DD was in 4A last year and seriously considered leaving. One of her classes had almost 40 (!) students in it. It is way too large for a single teacher at this level.
We've paid the tuition for 4B, but will probably leave for 5 if the school can't get it's act together. DD is currently at another intensive, and we are both shocked by how much more individualized attention and the greater sense of community we are finding at this other school.
TWSB is OK, but seems content to rest on its laurels from the past.

Definitely seems $$$ for recreational dance but I do understand the allure of Nutcracker.

Anonymous wrote:How are people feeling about TWSB going into the fall? Any changes to some of the issues (class sizes, slow progression, etc) that have been discussed in recent years?

Honestly no real changes. I have 1 still at the school as shes my more recreational dancer and likes nutcracker, my more serious dancer left a few years ago.

How are people feeling about TWSB going into the fall? Any changes to some of the issues (class sizes, slow progression, etc) that have been discussed in recent years?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The model for the school has VERY much shifted to large, slow classes. The school is purely recreational now - which is great for plenty of kids, but if you have a dancer who wants serious progression and teaching go elsewhere. Where are you now?

I don't think this is true at all.

Oh it's absolutely true. Anyone in the dance world will tell you the same thing.

Yeah, the people singing the praises of TWSB are purely going on name and assumption and know nothing about the ballet world. Great for an extracurricular, great for exposing kids to ballet over the whole city - but for serious dancers? Not at all.

Incorrect.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The model for the school has VERY much shifted to large, slow classes. The school is purely recreational now - which is great for plenty of kids, but if you have a dancer who wants serious progression and teaching go elsewhere. Where are you now?

I don't think this is true at all.

Oh it's absolutely true. Anyone in the dance world will tell you the same thing.

Yeah, the people singing the praises of TWSB are purely going on name and assumption and know nothing about the ballet world. Great for an extracurricular, great for exposing kids to ballet over the whole city - but for serious dancers? Not at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anybody have any experiences with Alchemy Ballet or Academy of Russian Ballet? Most of my daughters classmates who have left she says now dance at one of the two. Considering them for next year.

Alchemy seems to have a little bit of a Christian-y edge to it (“values driven.”)

Last I heard, ARB does weight checks, which is incredibly toxic.

The bolded is false. There's a diet culture there among some of the dancers (because it's competitive and it's ballet) but it certainly doesn't come down from the top.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The model for the school has VERY much shifted to large, slow classes. The school is purely recreational now - which is great for plenty of kids, but if you have a dancer who wants serious progression and teaching go elsewhere. Where are you now?

I don't think this is true at all.

This is very much untrue. TWSB’s summer intensives are highly sought after and the instruction is excellent. Having a rec program doesn’t make a school “bad.” In fact, a rec program at a school with a strong curriculum provides a great pathway for dancers who may be late bloomers or find their passion later.

TWSB summer programs are a complete joke. It's so sad to see how many people here are being taken for a ride and they don't even know it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The model for the school has VERY much shifted to large, slow classes. The school is purely recreational now - which is great for plenty of kids, but if you have a dancer who wants serious progression and teaching go elsewhere. Where are you now?

I don't think this is true at all.

Oh it's absolutely true. Anyone in the dance world will tell you the same thing.

Anonymous wrote:Anybody have any experiences with Alchemy Ballet or Academy of Russian Ballet? Most of my daughters classmates who have left she says now dance at one of the two. Considering them for next year.

Alchemy seems to have a little bit of a Christian-y edge to it (“values driven.”)

Last I heard, ARB does weight checks, which is incredibly toxic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The model for the school has VERY much shifted to large, slow classes. The school is purely recreational now - which is great for plenty of kids, but if you have a dancer who wants serious progression and teaching go elsewhere. Where are you now?

I don't think this is true at all.

This is very much untrue. TWSB’s summer intensives are highly sought after and the instruction is excellent. Having a rec program doesn’t make a school “bad.” In fact, a rec program at a school with a strong curriculum provides a great pathway for dancers who may be late bloomers or find their passion later.

Anonymous wrote:The model for the school has VERY much shifted to large, slow classes. The school is purely recreational now - which is great for plenty of kids, but if you have a dancer who wants serious progression and teaching go elsewhere. Where are you now?

I don't think this is true at all.

Anonymous wrote:Anybody have any experiences with Alchemy Ballet or Academy of Russian Ballet? Most of my daughters classmates who have left she says now dance at one of the two. Considering them for next year.

Both will provide as much technique, rigor, and competition as you’re up for. They’re more alike than not (and have traded some students a few times recently) so better to do placement classes at both and see which one your dancer prefers.

Word of warning though, it would be hard to keep up if physical attributes don’t lend themselves well to Vaganova training. If not born hyper flexible with banana feet and no hip flexors (or at least 1-2 of these), your dancer needs to be 100% confident enough in themselves to be okay being compared with the girls who have all 3. Best to have a thick skin also.

Anybody have any experiences with Alchemy Ballet or Academy of Russian Ballet? Most of my daughters classmates who have left she says now dance at one of the two. Considering them for next year.

The model for the school has VERY much shifted to large, slow classes. The school is purely recreational now - which is great for plenty of kids, but if you have a dancer who wants serious progression and teaching go elsewhere. Where are you now?