2dancersmum

All I can say is thank goodness not all schools look for the same thing. My DD is 5' 5'' and has been somewhere in the middle for the auditions she has been to this year. She has long legs but is also probably long in the torso. She did not try for RBS as her teacher advised not to. There was a lot of variation in the girls auditioning at Elmhurst but it was evident seeing the year 11 girls that there was an 'Elmhurst type'. At Northern ballet we met quite a few older students in the canteen and they ranged in height and build condsiderably - from about 5' 2'' to 5' 10'' perhaps. We did not meet students on the course anywhere else so cannot comment.

I don't know if this is a difference between USA and UK thing or not but in our area classes tend to be 45 mins long and the seniors will do 2 or more classes on an evening. Typically the more serious dancers will do 2 evenings plus 2/3 45min classes on a Saturday and will supplement their classes by associate programmes/workshops etc. I guess in other areas where there are larger and more schools it would be possible to dance more frequently but my DD has had a maximum of 5 days.

Ages and grades in ballet do not have much impact - certainly if your daughter is doing RAD syllabus. They have to be min age 7 for grades 1-5 and min age 11 for grades 6-8, so very wide age bands. The fact that the teacher wants your DD to take grade 2 so quickly is probably a sign she has potential but the fact that the new syllabus for grades 1-3 has just been introduced in January will no doubt also be a factor as like all teachers she will be looking at who can take the exam whilst the old syllabus is still being examined and when she can start classes on the new syllabus. For your DD it is in effect saying she would like her to do grade 2 (old syllabus) rather than waiting and starting grade 2 again on the new one. To answer your question on how many lessons a week, at my DDs school they start taking 2 lessons a week in the last month or so before their grade 2 exam and 2 lessons a week is the norm for grade 3. Your DD is only young and has not been doing ballet that long so I would echo the advice of others and see how she develops over the next year. Your teacher is the best placed to advice you.

NYB usually send out results of prelim auditions after each audition so you shouldn't have a long wait.

Central also offer 'days of dance' on an occasional basis in London or Leeds. This is about £25 for the day but I don't know how often they hold them. I should clarify about entry that I don't personally know anyone at Central. My only contact has been my DD's recent audtion. Cetainly there were plenty of older girls on day and she exchanged contact details with a few of them who have got to finals. Obviously they have not yet done the final audition so I do not know if any of the girls she met will be actually offered a place.

Hi Rachael, Central do take at 16 and you can take A levels alongside dance but 18 is definately not too late to apply there either. My DD has applied recently and everyone she spoke to on the day was 18/19 and she felt very young beside them. And at least 2 of them have got through to the finals. Northern Ballet in Manchester also takes at 18 aswell as 16 and that has a ballet/jazz split in the 1st year with focus on either jazz or ballet in years 2 & . Several girls from my DDs ballet school in the past have gone to London Studio at 18 because they wished to take A levels in their home town first. My DDs first love is ballet and she has been applying for entry at 16 but if she does not get a funded place this year she will be trying the schools you have mentioned at 18.

Ironically it is when preparing for a show that my DD gets to do more non-syllabus work and classes. The shows only take place every 2-3 years. The seniors keep one syllabus based class going but the rest of the classes offer something new every session. All the senior cast learn all the roles although the teacher choreographs each dance with a final performer in mind. It would be impossible at our small school to offer the students this performance opportunity by putting on rehearsals in addition to normal classes as there are not enough hours in the day or days in the week. As it is the students get a break from syllabus classes (they only get 30mins a week freestlye) and learn lots of new choreography, mime and performance skills.

We were told at DDs audition that they could take up to 30 for the 6th form, same as any other year but they rarely took more than 24. They aim for 50% male 50% female dancers but usually end up with more girls than boys. It was about 21 funded places in total. I don't know how many they take to finals first.

Congratulations to those of you with a yes for the finals and comiserations for those with a 'not yet'. Keep strong their time will come.

Could you perhaps talk to the teacher about extra classes in Feb half term and Easter hols etc. Before vocational exams our teacher put on a few special 2 hour long classes in school holidays so that she could run through the whole syllabus in one session. We also have the same problem losing classes because of shows but the teacher will alternate in classes not needed for rehearsals so that some grade and some vocational work is still covered. Inter-foundation is an optional exam so she could skip it and move straight into intermediate if you wished. However, vocational exams are quite different to the normal grades so it is a good place to start and my DD did feel it prepared her well for intermediate. Getting enough local classes is often a problem as they get older. We have the same problem for my DD. She has 1 Adv class a week (suspended for the Easter show) and there is nowhere locally that offers the same level class apart from 1 school that asks you commit to a whole host of festivals and shows aswell and there Adv1 class is on the same night at the same time as her existing one.!

Northern Ballet School in Manchester offers fulltime vocational training post 16 as glowlight has explained. It actually has the highest Ofsted rating possible and is a well established school with a good reputation. It leads to the same level diploma qualification as the likes of RBS, Elmhurst etc. Dancers specialise in either ballet or jazz from the 2nd year but study both throughout the 3 years. I would say the fact they they hold auditions every Monday from mid-November to mid-March for a maximum of 40 places would suggest that actually a lot of people have heard about it and would like to train there. As for the training linked to Northern Ballet (company), as that is evenings and weekends I would suggest it is perhaps well kmown in the local area but not outside just as many of the training opportunities available in London are less well known to those out of reach of the capital.

At DDs school the teacher starts them in foundation mid-way through grade 4 but they must be 11 (or 11 that term). They start with 1 foundation class a week and that increases to 2 when they have passed grade 4. Not all dancers do the vocational grades. The school has grades 6,7,8 which the non-vocational dancers do and being keen most of those on the vocational grades opt to do them too. There is a half hour class at the end of the Saturday for free work aswell. The vast majority of dancers at the school do not take vocational exams (although some do the classes anyway.) Readiness for pointe is assessed individually with the youngest going on pointe just before they reach 12 but some not starting pointe until aged 14/15. As you say pas de quatre the best preparation for vocational school auditions is not necassarily exam syllabus work and the two I know that went on pointe aged 14/15 both got places at 16 for Laines and London Studio Centre (ballet course). Both completed their diplomas and went straight into work as dancers.

I asked the question ballet or other style - what do people reccommend for a 6th form audition solo back on the old forum in September time. Advice I was given was for DD to go with whatever she felt most comfortable with and felt showed her at her best. She went with ballet for Hammond and still has the Tring audition to go. At Hammond she said she was actually in the minority by choosing ballet as most did contemporary/dances from musicals. I agree with the advice to go with a piece of music they really like but would personally avoid Adele songs as they seem to be being chosen as part of many of the modern jazz grade exams at the moment. Recent song choices for jazz exams that worked well at DD's school were 'The Writer by Ellie Goulding', Wild Horses by Natasha Bedingfield, Black and Gold (From Fame) and Skinny Love (I don't know the artist of that one sorry). But I would still pick the dance genre that your DD feels most confiedent and happiest doing.

I find myself a little confused by this thread as it has gone on. From what I can gather stardancer your daughter has classes in grade 7 and advance 1, therefore 3 in total. If you can persuade her to do new intermediate that would be 5. In addition she seems to have done EYB and currently does 1 associate class a month with that maybe increasing with a different associate scheme from September. I especially do not understand how she is doing the current associate class without the approval of the teacher as the scheme is set up so that the teacher reccommends pupils for the scheme and certainly asks for payment to come through dance schools rather than individuals. Did you make a direct approach? Did she refuse to put your DD forward? My advice would probably be to continue with your current teacher for a few months with your DD doing grade 7, adv 1 and new intermediate and let the dust settle but I would suggest also you follow CeliB's advice and ask on here for reccommendations for schools in your area. I think you need a good working relationship with the teachers/school and it may be time to move on and start afrresh if the relationship at your current school is beyond repair. With all of this comes the question of what does your DD want to do? I have assumed she wants to be a dancer and go down the vocational route. If this is the case, bear in mind that the audition process anywhere at any age is tough and no audition panel looks at their grades and what exams they have taken. No-one knows exactly what they are looking for but solid/secure technique in what they have learned alongside potential for a successful ballet career would be a fair guess.

Good luck to you both and your DS and DD. Such a stressful time and I bet it is worse for the parent who is stuck at home waiting and waiting. I hope we will hear good news from you over the coming months.

Lots of fantastic results on this thread. Well done everyone !

Correct details for this year won't be out until March but if you go on the Ballet Cymru website and look not at this years listing for Riverfront Summer Dance (which only gives dates as you say) but last years March entry you will see descriptions of ages/course content etc. Any other questions and I would contact them directly by email or their facebook page. They are uusally very good at replying - even when overseas.

I agree that course 4 will probably suit you best, based on last years groups and your age. There was one 15 year old boy on course 3 last year and he took most of his 'classes' with course 4 as there were quite a few older male dancers in that group aswell as the company male dancers who also take part and assist with the pas-de-deux work. Course 4 was all over 16s. I expect you will be fine technique/dance wise but be prepared for a physically demanding week as you do need stamina, especially if you are not used to dancing all day everyday. Very enjoyable though. My DD hopes to do course 4 this year too.

I think Adv Foundation is the common route where the school is large enough with enough pupils at that level to make it feasible to offer a class. At many schools there are not enough students at these levels to warrant more than one class. Don't forget that many students leave these classes to go off to university without ever taking the exam. So often they move from Intermediate into an Adv 1 class but the younger ones amonst them may still take Adv Foundation 1st. Hope this makes sense.

My DD has a similar problem in that her school only offers 1 Advanced class a week and although the teacher has no problem with her adding a class at another school, the only one we can find within 1.5 hrs drive is typically at the same time as her existing one! However I would echo what posts above have said and see if she can take classes at a lower level. Your DD is young for Advanced 1 and I notice she has only just taken Intermediate, the old syllabus from what I can gather. I don't know her result but even if she got a very high distinction I would suggest it would still be of great benefit to her to do the new syllabus Intermediate alongside her Advanced. It is very different to the old syllabus so it will not feel like she is repeating herself and without the pressure of an exam she will be getting used to the new style of the vocational exams. This is what my DD has done on the insistence of her teacher who not only stressed the importance of a very solid technique but also pointed out that later on my DD would be auditioning for places at vocational school with girls who had taken their exams later than her and be strong therefore in the new styles being taught. My DD has loved learning the new syllabus over the past year and feels it has helped her become a stronger dancer overall.

Hi David, usually it is a form to download off their website to reserve a place and they ask for the money and confirmation details afterwards. For over 18s accommodation in the university student flats can be arranged by talking to the organiser. They are just a short walk away from the theatre where it is held. Alternatively the Travelodge is less than 5 mins walk away and if you time your booking right can be as little as £15/night (depends on when their sale is and being lucky to some extent but we managed it last year) My DD went last year and loved it and hopes to return this year. She is working at RAD Advanced. I am sure you will find it a very challenging but enjoyable week.

Gosh that is indeed a lot of applicants for summer school! Re Insight days - yes my DD will be there again on the 12th Feb. Actually both my DDs will be. Like you they are only doing the 1st two dates as the final weekend clashes. My elder DD has been going for years but this will be her last one as she felt she was no longer really benefitting from it but it was the 1st one for my younger DD. It will be interesting to see how they go in February with one only group as there musy be a wide range of abilities and levels. Bankrupt Mum my youngest DD is also there on the 13th for the Taster session so maybe see you there.

I think you are probably wise to leave NYB for this year. It is not so much for the audition process as the summer school/rehearsal period. Your DD is too young to board so would have to go as a day student. It is 10 full and busy long days of classes/rehearsals and rehearsals inevitably also include some waiting around and then after a day or two rest straight into the actual performances. It would be very much like throwing her in at the deep end to see if she swims or sinks. EYB offer a gentler introduction to the world of performing as the rehearsals are spread out a bit more and of course the associate programs are a year round method of improving her overall technique. Good luck with her assoicate auditions.

You are correct that only main cast board for NYB. One summer school you may consider is what used to be called Yorkshire Assembly and is now I think Louise Browne Scholarship Schools summer school in York. Entry is 1st come rather than by audition but my elder DD managed to get a place 3 years ago after waiting in vain for a summer school place off the waiting list for RBS. Entry and groups are based on RAD vocational grades and each day they did a vocational grade class, repertoire ballet class and jazz. The teaching was excellent. When my DD went it was just north of Leeds and she boarded while we holidayed in Yorkshire but you can go as a day student if you wish DD to stay with you at night. Incidentally, my younger DD met yours recently I believe. I was either signing her in or out of a class in Birmingham and saw someone with your name (angela) had signed just before me. Small world?

Good luck to everyone. My DDs audition is but a distant memory now!