taximom

Many Festivals DO allow individual entries. Contact the entries secretary for advice, they are often called Private Entries. Some schools with tiny entries enter this way as well as individual entries. Each festival is different! Heather Aka Taximom.

Add Into this mix little or no help from schools in the consideration of next steps, students just left to flounder. Many dancers might still 'want it' but are left with nothing despite being good enough. Heather Aka Taximom

I know my DDs former school, Harlequin, has been selected to attend the Dance Wolrd Cup in Romania this year. They are one of three schools representing England in solos, duets, trios, quartets and groups with one group specially selected to go straight through to the finals. It does appear to be a tremendous honour and know all entries were by video with selection taking place in December. Don't know if this is the same event as this one is all pre-selected and I didn't think it was open to individual entries? Heather Aka Taximom

In terms of finances, Northern School of contemporary dance, rambert, Trinity Laben and London Contemporary Dance School are all financed through student finance just like Uni degree courses if you are accepted into their degree courses so you should be re-assured. Well done with your existing offers just potentially widen your choices further! Heather Aka Taximom

You should at least have a go and let them make their decision, don't anticipate it!! Rambert have a new ( and brilliant) principal and artistic director in Amanda Britton, think she starts in Seotember, however she certainly used to b involved in the auditions. Have you considered Northern School of Contemporary Dance? The ballet at contemporary dance schools is ballet for contemporary dance and of a very high standard, however is accessible for those with less experience. Contemporary dance schools also give more consideration to those with less experience but with potential. Give it a go, you have nothing to loose!! GeTher Aka Taximom

The. Young lady from our local dance school, Harlequin who is in the Cntemporary section I think, has had a piece in the paper so it isn't a secret up until today's results! Heather Taximom

Yup that's the one I meant but forgot to say the school!!

A dancer from DD's old dance school is also through, not sure if if is classical or contemporary. Good to hear it isn't all vocational students!!

My DD had intensive support a few years ago from the Jerwodd Centre and it worked brilliantly. they are wonderful there. There is an NHS dance injury clinic in Birmingham, probably at the Jerwood, would be worth checking it out. Heather Aka Taximom

My DD also has mild scoliosis, picked up when doing her dance degree at London Contemporary Dance School. For her, being aware of it was what WS needed and the support of an outstanding Osteopath who, over the years, got to know her body very well and was able to easily realign her as she needed! I can highly recommend Nicky Ellis who has rooms in London but is attached to a number of dance schools and companies.

Yes, Janet Marshall or Corainne Collins are the best in the Gloucestr / Cheltenham areas of Harlequin if you can get to Worcester Heather Aka Taximom

If full student finance is in place there are unlikely to be scholarships. If, however, it is partial student finance I.e. £6000 max towards the tuition fees then there may well be scholarships. Good luck. Heather Aka Taximom

The 'count' is 4000 characters including spaces rather than words -that would be a book full!!!! PS are relevant but for music and dance at this level it is the audition that is the most important aspect followed by the PS. Get lots of advice from school and your teacher but make sure it is 'your' voice and passion that is heard through your writing. Heather Aka Taxi Mom

Ram bert is a clear option and takes from age 16. London Contemporary Dance School takes from 18 and the ballet is ballet for contemporary dance. My DD went there already with Adv 1 and was still challenged to be the best she could. There is unlikely to be any opportunity to do pointe work but that easily changes. Northern School of Contemporary dance is very similar. Central is ballet but with good contemporary. You may need to decide what your focus is. Most ballet companies have contemporary style works within their repertoire. Heather Aka Taximom

My young friend plays Conchita covering Anita. She has been 'on' for Anita for many performances and is loving the tour which is due to finish very soon. Heather Aka Taximom

BRB advertise on their website as does the RAD - I know not a ballet company!

How were the results?

My DD graduated from London Contemporary Dance School a couple of years ago as one of the top students. She has only had a couple of opportunities to dance since as there are very few auditions in the UK for female contemporary dancers, lots for males! The catch 22, as has already been said, is that there is usually a requirement for 3 years pro experience. I wouldn't want anyone to think that the contemporary option is an easier one in terms of employment opportunities. It is as difficult as the ballet employment option. The apprenticeship option has already been very well explained, however the careers development loan is not usually available to students as their credit rating means they won't be accepted for the loan. This happened to my musician daughter with a Masters offer and she couldn't accept it for this very reason. Go into things with your eyes very wide open and with knowledge. Heather aka Taximom

They regularly do Wolverhanpton rather than Birmingham Hip

Contact the RAD for their list of approved teachers? Heather Aka Taximom

Harlequin stage school in Worcester are very good and have a number of young boys. If you want to travel to us - Worcester, then it is easy to find Harlequin my DD's ld dance school but at your sons age the 2 I mentioned would be good to research to avoid the travel. Paul, the Principle of Harlequin, sends her older students to one of these two schools to take their student teacher exams and all 3 of them studied together at Bird college I think!

In the Gloucester area you have some very good schools who would be worth talking to about your DS - it is more usual for them to start, at this age, in a mixed class where he would be accepted as 'just' another dancer. Remember that predudice usually comes at a later stage! For young dancers and their parents having a boy in the class will be exciting but in reality no different to another new dancer joining the class. You won't have to travel far to find very good schools both in Gloucester and Cheltenham with very good reputations who can help you - for example Janet Marshall and Corraine Collins would be my first points of call. Hope that helps. Heather Aka Taximom

The rehearsal venues are usually big schools but often change! Ask Miss Lewis?

As a festival organiser our festival will consider any request received and try to accommodate it, depending on the reason. We do not allow dancing out of section. It is always worth an ask.

Hi Ben as another former EYB mom, I wonder if Miss Lewis has ever considered an EYB Alumni event? There are many former EYB dancers who might like this as an opportunity! Heather Aka Taximom