Slavin Nadal School of Ballet

This is really a two-​part review. Mrs. Slavin is a fine ballet teacher who seems to connect well with her students and produces skilled dancers. The kids look forward to being in her classes. On the other hand, the intermediate-​level instructor who was brought on board more than a year ago is not well-​liked or well-​respected by the students. I was underwhelmed by what I saw of her instructional methods. After a year in her class, my daughter learned relatively little and she, as well as several class friends, all opted to go elsewhere this year. While the parents tried to engage in a dialogue with both the teacher and the owner about shortcomings, neither party would pay us any heed. After putting up with the teacher either yelling at or isolating/​ignoring students whose parents had voiced concerns, it was time to depart. My daughter’s technique has improved more in two months at her new studio than it did over the prior 12.
⁴⁄₁₅ update — I understand the teacher in question was fired so some of my comments may no longer apply.

Mr. and Mrs. Slavin run an excellent program/​studio!
We would not spend our time or money anywhere outside of Slavin Nadal!

I took ballet at Slavin Nadal for 10 years, starting when I was 8. I still take their adult classes whenever I’m in Austin. They teach impeccable, age-​appropriate Russian (Vaganova) technique – the épaulement or subtle, precise use of the head and upper body that you see in professional dancers becomes second nature. One of my classmates went on to a profession career as a ballet dancer, but Slavin Nadal welcomes everyone, children and adults, beginner to advanced students, whether their goal is fun, exercise, or a career. Classes are small and everyone gets individual attention, corrections and encouragement. Even the youngest show pride in their new skills and technique.

I had the privilege of seeing the Slavin’s yearly recital in May. It was wonderful. The grace, discipline, body confidence, and fun of being part of an ensemble is something these children and teens will carry with them for life. A great addition to the culture of Austin and a real gift for the girls and boys who get to study with these wonderful people. I studied dance as a child, and as I watched the way these kids interacted with their teachers I WISHED my experience had been as positive – and with such spectacular results.

I’m a self-​proclaimed balletomaniac, so please forgive my enthusiasm. In our house, there are three ballet-​obsessed people, and all three of us have taken ballet here for years (8 years for me — starting with beginning ballet for adults, 12 years for my two daughters, who began in Pre Ballet at age 4). All of the teachers are wonderful, and the training is as good as it gets anywhere in the world, without exaggeration. It’s purely ballet, and there’s no jazz, tap, or competition training, and it’s the Russian/​Vaganova approach as opposed to the other styles out there. They put on a recital at the end of each year that’s amazing for a couple of reasons. It shows the progression from the very youngest to the most advanced students, and everyone in the class participates. So you can see that everyone is getting the training and the attention, not just the kids with the most innate ability. The teachers are all strict but gentle, and I hold them entirely responsible for our household’s balletomania! I’ve added a link to a video they did that shows one step, from the littlest dancers to the advanced girls. It gives a good quick glimpse of the progression from year to year.

This is an outstanding ballet studio. My girls each started here when they were four. They have been happily attending for three years.
We searched all over for a classical ballet curriculum and finally found it here. No jazz, no cheer, no hip-​hop. Just ballet.
Alexandra Slavin is great with the kids. She gives them expert direction and a good dose of discipline that they don’t seem to get at home. And they absolutely love it!