GeriatricBallerina

This looks great, so nice to see an Associate Course not attached to one of the large dance schools/colleges for those that perhaps aren't the right fit or don't know which direction they want to go in. Also brilliant that it is in a few different locations and only once a month, so difficult to juggle school, work, home and all the performing lessons around, when you know you have committed to every Sunday as well!!!!! Loving the fact that it is to be taught by current top industry professionals and it is a mixture of many genres. So that's what I like about it, now if its ok I have some questions :-) Is entrance by audition? Is there a minimum standard expected? Are classes split on ability? Will there be regular Teachers or will it be Guest Teachers every week? Is it £30 payable weekly or £360 upfront? (that's an incredibly reasonable price for what is on offer by the way). Do you know the London Venue? I think that is it for now but I am sure I will have more questions once you have had a chance to respond. Thank you in advance for replying and for creating this opportunity.

Thanks for posting this :-) My DD has been attending SSA since they commenced a year ago at their original venue of Danceworks, she has grown so much as a dancer in this time and had the privilege of working with some amazing teachers all of whom have a wealth of experience that they have shared with her and the other SSA students. They are so positive and have up-to-date knowledge of what it is like to work in the West End or be part of classical/contemporary company so no student feels left out. I appreciate your comment about "If you say you've never heard of them ......" because the number of times other parents or students say something similar I have lost count of!!! It seems people are to quick to judge, would you write off a new single from your favourite band just because you hadn't heard it, would you not watch the next episode in your favourite series because you weren't sure what it was going to be like?? With SSA seeing and taking part is believing, it costs you a very small amount for a trial/audition and then you can see for yourself what amazing teaching you could experience on a weekly basis. If you are looking for a first class associate programme in either MT or Classical then don't write this one off because you haven't heard of it or someone else says it doesn't sound very good and they have no experience either. Come see for yourself I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Myself and my DD are really looking forward to Summer sSchool because it means she will get a whole week of what she experiences every weekend and will only thrive and benefit even more from it :-)

Thank you all for your help, going to have to keep looking as none seem to be able to offer all the classes on a Saturday :-(

Sorry, no it's not for an adult and we don't live in those areas but are in London on a Sunday and are looking for a new dance school. Thank you

Does anyone know or can suggest a good dance school in the London, Surrey, Herts area that can offer Intermediate Ballet, Grade 6 Modern and Grade 5/6 Tap, possibly with Jazz, Contemporary and/or pointe/limbering classes that all fall on a Saturday. Big ask I know but you never know till you do. Thanks.

Stinson Stage Academy are relatively new and I am guessing because they don't carry the name "Central, Tring, Royal Ballet School etc." don't seem to have as many interested auditionees. However, we have first hand experience of this excellent team and compared to our other experiences rate them highly. The teaching standard is exceptionally high and they work their students in a hard but fair way, ensuring that each any every one is working to their own needs and pushing them to achieve. They are moving to Arts Educational School in September but are currently in DanceWorks, off Bond Street, you can book a taster day which can also act as an audition. Take a look at their website http://www.stinsonstageacademy.com for further information and contact details. I think anybody that goes along and meets the Teaching Team will not be disappointed.

Travelling is a pain but it does seem the only way to be able to get Advance training in dance for our children. I really can't praise the team at Stinson enough and feel it is well worth a look for any aspiring performer/choreographer or anyone looking for a career in performing arts. I could write and write about our experience so far but honestly you have to meet them to understand. Definitely take a look at the Stinson Stage Academy Associate programme, they offer a Musical Theatre and Classical Ballet Course. It is very different to other programmes that we have experience of and they will accept 16+. The team are all professionals who have a wealth of experience and the invited guest teachers compliment them brilliantly. My daughter has been attending since they opened at Easter and her local dance teachers have commented on the change in her dancing. The ballet that Alessia Lughoboni teaches is much more like the kind of ballet they would experience as part of a company and really stretches them to think for themselves and pushes them beyond in a firm but fair way. Currently they run out of DanceWorks in London and are happy for prospective students to attend for a taster day which would also act as an audition, this costs around £28, alternatively I believe they are also offering auditions on particular days. In September they are moving to Arts Educational School and the facilities will be excellent.

Definitely take a look at the Stinson Stage Academy Associate programme, they offer a Musical Theatre and Classical Ballet Course. It is very different to other programmes that we have experience of and they will accept 16+. The team are all professionals who have a wealth of experience and the invited guest teachers compliment them brilliantly. My daughter has been attending since they opened at Easter and her local dance teachers have commented on the change in her dancing. The ballet that Alessia teaches is much more like the kind of ballet they would experience as part of a company and really stretches them to think for themselves and pushes them beyond in a firm but fair way. Currently they run out of DanceWorks in London and are happy for prospective students to attend for a taster day which would also act as an audition, this costs around £28, alternatively I believe they are also offering auditions on particular days. In September they are moving to Arts Educational School and the facilities will be excellent. I really can't praise them enough but feel it is well worth a look for any aspiring performer/choreographer or anyone looking for a career in performing arts.

Definitely take a look at the Stinson Stage Academy Associate programme, they offer a Musical Theatre and Classical Ballet Course. It is very different to other programmes that we have experience of and they will accept 16+. The team are all professionals who have a wealth of experience and the invited guest teachers compliment them brilliantly. My daughter has been attending since they opened at Easter and her local dance teachers have commented on the change in her dancing. The ballet that Alessia teaches is much more like the kind of ballet they would experience as part of a company and really stretches them to think for themselves and pushes them beyond in a firm but fair way. Currently they run out of DanceWorks in London and are happy for prospective students to attend for a taster day which would also act as an audition, this costs around £28, alternatively I believe they are also offering auditions on particular days. In September they are moving to Arts Educational School and the facilities will be excellent. I really can't praise them enough but feel it is well worth a look for any aspiring performer/choreographer or anyone looking for a career in performing arts.

Saw your post and wanted to help. ITPs came just after Christmas and the process has changed this time, the students spoke with their tutors and as a result the ITPs were written, previously the ITPs were issued and then discussed between student and teachers, there was one opportunity for parents to come in as well but the team are always more than happy to discuss. Your dd sounds very like mine who is now in her third year at the CAT, her first love is ballet and she often finds CAT ballet frustrating because it is quite difficult for the teachers to manage the very differing abilities in the levels. In any of the levels there may be a student who has no ballet experience, limited ballet experience or has been training since a toddler. As you say the contemporary training is great but like ballet very difficult and limited when it comes to a career. My DD has now decided it might be better to be a good all round dancer with sound ballet technique. Her first ITP was similar to yours, it sounded like they were talking about a different student and it was not in keeping with what her outside teachers said. We had a long heart to heart, about how much she was doing outside the CAT and whether it was the right place for her and she just became like your dd even more determined to work harder and show them!!!! I hope your meeting goes well, I am sure they will listen and be able to offer their advice and opinion. I do think that for every student who successfully graduates from the CAT after years with them, there are also as many for whom a different scheme might be better. I really hope things become clear for you and your dd regains her sparkle which I suspect is not really gone