*returning

Except those professional dancers are not being produced by TWSB, at least not in the pre-PTP levels. PTPA has been pretty much entirely filled with dancers from the outside; current TWSB students don't stand a chance given the large class sizes and slow pace at the lower levels. Many of the better students leave for smaller, more intense studios long before they get to PTP, with some retuning at a higher level.

Anonymous wrote:I like Julie and all the Upper Division teachers. My daughter is absolutely overlooked though and that makes me sad. She adores ballet but came from a studio that really saw her passion and potential. I think TWSB is just too big. So many students get lost in the mix, the same students are given opportunities over and over again. We are discussing moving due to this and I believe she might thrive at a smaller studio.

TWSB is in the business of producing professional dancers. There are very few individuals who who have the body type and work ethic to succeed. First, you have to have the body type. I do not mean just thin, but feet, turnout, proportions, height.

Of course a few people will always get the opportunities! This is how prepro ballet works.

Trust me I know because I have been there. Was in the prepro at Washington Ballet in the 90s. Back then it was called early release because classes started at 2pm.

My mother would always pester me about not getting better parts and working hard enough. I am petite, but too short and not great feet. It is hard for a parent to see the subtle differences. I knew I would never get the solos etc, but loved ballet and was just happy to be there.

No news yet. I wouldn't be surprised if XR plays the role of interim AD... Seems like they're having trouble finding a replacement.

Interesting, and discouraging. Any news yet on her replacement? Will XR and her husband stay? Not a fan; she completely botched the twsb director job when she first arrived.

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. I think her experience mirrors that of many others. Do the classes get smaller at the higher levels of the Upper Division (Level 5/6 or so)?

They do get smaller and I'm hoping things will improve with JK's replacement and they get in someone with more integrity. This last audition was a joke, complete waste of everyone's time for the same kids who are always hand selected.

I’m sorry to hear about your daughter. I think her experience mirrors that of many others. Do the classes get smaller at the higher levels of the Upper Division (Level 5/6 or so)?

I like Julie and all the Upper Division teachers. My daughter is absolutely overlooked though and that makes me sad. She adores ballet but came from a studio that really saw her passion and potential. I think TWSB is just too big. So many students get lost in the mix, the same students are given opportunities over and over again. We are discussing moving due to this and I believe she might thrive at a smaller studio.

Do people at the school think its likely the current school leadership and key teachers will stay in place once a new AD comes in? Or will they leave with JK?

OP here. Thank you for your honest feedback. Unfortunately this is exactly what drove us away. We had hoped that things had improved, but it sounds like it’s probably even worse now. It’s frustrating to see this formerly great school in this downward spiral after years of bad management and underinvestment. I hope they turn it around, but I’m not sure they know how to, especially since the focus is now on Julie Kent’s replacement.

Bored in Level 4A - sucking DDs former love for ballet...it is SLOW...classes are HUGE - almost 30, few opportunities, and feels like no progress all year. We will either leave or give up dance all together.

We are getting ready to leave for a smaller more intense competition studio. Still in LS but it’s not just the slow pace it’s the lack of quality teaching due to huge classes - kids 2 years younger and 2 years older jammed in, most talk during class making it difficult for the teacher to command structure in the classroom, issues with arriving late, hair not done, and teaching to the slowest to catch on student.

OP here. Thank you for replying. How big are the Level 4 classes right now? Are students still making progress, albeit slowly? When my dancer left, it felt that they were moving at the pace of the slowest learner, spending most of the fall catching them up, which was very frustrating for those who had attended the intensive. Don’t mind slow as long as there is progress. My dancer is actually keen to get away from the competition studio sloppiness. Justin’s hoping to find a middle ground.

Anonymous wrote:How is the Upper Division these days? My DC left for a smaller, more intense studio a couple of years ago because of the slow pace and large classes. I'm also aware that the burst pipes made for a very challenging winter.

We are looking at a potential return to TWSB to cut down on the commute and costs and to get away from the competition focus at the smaller studio.

What are class sizes, pace, etc. like these days? Probably looking at Level 5 or so. Thanks!

We had a lot of students come in from Kirov, so the current level 4s is pretty large, IMHO. The pace has always been slow compared to a competition studio and I don't think that's going to change.

How is the Upper Division these days? My DC left for a smaller, more intense studio a couple of years ago because of the slow pace and large classes. I'm also aware that the burst pipes made for a very challenging winter.

We are looking at a potential return to TWSB to cut down on the commute and costs and to get away from the competition focus at the smaller studio.

What are class sizes, pace, etc. like these days? Probably looking at Level 5 or so. Thanks!