Dancermum

DD doing the inter foundation exam intensive next week at the RAD (26 August start) and wondered if anyone else was attending... Also got her exam date as Monday 1 sept... Don't know anyone else there so looking for some friendly faces for her and possible someone to have coffee with/kill time for me!!

When my DD auditioned in May there were about 130 auditioning for 15-20 spaces spread across the whole age range (8-18?). Each group had 20-30 auditioning but quite a mix of ages in each (mine was in last group and they were age 12 to at least 16) so don't be put off if there are much bigger girls in your group. My DD gets extremely nervous and it's not helped by the over confident ones in the 'warm up' area... however she really enjoyed the audition and said the teachers & panel were really friendly. And she got a place so we are starting there in September! Exciting stuff. Good luck.

We are looking at year 10 entry and I wondered if anyone knew how important the photos are that go with the application form? Is it ok to just have ones taken yourself in the studio or do they need to be more professional (I.e. White background)... will do whatever helps!!! Any advice gratefully received...

We were at the Tring CBA auditions in May and for information, there were 4 groups with around 20 - 25+ in each group, my DD was in the last and biggest group of the day (although there were a few no shows, annoying for those who didn't get a space!) - she is 13 but there were girls from around 11 to 16 in the group. The lady told us there were 20-25 spaces going for September spread across the whole age range. I am so thrilled that my DD was offered a place in group 4... happy days!! No idea what age range are in this group so will have to wait until September to find out, but she is very excited. And thank you to Tring for such quick letters, nice not to have to stalk the postman for once!!!

I feel like I should have the right of reply before this thread is locked! I am not sure why what started as a fact finding mission has turned into something else but I thank those of you who have offered useful information, you as a group are certainly a fountain of knowledge and been very helpful in parts. I do think the turn this thread has taken is picking up all the bits about the dancing world that I am not keen on and wonder why I am sending my DD down this road! I do feel that my DD's ability is in question... I do not know if she is good enough to get into one of the UK schools. She didn't start ballet until nearly 9 so we never tried for year 7 entry when the most places are available - I didn't have a clue about the dancing world then (and still don't really get it half the time now!). She did audition this year for Elmhurst where she had a truly horrible experience & subsequent loss of confidence which put her off further auditions this year. She would still like to go to a dance school (whether it be at 16 or next year) so I need to know all the options out there, not all school are right for all students, however brilliant a dancer they might be. I had already heard with the US schools (and I picked US not Europe due to the lack of language barriers) that you did a DVD audition then the summer school, which I thought might be a more positive audition process, however I could not find any schools for under 16's which were like RBS/Elmhurst/Tring/Hammond that offered all round everything (dancing/boarding/education) which is why I asked the original question... plus they are a nation of scholarships so I thought maybe there was funding out there specifically for international students. It is interesting to hear all the banter between what is an 'elite' school and what isn't... to be honest I am a bit fed up of hearing if you don't go to RBS or Elmhurst then you're not a good enough dancer. If dance companies were made up of just graduates of the 'elite' institutions then I think the dance world would be poorer for it. I am not saying they are not brilliant & talented, they absolutely are, but there are others with different training who I see as equally beautiful to watch. OK enough rambling... I think there is some really useful information here in this thread and I hope that will benefit others as well as me. I will certainly do some more research, however with the lack of academics on offer, save for a couple of schools, it is more likely to be a 16+ option than for now.

I feel like I've started something that has spiralled out of control... many varying opinions on it all. The only reason for the question, as I previously said, was the limited number of places in the UK for year 9/10 entry. Although being a parent I obviously think my DD is brilliant, I am realistic enough to know, with only 4 schools on offer, places outside year 7 entry are few and far between so the chances of getting one are minimal. I just wondered perhaps with the US having the junior/middle/high school system if there were more opportunities at this age than over here. But it interesting to hear that it's even more competitive than here. And no, not made of money (sadly) so probably not ever going to happen... I was just being curious and trying to weigh up all the options out there. All that being said thank you for the replies... but I might just go back to being a silent reader of the forum for a while! :-)

Goodness, I feel a bit overwhelmed and judged... I was simply asking what other options there were, since places (other than for year 7 or 16+ Entry) over here are extremely limited. Thank you to those that offered information.

More than I thought then - are they like ours and offer full boarding?

It seems bizarre to be thinking about next years choices already for auditions.... but are there any vocational ballet schools in the US that offer full time training (and funding hopefully!) for year 10 age students (14 year olds)?

Thank you everyone & sorry for the silence in replying... madly busy with other children to consider :-) The wells away one sounded great but as the flights are ridiculously expensive this year they are not running an actual course, just private coaching for anyone that wants to go out - must say morocco in October sounds heavenly, but out of our price range!! Think I will give up and let DD concentrate on normal lessons & auditions then rethink for Easter or summer courses.

Thank you for the replies, guess it's an awkward time with schools sometimes having different dates... Might just stick with looking at summer & Easter as seems to be more choice - was just hoping perhaps for a summer next year that didn't revolve around dance courses for the rest of the family!! :-)

Does anyone know of any courses or masterclasses/intensives that run over October half term? I'm looking for something for my 13 year old DD who will have just started inter... I know there are summer courses & Easter but not seen any October ones advertised (or is this because it's in the run up to auditions schools are too busy to run courses?) Thanks!

Also a no for mids for us... very expected so DD not really disappointed. We saw this year's auditions as a learning curve and hopefully next year she will go in with more confidence (as will know what to expect)... just need to get her to believe in herself and control the nerves before next time!! Hope some of you had better news for MAs & congratulations to those that got in.

Thanks everyone, lovely to hear... Now kicking myself that we didn't apply this year!!!

Thank you tutugirl, really great to hear first hand what it's like and nice that they really can just do dance. Think the boarding became more of an issue having been to elmhurst where they have very modern twin or single rooms with en-suites!! My DD was put off at the open day by all the talk about singing/drama at auditions... plus she really didn't want to do tap!! (maybe that's optional from what you are saying- it wasn't very clear when we looked around) But beginning to regret decision not to apply as now have to wait another year!! Oh well, she is applying for the classical ballet academy instead so fingers crossed for that. Good luck to all those heading for Tring in September... will follow posts with interest! Thanks again for the info.

We didn't audition this year because DD was put off by worrying it being too performing arts rather than just dance plus the boarding area looked bit tired... but thinking of it for next year (yr 10 entry) so any feedback on how much dance v. singing/drama, etc would be lovely (plus reassurances on the boarding side!).

Congratulations to all the "yes"s... what an exciting time for you all. Just wondered if anyone could tell me how many there were at finals for year 9 entry & how many for year 10? Would be interesting to know! Thx.

Sadly (but totally expected) it was a no for my DD for WL. Being new to all this, she auditioned for year 9 so would be curious to know how many of this age they took through to finals?? First time auditioning this year and it has been a steep learning curve but I have to say the WL audition was a very positive experience and hopefully helped her confidence for future auditions (she tried for elmhurst too but got so intimidated by the others warming up that it was a no in her mind before she even walked into the studio!!)... maybe still a glimmer of hope for MAs or maybe next year... big congratulations to all of those who got through to finals & good luck with the next round :-) Does anyone know if it counts against you if you apply to their summer schools when you haven't been successful??