Audition for Washington Ballet next year (1B level, 9-10 yrs old) - how hard is it?

[Anonymous]

My DD has been taking ballet lessons at Washington Ballet for 2 years before, but this year in 2023-2024 season, she's decided to take a break to do another sport. She said she's interested in returning to Washington Ballet next year. She was in pre-ballet 3 last year, so if she were to continue at WTB this year, she would be placed in Level 1A.

Considering she hasn't taken any ballet lessons this year, how challenging will it be for her to audition for Level 1B at Washington Ballet next year (2024-2025)? Has anyone had a similar experience? Should I enroll her in ballet lessons elsewhere in the spring before she auditions at Washington Ballet in the summer for the 2024-2025 season? She was a great ballet student before and follows instructions very well.

[Anonymous]

The school has really been dwindling.
Consider looking into other local area schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The school has really been dwindling.
Consider looking into other local area schools

OP here. Could you elaborate? I'm interested in knowing more..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school has really been dwindling.
Consider looking into other local area schools

OP here. Could you elaborate? I'm interested in knowing more..

curriculum is so much slower than other DMV schools with good reputations. they have become a true recreational school - so if thats what you want, go for it. but if your child has any interest in high level ballet or pre professional training in the future, look elsewhere

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school has really been dwindling.
Consider looking into other local area schools

OP here. Could you elaborate? I'm interested in knowing more..

curriculum is so much slower than other DMV schools with good reputations. they have become a true recreational school - so if thats what you want, go for it. but if your child has any interest in high level ballet or pre professional training in the future, look elsewhere

It's sad. My friends who have children seriously interested in ballet don't even consider auditioning for the Washington Ballet summer intensives. The ballet companies in other cities - NYC, Houston, Denver, Seattle - have much stronger ballet instruction than Washington, DC, offers. I don't know why a world class city like DC can't sustain an enviable ballet program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school has really been dwindling.
Consider looking into other local area schools

OP here. Could you elaborate? I'm interested in knowing more..

curriculum is so much slower than other DMV schools with good reputations. they have become a true recreational school - so if thats what you want, go for it. but if your child has any interest in high level ballet or pre professional training in the future, look elsewhere

It's sad. My friends who have children seriously interested in ballet don't even consider auditioning for the Washington Ballet summer intensives. The ballet companies in other cities - NYC, Houston, Denver, Seattle - have much stronger ballet instruction than Washington, DC, offers. I don't know why a world class city like DC can't sustain an enviable ballet program.

The SI is really just to make money for the school.
I swear the school has no desire to participate in any serious ballet training.
I wish the company would step in with the school and take an interest

[Anonymous]

NP here - agree with the overall consensus here but a question. There seems to be no clear next runner up waiting in the wings to capitalize on TWSB's many failings. MYB not great if you are in VA. Kirov closed and had its own issues anyway. Sad that DC punches far below its weight when it comes to dance and ballet for youth, compared to the NYC Houston PNW comps

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here - agree with the overall consensus here but a question. There seems to be no clear next runner up waiting in the wings to capitalize on TWSB's many failings. MYB not great if you are in VA. Kirov closed and had its own issues anyway. Sad that DC punches far below its weight when it comes to dance and ballet for youth, compared to the NYC Houston PNW comps

Former Kirov people opened Alchemy in Herndon and Academy of Russian Ballet is about a mile away along with Skye Ballet Center. Maryland has Akhmedova and CityDance Conservatory along with MYB and there's Seber Method in DC. And there are others. People can argue about the merits of a big name brand like TWSB vs smaller, more intimate schools but just because a school is bigger with name recognition from a company doesn't necessarily mean the training for local students is better there. It would be nice if DC had a high quality ballet flagship school like those other cities but the smaller schools here are still producing good dancers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here - agree with the overall consensus here but a question. There seems to be no clear next runner up waiting in the wings to capitalize on TWSB's many failings. MYB not great if you are in VA. Kirov closed and had its own issues anyway. Sad that DC punches far below its weight when it comes to dance and ballet for youth, compared to the NYC Houston PNW comps

Former Kirov people opened Alchemy in Herndon and Academy of Russian Ballet is about a mile away along with Skye Ballet Center. Maryland has Akhmedova and CityDance Conservatory along with MYB and there's Seber Method in DC. And there are others. People can argue about the merits of a big name brand like TWSB vs smaller, more intimate schools but just because a school is bigger with name recognition from a company doesn't necessarily mean the training for local students is better there. It would be nice if DC had a high quality ballet flagship school like those other cities but the smaller schools here are still producing good dancers.

Second all this, both MYB and Seber will give excellent high level training

[Anonymous]

I can offer up my recommendation for Akhmedova in terms of seriousness of training. We moved from TWSB after 1B but have another who wants to stay at TWSB because she loves dancing The nutcracker and eventually her competitive gymnastics will take over her schedule. But Akhmedova is Vagonava technique so your dancer will go right to PTP 1 regardless of age and you’ll move up as fast as you’re demonstrating skill. Any slowness in Vagonava has to do with a sharp attention to detail and body strength. Part of what they do in PTP 1 fixing errors in kids from other schools as well as flexibility. Classes are 90 min 3 times a week in ballet technique, contemporary, character, and pilates/conditioning. It’s recommended to have a home practice as well.

These are the flaws I see in TWSB:
There needs to be strong leadership. When Julie came Julie also over, saw the school, and there were people who were partly in charge of the school, and partly in Company roles. The school really got ignored and I think this is why it’s struggling today. Of course, it’s not struggling on enrollment. I think it’s struggling on the inside.

The school needs to have a serious commitment to quality, not just recruiting, and paying all the teachers well but holding the teachers accountable to excellent instruction and feedback on the student. The portal feedback has always been extremely brief and impersonal, and therefore unhelpful.

I think there is someway to figure out how to have a more serious track in the school once you get out of pre-ballet. Whether it’s optional registration for additional classes, so that the more work and practice you put in your skills continue to improve, or some type of audition placement. That includes specific instruction more classes., almost like a school within the school. This could be based on skill and should not be based on parents ability to pay. This could be part of where the philanthropy goes in terms of scholarships.

Finally, I think throughout the school there should be more performance opportunities. I am grateful for the nutcracker and grateful for the spring showcase. I just think that there has to be some way to have more performance opportunities for kids, big and small. These could be showcases at additional locations doing the showcase dances. I believe dance is truly joyful, and is meant to be shared with the world. So if our kids already know these showcase routines, why not take them more places? And for the “small ideas” I wonder why they don’t integrate it more with dance for all with the Washington ballet as well as involved parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can offer up my recommendation for Akhmedova in terms of seriousness of training. We moved from TWSB after 1B but have another who wants to stay at TWSB because she loves dancing The nutcracker and eventually her competitive gymnastics will take over her schedule. But Akhmedova is Vagonava technique so your dancer will go right to PTP 1 regardless of age and you’ll move up as fast as you’re demonstrating skill. Any slowness in Vagonava has to do with a sharp attention to detail and body strength. Part of what they do in PTP 1 fixing errors in kids from other schools as well as flexibility. Classes are 90 min 3 times a week in ballet technique, contemporary, character, and pilates/conditioning. It’s recommended to have a home practice as well.

These are the flaws I see in TWSB:
There needs to be strong leadership. When Julie came Julie also over, saw the school, and there were people who were partly in charge of the school, and partly in Company roles. The school really got ignored and I think this is why it’s struggling today. Of course, it’s not struggling on enrollment. I think it’s struggling on the inside.

The school needs to have a serious commitment to quality, not just recruiting, and paying all the teachers well but holding the teachers accountable to excellent instruction and feedback on the student. The portal feedback has always been extremely brief and impersonal, and therefore unhelpful.

I think there is someway to figure out how to have a more serious track in the school once you get out of pre-ballet. Whether it’s optional registration for additional classes, so that the more work and practice you put in your skills continue to improve, or some type of audition placement. That includes specific instruction more classes., almost like a school within the school. This could be based on skill and should not be based on parents ability to pay. This could be part of where the philanthropy goes in terms of scholarships.

Finally, I think throughout the school there should be more performance opportunities. I am grateful for the nutcracker and grateful for the spring showcase. I just think that there has to be some way to have more performance opportunities for kids, big and small. These could be showcases at additional locations doing the showcase dances. I believe dance is truly joyful, and is meant to be shared with the world. So if our kids already know these showcase routines, why not take them more places? And for the “small ideas” I wonder why they don’t integrate it more with dance for all with the Washington ballet as well as involved parents.

All very good points, and the ability to train and participate in YAGP too!

[Anonymous]

TWSB has become the YMCA of ballet training in the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TWSB has become the YMCA of ballet training in the DMV.

Yes, this is the perfect phrasing.
The very expensive YMCA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TWSB has become the YMCA of ballet training in the DMV.

Yes, this is the perfect phrasing.
The very expensive YMCA

I don't know it Maryland Youth Ballet is any better though...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:TWSB has become the YMCA of ballet training in the DMV.

Yes, this is the perfect phrasing.
The very expensive YMCA

I don't know it Maryland Youth Ballet is any better though...

It has been like night and day.
Classes are half the size, curriculum is markedly more accelerated