pas de chat

Amazing news it is such a wonderful school

No each child must have had a folder and they kept passing them about to each other. I would rather not have gone in! You live and learn - some would have loved the experience I'm sure.

I remember in January when my DD did her first audition which was at Elmhurst. We were invited in for the last ten minutes and they were constantly looking at the children's photos which were in folders. They were passing around 4/5 five folders the rest were closed and in a pile, just an awful 10 minutes for DD and also for me.

I just wanted to say that if you are unsure about auditioning your DD/DS this year as they might not be ready then my advice would be to give it a go. We learnt so much from the audition process in 2013/14 and we now know we were absolutely under prepared. We learnt disappointment, We learnt the competition is very very tough We learnt you sometimes have to have a dance solo, singing solo and drama piece up your sleeve and it needs to show potential not be totally refined We learnt it is a very expensive process We learnt the photos need to be done very soon (like now), We met some very lovely friends along the way, but we also met some pushy parents and we came up against the competitive warm up! We learnt to wear the right leotard for her, simple lines, colours and bottom coverage For some schools your body shape does matter but for others it doesn't We learnt MDS usually go to year 7s (usually not always) so you stand a better chance in year 7 We learnt that a couple of private lessons by an experienced teacher would have helped DD a lot In the end we have lots of lovely, funny, tired, nervous and exciting times travelling around the country which I would never change for one moment. You both end up much wiser! DD is currently tucked up in bed at vocational school and besides a little homesickness this week-end is living the dream!

DD said she thinks you are only a few minutes away. I hear they are getting on really well

DD is also lov'in The Hammond. I get a call most days although i think the downtime this week-end has been hard and I've noticed a tinge of homesickness in her voice. I agree with dancing2003 that summer schools have help DD prepare herself. (and me)

Were you offered a MDS in the end ebony? Good luck to your DD!

DD was in group E and really was underwhelmed by the challenge Elmhurst SS set this year for her. I think she was in the wrong group as I saw other DC who are her level perform much tougher dances. There were quite a few children struggling in some of these groups and I felt they should have been moved. Maybe 2.5 days wasn't enough time to sort this out although other SSs usually do! On the whole DD had a lot of fun and met some wonderful friends and loved the teachers especially Mr G who apparently made muffins for them! She also loved the performance by the two BRB dancers. For DD she preferred OPES and Tring Easter week as she felt stretched. We will def. do OPES next year and may try ENB or Central next year if the pennies can stretch a bit further.

DD would like to apply next year do you have any feedback on how it went?

I doubt it very very much that bitterharvest are in it for the money. But I hope very much that they win because knowing Mr Mrs Parker they will put a lot of the money back into dance! vote bitterharvest on Friday!

The right ballet leotard makes all the difference so I would recommend buying a few and trying on for good fit especially around the bottom and bust. We have always found wear moi styles excellent!

Such a great idea to do three weeks as we are so behind in this country for Ballet Summer Schools! In America they often start mid June for 6 weeks! Can you imagine how great they will after three weeks with that level of teaching and small class sizes. I'll have to start saving now!

Mine is 12 (this week-end) but she hasn't told me what dorm other than the fact it has about ten beds in it! She's lov'in it but I suspect she will be very tired in the car on the way home!

My limited experience with DD is that children develop at different times in their early years. DD always showed potential to me but it was never truly reflected in the marks she gained in RAD Exams or the roles she got (or never got) in the annual shows. Often shoved at the back and many tears in the car on the way home from show rehearsals thinking she was rubbish and her teacher hated her. I too had many moments of 'may be it's just me who sees her potential'. But then as the years fell away they girls at the front often fell away. No longer was just being a clever, co-ordinated child enough to cut the grade you also had to have drive, dedication, fitness, and the ability to blink back the tears when others have been chosen over you. Yesterday DD received her highest distinction mark for Grade 5, and is off to Hammond in September and is still bursting with potential. If you have the funds try expanding her experience with things like Children's Ballet Companies (MTB - Birmingham, EYB - National, LCB) and also dance weeks/days during the holidays which will exposed her to other teachers and students with similar interests/abilities. If you think she has the potential then always give it a second/third go as one year someone else will see it too!

DD is starting in Year 8 but she is very young for her year so no doubt will gel with the Year 7s. No idea how the beds work as I think we saw the year 7 dorm which was quite large not sure about year 8? All quite exciting though for her. She is just doing grade 5 RAD so no doubt might be a little behind as I'm not sure what level they are at in Year 8.

No news on the induction day but then again we have only just sent off our confirmation letter. Apparently it is usually in June.

We finally received the letter last week confirming that DD will receive a very generous bursary from The Hammond. So DD will be off this September and we couldn't be more pleased as without it she wouldn't be able to go! I can't quite put into words how lucky we are to have a school believe in DD. Happy Days )

Lots and lots of luck xx

DD is going week 2 she is 12 and also went to Tring at Easter - group d.

Lots of the Senior girls wore socks yesterday at Tring, I was admiring a pretty pair with red bows! Some sort of soft knitted warm up top seemed very popular as well!

Well done amber21 good news!

The Darcy B one is very good even I can do a bit!

It isn't usually like that Balletmum, it will be better next year. The usual routine is a nice presentation of certificates in the theatre and then the two scholarships are given out. I guess the prestige (and money) of having a film shot there was too much to resist! Maybe they will pay for more scholarships for next year? Here's hoping! PITF I think it was based on grade and also whether you are vocational. Saw your lovely DD Angel she said she had a good week! Does anyone know who won the scholarships for next year?

Apparently Robert Downey Junior is arriving next week! What did everyone think of the week? DD loved it although watching the class today I thought the standard was very mixed. DD was in D group and probably could have got away with being in a higher class. The contemporary class today was fantastic. I think someone will be having a very early night tonight!

Balletsister why not try a summer school or join something like EYB,NYB, LCB or MTB for a year or two? They offer great performance opportunities and they are with children with similar interests/talents. Then maybe try out for an associates programme if she still shows potential and most importantly loves to dance. Children develop at different ages not all are meant for the RBS in fact very few! I believe 6 children were assessed out his year at WL and those taking their places might have been late starters!? 9 is still very young although it does sometimes feel like a race!