Tutusrus

It’s a few year since my dd did Northern Ballet CATs.  She really liked it and did benefit.  One thing she struggled with was the different styles as this differed to her RAD lessons and she had dyslexia so had to work really hard to keep switching back and forth.  It was a massive commitment for us as a family but was worth it and they allowed me to work from one of the rooms. She got a scholarship to vocational school and left the scheme early which wasn’t too well received but I understand why.  Another girl went on to White Lodge including 6th form and looks to have done very well.  The classes were smaller than the Associates I recall and we were really impressed at the time. 

On 21/02/2022 at 14:32, Pas de Quatre said:

A career in Contemporary dance is indeed just as competitive as classical ballet.  The four main schools in UK are Northern School of Contemporary Dance (Leeds), Trinity Laban, London School of Contemporary Dance and Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, the last three all in London.  All do degree coursses from age 18 (or older) but Rambert will take from age 16.  For Rambert you need a very high classical level, but not the others.  The contemporary schools are not necessarily basing their decision only on previous training, but also on potential and interesting choreographic ideas.  They all run outreach and/or CAT schemes so could your dd apply for one of these hjhw?  Most have taster days and summer schools so that would be something to look at too.  There is also the small company and attached school Chantry Dance, but I don't have any experience of them.

 

There are also contemporary dance schools across Europe in addition to the two Mamaderuby mentions.  Codarts is unusual in that it only has one intake every three years, and it is only when that cohort has graduated that they start a new course.

 

For performing, again it is as difficult to find jobs as in the classical sphere.  There are only a few companies that give stable employment.  Mostly engagements are for short projects.  Many dancers have to teach or take other jobs e.g. waiting on tables, ushers in theatres just to make ends meet.  Teaching and/or community work full time are alternative valuable careers in contemporary dance.  Hope this helps, which region of UK are you in?

LCDS and NSCD take at 17 on degree course

On 06/09/2021 at 15:51, Milzmam said:

I know, nightmare. Luckily I knew about it as there wasnt any when dd did the summer intensive, sorry didnt think to put it on here.  I parked in Templar Street car park behind Sports Direct, cheaper than I used to pay at Quarry Hill and only a 5 min walk to Northern Ballet.  Think I will be dropping off and then parking in the winter months though as cant imagine dd being very happy walking in her leotard, haha

What did your dd think about dancing in masks?

I park in Crown Point retail park a few minutes away (free) and grab a coffee have a browse around the shops

My daughter was going through a pair every 3 weeks which was becoming ridiculous.  Her ballet teacher says she has strong feet and the pointe shoes couldn’t cope and to try some hard shanks.  Bought Gaynor Mindens and they’ve lasted her nearly a year and only had to get a new pair as her feet have grown.  Well worth the money 

6 hours ago, LinMM said:

Yes isn’t there somebody responsible for these halls of residence ....I suppose where policy is concerned I would assume it would be LSCD responsible for it but there should at least be advisory notices around the place it seems a bit remiss. 

LSCD have brilliant COVID rules in place tbh.  It’s the student halls (independent of LSCD) that has issues   

8 hours ago, Jane said:

That’s a very stressful situation your Dd is in. Did her school recommend the halls? Would the student support step up and speak to the halls? 
 

I did look on the LSCD website and couldn’t find anything regarding a covid policy. 
 

 

Yes they recommended (only very few that allow under 18’s) LCDS have great COVID19 rules in place (probably very over cautious compared to some dance institutions) very very small

class sizes and must wear a mask to dance in. No travelling work etc so can’t complain.  It’s the student halls that don’t have any rules but as the only student from LCDS there so don’t think they will have much say.  If you test positive you “must ensure you wipe down the kitchen after you have used it” is the only rule I have seen. Doesn’t feel quite right to be allowing positive cases to use communal areas but not sure there is an alternative option. People have to eat. Each Kitchen is shared by 14 people 😔

26 minutes ago, Jane said:

The halls my Dd was offered allowed moving in any time from the beginning of September (without any extra costs) although her start date would have been this Monday. Their thinking was any international students could do the 14 days quarantine if required before the course started and U.K. students wouldn’t all arrive on same day causing crowds of people in corridors and stairways. 
If students did take up this offer I should imagine they have been mixing socially before term starts. 

My DD who has started at London School of Contemporary Dance has had to go into student halls as she is under 18 and on arriving was told that she can social distance and wear a mask “if she wants”.  She did “want” but not one other student has even attempted to social distance and no masks in communal areas and she has been made fun off for trying to social distance/wear a mask 😔🤷‍♀️ I feel anytime soon she will not be able to attend the very minimal face to face classes all because other students can’t seem to understand the risk/impact. 

10 hours ago, LinMM said:

Certainly doesn’t sound like that particular class was operating safely!! 
There has to be a limit on numbers calculated on the Sq metre of the room size.  But am not sure whether some studios are allowing more if dancers are in masks 🤔
Was your daughter asked to wear a mask? 
Most  dance studios are allowing 2 or 3 metres distance between dancers. 


 

No masks and approx 30 in a small ish studio in touching distance of each other. She won’t be going back but how can they get away with it? 

Has anyone had any experience of drop in classes at Base Studios in London? They are advertising the fact that they have won an “award” for being the safest COVID19 studio in London, however, my dd attended a class last sunday that was packed and absolutely no opportunity to social distance.  How is this allowed? Would appreciate people’s thoughts (most attendees were over 18 and I’m sure no windows/fresh air) 

All other events that are being cancelled are being refunded from what I have seen.  

Finals have been cancelled for LCDS. Interview to be done by Skype.  Totally understand why. However, as a parent if an offer is received it feels a worry to accept somewhere for them to be for 3

years without having the option to view and get a real feel for the place.  Hoping there is an option for questions to be asked as you would if visiting in person. Not sure there is a solution 😞

Agree!  We were in same situation and I advised we wouldn’t be accepting place without MDS too   May have changed this year though so worth checking ?

7 hours ago, Shelly123 said:

They haven’t chased me as yet for the money . I’ll pay tomorrow. There information is so confusing as it reads to me that you are accepting the place which without the MDA I’m not x

25 minutes ago, Shelly123 said:

I thought we only paid £160 if we were accepting the place which we wouldn’t know until the result of the MDA ? I’m I wrong with this . I returned all information but not paid the fee as accepting the place will depend of MDA outcome 

I did the same last year and was chased for the money.  Was told that we couldn’t attend funding audition if didn’t pay it. 

Resurrecting this post in the hope for some further insight into RCS if anyone can help.  DD is considering applying but is keen on contemporary and would like to understand how much of the timetable is given to contemporary on a weekly basis and also if improv/creative classes are also available.  DD wants to keep up Ballet to a high level after leaving vocational but really interested in progressing in contemporary.  Do they only take the “typical” ballet dancer (I don’t mean that in any way offensive just don’t know how else to express it) or do they have a cross section of experience in dance, body shape etc  Many thanks 

On 05/02/2020 at 08:45, Peanut68 said:

Call me a cynic but any school charging £160 a pop to attend a second audition (surely not right????) to be considered for a funded place surely could say ‘all really talented - all come back’ and then the unsaid ‘we’ll make a lot of money to only award funding to the minority’ A nice little earner!

MDS is government money; I do not think there should be a cost associated with seeking what is in effect a means tested benefit.

Most schools do also have some other independent funding they control... but even for this it is a strange irony that if you require funding, you have to pay a significant (non refundable?) sum up front to be considered for it....I’d suggest surely these are exactly the families who cannot afford to potentially ‘give away’ £160 or similar!

This does seem quite common in academic private school sector however.... heard of a school where to be considered for a scholarship there is a fee of £125.... bonkers. There surely should be no costs to seek any scholarships/bursaries /government funding award for any institution... surely the costs can be borne? And a way of ticking those boxes to prove they are being inclusive/diverse etc etc.

Maybe be more demanding of information/higher entry eligibility tests or be more ‘selective’ in first round auditions to limit numbers invited back to reduce those costs? 

No direct knowledge of the £160 fee mentioned for the Hammond funding audition but I would certainly check & challenge it re: what it is for, is it a ‘registration fee’ to confirm accepting a place should funding be awarded or if you will accept a place without any funding? Is it refundable should a place (either funded - we all know some lucky & talented pupils may have multiple schools offering places) be declined? 

I understand a school seeking a level of ‘commitment’ (we do also all know of those who still attend a funding audition for s school despite having already decided to accept an offer from their first choice school....parents bragging rights to say ‘well of course my little darling had scholarship offers from x/y/z’. ) But of course with dates all so close it can be necessary to attend ‘all the recalls’ to make an informed decision....there are lots of points; how affordable a place I’d even after MDS or bursary contributions taken into account? Looking at additional costs such as travel? Looking at geographic location? Is boarding an option or something suitable for pupil/family? A closer school may be chosen over one further away for all sorts of reasons for instance. Is it the ‘right fit’?) 

If a kid had 4 funding audition invites & each cost £160 that would be £640!!! (plus let’s face it often high travel & even hotel & associated costs, parent maybe having to take a day holiday/foregoing earning those days, kids missing regular schooling each time).

So ask questions & clarify every detail! 

A deposit for a place should be refundable - usually during last term at school fees. Most private schools will however have some sort of upfront non refundable admin (often called registration fee) fee.... in my knowledge this is usually between £100-500. Academic schools very often allow families to pay this up to 2 years even before sitting evtrance exams! It shows a families desire for little darling to attend their hallowed institution.... it’s almost another one of those points which confirm the class structure IMHO sadly. 

But it would be nice to think Dance schools do not fall into this & should not wish to (or be allowed to) penalise due to ability to pay which could prevent an invitee from attending a class whereby funding could be gained - esp. if this is means tested government funding!!! 

If this is indeed happening in any of the dance schools it makes me Q ‘Where is the auditing I wonder?’ 

 

You def have to pay it to be able to attend the funding audition and it isn’t refunded if you can not attend due to not getting an MDS. Been there and got

the t-shirt 😞

2 hours ago, Flower said:

They also said that oygroip was so good they’ve invited almost the all of them back!! So it will be stiff competitions for those MDA 😬

They invited 52 back to the MDS audition last year for a handful of MDS awards at a cost of £160 per child auditioning 

On 31/01/2020 at 14:43, balletbean said:

Thank you. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on the way you look at it. Our Education authority offer a Grant for BA(Hons) or equiv qualification. The main issue is that the Grant only covers costs up to the average uni fees of £9,250, which we all know falls well short of the true costs for Vocational Schools. No DaDa, no student loans either so it’s a regular lender with the usual repayment terms and interest rates for the parent/s. Pupils at vocational schools are obviously too young to take out a loan for the balance. 
Attendance at a specialist school/college is actually ranked as the 4th most popular pathway for local students (ahead of medicine ) but one that still fails to gain the recognition from the education dept 🤷🏼‍♀️
There was one incident a few years back that the Director of Student Finance didn’t know that a Diploma Level 6 is the vocational equivalent of a BA(Hons) degree and the Deputy Minister didn’t know what ‘classical ballet’ was!! 🤦‍♀️
 

RE BA Hons - Forgive the silly question but I thought grants had been abolished now and it’s all student loans for fees plus a maintenance aspect based on parents income? 

Ask if you can have a current year assessment instead.  You can for MDS in such situations so hopefully same for DaDa? 

On 23/01/2020 at 15:24, balletbean said:

Oh. That’s interesting, when I did research this pathway I was told no because the applicant was too young. 
Another frustrating factor is that many schools/colleges offer a Diploma Level 6. As we know it’s the vocational equivalent of a BA but doesn’t carry the same merit when seeking Student Loans. 
 

Student finance is also available for Cert HE courses at 16 (ie Foundation Year leading to BA)

On 23/09/2019 at 10:05, Picturesinthefirelight said:

It might also be useful to know whether or not you require a course with funding (be it Dada for Level 6 or a government funded Btec.  Some of the institutions mentined are funded (albeit according to parental income if a DaDa, others are fee paying although some scholarships may be available.

 

"However her teachers schedule a unit of singing classes as a back up and suggested that each student in their vocational school , which is principally aimed at producing company dancers not MT,  apply themselves to finding that one song that they could produce for audition if absolutely necessary. "

 

This is the rationale behind most of the dance schools/colleges incorporating some element of singing into their courses. It wil be very hard to avoid singing completely. 

 

Northern School of Contemporary Dance is an excellent school but they only take students with A Levels or equivalent. 

 

Another place I thought of is Performers College in Essex.  Again the dance course does contain singing, but in a much lesser proprtion than ther Musical Theatre course.

Northern School Of Contemporary dance do take 16 year olds but advise only those with exceptional talent - worth a try

Lots of Hammond uniform for sale from jumpers, ties, hoodies, tracksuits, skirts, coats etc can be delivered to school.  PM with requirements and I can check sizes. 

There is one in Clayton, Bradford, West Yorkshire - I think it’s RJS studios 

Thanks Mummytoizzy.  How much? 😊

Looking for anything BBA related for age 11 ish +\-

On 26/06/2019 at 06:28, Clementine said:

Had anyone who auditioned in Hull over the weekend heard back yet? 

 

Thank you. 

Results are out this evening