atacrossroads

And then you look at how many of their pupils make it into Upper School, very few, most are trained elsewhere. How many who make it into the company have come through their training programme rather than just do the couple of years at Upper School? How are they going to produce dancers capable of being Princpals in their own company with the current approach?

For the sake of the Darcys, Tamaras and Leanne's out there, maybe it's time for a change of thinking?

The aesthetic can't have been as crucial back in 1980 when they accepted Leanne Benjamin into Upper School. By that time of course she'd had top class Australian ballet training as a child.

She then then made it into the RBC in the early 90's, becoming a principal within a year, despite not having sway backs (but obviously so many other attributes that made her so beautiful to watch).

The question is, would she have been given the chance to become the dancer she became in today's associate system? Are prospective Leanne Benjamin's slipping through the net, being turned down, disenchanted, or financially unable to gain the required training go as far as she did.

I totally agree LinMM. I would still doubt that RBS would take any child with that 'Je ne sais quoi' if they had neither sway back legs or long slim limbs. But I do hope I'm wrong for all those chikdren's sakes

Very good point taxi4ballet! It could just as easily be for a flat bum! I do wish they'd be a bit more transparent with their criteria checklist though.

Er... what? That's a new one on me (and dd too who says she's never been asked to do that, ever).

It was also referenced this year by Bluebird22 on 23rd March in the Lower School Auditions topic, after talking to Mark Annear for feedback on a pupil of hers, so it must be happening now

Strange one that, as far as I'm aware my GDD has no particular hyper ex in the knee, and she has been a JA MA and soon will probably be a SA. I reckon most people on the forum have learnt from the experienced members that there is certainly more than one route to Rome. I say probably as there might hopefully be other options for her fingers crossed.

Vonrothbart, I'd imagine that if your GDD has no hyperextension in her knees then she must have long legs. I've never seen a JA that hasn't had one or the other, but again I'd be very happy to hear if I'm wrong

It was said in a topic on this forum during a lower school audition post, some year 7 applicants had been asked to do this to see how close their knees were to the wall. It may be a fairly new thing. They have always been asked to sit with their legs out in front of them, feet flexed and see how far their heels lift off the floor at JA auditions, so the same exercise but on the floor. Hyperextension and hyper mobility may have their own problems I know, but in the end hyperextension is what RBS look for. Show me a dancer in the company without hyperextension, I'd be delighted to see it!

We're expecting to hear some time during the middle of April and will post on your topic when our letter arrives!

My Dd is also a tiny 14 year old recalled in class C. Another friend of mine has a 15 year old who is a lovely dancer and also recalled to class C, so at least they haven't been put in with the 12 year olds because they're so tiny!

I'd also love to know the odds of getting through the final round as we have to change our flight home from holiday to a day earlier if she makes it through ????

I've just had an email to say DD hasn't got a place for SA's - I know the chances of gaining a place are minimal but I just don't know how to tell her! She's at dance at the moment and I know she is going to be devastated. She auditioned for JAs and has done so every year, without success. She is such a lovely dancer and has achieved so much, but her confidence is gradually disappearing.

Good luck to everyone else waiting to hear x

Proudmum, auditioning for RBS Associates or WL can be a soul destroying process if your DC I'd not 'their' body shape i.e. Some degree of hyper extension in the knee, or long limbs in relation to torso. I know some stunning dancers who have always been turned down for associates with them, who have gone on to be soloists in renowned ballet companies.

My DD is at the top of her classical year of 25 children in a full time vocational school and was turned down every time by RBS. In the end, especially after hearing that they can be asked to stand against a wall to see if their knee can touch the wall behind, we realised that their criteria is so weighted on body type that there really was no point in putting her through trying again. It doesn't mean that she won't have a classical career, she'll just never make it through their developement scheme.

Look at Laurretta Summerscales, now Principal at English National Ballet; no Royal or vocational training until ENB School at 16. Granted, Susan Robinson was an outstanding teacher for her, but it goes to show that there's not always one route to success!

I'm sure your DD is a beautiful dancer, with a career ahead of her. Not being right for RBS doesn't mean she's not right for ballet by any stretch!

I hope she took the news ok

So pleased for the boy from Tring. He was assessed out of WL in year 9, spent two years training at Tring and now has Upper School AND ENB School

Congratulations to your dd double trouble, that's really great news

My dd is a small 14 year old and has been called back for class C on the 8th

Thanks Balletmumealing, I was a little worried we had the wrong date on the letter

Hi, my DD who is 14 was at the last day of auditions on Sunday and got a recall letter today, but for Sunday 8th May. Is it the younger ones being recalled on the 1st May only?

Thanks you Anna C

Very good advice Harwel

I totally agree Twoballerinas0004, but when the companies are chosing girls with sway backs as they have their pick from all over the world, you begin to wonder whether they'll get work ultimately at the end of all the training. 

I've also noticed that very pretty faces come into the criteria too which we'd not thought about before!

Thanks all for your interesting comments.  It certainly seems an extra challenge to work around the hyperextended legs and having to try not to lock into them a lot of the time, but so worth it for those beautiful lines. 

Interestingly Petalviolet my daighter has hyper extended elbows, just not the legs!  She has lovely feet and ankles thank goodness and as everyone says, no one has everything. 

I do find it all very interesting though.  Does anyone know what percentage of the population has hyper extended legs?  It looks asthough a good 90% of the professional females do.  With the male dancers I've noticed that it seems to be more around 60%.

Hi,  I was very disheartened to see a picture posted on World Ballet Day by a 16+ Vocational School on Twitter, showing one of their years in a pose at the barre.

Out of the 10 pupils shown, 8 have obviously sway back legs from some degree to another.  I've also noticed recently that when watching ballets by many companies, I am struggling to find a female dancer without sway backs.  My DD is studying full time and has a straight leg line.  She works incredibly hard both in school and when she gets home, is top of her year and would love to audition for one of the top vocational schools for 16+ training, but I am worried that they just won't give her a second look because she has no hyper extension.

Does anyone have any advice as to whether she has a chance in the ballet world, or whether there are any exercises we could try to give the illusion of a more sway back leg?

Thank you

Thanks so much Dizzy Dancer!

Tulip, do you know how much your friend might want to sell hers for?

I think they're about £80 plus £25 international postage. Interestingly no one in the UK is selling them...

Thank you Janet

I know these are frowned upon, but my friend's Son has been recommended to use one but they can't find one at a price they can afford.

Would anyone happen to have a used one that they're prepared to sell at all? Many thanks

Wonderful news Zacharovitti! Sounds like an expensive Summer, but how wonderful!

Emails have just gone out this afternoon for Course B. DD was lucky enough to get a yes. She's never done a Summer School before, so very excited