shygirlsmum

3 hours ago, ArucariaBallerina said:

Hello, I have just been contacted from Ajkun with the same message... Even though I have a private account and they couldn't have seen any photos of me? Does anybody have any knowledge?

I had a couple of people message me offering information after I posted this thread.

It seems it is a pukka school/company with good training and there is an audition in London.  

However, nobody could understand why they would contact potential students on social media, the consensus is that it's odd.  My daughter just ignored the message as it came through as a "message request" on instagram as she doesn't follow them.  She does have an open dancer account where she shares photos and non personal information about dance.

I was lucky enough to see the performance from inside the Theatre, tickets were very hard to get hold so I feel very fortunate to have attended.  Amazing performances from both the professionals and the young local performances, highlight for me was when Robert Parker thanked his first teacher, it was a very special moment and wonderful to see that they still have a close bond.

It was superb...... We only found out about it when Marguerite Porter mentioned it on the final day of YBSS and I'm so glad that she did! such a privilege for my daughter so see so many of the amazing teachers from YBSS perform. 

I must confess that I don't know many dancers but I loved all the performances especially Steven McRae's tap and the couple who performed in Grey.  

Its funny really as I have never danced and before my daughter became serious about ballet it wasn't really something I was interested in, but now I love it, watching a live performance makes me so emotional, I wish I could go more often.

Thanks for posting, I have now had a couple of responses from people with first hand knowledge.

Perhaps the American schools are hard up for applicants then!

I did read the website, it just seemed strange that a school/co would contact someone out of the blue and I wondered if this is common practice.  I do know a girl who was contacted by tring to ask why she hadn't auditioned but she has a big social media following so could account for how they know about her, so do you think that schools are now talking notice of social media in general? 

That's awesome, well done to your dd!

Based on the photos we have seen of you, we'd like to invite you to audition for the Ajkun Ballet Theatre's programs. For more information, please visit www.ajkunbt.org or contact ajkun@aol.com with subject: Preselected on Instagram

My daughter received this message on her instagram page yesterday, I initially thought it might be a weirdo (account is open dancer account and she posts no personal info on there) but a little more research showed that the website is real but being a novice ballet mum I know nothing about them.  I'm not considering sending her but I am intrigued to know if anyone has heard about it, I also add that she was not following them on instagram and knows nothing about them either.

Good plan, now to show DD how to hand wash ?

DD is doing two weeks at Ybss, does anyone know if there are laundry facilities? I don't fancy dealing with fortnight old funky tights on her return ?

It is still available but unfortunately it would be too big for an 8 year old, sorry!

I'm sorry ang, I have no idea.  My daughter is at Mids in Newcastle, the mids class is 10.45 to 1pm on Saturday's so you can rule that time out.  Well done to your daughter, We have found Miss Agar to be a fabulous teacher.

Does anyone know when Leeds ja results will be out?

Good luck to everyone awaiting results !

I feel your pain, DD has also been offered the bursary for year 9 and on waiting list for MDS.  We have accepted that it is not going to happen for DD, and whilst she is upset she has moved on and is now looking forward to another year of MIDS, she will possibly try again next year.  I really hope you find a way to make it work for your DD, it would be great to hear more from you about any funding options you discover.  Good luck x 

On 18/05/2017 at 13:16, DanceTaxi said:

Hi, I am new to all this, so I am sorry if I am going over things already covered.  My daughter has auditioned for the Hammond for Year 7 entry 2017.  She has not been lucky enough to gain an MDS, but is on the waiting list.  Is there anywhere else that I would be able to gain some sort of funding to enable her dreams to come true or is it a case of try again next year?

We are in the same position, we were offered a bursary but we are not able to raise the remaining fees to make it viable.  It does ask if you are in receipt of any other funding on the Hammond finance forms so if you manage to raise any other funds they might reduce any bursary offer.

I have seen street dance comps in a similar format.

Nobody assessed out of our class this year, good luck to your student ?

Hmmmm..... still no email for us, we were tagged on so perhaps they have forgotten about us ?

2 hours ago, sarahw said:

It seems unfair to allow people to audition for scholarship if they have no place and therefore no chance. All so expensive  ...

I agree, it does seem a little strange.  

3 hours ago, Mae989 said:

Congratulations to your DD. Did they email? Or just speak to you? What age group? I couldn't go along with my DD but she said they would be informed in a few days?

Thank you, we a thrilled for DD but a little panicked about the cost, I'm currently making tutu's to sell to raise funds ?.  

I forgot to do the funding form so we were informed (by email) about the place prior to funding audition.  We turned up at the audition on the off chance she would be allowed to join in and fortunately they were happy to accommodate (we weren't the only ones).

DD is 13 and she said they were told to expect results in a couple of days.

We haven't heard anything yet but DD's friend has had a no ?

I'm already booked on to the decoration course, I'm really looking forward to it ?

They told the kids they would know in a couple of days.  

We were really surprised to have been offered a place as they tend to be given to Voc students.  We don't really hold out much hope for funding but DD enjoyed the class.  

I do think the new video audition is good though much better than relying on photos as was the case previously.

No, we have just been today to York 

DD has been offered both weeks, I'm still recovering from the shock ?