2dancersmum

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!

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