High School and Ballet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. We will visit studios this summer. Right now I’m thinking Mclean/Langley HS and TWSB or MYB or Madison/Conservatory Ballet (assuming it’s still wonderful- it’s been awhile). And there are some suggestions for schools here that we aren’t familiar with so we need to visit those too. You’ve all been so helpful, I appreciate it.

McLean to MYB at rush hour would not be a fun drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. We will visit studios this summer. Right now I’m thinking Mclean/Langley HS and TWSB or MYB or Madison/Conservatory Ballet (assuming it’s still wonderful- it’s been awhile). And there are some suggestions for schools here that we aren’t familiar with so we need to visit those too. You’ve all been so helpful, I appreciate it.

OP, could you clarify what "Madison/Conservatory Ballet" is? I don't know the name though there are a couple of schools with "conservatory" in the name in this area. Thanks.

Not OP, but I think that's what the Reston Conservatory is called now.

Thanks, PP. I'm the PP who asked. That's what I wondered. The "Madison" confused me.

I very recently looked up something called "Principal Ballet" (had seen an ad for it and was just curious!) and found online that it seemed linked to what was Reston Conservatory Ballet, which DC attended as a young child before moving to another studio.

There are still sites and accounts out there under Reston Conservatory but it seems now to be Conservatory Ballet Foundation?, run by or in conjunction with Principal Ballet, which has a director who I know used to be at Reston Conservatory as a teacher of younger students, when DC was there a decade and more ago.

Anyway, as far as OP is concerned: If you were referring to what was (or is?) Reston Conservatory Ballet, just check with care, as it seems to be undergoing some change. Saw an ad for Principal Ballet, seeking dance teachers, plural, so not sure where things stand or what's Principal and what's Reston Conservatory. Of course the changes could all be positive, and I'm not commenting on quality as I have no idea. I'm just noting that what we knew as "Reston Conservatory Ballet" a while back seems to have changed. I didn't see "Madison" on their stuff anywhere online but maybe I missed something -- there were several old and new web pages. Just FYI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

KMAB is in Tysons and many of its students are in the Langley and McLean pyramids. They also have a Summer Intensive. Info may be found here: https://www.kintzmejiaballet.org/

This studio is not on par with Washington Ballet, MYB, Ballet Nova, or CBT. Every studio in the area has a summer intensive.

I disagree. KMAB is very good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. We will visit studios this summer. Right now I’m thinking Mclean/Langley HS and TWSB or MYB or Madison/Conservatory Ballet (assuming it’s still wonderful- it’s been awhile). And there are some suggestions for schools here that we aren’t familiar with so we need to visit those too. You’ve all been so helpful, I appreciate it.

OP, could you clarify what "Madison/Conservatory Ballet" is? I don't know the name though there are a couple of schools with "conservatory" in the name in this area. Thanks.

Not OP, but I think that's what the Reston Conservatory is called now.

Thanks, PP. I'm the PP who asked. That's what I wondered. The "Madison" confused me.

I very recently looked up something called "Principal Ballet" (had seen an ad for it and was just curious!) and found online that it seemed linked to what was Reston Conservatory Ballet, which DC attended as a young child before moving to another studio.

There are still sites and accounts out there under Reston Conservatory but it seems now to be Conservatory Ballet Foundation?, run by or in conjunction with Principal Ballet, which has a director who I know used to be at Reston Conservatory as a teacher of younger students, when DC was there a decade and more ago.

Anyway, as far as OP is concerned: If you were referring to what was (or is?) Reston Conservatory Ballet, just check with care, as it seems to be undergoing some change. Saw an ad for Principal Ballet, seeking dance teachers, plural, so not sure where things stand or what's Principal and what's Reston Conservatory. Of course the changes could all be positive, and I'm not commenting on quality as I have no idea. I'm just noting that what we knew as "Reston Conservatory Ballet" a while back seems to have changed. I didn't see "Madison" on their stuff anywhere online but maybe I missed something -- there were several old and new web pages. Just FYI.

I think OP meant the Madison High School / Conservatory Ballet combination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet at Tyson's Corner. Serious training after school for weekdays, and full day classes/rehearsal on Saturday (sometimes on Sunday too).

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. We will visit studios this summer. Right now I’m thinking Mclean/Langley HS and TWSB or MYB or Madison/Conservatory Ballet (assuming it’s still wonderful- it’s been awhile). And there are some suggestions for schools here that we aren’t familiar with so we need to visit those too. You’ve all been so helpful, I appreciate it.

OP, could you clarify what "Madison/Conservatory Ballet" is? I don't know the name though there are a couple of schools with "conservatory" in the name in this area. Thanks.

Not OP, but I think that's what the Reston Conservatory is called now.

Thanks, PP. I'm the PP who asked. That's what I wondered. The "Madison" confused me.

I very recently looked up something called "Principal Ballet" (had seen an ad for it and was just curious!) and found online that it seemed linked to what was Reston Conservatory Ballet, which DC attended as a young child before moving to another studio.

There are still sites and accounts out there under Reston Conservatory but it seems now to be Conservatory Ballet Foundation?, run by or in conjunction with Principal Ballet, which has a director who I know used to be at Reston Conservatory as a teacher of younger students, when DC was there a decade and more ago.

Anyway, as far as OP is concerned: If you were referring to what was (or is?) Reston Conservatory Ballet, just check with care, as it seems to be undergoing some change. Saw an ad for Principal Ballet, seeking dance teachers, plural, so not sure where things stand or what's Principal and what's Reston Conservatory. Of course the changes could all be positive, and I'm not commenting on quality as I have no idea. I'm just noting that what we knew as "Reston Conservatory Ballet" a while back seems to have changed. I didn't see "Madison" on their stuff anywhere online but maybe I missed something -- there were several old and new web pages. Just FYI.

I think OP meant the Madison High School / Conservatory Ballet combination.

Yes, this is what I meant, thank you.

Thank you also for the information on Reston Conservatory Ballet. Mrs. Redick was wonderful and hired excellent teachers. I think we were there when the teacher left and started her own place.

For the McLean HS/MYB combo, we would have to be at MYB at 2:30 and come back home about 8. Do you think those hours are ok?

DD was recently released from physical therapy after ligament surgery so im not sure if she’ll be ready for an intensive this summer. She may need to start with regular classses and apply for pre-pro classes next year, but I’d like her to stay in the same place if possible.

Thanks for all your help! Each post continues to be helpful, I appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

If you decide on MYB (and maybe TWSB although to a lesser extent) definitely think hard about the choice to live in VA. Bethesda would make such a difference in your quality of life, and give you more options for back-ups if MYB doesn’t work out. You could think of the tax difference as the price you, the parent or whomever is doing all of that driving, is paying for the ability to have a family life outside of ballet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you decide on MYB (and maybe TWSB although to a lesser extent) definitely think hard about the choice to live in VA. Bethesda would make such a difference in your quality of life, and give you more options for back-ups if MYB doesn’t work out. You could think of the tax difference as the price you, the parent or whomever is doing all of that driving, is paying for the ability to have a family life outside of ballet.

Thank you. I do still hope DH and I can reach an agreement on this. I thought I was only looking at a 30 minute commute since it would be on either end of rush hour but if it’s more than that, it would be too much.

To the poster who mentioned Principal Ballet, thank you. Looks like Mrs Redick’s daughter runs it. I’ll look into it.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but in the DC area, only MYB and WB are at the top. You want a pre-professional studio that sends students to corps de ballet type jobs, at minimum. You want a history of successful trainees at that location.
And you want to live close by. No amount of tax difference warrants wasting one's life in traffic. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet at Tyson's Corner. Serious training after school for weekdays, and full day classes/rehearsal on Saturday (sometimes on Sunday too).

This describes about 30 studios in the DC area. Does it take dancers to the Grande Prix? Does it have any "graduates" that are professional? Does it have many male dancers? Those are the measures of a top-flight studio.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you decide on MYB (and maybe TWSB although to a lesser extent) definitely think hard about the choice to live in VA. Bethesda would make such a difference in your quality of life, and give you more options for back-ups if MYB doesn’t work out. You could think of the tax difference as the price you, the parent or whomever is doing all of that driving, is paying for the ability to have a family life outside of ballet.

Thank you. I do still hope DH and I can reach an agreement on this. I thought I was only looking at a 30 minute commute since it would be on either end of rush hour but if it’s more than that, it would be too much.

To the poster who mentioned Principal Ballet, thank you. Looks like Mrs Redick’s daughter runs it. I’ll look into it.

The American Legion Bridge is notorious for backing up at any time of day, unfortunately. Otherwise, yes you’d theoretically be okay with those times. Would you drive to MYB and stay there waiting for her until 8pm every single day? It’s the going home and coming back part that would be a bear, and also getting her to any rehearsals in addition to classes. I’m sure people who have no other choices for where to live drive much longer, but it would be hard and it would limit the possibilities of setting up carpools to take the pressure off you/the driver. TWSB would be more reasonable from VA, although you may have the same issue with getting stuck in traffic after you dropped her off.

[Anonymous]

NP here. We’re looking at a similar decision next year, albeit for a boy, at slightly above intermediate level. Any insights on TWSB vs. MYB in terms of caliber of faculty, placement into pre-pro programs, etc. ? My impression is that a TWSB is going through a difficult period and has lost many good dancers and teachers, while MYB seems to be on the way up. TIA for any insights!

[Anonymous]

What about Kirov ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Sorry, but in the DC area, only MYB and WB are at the top. You want a pre-professional studio that sends students to corps de ballet type jobs, at minimum. You want a history of successful trainees at that location.
And you want to live close by. No amount of tax difference warrants wasting one's life in traffic. Seriously.

+1

If your DD is truly serious, these are the only two you should be considering. Both are in a state of change, however. MYB just changed directors and the program will be changing slightly (to the PP with a male dancer, I would look here). WB has been in a state of change ever since Septime Webre left and Julie Kent came though rumor has it that that may change soon as well.

Some factors for your DD: Who does she want to learn from? Teaching styles are different at each of these. How much and what type of performance opportunities does she want? They are different at each of these studios, personal decision. What kind of SI experience does she want? MYB encourages going elsewhere, WB encourages staying there.

For the parents: commuting from VA to either of these studios on a daily basis would be a nightmare -- lots of unpredictability in the traffic with commutes ranging to over an hour. Car pooling helps, but it really eats into dinner and homework time. Add on rehearsals and performances and you could easily be doing this 6-7 days/week. MD public schools have an abbreviated day option and will work with your DD to be sure she can accomplish all academic and extracurricular goals. I know many dancers from many high schools in most of the surrounding counties who have had no issues at all and carpooling is easy right from the high school. IN addition, for the parents, I would also consider the economics of each studio -- both how it affects the experience your DD would have as well as how it affects your bottom line (tuition + donations).

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Sorry, but in the DC area, only MYB and WB are at the top. You want a pre-professional studio that sends students to corps de ballet type jobs, at minimum. You want a history of successful trainees at that location.
And you want to live close by. No amount of tax difference warrants wasting one's life in traffic. Seriously.

+1

If your DD is truly serious, these are the only two you should be considering. Both are in a state of change, however. MYB just changed directors and the program will be changing slightly (to the PP with a male dancer, I would look here). WB has been in a state of change ever since Septime Webre left and Julie Kent came though rumor has it that that may change soon as well.

Some factors for your DD: Who does she want to learn from? Teaching styles are different at each of these. How much and what type of performance opportunities does she want? They are different at each of these studios, personal decision. What kind of SI experience does she want? MYB encourages going elsewhere, WB encourages staying there.

For the parents: commuting from VA to either of these studios on a daily basis would be a nightmare -- lots of unpredictability in the traffic with commutes ranging to over an hour. Car pooling helps, but it really eats into dinner and homework time. Add on rehearsals and performances and you could easily be doing this 6-7 days/week. MD public schools have an abbreviated day option and will work with your DD to be sure she can accomplish all academic and extracurricular goals. I know many dancers from many high schools in most of the surrounding counties who have had no issues at all and carpooling is easy right from the high school. IN addition, for the parents, I would also consider the economics of each studio -- both how it affects the experience your DD would have as well as how it affects your bottom line (tuition + donations).

Good luck.

A high school dancer can be serious at other schools also. OP, if your daughter wants to go professional and that is her only goal, look at these ^^^. If not, some of the other schools mentioned in this thread (such as BalletNova and CBT in VA) also have dancers who are "serious" and teachers who are just as well-trained. You'd be surprised how many teachers will teach at more than one school around here too. It's a small area, as far as ballet is concerned.