Washington Ballet experience

[Anonymous]

WSB is an excellent school, but very traditional and strict. My girls attended for 3 years and then decided not to continue as it was not creative enough for them. I, being a traditional dancer, was saddened by this because I thrived in an environment like WSB. This school is about training, not shows and costumes like so many other dance schools in the area. Maryland Youth Ballet and Classical Ballet Theater in Herndon are good alternatives.

[Anonymous]

Love the Washington ballet--Nutcracker!

[Anonymous]

My mom wouldn't let me take lessons there bc she said the girls coming out the door look like concentration camp victims.

[Anonymous]

WSB is an excellent school, but very traditional and strict. My girls attended for 3 years and then decided not to continue as it was not creative enough for them. I, being a traditional dancer, was saddened by this because I thrived in an environment like WSB. This school is about training, not shows and costumes like so many other dance schools in the area. Maryland Youth Ballet and Classical Ballet Theater in Herndon are good alternatives.

ITA with PP but would add that WSB for many students (and their parents) IS all about shows and costumes, joining just so they can be in the company's Nutcracker each year. Nutcracker is a financial necessity for every ballet school and company. The WSB parts the kids "dance" are cute and the experience is great fun for them, but it is a 3 month distraction that has grown into a monster! MYB and CBT offer similar ballet training with less nutcracker obsession.

[Anonymous]

My mom wouldn't let me take lessons there bc she said the girls coming out the door look like concentration camp victims.

Not sure when your mom observed this, but I just sat through an upper level parent observation class this week and was pleasantly surprised to see a wide range of body types in the class. The school also holds nutrition seminars every year to highlight the importance of healthy eating on training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom wouldn't let me take lessons there bc she said the girls coming out the door look like concentration camp victims.

Not true at all!
My daughter is far from that and doing wonderful. There is no stress on being skinny there.