Belljul

...and the female lead in the evening for the Third Movement was Genivra Zambon.

 

Hi newballetfan

Wasn'the Scarlett's piece beautiful? The lead male in the evening was Will Osborne and I will find out the name of the female lead. I know they are both fabulous. My son danced the lead in the matinee which was amazing to see. He appeared way beyond his 16 years!

And huge well done to those offered ENB and Elmhurst, especially Angel's beautiful daughter who entered this merrygoround at the same time as my DS and their paths crossed again two years ago. I know I've just posted three times in a row. Sorry!!

Sorry, meant to add Sheila, yes I was on the old forum asking lots of questions about vocational schools! We have come a long way since then, and learnt so much!

Well done everyone, I'm sure I followed belljul's DS on the old forum years ago! So lovely to hear the good news from you all, but for those not getting the results they hoped for, remember what is always said on here, a no means not now, not never

Sx

Thanks to everyone! Xxx

And thanks everyone else xxx

Thanks pictures. Think we have both been on here for a while!

Thanks All. As I am of your DC, Angel

Just saying again....as it hasn't quite sunk in lol

It's a yes for my DS! Lovely to share it on the forum as I have been posting since he was in year 6. Delighted for Haggis, Looking forward to meeting Hambleton's DS.

If commenting on this thread, please can everyone be mindful that the year 11 students (and parents) are aware they are being discussed here and some are reading the thread. Of course everyone has the right to discuss the results but please be aware that you are commenting directly to the dancers involved. It may help the thread move in a better direction.

There is often more to the "numbers game" than you think. There are quite a few who have decided to stop dancing for their own reasons, and there are also a few badly injured. Some even wanted other schools. Each year is different. Almost all the previous year went through to upper school. It is devastating for those who badly wanted it and it will be a while before things move in a better direction for them. I'm thinking of them tonight.

All these sad posts I agree, it does get more difficult the less they need you and the more independent they get, but I get such joy and satisfaction when I get a great phone conversation, especially when they have initiated the call, not because they are sad, or homesick, but because they want to chat. I often image if my boys were living at home, they would probably spend as little time with me as they could haha. At least when they are home, they are happy to hang out with us parents!

My DS's school physio recommended a vit D supplement to help with his recurring shin pain. I am pleased this issue is being addressed. I sometimes refer to my son as a "battery ballet chicken" because he is rarely outside!!

I also attended the Gala and for me it was my first experience of watching the Royal Ballet company dance, and my second visit to the ROH following the school's end of year performance last summer. What an amazing experience! The Opera House looked beautiful and it took my breath away to come down the escalators at the end and see how the dining tables had been magically set during the performance, complete with sparkling branches and "crystal" dining chairs. How I wished I was joining in the dinner celebrations! I was so uplifted by Steven McRae and Natalia Osipova in Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux that it has to be a highlight for me, beaten only by the Grande Defile where nothing beats the emotional punch of watching your son perform with his chin lifted high as he danced towards centre stage. It will be a hard night to beat!

Edited to remove repeated words

Mae989 I feel your pain. And it is painful. Loads of great advice given here and although I have done this twice before with two of my children it is still hard to go through it with my third, more so after all I have learnt. I have to share one thing with you and it is the greatest thing I have learnt, and this is where I am at the moment as we wait for finals.....it's about being honest. Do I REALLY think this is the best path for my daughter? Does she really understand what this life is like? Does she want it enough? It is a very tough path and although they think they want it, and get carried away by the romance and beauty of dance, is it REALLY worth it? Worth the pain (she was in tears stretching today), worth missing the fun of her friendships (she missed a party last Saturday), missing the daily loving companionship of her parents (if she goes away).

What I am trying to say is that although it may seem a disaster for her and you right now as you had high hopes, positive things may come from her not following the path you thought she would (although of course it's early days and she still might). Right now, I just want my daughter to live a "normal" life with her friends and family close by, without the harsh competition and comparisons, and the endless worry of being good enough, without constantly worrying that her body isn't "right". I think it's important to look at the other side and say it might just be ok if it doesn't work out. I'm saying this as a parent of two children who are training to be dancers at vocational schools and I support them wholeheartedly but I just want to give you a hug and say follow your daughter's dream as long as she wants to keep trying but remind her that if it doesn't work out it will be ok. And it might just be better xx

Edited to make better sense

Amsterdam is such a fabulous city CeliB! I would be very happy for my son to live and work there. How exciting. I must catch up and watch all the solos when I have a quiet evening. I have so enjoyed following the whole competition.

Thank you balletqs. A great reminder that this is how the ballet world works. I have seen it time and time again. 

Sorry too Irishballetmum

Sorry to hear that Flora11. Trying for year 8 is very tough! I hope your daughter won't be too disheartened. No word here yet and going slighty insane. We auditioned in London. All my DD friends have heard (and have done very well) as they auditioned in Manchester!

Hi Lema. The kids can actually come home every weekend if they wish. They can leave after dance class on Saturday at lunchtime and back Sunday late afternoon before the park gates close at dusk. Exeat weekends are when they can leave on the Friday until Sunday. There are not the same number of exeat weekends as at Elmhurst where they are every 3 weeks. I would say one a term really. We have a 5 week stretch at the moment without an exeat, and it was the same before Christmas I think. That can be tough when you live far away and they can't get home on a Saturday. Hope that helps.

I will also chip in with a positive comment on behalf of RBS. My son is happy and thriving. Mr Powney has also come in for a lot of critisism (on the other thread about students lacking in motivation) but I find him to be a strong leader but approachable to both parents and students. There really are some wonderful staff who all try to do their jobs to the best of their ability. As with anywhere there are a few things we could have a moan about but really on the grand scheme of things it has been a wonderful experience. As for the auditions this time round, my DD came out beaming with nothing but positive things to say about how the audition was run. All children were looked at in lines of 4. Hang on in there for results. We have upper school and lower school results to wait for at the same time argh!!

Great topic! For me the most difficult times for my son has been when he has lost confidence in himself for whatever reason (clash with a teacher, performance pressure, injury, peer group competition). Holding onto your self belief can be incredibly difficult. Tools to develop resilience and mental strength would be wonderful. I think the psychology surrounding winning in athletics and other sports is often given higher priority, but I would love to see vocational dance schools offering more to their students. My son has had a few sessions with an ex dancer turned sports psychologist and the positive response from him was amazing. The school arranged these sessions which is wonderful so I do hope there will be funding to offer mire. As always it comes down to money.

Sorry, just reread and see that you wanted North London, not just "north"!