Millie3

For many I guess they don't until they actually see them - however I'm sure there are also those who could be discounted at the photo/application stage. Which for parents would save us the time and expense of audtioning. However DD on the whole enjoyed the audition experience and also gave her the opportunity to see the "competition", which I think is useful for those not at full-time school. Marianne - how does your friends dd fit in 20 hours of ballet a week? (I've just topped up dd's - 4 1/4 pw or 6 3/4 on associate weeks)

Funding for maintenance loans and grants is the same as other university courses, but as it's private only £6000 of the £9000 fees can be covered by student tutition loans at present. A degree course (final year) is currently being put in place, so will be up and running for students starting this year (could be before - I don't know!). Accommodation costs are on par with unite/liberty living, but need to be paid for throughout the year - so quite expensive - about £5400pa. Hope that helps Millie

But using the MDS scale would make far too much sense! I naively thought it would be along the same lines too. It's so unfortunate - DD won't be attending the Dada final she gained a place at - she's accepted a place elsewhere. Dragonlady - I do hope that a way is found so that your dd can continue training. Hopefully there may be a few more scholarships offered this year. Also I noticed that Tring were auditioning in Japan - maybe that's the new talent pool to fill the school!

Oh dear Like many other families just over the £70,000 income bracket we've calculated that we would be better off if I give up my job! How ridiculous! No way we can afford a place at a school offering a Dada now. Many of those lovely ds and dds who have worked so hard to gain a place at a funding audition, will now have their hopes dashed! I really hope this is sorted out quickly and a "fair" sliding scale introduced.

The whole lot appears to be undertaken down south - auditions, rehearsals and performances. Maybe it should be renamed "Southern Youth Ballet".

Hello Discouraged My dd got the no letter from Elmhurst too and I'm sure there are many other talented dd and ds who received the same. It's difficult with so many after so few places. DD already had offers of places and Dada finals, so made the disappointment easier to deal with. As others have said, has your dd thought of applying to anywhere else - purely as a back up (and confidence boost)? Realise application dates may have come to end at most institutions, but still worth a ring. Also what about the less well known options, which still offer first class ballet training? My dd looked at KS Dance(?) in Warrington, which offers a classical ballet course, although as a private school the yearly cost is around £14,000 (including accommodation). Another option is Ballet West, who I think are still auditioning - have a look at their website/facebook page. DD attended their summer school and loved the place. Good luck for the Central and RBS auditions.

Hi Kathy I'm aware of Dada/degree distinction - but some of the dance courses are degrees, so it may apply. Just thought others may also be unaware of this and it could be helpful in forward planning. For example I believe the course at Ballet West is private, so English students would only receive a £6000 tuition loan. Not sure about central, depends if they are affiliated to a university. I'm sure someone on here will know. Just looked it up - didn't want to alarm anyone - for central you do receive the full £9000.

I was having another trawl on the internet yesterday. On the gov.uk website it now states that all enquiries about Dadas be made to the school for 2013 entry. The other piece of info I found, that I was unaware of, is that the max tuition fee loan for students studying at private institutions is £6000, rather than the £9000. Not sure how many of the ballet schools are classed as private, but worth looking into. I expect this will affect those applying for musical theatre places too. Still waiting for that winning lottery ticket

Dancergirl101 - DD auditioned last month, don't worry the point work was basic - it's only a tiny part of the audition. As others have said enjoy yourself and just do your best. Thankfully DD's audition had fewer students - so they were able to leave earlier - with the distances people travel it does make it a very long day. Well done to all who have already been called back for the funding audition and good luck to all those still to audition. Dragonlady - do you know if current students have always joined external students at the funding audition? I didn't realise they did that - makes sense though as the audtion panel can compare them all at the same time.

Hope all those auditioning today arrived without any problems and enjoyed the experience .

Spotlight You don't need to make a final decision yet - so make sure you've also applied to schools/colleges to do your A'levels. My dd is fortunate in having a definate dance place for next year, however she still has a number of other schools to audition at, so hasn't made any final decisions yet. However she's also (reluctantly) sent off her form for studying her A'levels locally - I know it might appear pessimistic (as all she wants to do is dance) but you just never know what is going to happen - her first choice college is fantastic and offers all the A'levels she wants to do. So although it's the bottom of her pile of preferences - it's still there as a great big safety net!! Best of luck. Millie

Hello Along for the ride mum. My dd is also auditioning on the 11th, you should have received an e-mail by now - she's in group 2 which starts at 12:30 - so there could be 3 or 4 groups that day. Try e-mailing them and keep 'phoning - I'm sure someone must be working/checking messages over the holidays. Good luck to your dd. Millie Just read your post on another thread - it was an e-mail - not a letter - containing the final info.

Hello tutucute22 DD was 15, not sure about next year yet, as she's currently auditioning for sixth forms- so will decide nearer the time once we know for certain what she'll be doing in September.

DD attended last summer. The students were spilt into two classes - it looked to be by age. Lots of ballet and some jazz. There is a range of standards, but there were some very talented ballet dancers. On my dd's week there were children from a number of vocational schools as well as recreational dancers. Lessons were all taken by the Ballet West teachers. They are accommodated in the actual house in a range of rooms- from a large dormitory for the younger children to twin bedrooms for the older ones. Some of the older students were in one of the chalets which are close to the main house. Food was good too. There aren't organised activites as such in the evenings, but they walk down to the shop in the village and watch DVDs. DD would thoroughly recommend, because of the small numbers attending everyone gets to know everyone else, so it is very friendly- which I feel is important. It's also in a gorgeous part of the world.

Hope all goes well for your DD dragonlady and they don't keep you waiting for the results. DD also auditioning for 6th forms this year - she has applied for a variety of schools etc, with different funding options - so hedging her bets. However saying that her preferred course will rely on a Dada being gained and us being able to afford it under the new system. Although the degrees are cheaper in the short term, it does worry me regarding the amount of debt students come out with at the end and also limits future options if dance does not work out for any reason - unless they take on another £27,000 of fees! Deep breath.........exhale.......... Why didn't I send her off to Brownies on a Monday night instead? Millie

Enjoy - DD performed with them a few years back and absolutely loved it. Millie

Thanks 2dancersmum - DD had an enjoyable day and got through to the afternoon session. So now have to wait for the letter. With regard to Dadas, Hammond didn't know anymore than we do, so again wait and see. Feel there may be a lot of waiting in the next few months! Millie

Just found this: Dance and Drama Awards From 2013 The Department is currently reviewing the support available for the most talented young people and adults to access specialist dance and drama provision. Students who audition to start in September 2013 will study under new DaDA scheme arrangements. DaDA will continue to support students who show, at audition, that they are the most talented and likely to succeed in the industry. If offered an award, the amount of support for fees and maintenance received will be based on an assessment of family income. The income assessment will be undertaken by the appropriate DaDA school, using nationally set levels and guidance. on http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/youngpeople/studentsupport/a00203099/dada-scheme Can't find the info anywhere about the nationally set level of fees with regard to family income. Anyone any idea where it is, or has it not been published yet? DD off to audition at Hammond tomorrow, so hopefully they'll shed some light on it. I just hope we can still afford it if she is fortunate enough to be offered a dada. Millie

Hello Swanprincess DD has attended Tring Easter school a number of times. Firstly it isn't wholly ballet, there's tap and modern/jazz aswell. Younger students are in the main house in larger dormitories, the older ones, I think from about 12, are in rooms for 2 or 3. DD never complained about the food, so must be good. Don't know about the application process - it used to be by post and you heard nearer the time. Millie

Agree taxi4ballet - I expect that most, if not all, the places available are in group 6 - where there are only a handful of students at present. So assume there will be some students moving up a group after Christmas. They had many more younger children apply than older, so obviously competition is going to be fierce within the lower age groups. Over the years my dd has auditioned for various associate classes/ youth ballets etc - she's had lots of knockbacks, which as others have already said make the yes letters so much better. When they are younger I think it's hard, as they may be the "star" in their local dance school, but soon have to realise that there are loads of other talented ballerinas out there. So if your dc's teachers think they have potential keep on trying, just go with the attitude that it's all good experience and enjoy it. Millie

Thanks both amum/Cathy - DD has attended northern ballet, and loved it, but it is non-residential for the Easter week. Pas de Quatre - Will keep an eye on the website - had discounted this one because of the change this year. Do you know if they are likely to return to residential next year? Millie

Thanks S&P - ideally looking for residential as the cost spirals as soon as we all need accommodation for the week!

Just been trawling the internet and drawn a blank - does anyone know of any residential Easter schools (apart from Tring) for Advanced students? Millie

Schools around the country have different Easter holidays. DD was dissappointed a few years ago when it looked like she couldn't attend as she was at school all week! Tring changed the date on that occasion, so she was able to go in the end. Millie

Just found this: http://www.centralschoolofballet.co.uk/sshowtoapply.php Thought may be of interest to others. Millie