Guest Dancing Schwabby Posted March 12, 2003 Report Share Posted March 12, 2003 Hello, I was wondering who went to boston's dancelab and what you thought of it. Was it great, bad, ok? How did you like having only one teacher for technique class. Would it be a good place to go for your first summer intensive? Thank you! Link to comment
Guest twas a delight Posted March 13, 2003 Report Share Posted March 13, 2003 DS, I went to DanceLab last summer. Honestly, I was unhappy with the priorities - making the video/resume/pictures was much more important than actually fine-tuning specific weaknesses. However, from what I've heard they're overhauling the program this year and that part will be changed. I loved having just one teacher because they definitely get to know you. Link to comment
Guest Dancing Schwabby Posted March 15, 2003 Report Share Posted March 15, 2003 Wow, did they really concentrate on all of those extras THAT much? I've kind of heard that too. Also I know that they do not hold a workshop performance. Is that a benefit or could it work either way? I mean I love performing but I guess the last week or so would still be concentrated on technique more than performance which is really getting your money worth. I think?:confused: Link to comment
Guest twas a delight Posted March 15, 2003 Report Share Posted March 15, 2003 In a word, yes. The "mentoring sessions" were used solely for the purpose of video preparation, even though there were scheduled video prep classes. And though there's no performance with stage 'n' such, the last day of the program involves some kind of in-studio demonstration. This sounds insignificant but in reality was very prepared. Again, I've heard that much will be different this summer. Please let me know if you have any more questions - I'd be more than happy to help! ;) Link to comment
Guest ballerinaDEDG Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 I went to DanceLab last summer and enjoyed it. It is different from many summer programs in that you work with only one teacher and you have the photos and the video done, as twas a delight said. I actually felt that the video was helpful. I didn't really enjoy preparing for it but I felt that it helped in that now I know exactly how to do an audition video of my own. Also, watching the video at the end of the program with my teacher REALLY helped me to see what I need to work on. Sometimes the things that you know you have to work on never sink in completely until you can watch yourself. It was only the second summer that it took place, so they are still fine-tuning it. This summer should be good because I believe they have added more one-on-one mentoring sessions with the teachers instead of the larger mentoring sessions we had last year. The teachers were absolutely fabulous. I think every level enjoyed working with the one teacher. It was different at first, but it helped in the end because the teacher really got to know you and helped you to fine-tune your specific weaknesses. I think DanceLab would be a good first summer program to go to. I felt that the training was good and intense. The only thing is, DanceLab concentrates entirely on ballet, so if you're used to taking modern classes, just know that you won't be taking any there. I had so much fun last summer and made wonderful friends. It's great to be near Boston. You get the fun and excitement of the city, but get to live in a quiet campus. I'm looking forward to going back to Boston this summer to the SDP program. A lot of the teachers from DanceLab last summer are teaching at SDP this summer, and I can't wait to work with them again. Good luck with everything and I'm sure you'll have a great time wherever you choose to go. Deirdre Link to comment
Guest Rachel Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 I hope these comments don't offend anyone. I've never been to Dance Lab and don't have any experience with it. My opinions are based on who I know was accepted to the program and what I have read about it. I'm under the opinion that Dance Lab is strictly a money-making program. It seems that girls who Boston didn't feel were qualified for the SDP were accepted into Dance Lab, meaning that Boston wants as many people to attend their programs in order to make more money. Last year, my friend was not accepted by the SDP or Dance Lab. She received a call in late March saying that audition notes had been re-evaluated and that she had been accepted to Dance Lab. This sounds like not enough girls were enrolled in the program, so Boston was recruiting others. It seems that Dance Lab places a large emphasis on the construction of a resume and video tape. These would be good classes for a 17 or 18 year old, but how many 13 year olds are going to need a resume in the very near future. I also think that both of the Boston programs are horrendously overpriced. Rachel Link to comment
Guest twas a delight Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 ballerinaDEDG, I completely agree about the teachers. From what I heard from my suitemates and friends, only the Level 1 teacher was subpar. I know I adored mine! I don't agree with your assessment of the location - Boston was a full forty minute drive, and the only time I went into the city was when my parents visited. That part was disappointing. Rachel, for the most part I agree with your comments, though I don't think that DanceLab was only a money-making program - we did have great teachers and the training was valuable. But yes, DanceLab is commonly known as a "lesser" program to SDP, and I do know of people who were accepted to DL after being rejected originally. Here's data to back up your sources: projected attendance at DL was 200, with 10 levels. Actual numbers hovered around 120 with 6 levels. Speaking of levels, the way they were constructed was really annoying. Levels 1-3 were for ages 13-14 and 4-6 were for ages 15-16. So 2 and 3 were "higher" levels than 4, etc. Yeah, that bugged me. Okay. I'm done now. Link to comment
Guest ballerinaDEDG Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 I think that because DanceLab has just started and is not completely established yet, they may have trouble getting people interested. Like anything that is just starting out, it is not very well known and people may be apprehensive about going. I had to think a lot about it before I committed to going, but in the end I did really enjoy it and felt like I improved. I did get to venture into downtown Boston several times during the program. They have organized trips that you can pay for, but also you can arrange with an RA to make a trip for some people downtown or wherever else you might want to go. I do agree with you, twas a delight, about the levels. They were a little hard to understand about how people were placed, but I think that everyone got something out of it, no matter what level they were in. I was certainly happy with where I was. Deirdre Link to comment
Guest Dancing Schwabby Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 Thank-you to everyone for replying with their input! Link to comment
Guest twas a delight Posted March 18, 2003 Report Share Posted March 18, 2003 DS, if you're going, I hope you have a fantastic summer! Link to comment
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