The school has levels 1 through 8 for students and then the bridge trainee program into the company.
Levels 1-8 and Trainee
1-8 + trainee
I believe there are 7 academy levels... And 5-7 are broken up in "evening program" and "day program" where the day program is the precursor to the trainee program. The trainee program is the postgrad level, though.
Dancer Age
14
17
18
19
Older than 21
Hours of Dance Each Week
6-10 hours
Gender
Female
Company Affliated?
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
It covered part of my tuition
The scholarship covered the whole tuition, this was given to some trainee students.
N/A
Years At School
1 year
2 years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
5
6
Classes Per Day
3
4
5
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
1
2
3
Daily
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Unsure
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
No
Men Taught Batterie?
Unsure
Boys In Level
5-10
Less than 5
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?
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
Monday-Ballet, Pointe or Variations, Contemporary, Tuesday-Ballet, Pointe, Conditioning, Wednesday- same as monday, Thursday- same as tuesday, Friday- Ballet, variations, character or co rep, Saturday- Pbt, ballet, pointe, jazz (last year)
Each day starts with a 1.5 hour ballet class. Schedule changes often depending on where we are in the year and if we're doing company performances, but if it's a regular work week, after class we'll have 1-2 hours of pointe or rep on pointe, a lunch break, and then another 2-3 hours of either contemporary or contemporary repertoire. Occassionally we have other classes like nutrition, dance history, conditioning, etc. The day runs from 9:30am-4:30pm with a 1 hour lunch break.
Trainee Director's classes were very similar to company classes, Academy Director's classes were heavily Vaganova. Each day we started with a ballet technique class, and then we usually went into rehearsals, whatever that means for the time. At the beginning of the year, there were more pointe classes and occasionally a pas class but that dwindled later in the year. If you wanted more pointe classes, you usually had to do your own exercises or take a lower level class. Once or twice a week there were contemporary technique classes.
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
contemporary
contemporary repertoire from the company
cunningham
Dunham
Jazz
Modern
None of the above
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
Occasionally accomplished guest teachers were brought in for our Saturday joint classes with the school students. In our contemporary class, two guest teachers were brought in during the year- one to teach floorwork technique, and the other to teach a Gaga class.
If you wanted strength or conditioning, you had to go to the lower level classes, but the schedule was so inconsistent (for the trainees) that that wasn't always reliable, so most of us kept warm and "strengthened" on our own.
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule
Occasionally
Once or twice a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Some were certified and some were not depending on class
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
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?
sought outside medical attention unaffiliated with the school
Faculty offered contact information and references to local sports PTs. One came in to introduce himself to Trainees back in September, unsure if any of the Trainees sought out treatment with him.
They had doctors that usually saw most of the dancers and would recommend them to those who were injured.
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Describe Recovery Plan
The school was not responsible for providing a recovery plan- if injured, it was up to the dancer to communicate with staff with updates and info on what they could and couldn't do in class & rehearsal. Doctor and PT visits were highly recommended to students with chronic/repeat injuries.
At the trainee level, you really have to know your body (i.e., what to push through, what to sit down to, what to call an injury, how to make a plan for an injury) and communicate that with the staff. If you're communicative, they're very understanding.
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
No
Yes
Additional Comments
all of this is from previous year under previous director
it seemed as though casting was often decided based on body type rather than ability
As the trainee are all older (postgraduate age), it was expected that we advocate for ourselves and be the judges of when we do and don't need help. The school is open to helping in any way they can with both physical and mental health issues, but the dancer is responsible for notifying the school of those issues. In my experience, the faculty are very understanding of injuries and prioritize dancer health above all else.
Injuries were taken seriously, but mental health was not really. You REALLY have to be secure in yourself because some of the comments can be very degrading... Even if it made us better dancers and jarred us into a more "company atmosphere", you would quickly get in your head and get incredibly anxious to dance or talk to the staff... I don't know how it will be next year though.
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
School Winter Show?
No
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?
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
Was Casting Fair?
For some but not all
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
2
3
4
Perfomance Opportunities
we weren’t given many opportunities to perform. many of us have done 2 company productions (all “standing around” parts as stated above) and a couple of small outreach performances and an end of year showcase with the school
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Trainees had the opportunity to perform in all full-length company productions (4 for 23-24 season). Depending on the ballet, we performed either dancing or supernumerary roles. Trainees also performed a piece to open each of the TBII outreach-child-story-ballet performances (6-8 shows in September, 4-6 shows in April). The last performance of the year is the school's End-of-Year performances, 6 shows total, where trainees performed one multi-movement contemporary ballet, one short piece (both of these from TB company repertoire), one student-choreographed piece, and excerpts from La Bayadere (trainees performed all leading roles as well as pas de quatre and corps roles).
not many opportunities to perform with the school; outreach performances with the second company on occasion; everyone had a part in nutcracker but none were dancing parts; some trainees were used in don q and romeo and juliet as “space fillers” in street scenes
Were You Paid?
No
If Paid, Please Describe
N/A
Competition
School Does Competitions?
No
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Unsure
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Adequate but missing several key pieces
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?
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Outside adjudicator
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Agree
Disagree
Neutral
Strongly agree
Strongly disagree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Yes, Dancer only. The meeting was with Artistic Director and my teachers
Yes, dancer only. The meeting was with my teachers.
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
Caring, professional, great atmosphere
extremely intense with occasional jokes
supportive, creative, caring
Clear Standards, Professional, Intense, Exciting
supportive students, harsh teachers
Good training, anxiety, weird communication
Placement Notification Timing
At the end of the dance year
mid march
already know
March, after exams
mid march
Yes. A second year should be automatic, unless told otherwise, but some were told about being considered for second company.
How Dancer Was Notified
In-person meeting with school director/staff
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details
No mentoring, unsure how to answer.
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
Trainee, Apprentice (only if it is not part of the company)
Trainee, Second Company
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
None from the upper level wanted to pursue dancing in a company
1 accepted to second company (part of the company not school)
3
0
none
10%
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
4 last year, like 15 this year
the vast majority
10
Currently 0. Trainee program is still very new, many of the school students are not old enough or interested in post-grad training.
all trainees are brought in
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
i dont know
none
None
Unsure, likely 0
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received lots of help
Received some help
Describe How School Helped
I am still in the levels
they helped us film our audition videos. we each had private time with one teacher while we filmed
Helped put together audition materials, looked over materials, hired photographer for headshot and arabesque photos, resume seminar was conducted with a company member including feedback from Artistic Director. Meetings were held in January to go over our audition plans- we were asked to make company audition lists beforehand and send to our directors. School if affiliated with YAGP job fair, so students interested in attending were given acceptance to attend without prior audition.
Had allotted times to learn and rehearse combos for audition materials as well as to videotape those combos.
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
No
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?
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+
C
Career Support and Placement
A+
B
B-
B+
Emotional Support
A+
B
B-
C+
D
Housing & Food
A+
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A
A-
A+
B
C
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
The teachers are great here now and all support and push you to do your best
it was extremely small so we each got individualized feedback regularly
Our director, taking company class, and the amount of company production we got to be a part of
The training. Technique classes helped build stamina and work ethic for company class, and we learned to work in and around the changing schedules. Corrections and feedback, albeit vague sometimes, were personalized, and the staff knew every dancer.
Program's Worst Aspect
it’s often a very hostile environment. often told we are not good enough, aren’t smart, don’t have what it takes, etc.
Occasionally there are days where we have 3-4 hours of dancing on our schedule with no break. 3-4 of class or rehearsal is fine, but I wish there was a more clear cut rule for break times during these long work periods- I would often get very hungry and worn out during these days and it would make it difficult to dance my best.
The environment. Favoritism - not just "I like these select people and I won't pay attention to the rest" but "I also don't like these select people and will treat them poorly and unfairly." The authority dynamic was off... Most of us trainees are adults and were treated like kids, staff were paranoid at little things that we did, so we would get in trouble and then we were let known after the fact about a rule none of us knew about in the first place. Honestly, some of the staff seemed a bit out of touch when it came to rules and "discipline".
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
the training is incredible, but the environment isn’t conducive with learning and applying corrections, as you’re often so anxious/afraid it’s difficult to focus on dancing
More specific feedback from instructors in exam and year-end evaluations. The results we got were a bit vague, often with the papers just reading "Pointework" - 16/25 or something like that with no additional comments.
More technique classes in pointe, modern, pas...
Anything Else We Should Know?
They should come because it’s great here all the teachers are amazing and the company is amazing, and it’s great
i would absolutely recommend this program if you are strong willed and have a very thick skin. if you’re an anxious person or have difficulties with extremely harsh criticism often delivered in an aggressive way, i don’t think this is the program for you
The Trainee program is a very challenging program with a lot of dancing and an intense working environment. I think our trainee program director is absolutely phenomenal, but she gives "tough love" to be sure. Trainees get criticism that can be harsh and difficult to hear, but you need to be able to take it. If you roll with the punches, you can improve A LOT in this program. By far I think this is the best post-graduate program out there- it really prepares you to work in a professional environment and have the working efficiency of a professional dancer. Just make sure you're mature/old enough and emotionally strong enough to be in an environment like this.
Things are changing after the 2024-2025 season, but as far as I'm concerned, you have to be secure in yourself. The comments they make can be incredibly degrading, but as long as you're in to improve YOURSELF and not just to seek approval (because you will improve with the training), you'll be fine. If you struggle with anxiety or are sensitive, I would not recommend this program.
