Littleone

On 08/04/2024 at 17:52, glowlight said:

I remember having a conversation with my dd on a long car journey when she was in her graduate year where she explained to me the statistical probability of her landing a contract with a ballet company, given the number of students graduating and the number of jobs available. She wanted to lower our expectations I think. From then on she decided to apply / audition for anything she could find (unless it involved top-drop). She continued to apply for ballet and contemporary contracts, and had a few auditions, and she went to loads of open auditions for cruise companies, Disney, agencies, musical theatre. She played the numbers game, got down to the last few several times and that softened the blow of all the times she was cut. Eventually she got on the books for Carnival, and about 5 months later she got the call offering her a contract. That was the day after she had decided she couldn't face any more auditions.

 

I know things are even harder now, but I would encourage your DCs to keep going and to keep an open mind about what jobs they are prepared to take. But also...when they've had enough you'll need to support them to step away. 

Really good to read  this positive story Glowlight ! Dd doing audition rounds and made it onto 'books' for couple of cruise companies having been cut many times 😏. So lovely that your dd got the call after so many months ! Will keep hopeful !😊

I think the most important thing is that your daughter is happy and 2 years studying A levels when she would rather be studying PA could be hard for her. My daughter was offered a place on the Diploma at Hammond at 16 but she decided she would rather stay at her school for A Levels - that was her choice. She went on to do a  BA in Dance and MT in London and is now out the other side . She is auditioning alongside other Degree graduates and also Diploma graduates including from the Hammond. Success in auditions seems more about talent, skill set and ‘look’ than type of qualification. As taxi4ballet says , there are no guarantees and so I think it’s possible to worry too much about the outcome of the chosen pathway e.g the likelihood of getting paid performing work and it’s more important to enjoy the journey ! 
I also remind myself that many of my daughters peers who did non PA degrees are also currently happily working in jobs unrelated to the subject they studied. At 19 with a Diploma your daughter may go straight into a her dream performing job but if not she will be young enough to choose a different path .

Hi Lemongirl - that's great news 😀 Congratulations to your DD ....and good luck with the track decision  - agree , it seems a bit early ! 

Hi - As I understand the top up fee for 3rd term used to be the case at Urdang however things have changed fortunately . My Daughter is currently in first year BA and there is now an 'optional' third term which consists of rehearsals for the summer show ( 1st and 2nd year degree and diploma) for which there is no charge. My daughter, and I believe most of her friends are planning on opting in to the summer show not surprisingly ! I believe they also offer some masterclasses during this time which again are optional and for which there is a charge. My daughter and her friends attend open classes at other studios in London which are reaosnably priced so I expect she will fill any free time with these and opt in to some at Urdang too . 

I'll have a look at your PM Now Olivia 😀 

Hi Olivia 

I believe that Emil Dale are now offering an MT degree and also Chichester University - both with student finance . Although Chichester is a Uni based course I have heard  it offers a similar number of contact hours to the schools above.

My Daughter auditioned at Urdang, Bird, Performers and LIPA last year so am happy to try and answer any questions re the audition process at any of those - daughter is home this week so I can ask her !😀

Hi Lemongirl

My daughter auditioned last year and from memory wasn't required to sing at her  Northern Ballet school ( Manchester) audition . I also believe London Studio Centre do not require sinigng (?) Am sure someone can correct me if I'm wrong. Am not sure if these colleges are still accepting applicants for this year though ?

 My DD was (is) primarily a dancer and with similar focus to yours - she had very little singing experience when she auditioned last year and wasn't v. comfortable with the whole thing ...but she seems to be enjoying the singing teaching she is now receiving (1st year BA Urdang) and appreciates that when she graduates  being able to sing will make her far more versatile and hopefully employable 😄.

Best of luck to your daughter !! 

Hi OliviaT - I've messaged you 😀

Hi Olivia T

Reading your post it seems your our daughters are quite similar 😀. This time last year my DD was in year 13 of an academic 6th form and dancing at her local school . Her strengths were (are) also Ballet - although, like yours, not to vocational level , and modern Jazz and she had v little experience in singing . She auditioned at Northern Ballet school, Bird, Performers, Laine, Urdang and LIPA and is now on the degree course at Urdang.  Am certainly no expert on all of this  but If I can help / answer any questions about those colleges please feel free to ask on here or message me ! 

It isn't ballet focussed but would thoroughly recommend Rosina Andrews' Winter Intensive . It takes place near Milton Keynes on 14th and 15th December x

Hi All4 dancers 😀

I would recommend Drew Tommons . Am not sure where he's based but in the south somewhere and her does travel . He's fab ! 

https://www.virtuosodancephotography.com

Feel free to Pm me for more info x

Sorry Dippycat ... reading back I didn’t answer your question .. at the moment Urdang is where she’s hoping to go .. but not made a definite decision yet ! 🙄

Hi Dippycat - my daughter took Biology , Dance , PE and Psychology at AS level and is continuing with all except biology to A2 . She has offers from Urdang and LIPA and is still waiting to hear from Performers . 

Best of luck with your decisions !😀

Hi Dance Mom .. it is a tricky decision . For what it’s worth , my daughter at 16 had a place at Hammond on their diploma but decided she wanted to stay at her local school and do A levels . She has continued at her local dance school , had a few singing lessons to prepare her audition solo and taken some masterclasses in a dance genre she had no experience in ( commercial ) and has degree offers this year. Assuming she passed her A levels she will have these to fall back on in the future should the whole dance thing not work out ! I would say go with your daughter’s gut feel ! 😀 Best of luck x

Have sent you a PM ebony xx

I completely agree Karen . Admittedly I haven't looked into accommodation at Performers .... but I believe its mostly private houses' flats locally . It certainly seems that that is the case for Urdang with the addition of some Student Accommodation  non specific to Urdang in the area. Although Urdang is in London transport links mean my daughter could be home in approx 2 hours should she wish to ..which is v reassuring ! 

Hi Ebony - my daughter is 17 .. she’s currently at 6th form and the only one from her school year or her dance school who’s auditioned this year .. so it’s been a bit of a ‘leap in the dark and a v steep learning curve ! 

Hi Ebony - Congratulations to your daughter on her offers and DaDas 😀. My daughter also auditioned at Urdang and Performers and she also loved the jazz style at Urdang . She has a place on the degree course at Urdang and is still waiting to hear re degree at Performers . I think ‘ Pictures’ is right  and gut feel is important .. My daughter also preferred the local area at Urdang and it is certainly easier to travel to for us ( we are in the North West) so that might be worth considering . That said , my daughter is currently feeling a little nervous about moving to London knowing no-one 🙄 ... It certainly is a big step ! Good luck to your Daughter with her decision .. and if she decides Urdang is for her then maybe we could put our daughters in touch ? 😀 x

Hi Sunrise 

Am  probably not in the best position help as my DD was an associate in the first year that  Elmhurst ran the scheme in Manchester . She started in year 6 and they allowed them to carry on into year 7 at that time . She is now in year 13 !  However as far as I am aware timings are still the same in that the classes run on Saturday morning/early afternoon  in school term term and take place at the Dancehouse on Oxford Road. The teacher is lovely and the classes were v friendly . My daughter v much enjoyed her time there . Sorry I can't remember how much we paid but that will have changed by now anyway ! 

Hope that helps ...and hopefully someone with more up to date knowledge will post soon  😀

Hi Balletforever 

My Daughter and her dance school have been to 2 of these competitions and they really enjoyed them. Not sure how much detail you would like .... but the venue is usually a school gym or similar so there is plenty of space for dancers and parents who are able to watch the whole event - for an admission fee of course. The dancers are split by age into about 4 groups and there have been 50 + in each age group at the events I have been to. There have been 3 main genres to compete in : tap, modern and ballet . The dancers start in a large group and are taught a 'routine' by  a teacher at the front  - the lines rotate so everyone gets a change to be on the front . Once learned they perform the routine in rows . All of this is infront of a panel of 'judges who tended to walk around the hall so they could see everyone ! After all the 'first' rounds they announce the dancers by number who have made it through to the 'semi final' . I think they learned a different routine for that .. but same format .. and then they call the finalists who dance again before they placed the top 6 in reverse order . It's the same process for all 3 genres . There is also a commercial class which runs in a different room again split by age and I believe that they also award places for that but that seems more 'low key' .

I found the  day to be run really well and efficiently . The teachers were great and my daughter enjoyed the challenge of picking up the routines .I would agree with Mrs Brown that as its a different style of comp to a festival, different dancers can be rewarded which is also nice !  I also think it was v useful prep for my daughter prior to starting her auditions this year .( not a classical course) 

I hope thit helps - happy to answer any other questions 🙂 

Hi Rein2019

I think I read on here  ( correct me if I'm wrong) that Janet Lewis who runs  English Youth Ballet has done individual assessments for dancers . I notice that the next EYB auditions are in Hastings on 4th Feb and Weymouth 6th Feb - not sure if either of those are close to you . Might be worth an enquiry ... also would recommend EYB for a great experience for your DD in a less 'mixed ability' environment ?

Good Luck tomorrow ArucariaBallerina 🍀 my DD will also be there 😀

Great News dancer taxi - congratulations to your DD 🙂 

I also believe in the importance of 'management of expectations' ...but some people less so ...... I do hope you hear soon x

Hi Dancertaxi

I can understand your frustration 😟

Why don't you email Miss Lewis and ask when you might hear  - I am sure she must understand that your DD is finding the wait difficult .

(That said I emailed Miss Lewis this evening and have received a reply so you may still hear tonight 😀)

Really hoping it's good news !

LO

I have some very nearly new Russian Pointe Pointe shoes in a size 4.5 W2. On the box they came in the sticker reads "RUBIN - D25   Rd 37 w2 v2 FM Pink RP"

My daughter was fitted for them and wore them about 2 times before she decided she preferred a different brand ! As a result they are  only very lightly worn . They have ribbons, elastics and are darned.

Does anyone/anyone's dancer wear this brand and size ? I think they cost around £50 . Happy to sell for £20 +Postage . I can send pictures of the shoes and/or the box with all the sizing info on if it helps 

Helen x