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Contemporary degree courses


Lilac

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Does anyone have a DD or DS applying for contemporary degree courses at 18?would find it very helpful to compare notes. Or anyone who has been through this recently? Looking to apply to schools such as Laban, London Studio Centre, London and Northern Contemporary. Thanks.

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Daughter of a friend is at The Place. It looks like a fantastic course: it has a high standard of contemporary technique, and then pushes the students to develop as independent dance artists. Laban is similar. My current ballet teacher trained at Northern Contemporary Dance - although she's mainly ballet trained. 

 

With those top conservatoires, you'll get a high standard of technique training, with what used to be called "contextual studies" (well, when I used to teach in a conservatoire programme as part of my job, that's what my stuff was called). 

 

Then you go to the university contemporary dance courses where the push on technique may not be quite so high, and there is more of the liberal arts/critical studies approach. Except that I see where I am now, and am taught by several very highly trained graduates of university contemporary Dance BA degrees.

 

The colleges/courses you  list in your post are all now part of the UCAS system I think? So it might be worth planning a series of trips to attend Open Days?  That's the way you can start to get a feel for the individual character of each course, its location, its facilities, the support for students, and the curriculum.

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My DD graduated from LCDS (London Contemporary Dance School) 4 years ago, ask away if you have any questions and I can try to answer. Don't expect graduates to go into dance companies, there are very few places, but lots of opportunities to become part of very small up and coming dance companies.

 

Heather

Aka Taximom

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Hi,

Not sure about the open day,she is a part of the CAT scheme at The Place and they organize audition workshops at The Place,Laban and Northern October half term. Have you looked at Chantry dance they have a couple of open days coming up,we are there on the 16th ????

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Finding the UCAS conservatoires system confusing, grateful if anyone could clarify! My understanding is that Laban, Northern Contemporary, London Contemporary and Rambert are all part of it? Yet London and Rambert definitely seem to have their own direct applications, Laban use the Conservatoire application and Northern doesn't say at present? London Studio Centre then seem to be totally separate from all this!

Thanks

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has anyone had a reply from LCD?

My daughter sent her application two weeks ago but has had no response.

 

 

You'll have to get used to the UCAS/CDET system. It's unlikely you'll get a reply straightaway, given numbers and complex admissions procedures. There's often a delay between the application going in through UCAS and it getting to the institutional admissions office, and then to the academic/teaching staff making decisions. And it's the start of term, so we're all sorting out timetables, panicking Freshers etc etc etc

 

Part of the time taken is to ensure transparency and parity across all applications.

Edited by Kate_N
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I applied last year to the place, laban, northern, london studio centre, and universities - middlesex, edge hill, de montfort and manchester college! if you have any questions about the process or my experience at all then PM me i'd be happy to help answer anything :)

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my dd is also looking at getting a degree in dance, my son is in his 2nd year of a hnd with the option to stay a 3rd year to get his degree. We visited alot of universities and dance colleges 2 years ago and alot of auditions later , he found the best place for him and the place he really wanted to go originally he didnt like as much as the one he has gone to now, so i would definately say if possible visit these places then it can be easier when being offered the places which one suits best. My daughter has her mind set on addict the same as my son and i dont know wether thats because shes not as confident and she knows her brother is there or whether its best for her, so i will definately be trying to visit as many places aswell with her. its different ball game with my dd though as with my ds as he went to a dance college and they advised him where was right for him to audition whereas my daughter is in 6th form high school so not much advice.

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Finding the UCAS conservatoires system confusing, grateful if anyone could clarify! My understanding is that Laban, Northern Contemporary, London Contemporary and Rambert are all part of it? Yet London and Rambert definitely seem to have their own direct applications, Laban use the Conservatoire application and Northern doesn't say at present? London Studio Centre then seem to be totally separate from all this!

Thanks

 

Out of the above, Laban is the only one you apply through UCAS conservatoires for, the others all have their own applications which are easily found on their websites. London Studio Centre also has it's own application process on their website, they are like a halfway house between a conservatoire and university. Hope this helps!

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Yes finally worked that out re Laban! Then the others seem to belong to UCAS dance and drama conservatoire. With DD also wanting to apply to Bird who seem to use the general UCAS form, it means an awful lot of individual applications and especially personal statements! Taking a huge chunk of our time at present. Just got London Contemporary and London Studio Centre completed. Constantly aware of most applications being open, and trying to ensure an audition place!

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Yes finally worked that out re Laban! Then the others seem to belong to UCAS dance and drama conservatoire. With DD also wanting to apply to Bird who seem to use the general UCAS form, it means an awful lot of individual applications and especially personal statements! Taking a huge chunk of our time at present. Just got London Contemporary and London Studio Centre completed. Constantly aware of most applications being open, and trying to ensure an audition place!

i remember it all so well, insane how much time it takes up! generally you can have one personal statement draft and then slightly edit it depending on what each place wants! good luck with it all. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Does anyone have any tips about the approx one minute solos required for many of the Contemporary auditions, especially where music choice is concerned?DD doesn't have a lot of time and even finding music can take forever! Thanks

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  • 3 months later...

Does anyone have any thoughts on the respective merits of the courses at Laban, London contemporary and Northern Contemporary? Just thinking ahead if DD was lucky enough to get more than one offer how to do decide between them? Or experiences if anyone has attended any of them? Thanks.

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The child of a friend of mine is at London Contemporary at the Place. They were offered Laban & Rambert as well, but liked the curriculum & teaching at LCD. 

 

I think you probably have to go to some open days, have a look, have a look at the curriculum, and speak to the lecturers. You can do a lot of research on the curriculum & teaching methods & philosophy via each college's website.

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  • 1 month later...

Does anyone know anything that would help decide between the merits of the respective Contemporary dance colleges such as London contemporary, Northern Contemporary, Laban and London studio centre? Any thoughts about prestige, future employability, anything else that's significant would be appreciated. Difficult when it comes to the decision making time! Thanks

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It's difficult to give this sort of advice as each person is different. Some things to think about -

 

First, have you been made offers from any of them? If so, will you meet that offer in terms of BTEC or A Level?

 

When you went for audition, how did the campus/facilities feel? Did you find the area to be one you could spend 3 years in? Was there accommodation offered? How was this? Do you want to live in that city for 3 years?

 

Where are alumni now? What jobs are they doing? What parts of the curriculum helped in employability?

 

 

But I see from other posts that you - or rather your DD - is just at auditioning stage. To be frank, I think that it's a matter of auditioning at a number of places. Your DD will be very very lucky if she has a choice. Most of the conservatoires you mention are very selective - they can have their pick of hundreds of applicants for maybe 25 or so places. Laban is (I think) the largest of the conservatoires you mention, and they offer teacher training tracks, as well as training as a professional dancer. Most institutions will be selecting the dancer, rather than the dancer choosing which place to attend.

 

So maybe for now - depending on the level of high school of your DD, you should attend a few Open Days, to get a feel for each place. There may be taster sessions, classes etc - your DD can see how she measures up.

Edited by Kate_N
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O dear, realise have repeated myself ! At present DD has offers from Laban and London Studio Centre, and then 2 waiting list places and one on hold, so after all auditions finish there could be another offer. Current dilemma is whether it's worth trying the extra money for LSC or whether to go with Laban. Am thinking that LSC students specialise but keep other genres going are they more versatile in terms of employment prospects? DD felt she enjoyed London contemporary most, is waiting list there. Has a strange result from Northern Contemporary where they have said they can't give her a result until all auditions have finished, this week, so no idea what to expect there! Difficult making these decisions, and then come may we may have to pay a deposit for Laban accomodation with the prospect that definite offers could still come!

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DD1 has friends at both Laban and LSC, graduating this year. Both have thoroughly enjoyed their courses. Personally I would be looking at costs as I believe there is a significant cost difference between the two and only you can decide if the LSC course warrants the extra thousands. Bear in mind also that your DD will be in London and will have every opportunity to take classes at an advanced level in other genres outside of the college she attends, if she so wishes. Another friend of DD1s is a lower year at Laban. He chose Laban for the ballet and contemporary but his background was more street and jazz and I know he does classes in these and extra vocal coaching locally to Laban.

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