Billyelliott

After a short nap and a rather difficult journey - accidents en route - we are back. DS is warming up and I'm watching the 10-13 contemporary and modern section very impressive so far !

Sorry to see that some of you are still waiting in hope of a place from the SWL. As I remember there were quite a few children who joined in my DS' clas halfway through a term or in the 2nd or 3 rd term , as others found it too much , re-located or decided not to continue for other reasons ......if you get a place it will be well worth the wait ! As we are mooving on to the next stage now , we have just done our last ever class as a JA . We were bid a fond farewell by the teacher , who presented the year 6's with a certificate recognising their commitment to completing the training , and thanking the parents for all their efforts to get them to the class each week! We were very impressed that Ms Hubbard had had Mugs made for each yr 6 boy , with their names on and JA 2013! What a super souvenir ! I will miss my early morning trips to Covent Garden , though not the ones in the dead of winter ! It seems so sad to have ended an era as we have been made to feel so much a part of the school , even though we were only associates ! It has been such a privilege to see the children dance in lovely studios (with other boys in our case ) , be given the opportunity to dance with the company on the Royal Opera House stage and receive so much helpful comment and advice from caring teachers that took a real internest in the boys future ! THANKYOU RBS for the opportunities your associate scheme have provided -

Safely arrived and watching! Sad to see that the gymnastic element is on display here as well even in the "minis" under 10! Also in spite of warnings to be age appropriate and modestly attired some are not at all! Looks like things are running late so DS will have lots of time to get changed ! Lovely to see so many overseas competitors

Ok now it's off to rescue my DS age 10 From a school residential trip - this morning on an assault course , in time to drive him to the Dance World cup where he has a ballet group a charachter group and then - hopefully after a nap - a ballet solo at the ridiculous hour of 10:30 pm ! Hoping he has not come a cropper this morning and that i can stop him from yawning loudly on stage !

I used to think like that .......but have since become more realistic - as there is no shortage of dance talent , not even among boys as has been said before on this forum , probably due to the "Billy Elliott factor " - the vocational schools are spoilt for choice these days ! It may seem harsh , but if even at 10 a child can not show off their potential in 2 hour + class then the experienced team on an audition panel must be able to make a decision out of those who they feel will benefit from the training offered. If you consider that thousands audition ,and for 4 or 5 schools if you had to set aside 4 or 5 weekends for each of the finals , the process would become even more unwieldy for schools and for us ! The schools are after all run as a business and not as a kind of welfare organisation .... - not sure if I've expressed what I meant to . It is hard to make such big decisions for age 10 , but it can start as young as 8 , when a choice to do an all boys JA Class in London means that other talents eg music lessons have to be curtailed or sacrificed . Ballet is one of the few profession where early training is so important ....All my DS school mates have little clue at this stage what they want to do with their lives , but mine has known for the last 2 years and he sticks out like a sore thumb ! Open to all sorts of ridicule .....it's HARD out there ! But our children love to dance , so we take a deep breath and do our best to help them . I think they cope with it all much better that us parents do ! All the best with the waiting .....

Patience is the name of the game.....waiting for results an occupational hazard of ballet mums the world over . If there is no news it's not a "no" yet and remember even a "no" is just a "not yet" . One door closes so another can open . Why would the school want to be cruel ?! Each child must be considered and informed in turn . There is no reason to hold back sending information on a decision just so that everyone hears something at the same time . Each year would have to be considered separately ....it's not like getting exam results where you pass or fail , all those invited to auditioning have been lovely dancers and its a hard decision ! I quite agree - have had excellent communication so far with Elmhurst by letter and by email .

Letter or email

Looks like Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for us an that means we are free to go see Carlos on the last Sunday ! No peak tickets needed for us either as the earliest is 11:00 and i think we can just make it ....not much makeup and a unitard !

Anybody else from Balletco taking part? It's our first time. I have been told its quite a festive occasion with a lot of cheering ! This year it's near us in Brighton and it kicks off tommorow - we will be there Tuesday and Wednesday

Just spotted the timetable published on the All England website ! A day before we were promised ....http://www.all-england-dance.org.uk/images/pdf/nf2013.pdf

Elmhurst are doing Rad vocational grades on Saturdays

Sorry folks - not intending to send you round the bend ..... This audition process is enough to send the calmest & most sane demented ! Myself included. There are many reasons why no one else has reported back on answers ...... Were the boys and girls auditioned together ? It may be that they're was only 1or 2 places for boys .... Also not everyone who auditioned will be on the forum ! Sorry that you are kept in suspense but that's often the way of things ..... Remember also that they will have to wait for confirmation of acceptance before working down the list , and its always possible that not all places are funded ? I also have no idea what you were told on audition day , or how many we're auditioning for which places , or even how many places there were vacant for each year ! It's quite possible that those who have had replies are not on the forum !

Hello I was told by my DS 's JA Teacher in London this morning so I assume the boy in question has had a letter or an email - sorry i do not know which .... I don't think she would have mentioned it otherwise as she is very careful and professional about such things Yes it was from the extra audition this week , so it won't be long now before you hear something I would think! Fingers and toes crossed for u all

Have just heard of another RBS JA boy I think from Bristol JA 's who will be coming to Elmhurst in September yr 7 ! Congratulations

I can't resist commenting ! I think (and hope ) its just a phase the boys go through , after all its an exciting thing for the girls who have been waiting to be ready for this new development , and the boy who is often the only one in the class , feels left out . My DS considers that it also a way to look taller as he is short for his age ! Last term I found an old pair of pointe shoes hidden in his wardrobe - he said they were given to him to try out ! His teacher made the mistake of reminding him that "Bottom" in midsummer night dream does a dance in pointe shoes ! I have a feeling the novelty would soon wear off once he feels how painful it can be ! She also told him in front of me that some men use pointe work to strengthen their feet .....not sure what to make of that !?

Ah what a kind an thoughtful teacher ! I will have to hide this post from my son who is also desperate to start point work with his classmates , but is mercifully mooving on in September ! I'm sure he will be persuading some of the girls to let him try their shoes !

My DS just had his letter from his guardian angel ! He is very happy - especially about the food !

Since the induction day is on Saturday the 6th, and I'm assuming that Elmhurst would like all the new starters to be present , you must be going to get a decision pretty quickly , in time for transport and accommodation to be booked . Fingers and toes crossed !

This is a week of "lasts" My DS is off to live at the other end of the country in September . Knew it was happening but now it is hitting home..... We have had our last Tap class , last Modern class, last worship band last music concert and tomorow is the last time to play with the youth orchestra ! Saturday will be our last ever JA Class ....even he is shedding a tear here and there !

Phew - so glad to hear about the job ! Have several times wanted to ask if there was any hope in sight , and now at last news . What a relief . Well done for getting through it all and coming out with a job and in England as well . Hoping that all will go smoothly now and that the ankle is soon as good as new ! Keep us posted as to how it goes after a much deserves summer break

Fructus do a pump spray gel with cactus extract that we used and it was ok !

All the best for those auditioning tommorow - hope Robert Parker and the team find those with that special something they are looking for to join the team ! Dance your socks off everyone

Me too ! And what years they are for !

Well there's a thought ! Ballet classes .....hmm .... Not just yet though I turn 50 next month so better not leave it too long ...... Sadly I have to work 9-6 mon - Friday and some Saturdays with alternate Thursdays off ! Time is very short with 2 young boys ....2 years ago I went back to 'Cello lessons after a 30 year break and loved it , but have had to stop whist doing the audition circuit with older DS and getting up to the London JA's every saturday . I needed to focus all my attention on him and there was just not enough time to practice - at that level it needs an hour a day at least and I just don't have that much time ! Come september with one boy at Elmhurst so I can focus on the other one ( who is on the autistic spectrum) and perhaps a little more time for myself ......though I will still have to work long hours to meet my contribution to the MDS award ! I suppose if the classes were in Worthing I might get there on my fortnightly thursdays off when not at the dentist etc. Are they weekend classes I wonder certainly 6th July is a Saturday - but we are off to Birmingham for the induction day on the 6th that's how I remember its a Saturday. There is of course another issue - I had to stop ballet when 16 as I tore my Achilles' tendon badly and I'm not sure it will stand the strain ! Then there's the mildly arthritic neck and hip - a little exercise does me good , but not sure about ballet ? Well thanks everyone for the inspiration , that's one more thing to add to my wish list for the years to come !

Sorry for the extra post ! I ran out of time to say what this has to do with Adults learning ballet - I used to dance in my childhood 40 years ago , and watching my boys learn has made me think and feel those distant memories as I try to help them learn steps and sequences , and watch them perform and cringe , criticise or stand amazed all at once , from the side lines ...... I realise that in my brain and heart and soul I think I can still fly when I hear the music , and my muscles remember the moves , but the boys just laugh at the results if I actually try to demonstrate ...they find it hard to imagine me in ballet shoes . If only I had the time to go back to classes again - it might get me back into shape ! I have certainly realised where they get their love of expressing themselves through dancing from - Just a shame i can only look on and not join in !