amos73

Interesting petalviolet - DD had to do splits at Tring audition as far as I recall. But I know lots of people have said they don't do them at JA audition. And, Celandine so there was a straddle stretch? Would be interested to know if your DD can recall!! Thanks - audition is next Wednesday so just trying to get prepared for what will be involved.

Quick question for those who have already had their auditions - did DC have to do 'Froggy' stretch, on their belly? I ask because I have had numerous dancing teachers say that in fact it is not the best to test hips rotation, and in fact can be bad for the knees. Just wondering if RBS use it in their auditions, and if they do, why, when from what I have been told it isn't necessarily a great stretch for DC to do?

Nope, nothing received at our end yet.

No biscuits. But Westfield is round the corner so pretty much any food you could hope for on offer in there.

And she is dancing in choreography competition there are running in June, and gets to meet Darcey Bussell, who is judging, so this has just become the BEST THING EVER, as far as she is concerned.

Hi Southerndancemum - we do YDA in Shepherds bush on Saturday's. It's very good, 3 hours, barre and centre work, body conditioning, and character every week. DD started there just before Christmas. PM if you want to ask anything.

Yep - ours came through too. Wednesday 11.30. Yes, good luck everyone.

They are, and that's what I was thinking, but just thought I would check!

Hi DD has applied for London JA. Had email saying they received the application but nothing since. Just checking if anyone applying for London JAs has had audition date/time email yet? Thanks

Oh! Thanks!!

Quick question - I was surprised they give out results either way if they haven't yet had all the auditions. How does that work, for instance if they then saw more people in the later auditions they wanted to give places to than they have places left? Just surprised me they don't wait till all auditions are finished before making decision. Does anyone know how it works?? Thanks!

Just wanted to say fingers crossed and good luck to your dd ballet queen for tomorrow! Nerves must be sky-high in your house!

How long do they wait to give results after finals? Or is it on the day? Also, just wanted to wish the very best of luck to all of you and your brave DCs who have done so well to get through to finals.

Balletqs, I am going to print off your post and stick it in my DD's Ballet book for her to look at whenever she feels low. Truly inspiring.

Firstly, how great to hear about the positive experience your DD is having in Russia. Can I ask what happened for you to change to training there? I just can't understand why the approach here is to belittle students', erode their self confidence, and not give them performance or competition opportunities. How can that be a good way to train the dancers of tomorrow? It just makes no sense.

Apologies - the school has high success rate at getting children into WL, at year 7 and above. Some of the teachers teach at JA too, and some were formerly dancers with the RB. It was called 'feeder school' to me by teachers and parents there. I retract the statement!!!

Hi Rowan I didn't say I agreed with it, one of the reasons we changed school was I didn't think it helped to go on pointe too early, as I stated at the bottom. However if you look at footage on youtube of any of these international students who get taken on they are on pointe earlier, plus I have read on this forum about international students at lower school auditions doing pirouettes on pointe and UK students feeling inadequate etc. Pointe is not the be all and end all by any means, however any of the kids who win international competitions and get brought into UK schools are proficient on pointe. I was using it as an example of how the UK training differs to that abroad.

Hi Sadielou As a mother of young dd who will audition for schools next year (she is currently year 5) I was very interested to read what you say about Mr Powney, and more importantly, the teaching at the RBS. Are you at the school, or have DC there? If it really is the case that teachers have asked the students why they can't do what the foreign students can do I find it utterly disheartening. My DD had a Russian teacher who was all for her starting pointe work at nine, she insisted she was strong enough, etc. but her new school, (who act as a feeder for white lodge and have former RB dancers teaching there) have her in a demi pointe class. She did do a little pointe work with old teacher but I am going with the teachers' at the new school thinking and she is back to demi pointe. Not to say they are wrong at all, BUT, I think it is really interesting that the wonder kids from abroad will have all been on pointe for a few years before coming to WL and the teachers drool over their 'fireworks' yet won't allow students in UK to operate at that level at the same age, so it is hardly surprising they are not as advanced as the international students. It really is so disheartening. If my DD was already at vocational school and I was reading this I would be so frustrated. As you say, surely they need to decide what they REALLY want from students, and train them accordingly. By the way, I am not saying it is disheartening that they won't let students go on pointe at a younger age, I do think DD is better off working on demi pointe for longer and getting better technique before going on pointe, but if this is one example of how the training in the UK is not in sync with what the schools and companies are impressed by in international students and compare the UK students unfavourably to, this is a major problem.

Yes. Extremely eloquent Zacharovitti.

Thanks P1P!

Hi Sophika9899 Sorry, I just checked and realised I didn't get a PM from you, no.

Hi sophia9899 I got your first Pm but nothing else. Thanks so much though for your original reply!

Thanks Frogsmum, We are doing the saturday associates classes and will be starting evening classes with WLSD in Jan and the more I hear about the school the more positive I feel. Thanks!

Hi I am really interested for my 9 year old DD (she is almost ten but not particularly tall) - would be helpful to know the length. Thanks!

Thanks Balletmadmom, have PM'd you