2dancersmum

My DD was offered the chance to do Dance GCSE as an after-school extra option as her school does not offer it but another local school does. After speaking to her dance and academic teachers she chose not to. This was on the advice that RAD Grade 6,7,8 and Inter-Foundation and Intermediate all qualify for UCAS points and so actually rate as an 'A' level rather than a GCSE. Vocational schools for 6th form obviously look more to these grades and so would a university. Instead she chose options like drama and textiles which she felt would complement her dance training and has no regrets. If your DD likes the sound and content of the Dance GCSE more than that of another subject, then she is bound to be more successful in a subject she enjoys but if in part she thinks she ought to choose Dance because she is a 'dancer', make sure she does consider all her options as not doing Dance GCSE is not likely to hold her back in a dancing career.

What a tricky question? Does he know which 6th forms he wishes to apply to? A summer school would certainly let him get the feel of a school but I am not sure it is any advantage during the audition process. My DD is year 11 and during auditions at Elmhurst, Northern and Central has met quite a few dancers who attended summer schools but were not offered finals/places at these schools. I think my advice would be to do your research and choose based on timing, price and location aswell as reputation of the ballet school. The quality of training he receives is probably more important than anything (apart from his enjoyment of course). I do not know where you are based, but one smaller and perhaps less known summer school is that run by Ballet Cymru (Riverfront Summer Dance). It is about £90 for the week (week 2 course). Last year there was just one 15 year old boy and he got to take most of his classes with the male company dancers/professional dancers and advanced students. I believe he loved it so much he will be back next summer. Others on the forum will I am sure give advice and pass on experiences from the better known summer schools like Yorkshire Ballet Seminars, Elmhurst, Northern Ballet, Central, ENB etc

National Youth Ballet have a fairly basic first audition, arranged by age/grade - no pointe work although I believe the letter says to take pointe shoes if you have them. There can be quite a range within each group and they split them into smaller groups within the audition if required. The second audition is in London. Again there are various groups, each with different starting times. Each groups starts with a short class but then I think they call dancers in depending which roles they are being considered for. At 12 my DD stayed til the end and was called back in 8 or 9 times. At 14 she was only there about 90 minutes and was seen 4 times. Her 16 year old friend was there 4 hours and seen twice. My DD has never been asked to do pointework. The 16 year old only did pointework. They seemed to think that the seniors are the 16 and over group. They tell you quite clearly that not all recalled will be cast and you hear within about a week of the final audition. All the dates for this year are on the NYB website. At the Tring summer school they do all their rehearsals and when they are not needed in rehearsal they are in classes. Hope this helps you.

thanks Bruce. Its great to be back on here and see so many familiar names. Hope everyone had a great christmas