "Ballet class, Pointe Class were daily; Pilates once a week, Pas once a week; Contemporary once a week. Rehearsals varied depending on what dancers were preparing for."
  • "Daily technique and pointe + variations, partnering and/or contemporary am and pm"
  • "Each day began with technique, and some days offered two technique classes. Pointe is 3 times per week. Variations, contemporary, partnering, and Pilates/yoga were the classes that filled the remainder of each day. Saturdays are just technique class followed minimally by rehearsal. The focus is to keep Saturdays light and focus rehearsal time during the week."
  • "main school focus is on classical ballet technique"
  • "Different teachers tend towards different styles, so some are more Balenchine, some are more Russian. At least 3-4 classes per day, plus rehearsals."
  • "Four days a week there was ballet and pointe class (one day Pas). One day there would be three classes including ballet, Pilates and contemporary. Saturdays was just ballet. Throughout the program, there would be rehearsals added to the schedule during the week, and all-day Saturday as we approached the show. We learned a wide variety of ballet style based on which teacher you had. There were two men's classes with approximately ten dancers in each. They have their own levels."

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class

6
4
1

Partner Ratio

5
4
2

Who Taught?

11

How Much Partnering Improved

No
2
2
7
Tremendously

Quality of Pas Teaching

Poor
1
4
6
Excellent

How Were Corrections Given?

11

Description of Partnering Class

  • "Once per week taught by Peter Stark. The highlight of the week."
  • "Not sure on details but my dancer loved it"
  • "two classes per week with differend girls"
  • "Depends on level. Level 5 basic partnering techniques, level 6 more intermediate, level 7 advanced partnering and learning PDD from classical rep."
  • "Taught by Mr. Stark and was very good. They learned advanced steps and also worked on basics!"
  • "Partnering technique plus learning pas from classical ballets and opportunity to perform pas de deux in shows, so also rehearsals for the pas performed"
  • "Very adagio based"
  • "Partnering class with levels 5/6 and M2 covered basic partnering technique with a focus on safety and partner relationship/handling. The skills taught evolved through the year."
  • "well maintained partnering classes with two different groups of girls"
  • "most had consistent partner, but some have to share."
  • "This school is known for having many boys and that is very helpful to learn partnering."

Additional Comments

Repeated Responses:
  • "N/A" (2 responses)
  • "no" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "Would prefer if there had also been a female teacher in the studio during partnering."
  • "---"
  • "class with low level girls is boring"
  • "Na"
  • "It was consistent and with both levels of boys"

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles

1
3
2
4
1
2

Other Class Quality

Poor
2
1
3
3
1
Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

11

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught

3
3
4
10

Contemporary Quality

Poor
2
1
2
4
2
Excellent

Master Classes?

5
6

Master Classes Description

  • "Unsure because only the upper levels got master classes."
  • "Random master classes, often on a saturday if a visiting teacher was in town"
  • "Classes with visiting ADs"
  • "Some but not a lot especially for this level."
  • "yagp semi finals master classes hosted, at the end of the year master classes with peter stark and melissa stafford"
  • "We had several guest teachers from other studios and companies. We had several greatMaster Classes with the director from the Art of Classical Ballet, and one or two with teachers from Ballet X."
  • "n/a"

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

11

Physical Training Types

11
1
1

Physical Training Schedule

11

Were Trainers Certified?

1
10

Physical Training Quality

Poor
1
3
4
3
Excellent

Strength & Conditioning Comments

  • "The men’s Pilates class was more challenging than the women’s. Once a week was not enough. Weight training should be added to the program."
  • "-----"
  • "I wish there were more of these classes, a dedicated stretch class. Gyro or PBT as well would be great to have. and well as Body Conditioning"
  • "N/A"
  • "no"
  • "Boys need a separate weight training class, which is not currently offered."
  • "Some classes were better than others depending on which instructor we had."

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

4
3
3
1

How Parents Notified?

7
1
3

How Treatment Obtained?

  • "Finding a local doctor, working with the RA to get my kiddo to the appt"
  • "Yes"
  • "There is a physical therapist on staff. If additional treatment is necessary, the school works with the parent."
  • "PT once a month. otherwise, need to arrange on your own."

PT Available?

1
10

Was There a Recovery Plan?

5
4
2

Describe Recovery Plan

  • "My dancer was home for spring break when we learned of injury. School not involved but I communicated the treatment plan for my dancer to return. School did not reply or have anything additional to say to me"
  • "N/A"
  • "Had to seek out PT services on our own."
  • "School PT gives initial diagnosis and then dancer is on their own."

Mental Health Therapists Available?

9
2

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

10
1

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

6
4
1

Were Students Weighed?

10
1

Was "Coded Language" Used?

5
4
2

Additional Comments

  • "------"
  • "Mental Health counselor is available for students to make appointments with. Physical therapy appointments are also available but fill up fast."
  • "N/A"
  • "many students struggle with mental health"
  • "None of the kids want to use mental health services offered. Need to have a comp coach instead."

Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker

Performance Opportunities

10
1

School Winter Show?

11

Company or School Show?

11

Cast in Winter Show?

11

How Chosen

4
7

Winter Show Role

11

Were You Paid?

11

If Paid, Please Describe

  • "-----"

Rehearsal Impact on Classes

1
1

Rehearsal Hours

1
1

Performance: Ballet Season

Cast in Company Productions?

2
9

Kind of Part Given?

9

How Chosen

6
1
1
1

Was Casting Fair?

2
7

Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?

2
5
2

Rehearsal Hours

1
1

Perfomance Opportunities

  • "One small role in Nutcracker and one small role in spring showcase"
  • "end of season show case"
  • "All school opportunities. Not company affiliated"
  • "Performance opportunities include: Nutcracker, YAGP regionals and finals, Spring showcase, gala performance, and board meetings."
  • "Spring showcase as well as YAGP previews and fund-raising events"
  • "Our studio performs in a full length Nutcracker, YAGP, and a Spring Performance. For the Nutcracker, all are able to audition, although the main parts are given to the Professional Division students, who are assigned roles, and do not audition. For the spring performance, casting and choreography is done by level. There are other performing opportunities throughout the year, but those are cast by the director."
  • "great performance opportunities"
  • "big focus on Nutcracker, spring show and YAGP"
  • "All performance opportunities were done by the school including Nutcracker, contemporary showcase and end of year production."

Were You Paid?

9

Competition

School Does Competitions?

11

Competitions Required?

10
1

How Many Compete?

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

% of Students Who Performed

  • "50 percent"
  • "outside of class time, private coaching"
  • "all"
  • "Maybe 50%"
  • "."
  • "About 10%"
  • "n/a"
  • "Approximately 50-75% participate."
  • "80%"
  • "50%"
  • "most"

How Chosen?

  • "Chosen by Peter Stark"
  • "Faculty invitation"
  • "small exception in participation"
  • "Students fill out form requesting to compete, director then approves and assigns"
  • "You express interest and are selected then assigned a coach"
  • "Selection by faculty among interested students"
  • "everyone is automatically enrolled but people who do not want to participate can choose to not un enroll. around 20-40"
  • "Dancer commitment. There is no audition process."
  • "dn"
  • "staff decides based interest."
  • "Levels 5 and 5x needed to be chosen to participate. Levels 6 and 7 could choose if they wanted to participate."

Competitions Cost Extra?

  • "Yes-set fee for each entry"
  • "Yes -- for variation (coaching and entry fees), if doing a contemporary piece or ensemble, there was an additional fee"
  • "yes, student pays for the competition preparation classes"
  • "Yes. About $2000 to participate in YAGP"
  • "yes coaching fees and the fees for the competition"
  • "Yes for semi-private instructuon"
  • "yes,for rehersals"
  • "Yes. There is a base fee for costume and choreography, and that fee is per competition. Dancers can request to perform at multiple competitions."
  • "payed for cosume rentals, YAGP fees and semi private classes"
  • "yes, $2500 for regional comp. Extra if you make finals."
  • "Yes for registration and private training."

Separate Competition Rehearsals?

1
10

Competition Interfered With Training?

  • "Detract"
  • "Add!! Tremendous help to have the individual coaching!"
  • "add"
  • "Adds value because of individual coaching and performance opportunities"
  • "Definitely add; It provides more time with the teachers one on one."
  • "Added performance experience"
  • "add,had me improve in all my technique and was able to ace many prihouettes on pointe"
  • "Add. The one on one attention and honing a variation is a tremendous benefit."
  • "value was added. it helped to focus on repertoire, choreography, performance practice etc"
  • "add. specialized instruction multiple times a week from different staff. was amazing."
  • "It added value because you got additional training."

Communication

Formal Orientation?

1
10

Handboook & Paperwork

2
9

Quality of Communication?

Poor
1
4
6
Excellent

Who Received Communication?

1
10

Exams

Formal Exam?

11

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?

Not
3
8
Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?

Not
1
4
1
5
Completely

Describe School Culture

  • "Fun"
  • "Strong training, supportive, challenging, rigorous, intense"
  • "competitive and supportive"
  • "warm supportive staff cliquey teens"
  • "Competitive"
  • "Supportive, family-like atmosphere"
  • "Competitive, Demanding,"
  • "The instructors are exceptional. Because there are a large number of “teenage” students, there is a greater chance for the typical drama that one might face in a general high school setting. Sometimes that is a positive, because the kids are learning how to navigate being a teenager. There are one or two female students who are ruthless and fat shame quite a bit (others and themselves.). If your child makes good friend choices as mine did, it is an absolutely wonderful social environment. My dancer received exceptional dance training, and made lots of friends."
  • "great vibes and perfect environment"
  • "supportive, but competitive"
  • "Professional, happy and fun."

Placement Notification Timing

Repeated Responses:
  • "May" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "January"
  • "no"
  • "Near the end of the school year"
  • "At end of the prior year"
  • "it depends"
  • "Usually in April."
  • "during an evaluation meeting with teachers"
  • "March"
  • "It is different for every person. I was told at acceptance and again at my review in May (for the next year)."

How Dancer Was Notified

2

Dancer Had Mentor?

1
1

Mentoring Details

  • "informal- through variation coaching."
  • "I was only there for a year and did not have a mentor."

Overall School Culture

Lord of the Flies
1
1
4
5
Warm & Inclusive

School Outcomes

Is Student In Upper Levels?

1
8

Highest Levels of School?

1
8
1

How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level

1
1
1
1
3
1
1

How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?

1
1
1
1
3
1

Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go

5
2

How Many Left and Went to College?

1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1

Career Support

6
2
2

Describe How School Helped

  • "Responsive to meetings, develop resume, offered photo sessions at school, gave students lists but just entering this process now -- hoping it pays off!"
  • "director was able to answer all questions and provide recommendations"
  • "Instruction on resume, portfolio / videos, directions on "fit" for next steps, lots of discussion and willingness to answer questions"

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building

3
8

Safety of Area Around School?

Not Safe
3
7
1
Extremely Safe

Studio Space

Cramped
1
10
Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness

Dirty
3
8
Spotless

Housing

Was Housing Provided?

9

Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?

2
9

Where Did Dancer Live?

2

Type of Housing Provided:

5
8

Housing Minimum Age

Repeated Responses:
  • "12" (8 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "12 or 13"

# of Roommates:

2
4
3

Adequate # of RA's?

Not at all
3
4
2
Absolutely

Type of Bathrooms:

5
4

Curfew?

9

Curfew Reasonable?

9

Nightly Room Check?

9

Dorm Strictness

Extremely Lax
1
6
2
Extremely Strict

How Infractions Handled?

3
3
3
3

How Roommate Issues Handled?

  • "Lots of switching rooms and not having kids learn to work things out."
  • "with the Dorm mangagers"
  • "ok"
  • "Depending on issue could be told to work it out or RM might take a side and issue a warning or set a rule"
  • "RA would mediate, help them talk it out."
  • "many changed rooms never fully handled"
  • "hard to say"
  • "RA's got involved if requested"
  • "Amongst the roommates unless severe -then the RA would be involved."

Housing Cleanliness

Dirty
1
1
4
3
Spotless

Students Required to Clean Room?

9

Laundry Available?

9

Laundry Free?

1
4
4

Evening Activities?

7
2

A/C In Room?

9

Weekend Outings?

5
4

Transportation Between Housing and Studios?

1
1
7

Safety Around Housing

Not Safe
1
4
4
Very Safe

Overall Rating of Housing

Poor
2
2
5
Excellent

Additional Comments

  • "-------"
  • "dorms are a bit overcrowded just across the street from the studio"
  • "Many dancers to a room, rooms are large. Varied age and level per room as well. The RD often seemed overwhelmed."
  • "Housing needs updated- they still have some rooms with 5 dancers in a room, which is not the norm, but a possibility."
  • "The dorms are old, but it was really fun to live there. There is a lounge/kitchen where you can make your own meals if you wanted to."

Meal Plan

Meal Plan?

9

Food Quality

Gross
1
2
4
2
Excellent

Enough Food?

9

Late Meals Available?

3
6

Dancer w/ Dietary Needs?

8
1

What Were Needs?

  • "peanut allergy"

Dietary Needs Met?

1

Academics

How Did Academics Work?

7
4

Academic Support

11

Did the School Support Academics?

Didn't support
1
5
5
Definitely supported

Overall Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction

5
5
1

Career Support and Placement

6
2
3

Emotional Support

2
3
2
3
1

Housing & Food

2
2
1
1
3
2

Performance Opportunities

5
1
2
2
1

Overall Comments

Program's Best Aspect

  • "Telmo Moreira and Justin Allen as teachers"
  • "Supervision, distance from home, training"
  • "overal organization and quality of teachers"
  • "Ballet training was excellent"
  • "The training is versatile and the teachers are excellent (Zeiger, Moiera, Stark and Suarez esp). Cuban, Vaganova and American style are all taught and there is a high expectation from students."
  • "Exceptional training in a supportive environment with faculty that is well connected in professional ballet communities"
  • "The training and the very supportive instructors. This was my dancers first experience with encouraging and positive instructors. She wishes she had come here sooner."
  • "average teacher level, positive vibes and atmosphere"
  • "The caliber of teachers and the way they rotate through classes.Truly care about and work for the kids looking to move on. Very impressed."
  • "The best aspect was having a close-knit community with teachers who really cared about the students."

Program's Worst Aspect

  • "Too many different styles of dance. Inconsistent teaching methods."
  • "Dorms need renovation, Equality of treatment of dancers (teacher favorites -- but that happens EVERYWHERE)"
  • "dorms"
  • "Academics program is really just supervised study hall. However there are strict expectations for progress through self paced classes and dancers were punished (missing ballet classes) for falling behind."
  • "The housing was not the best fit for my dancer. I also wish the consistency in instructors was a bit better. More classes with Moiera , Zeiger and Stark."
  • "More frequent individual evaluation of progress"
  • "the very bad atmosphere with dancers, people who are good get hated on immediatley by everyone else. Very toxic and competitive. LOTS AND LOTS of favorites. A lot of immaturness and craziness in dorms and can be hard to have peace and sleepwell."
  • "My dancer wishes there were more performing opportunities."
  • "The food and living situation."
  • "If I had to pick something, it would be the condition of the dorms. The experience of the dorms was great."

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

  • "More hours and more consistency in terms of ballet curriculum taught"
  • "Less expensive. Some younger students were not ready to be living in the dorm no matter how excellent their dance skills!"
  • "I would like to see more support in the academics and residence aspects of the program."
  • "There needs to be more opportunity for performance in the spring. The fall is very busy but the spring needed more for the majority of the school not participating in YAGP finals."
  • "No recommendations"
  • "academics and atmosphere with dancers aswell as dorming situations"
  • "Performing opportunities."
  • "improve contemporary part"
  • "The quality of food and the housing can be alot."
  • "The condition of the dorms and the process for selection of roles in shows."

Anything Else We Should Know?

  • "Very fun environment and a well rounded program."
  • "Intense environment and not all students are ready to be living on own"
  • "Exceptional place to train"
  • "They genuinely care about the kids."
  • "Excellent program, but kids do function very independently. They form their own family there and support each other. Kids need to be ready for that, it's a huge adjustment for most."
  • "The Rock School is an excellent program with great teachers. I could feel myself improving with every class and had a lot of personal growth in my technique this year."
Loading…