Q. My child is currently 9 years old but will be 10 at the time of the intensive. Is she/he eligible to attend? Is there a minimum age requirement for boarding? A. Yes! Dancers must be age 10 as of January 1st, 2023 to participate in the Summer Intensive. There is no minimum age requirement for boarding.
Q. I have questions about virtual auditions. Where can I direct them? A. If you have questions regarding virtual auditions, please email info@therockschool.org.
Q. What if I am unable to audition in person? A. Dancers may attend a virtual audition or submit a video audition.
Q. Do my audition photos need to be professionally taken? A. No. Photos taken on a smartphone or tablet are acceptable.
Q. When do I find out the results of my audition? A. Dancers who audition in person or virtually will receive results by email within two weeks. Please allow 2 – 3 weeks to receive the results of a video audition.
Q. May I audition for the summer and the school year at the same time? A. Yes. Students may request to be evaluated for the school year and the summer intensive at the same time by indicating interest in both programs on their audition form.
Part II: REGISTRATION PROCESS
Q. I’ve recently been accepted to the program. What do I do now? A. Once a dancer has been accepted, she/he may proceed to registration at any time. Online and paper registration are available at the following link here.
Q. What is required to reserve my spot at The Rock School? A. In order to be successfully registered for the upcoming intensive, all registration materials, along with the registration fee and required number of installments of ballet tuition, room and board, and/or scholarship fees (where applicable) must be submitted.
Q. Do you offer financial aid and/or scholarships? A. The Rock School does not offer financial aid. Limited merit-based scholarships are available and awarded on a case-by-case basis by School Directors.
Q. Do you offer refunds? A. No refunds will be given for pre-paid ballet tuition or room and board fees.
Q. Is room and board included in the cost of the intensive? A. Room and board is a separate expense. For a complete breakdown of costs, please reference the following link here.
Q. Are there any restrictions to which session I can register for? A. No. Any student who has been accepted to the summer ballet intensive may register for any session. Scholarship recipients must attend the five or six week session to utilize their scholarship award.
Q. I’ve been assigned a “split” level. What level do I register for? A. Please register for the lower level indicated on your acceptance. All students will be re-evaluated at the start of the program.
Q. How am I eligible to participate in the end of summer performance? A. Students who enroll in the five or six week session of the program are automatically eligible to participate in our end of summer performance at the Independence Seaport Museum!
Q. I’m registered for the program, but I still need to submit my medical forms. Do I need a physical to attend? A. A physical is not required to attend the program. To access the forms you are required to submit prior to your arrival, please visit the following link here.
Q. Do you offer refunds? A. No refunds are issued without a doctor’s note establishing that the student is unable to participate in the Ballet Intensive due to medical reasons.
Part III: DAILY CURRICULUM AND CLASS SCHEDULE
Q. What is my daily schedule for the summer ballet intensive? A. All dancers will have classes Monday – Friday; Levels 3 – 6 also dance on Saturdays.
Q. What sort of classes will my daily curriculum include? A. Dancers placed in Level 2 or 2x will have approximately 15 hours of ballet technique and 4 – 5 hours of pointe each week. Dancers placed in Level 3 or higher will have 16 – 17 hours of ballet technique and 4 – 6 hours of pointe each week.
Q. Do you offer partnering? A. Dancers enrolled in Level 3x PM or higher will have 1 – 1.5 hours of partnering each week.
Q. What is the average class size? A. Class size varies based upon enrollment and can change from week to week, but can range anywhere from 15 – 30 students.
Q. I’m attending the program for five weeks, which means I’m eligible for the end of summer performance. Do I rehearse during class time? Is there a fee to participate? Can I invite guests? A. Rehearsals take place in the evenings after regularly scheduled classes have concluded for the day, and Levels 3 – 6 will also have rehearsals on Saturdays. There is no fee to participate in this performance. Family member attendance will be evaluated shortly.
Q. Will I receive a formal evaluation at the conclusion of the intensive? A. No. Parent observation weeks are offered the final week of each session in lieu of formal evaluations.
Part IV: RESIDENCE AT THE ROCK
Q. Do I get to choose which dorm I live in? A. Housing assignments are determined by our residence staff. The majority of our dancers will be housed at Cabrini University. Male dancers and our oldest, most advanced female dancers who are enrolled in either the five or six week session will be housed at the Marine Club. The School will notify you of your housing assignment prior the start of the program.
Q. Can I request a roommate? A. To request a roommate, please fill out the roommate request form located at the following link here.
Q. I have food allergies. Does The Rock School accommodate that? A. The Rock School accommodates a variety of dietary restrictions and food allergies, such as vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free. For more information on these accommodations, please contact info@therockschool.org.
Q. When do I check in to the dorms? Will there be an orientation? A. Check-in takes place at the dorms the Sunday before the start of each session from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Check out is by noon the Saturday after your session has ended. There is an orientation at the dorms the evening of arrival, and again at The Rock School 15 minutes prior to the start of your first class.
Q. What do I wear? What should I bring? A. Our checklist will help to make sure you have everything you need! Link found here.
Q. My aunt lives in Philadelphia. Can she take me out for dinner one night? A. Of course! Just notify your chaperone and ask a parent/guardian to fill out the permission to leave form (forthcoming).
Q. What if I forget something, or run out of something while I’m there? A. The Rock School has a boutique on site that can accommodate your needs. Chaperones are available to take dancers across the street to Target or Sprouts market while they are on break during the intensive, and shuttle runs from the dorms are organized on a regular basis.
Q. How do I purchase outings? A. Outings will become available for purchase June 1st . You may purchase outings online through your Rock School account or by submitting payment to the front office until 72 hours prior to an outing that is scheduled to take place.
Q. Do you have a list of nearby hotels? A. A few selections can be found here.
Q. Are there laundry facilities on site at the dorms? A. Yes. (It is recommended that your dancer know how to do laundry prior to their arrival.)
Q. My student does not know how to do their own laundry, can someone do it for them? A. Your student should not be afraid to tell their chaperone, who should be able to teach them how to use the washer and dryer.
Q. Do you provide linens and towels? A. Linen rentals are available at the following link found here. Students may also ship linens in advance or bring them with them on the day of check- in.
Q. Do I need to bring a fridge, microwave, or fan? A. No, no, and no! The dorms are air-conditioned, and all other appliances are available either in unit or on the floor for use.
Q: Can I bring my own TV and game console? A:TV’s are located in the community lounge. Please do not bring TV’s or consoles for TV’s. Students are permitted to bring their handheld devices to use in their own personal time. In addition to training, residence offers a wide variety of activities. Residence Faulty strongly encourages participation in our social events.
Q. Where can I have mail sent? A. If you are staying at the Marine Club: The Rock School for Dance Education c/o Dancer’s Name 1101 S. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 If you are staying at Cabrini University: Cabrini University c/o Dancer’s Name 610 King of Prussia Road Radnor, PA 19087
