Anon2

http://www.dadainfo.org.uk http://www.dadainfo.org.uk/dada-alumni/

Tulip there is a list now of DADA alumni on DADA info website and other info about monitoring

I'm having trouble posting a copy of the DADA flowchart but here are the first stages. Student applies to institution and is auditioned The institution ranks the students in order of talent Institution offers a place (Not funding) to the student Student provisionally accepts place and confirms they want to apply for funding Self declaration form completed The institution records the students on the Budget Management Spreadsheet in order of talent Using the information in the self declaration of income the institution offers provisional funding to students in order of talent, until the budget is spent ( no offers to be made before 1st March) CDET/Drama UK undertake clearing on a monthly basis btw April and August and arise institutes were students are holding places. Student choose their preferred institution and formally accept a place and receive DADA application form. I realise this isn't about 'too many dancers' but do think the dc that have been awarded DaDA both this year and last need to feel it is on merit. The dc that were ranked highest heard first if they definitely had funding and then the institution goes down the list until the pot is empty. And yes I have great sympathy with anyone who is above the £70000 cut off because I know it would be the end of my dd journey. And back to the topic - we have struggled with this dilemma this year. DD wanting to carry on at vocational school, being offered sixth form places but hearing of others who have graduated and are struggling to find contracts. Will she find employment at the end - who knows but she wants to try to follow her dream. She is realistic and knows at this stage in her life she would be unhappy not to try having been given the opportunity. Who knows what the future holds for any of our dd or what path they will ultimately follow.

We have a family travel policy through AXA that covers dd for auditions and European Summer schools. It even covers her and student older sibling if they travel alone. It seemed to be too good to be true so asked for written clarification which she travels with.

Might be worth looking at the BRB books Stretching the Body? Or a one off appointment with a dance physio who will assess you and devise a specific programme.

If it looks fine on stage why not just leave well alone? I bet close up the company tutu often look well worn as don't they recycle them season after season?

Yes she is the same girl. Have never watched First Position but have read some newspaper articles about her that leave me uneasy.

Going back to the original title of this thread my perception is physically they all might be looking for something very slightly different in the children they choose but ultimately each panel will be looking for the same thing - a child that they believe will benefit from the training, flourish at the school and eventually graduate from their school and find employment. Yes they will make some mistakes but mostly they will get it right. They will loose some children along the way as physically they are no longer suitable for the schools training, are no longer passionate enough to continue or decide to leave the school for their own reasons. We can all tie ourselves in knots wondering about decisions that are made both at audition, appraisal or casting and yes they are important but they are out of our hands. All we can do as parents is offer support (and pay the bills) along the way whatever path our dc get to follow.

There is a short series of videos following a group of students at SAB - Search Teen Vogue and videos comes up as a link. Gives some insight into life at school.

Hope it is ok to quote from a book? From A True Heritage the story of The Royal Ballet School and Companies by Anna Meadmore "In 1964 a full time teacher training course was introduced at The Royal Ballet School. Initially known as the Craftsman's Course, and given over a two year period, it was intended to encourage dancers whose eventual vocation might be teacher. The Craftsman's Course began under the general directorship of the Upper School, but it became clear that such a varied programme of study, now extended to three years, would require its own Director and staff. In 1971 Valerie Adams, who had taught on the Course since its inception, was appointed Director of the re-named Teacher's Training Course. By the time the Course was brought to a close in 2000, necessitated by the re-location of the Upper School to Covent Garden, it had created a significant network of 324 graduates in 26 countries." We borrowed 'The Everyday Dancer' from our local library.

Do they still acknowledge receipt of applications? If so did you get an email/postcard Happygirl?

It is not that the vocational girls are not just wearing bras to dance but because they are in their leotards all day they are without support all day too. They don't have time swapping between dance and academic classes to change.

Would a visit to the museum be helpful? http://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/the-school/museum/

Maybe you have planted a seed and they are now thinking about adult ballet classes?!

Bloch leather jazz tap shoes (S0301L). Bloch size 6, so think size 3 UK. Good condition with box. £15.

Three leotards bought last year in rush for summer school, never quite right for dd so hardly worn. Bloch burgundy cotton/lycra leotard, pinched front, spaghetti straps, bra shelf - size petite - £10 Wear Moi international navy polyester/lycra leotard, pinched front, spaghetti straps, front lining - size small - £10 Wear Moi navy cotton/elastin leotard, pinched front, spaghetti straps, princess seaming to front and back, front lining - size small - £10 Plus Roch Valley purple leotard. Sweetheart neckline, thicker straps, front lining - size 2 - £7

Lin, if a member of the audience records and then posts on YouTube the group director has a right to request the clip is removed. This happened a couple of years ago a clip was posted of a dance at Move It by an audience member and was promptly removed when discovered. Not being You Tube savvy I have no idea how you go about it though!!

Clearing is monthly from end of April.

Thank you Janet.

Michelle. We used El Mundo Flamenco when we needed supplies last year. Very helpful staff. Very close to Danceworks. Sorry can't do a link at moment.

The year 11 at White Lodge are, I believe, seen in class by the AD from Elmhurst, ENBS and Central. Some are then offered finals at those schools. Some also choose to audition elsewhere - abroad, Rambert, musical theatre etc. The year 11 at Elmhurst did the audition trawl the same as the non vocational students trying for sixth form this year. All students from both schools went through to the finals of their current school alongside the other candidates. The Elmhurst students were constantly being told competition was high and regardless of their record no promises could be made about sixth form. The only advantage/disadvantage they had was being told in person if they had a place the day before the letters went out. Great for those with a place but not so easy if it was a no. Having to cope with a no miles from your family, having to tell them by phone and then pick yourself up, slap a smile on your face and walk back into a dance class and carry on dancing.

That would depend on how quickly she gets through them. But if doing pointe every day at least 3 pairs so they have time to dry between wears. My dd likes to have 3-4 pairs on the go plus a couple of spares so she is not caught short. Don't forget some of the dance wear shops give a discount to vocational students on presentation of proof of study.

Article about LCB and Nanny McPhee rehearsals in todays Telegraph magazine.

You are right about Central, RCS and Rambert. i can't work out what would happen at Ballet West - anyone? The current institutional report on the QAA site says they offer both BA (Hons) Dance, awarding body Northumbria Uni and HND Professional Stage Dance, awarding body Scottish Qualifications Authority. http://www.qaa.ac.uk/InstitutionReports/reports/Documents/R3667Ballet-West.pdf Also were BTUK hoping for accreditation from Scottish Qualifications Authority or did I imagine that?

I might have got the wrong end of the stick but I think you can get student finance for HND - £6000, BA - £9000. Anything in fees above that has to be found by parents! Depending on location maintenance loan towards accommodation/living expenses i.e. get slightly more if education provider has London postcode. If parents income is below a certain level you can apply for a maintenance grant too. I think those schools that have a Trinity Diploma qualification are funded via DaDA.