Jump to content

RBS Junior Associates 2017


Balletmumlife

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 579
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

It's all about fun! My DD auditioned when she was still 7 (August birthday) and had never done anything like that before. She loved the studios, the piano, making friends with the other girls and the class itself. She came out beaming saying it was the best class ever done even though she'd bumped into another girl when skipping around and gone in the wrong direction twice! I was so relieved she'd had such fun and whisked her off for a hot chocolate and some rare 1:1 time (very rare as the oldest child of 4). So my advice would be it's a special day out! Have a ball. 

Oh and just for the record yes she did get a place much to our surprise, and had a wonderful 3 years full of fun, friends and opportunities. I have my 7 year old DS auditioning for JAs this year and am hoping he too will just have a fun, exciting day out with no pressure from us. Not fussed if he gets in or not, just like all those years ago with DD. What will be, will be. 

  • Like 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My dd also auditioned for yr 4 when she was 7. Got acceped and had the best 3 years ever. Happy happy times that we look back on fondly. Fabulous teacher in Manchester. We did JA for a day in London and said to our dd 'what a fabulous experience to have the chance to dance in fabulous studios and if this is the only thing you do it will have been amazing'. We said the same at the JA audition!. So enjoy the experience and as Flora11 said, have a ball!! 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We're on the Friday afternoon in London. She's trying for a Y4 place - turns 8 in the summer.

 

For those whose DC have never done auditions of any kind before, my experiences so far (MT rather than ballet) and talking to others have shown that i) the people that deal with young children under these kinds of conditions are on the whole exceptionally kind, friendly and make an effort to make it as fun a process as possible, ii) they do bounce back from disappointment remarkably quickly and iii) it is far, far worse being the parent - both the stress of sitting there while they do their thing and then having to break the news later.

 

My DD was up for Les Mis on Thursday for the second time and made it right down to the final cut - we then heard at midnight that she hadn't been cast. DD has wanted this part so badly for a couple of years and telling her she hadn't made it when she got so close was heartbreaking. However her first words were that she wants to try again in the autumn and by yesterday evening she was her normal bouncy self. 

 

Learning to handle disappointment young isn't necessarily a bad thing - especially in this business - and nobody can ever take away from them that they had the chance to try for something as special as the RBS (and they can always try again!)

 

ETA: Is anyone else trying for the YDA Associates as well?

Edited by xanthe
  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are trying for a Year 6 place this year in London. My DD got the SWL last year. It really was a lovely day out & she really enjoyed it. We also auditioned for YDA where she did get a place. She loves YDA so much. It has a lovely feeling about it & she really looks forward to going. I have found the teachers  brilliant & think she has come on loads. I have also found my DD has been fine with the rejection!! Think its me who probably feels more disappointed!! But I guess you just have to tell yourself if its meant to be it will happen!! Has also taught her to persevere, be determined & keep working hard. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

We're auditioning on Thursday morning in Manchester. DS is 9, will be 10 in August, so we're trying for a year 6 place.

Can't imagine we will get anything other than a lovely day out, and some 1-1 time but that's ok. DS has a twin sister so gets out shouted quite a lot, when we did a BRB workshop last year he said the best bit was the noodle bar! ?? xx

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

DD is going for a second shot at a London JA place - the 'no' last year seemed to spur her on! After seeing her cope so well with not getting a place, I've been happy to let her do other auditions, and she's been lucky enough to have had acceptances elsewhere. So, it's a lovely and worthwhile experience, whatever the outcome. Good luck everyone xx

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My girls aren't auditioning,  it is too far for our nearest and would clash with another specialised dance class that can only be done at their dance school and only on Saturday mornings. Good luck to all your children, please make sure you update us on how they enjoy it etc as I love reading about things like this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone know how many places they have roughly for each year? Also I have been told by another parent that last year there was a lot of RBS "merchandise!" Anyone been before and what are the prices like as DS can't resist ballet gear?? xx 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not sure about numbers in Manchester, but in Birmingham they seemed to let similar numbers in in years 4 and 5, then slightly more new associates in year 6.

 

My dd auditioned in Manchester a couple of years ago for a Birmingham place (as we couldn't make the Birmingham audition date) and it was a very friendly experience. If your dd is not that way inclined (as mine wasn't at all!) prepare for some competitive stretching in the waiting room!  Didn't seem to have any impact on the outcome though thankfully  ?

 

In terms of merchandise, ive seen a variety but it's normally tshirts, notebooks/pens, drinks bottles, bags and occasionally hoodies. I was surprised at how reasonable the merchandise was, can't remember exactly but Tshirts maybe £12 approx x  if you're thinking of getting clothing get it early as that generally is what sells out the quickest in the age appropriate sizes x x

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, they do sell merchandise. It ranges in price from a few pounds for things like stationary, bookmarks etc to the more expensive items such as sweatshirts. It's a special day out and I've usually let dd choose something small.

 

I would think that JA1 would be harder to get in to because it is for years 4 & 5. 

 

I'm guessing there would be more spaces for year 6 because there are only year 6's in the class. However both JA1 and JA2 are mixed classes so in a class of 14 children... I'll let someone else do the maths.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Piccolo said:

I would think that JA1 would be harder to get in to because it is for years 4 & 5. 

 

I'm guessing there would be more spaces for year 6 because there are only year 6's in the class. However both JA1 and JA2 are mixed classes so in a class of 14 children... I'll let someone else do the maths.

 

 

 

DD's friend is a Year 4 JA and one of only four in the class.  I had thought that Year 4 entry was higher but apparently not.

 

5 hours ago, margarite said:

You can also download the Royal Ballet School's annual report from their website which shows the number of children that applied last year, and the number they gave places to - for both JA and White Lodge.

 

When the last report came out while having coffee and cake with another long suffering dance Mum she worked out some stats on the JA data.  It varies significantly from centre to centre but on average but over all centres and taking both girls and boys there is a 14% chance of a place.  This goes down to 7% in Leeds and London for girls and is 20% for boys in Newcastle (23% in London and Manchester) and is up at 24% for girls at Totnes and 58% for boys at Eastleigh.  Average across girls is 11% and boys 32%.  It may vary from year to year and at the end of day they will take those they like on the day.

 

Good luck to all auditioning.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Many years ago I had a son and a daughter who were JAs - the former went to WL and danced professionally for a while, the other danced for fun and now is a rugby playing vet student lol. Both had a wonderful time at JAs, dancing at the Opera House, Albert Hall and the WL summer fair, and I made some friends for life. Enjoy the auditions, they make them as enjoyable as possible. And good luck. (My youngest son also auditioned and didn't get in after being on the waiting list, so I know how that feels too - he didn't continue dancing for long afterwards but still laughs at wanting to go to WL just  because his brother did and he thought it was like Hogwarts!)

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, Newcastle always seems to be the first JA audition date and my DD and I were there yesterday. She also auditioned last year (for a Yr4 place), and didn't get in, so we knew the score and we know what the odds are. We viewed it as a nice trip out from school, an exciting break from the routine! 

 

The Newcastle auditions were busier than last year (three auditions, one for each age group, versus 2 groups last year) and MUCH, MUCH busier than 4 years ago when my DS auditioned.

 

My DS enjoyed it, had fun. The staff are extremely kind and friendly and spoke to the waiting parents before and after. i know there are very, very, few places, particularly in Newcastle where the whole JA class of yrs 4-6 is only about 12 students, so I'm certainly not going to hold my breath. we were told we'd hear late June.

 

oh, and no merchandise!! I'm guessing thats just London, or maybe some of the other bigger centres if you are lucky! :)

 

Good luck to all the DC in the remainder of the auditions and above all, have fun! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oooh, there was DS all ready with his wallet!  Best warn him.

Sounda like you had a nice day though? Hoping all the children have a lovely day and we will report back tomorrow! S xx

P.S. Out of interest anyone sent the bumf off for Elmhurst?? xx

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi

Following this thread with interest as my DD will also be auditioning for JA - Yr 6 in Birmingham (for either B'ham or London place) next week. She knows her chances are slim (flat feet!) but she wanted to give it a go - and enjoy a day off school ;)

We are hoping to apply for Elmhurst but having problems pinning down dance teacher to help with the photos. (It's hopeless me trying to take them... blurry/unflattering/dark/ photo-bombing little sister...:rolleyes:)  I've emailed them to check about the deadline - I guess they just keep taking in applications till they are full....

Btw thanks for all the statistic info. On their YouTube video, RBS also mention 14% chance...

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Send off for Elmhurst as soon as you can. Audition is May 13th, times are being confirmed for years 5,6,7 &8. May 20th for yr 4 & 9+. Regional dates are later.

They had merchandise at Bath and that is a fairly small centre. Bought dd1 a hoodie and rucksack. She still uses rucksack for school. Cost was reasonable but can't remember exact prices.

Edited by Mummy twinkle toes
Extra information
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a quick update for those of you who have yet to audition. We went to the boys audition in Manchester today. It was lovely. All the boys and mums were really chatty and we mums had a lovely time in the cafe while waiting for our stars! ? 14 boys in total.

The audition didn't throw up any surprises really. There was some stretching. They all took off their shoes and socks to show off their arches according to DS. There was a bit where they had to pretend to be seaweed under the sea to a piece of music. Some small group work, barre work and plenty of runs/gallops/leaps! (We were downstairs and they were in the upstairs studio, (fairy elephants!!).

The guy from RBS, Mark something, said it will be the beginning of July before we hear anything. More space in JA2 though, as that's just year 6, where JA1 is mixed year 4/5.

Finally shopping! There were two ladies there selling RBS T shirts, bears, hoodies, pens etc. All quite reasonable I thought. Good experience even if nothing comes of it. Mark did say to the younger ones to make sure they came back if they weren't successful, as their bodies are all changing at different rates.

Good luck if you've not already been and enjoy! ???? xx 

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ahh fabulous. Your post made me smile. I remember sitting downstairs listening to all the jumping upstairs! And the doorbell - wherever we go and we hear that sound dd and I look at each other and smile cos it always reminds us of Centre Pointe! Ahhh happy happy times. Good luck all those auditioning ??

Edited by Dancing unicorn
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My dd had her audition yesterday and loved it. She is already saying she wants to have a go next year. I was working so her Dad took her but she was still full of it by the time i got home. She said most things were done in pairs across the room apart from leaps i think. They also did the froggy stretch, leg raises at the barre and the seaweed thing could be done sitting down or standing up.

She got a notepad which was £3. I think her Dad got let off lightly there, i know i would have been fleeced for alot more!

Best of luck to everyone still to audition.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...