Mae989

Sorry to hear your DD's no Danceintherain, onwards and upwards though! She is clearly a beautiful dancer to have got this far Can I ask what BBO mid-scholars is? And what RAD classes do Elmhurst do? My DD got a no for finals (kind of glad she got it early) so we are looking for RAD classes. She will stay on as a Y7 associate also. congratulations twoballarinasmum!

Well, she didn't look back as she went through the doors! I had to call her back to wish her luck!! There were lots of smiles so no matter what she's tried her best and what's meant to be will be x

Does anyone know how many make it through from Y7 all the way up to US? It must be very heartbreaking and so disruptive with GCSEs on the horizon. My heart goes out to all of them. How many places are there at US? In some respects I do understand that there must be so many talented DCs applying for US that just didn't want to apply for LS. They could have equally worked hard and developed from a different type of training. Surely these deserve a chance too?

DD has been offered finals for associates and CAT! Fingers crossed. Any more info gladly received. Congrats to everyone who got through. Will see you at the next rounds

DD has scholarship call backs on the 23rd. Not knowing anything whatsoever about this crazy world I would like a little bit of insight please! Does anyone know how many are usually called back to this stage? What is the scholarship/ bursary rates? I notice there is a musical theatre component (not DDs strongest at all!). Do they have to be an all rounder to get bursaries/scholarship?

I was wondering if anyone had experience of the CAT programme in Leeds? DD is still waiting on first round results that should've been out by Friday 13th! Don't know if it's a bad sign she hasn't heard yet?! I think the second round is finals for associates and second round CAT. If she gets to this stage what is expected in the audition? Then there's a final 2 day intensive in April. Does anyone know what happens at this stage and if there is a certain 'type' Northern are looking for? Also, is there anyone out there who has been part of the programme or has a DD or DS there than can give me any feedback about the course? If DD gets to this stage, fingers crossed, is it a good option in comparison to vocational school?

We got the same email no places, high acceptance rate etc. It's what was expected but I too thought the email was worded very nice and thoughtful. We've already signed up for an alternative SS so looking forward to that!

Great thankyou! I must stop listening to other parents at classes. Even if my DD doesn't get MAs at least we know she had as good a shot as most others then! ;0)

Does anyone know if it is true that it is only those who got WL finals who will get MAs?

**hugs*** ecarte. Beautiful words ????

Oh and well done to your DS, sounds like another inspiring story :0)

Thankyou Rowan and CeliB. I have maybe been told on many occasions by teachers/parents etc that the girls have to be a certain height, physique, even head size!!! It makes my head swim! I think you are right, I need to learn to let go and let her live this and just be there whenever she needs me. I did look at the Micheala DePrine autobiography and think that would be a great read for both me and DD. Very inspirational

I think some have missed the point of this thread. My issue isn't the fact DD got a no, or that there was no feedback (which would've been nice but I do understand why). My questions were simply how do I get her through this with the same passion she had before, how do I know if she really ticks enough boxes and what are these boxes?!!! How do I know if she has enough to let her go through this again and again? I am not a dancer, I don't know what people look for. No's are inevitable but I don't want to set her up to fail either.

Thankyou Hairbelles, I would really appreciate that. It is so good to hear these stories from everyone that has already been there. I wish I'd have found this forum sooner!

Sorry to hear that grumpybearzuk, fantastic that you have such a great home teacher though. They really are like gold dust @harwel thank you for your advise and giving me a little shake up to see what DD has got right now in front of her. It's sometimes easy to fall off the track and focus in the negatives rather than the wonderful things she has right now. I have spoken with DD today and she seems much clearer and happier as do I She's a tough cookie when she needs to be. Thank you Ecarte and how fantastic for your DD to have achieved so much so quickly, you must be so proud! Once again dance*is*life, I suppose somewhere along the way we have been moving so fast that neither of us have actually stood back and looked at what she has got. Great quote by the way! and thank you. Thank you for all your kind words pups_mum, she has desire....bags and bags of it! I on the other hand can't see why she could pick a nice 'normal' ambition Belljul, I could almost feel the hug and it is so kind and inspiring to hear from someone who has walked in those shoes. That is half if the problem for me, not one member of our family has ever danced and its a completely different work to the I grew up in. This is really where I suppose I was blinkered Millie3, because this isn't my world. I would never have chosen something so unsafe and unpredictable. It just isn't me. So when my DD comes to me asking to audition, talking and dreaming of dance, I don't know what I am letting myself in for. In an interview you get feedback. For a job I shortlist potential applicants and only interview those who show the best possible potential. I would interview half the country for 12 jobs! How ridiculous!! And I certainly didn't think she was guaranteed a place. But, with my limited knowledge of the dance world, I did think it wise to gets feel that if there are no's now is that a strong indication I should sway her path in another direction? Well done chaperone!!!! Very very proud parent with a child that could actually be creating a career that will pay the bills Onwards and upwards and all energies now focused in scholarships for now I am so glad I plucked up the courage to post xx

Thankyou for being so kind. I'm trying to stay positive, I feel a little tainted by the process of it and desperately want to protect her. Even though I'm constantly telling her this will only make her stronger and more determined. And gaining a place is still a fantastic achievement. Her regular teacher hasn't been very forthcoming to be honest. Yes she's a RBS JA so that's a great idea to ask her. I do sometimes feel teachers aren't fully honest as they don't want to upset you? I just worry that she has gone down a path that she shouldn't be following and I am facilitating that. Why didn't anyone warn me parenting was so hard???????? It is good to know that ballet life doesn't end here! So much pressure to get in at this age and it's almost like if they don't get in then that's that

So it's great for those girls (and boys) out there who have a yes for Y7 vocational schools, but what about those who were told no?! Wow, what a journey this has been for me and my DD so far! I am not a dancer so didn't really see what I was letting her into. Yes the dance world is wonderful and exciting but it can also be very destructive. So far we have 1 yes, 3 no's and still waiting for the final one. Even with a yes there's the not so small issue of funding. Breaking to the news to my DD has broken my heart a million times over and has taken something away from her, she has lost that sparkle, I see it in her eyes. My biggest issue is after all that time, money and effort there is no feedback! Not even a one liner. Come on, it doesn't take that long and I am certain the £45 administration cost could've covered a sentence surely? She looks in my eyes and repeatedly asks my why? Why? Why? And I do not have the answer. My dilemma is, I genuinely don't know. I have seen some of the girls who got finals and I honestly can't see any difference. There are some that shine but not many. So what is it then? She has a slightly bigger rib cage than some of the girls in JAs, her legs are slightly more muscular than some. Physio assessments always go well, she's flexible than most. So what are they looking at? I'm not saying DD is perfect at all. If it is technical skills then that would mean she can work on that and re-audition. If it is her body then I don't want to go down this road any further. Does anyone know of people turned away at 11 that then went on to be successful? Either at school or post graduate? I'm new to this so I hope all this makes sense?!