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? 

Take it no-one has heard about assessments yet?

 

Not stalking the postman yet...

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.

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.

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.

Aren't the London ones the last set of auditions? Wonder if they send them out in order? Just a thought

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

They have had all the boys auditions.

Oh! Thanks!! 

I now know that one boy from my DD's JA class got in as well (not sure about the other one - he might got in as well :-) ).

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!

Does anyone know please whether the year 8,9,10 and 11 girls at the rbs finals are all judged together as I know they are all in the same audition class or will they be aware of who is from each year group and know which year group they may have a place in. Or is it simply a case of having 1 bed available and choosing any girl from any year group? 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.

 

 

I believe that her potential, lovely dance quality and performance was trained out of her - along with her confidence!  It took a while for her to get that back.  I agree it really has to be down to the training - the lack of nurture and support, the steadfast reliance on "safe" training and the seeming reluctance to show what all their students are capable of (through performances and competitions).

 

We are able to compare the UK training with the training she is now undertaking in Moscow.  There is no comparison - both in terms of her experience as a student and my experience as a parent.  Even though I have have much further to travel - there is no issue with getting to see my daughter's classes and she gets the opportunity to perform regularly - even if it just in second cast or rehearsals - and she is supported if she chooses to enter competitions.  I think that makes a vital difference - when she was at her UK vocational school I was lucky if I got to see her in one dance class per year and catch a two minute glimpse of her in the end of year performance - the only performance she would have the opportunity to take part in.

 

My daughter's ambition is to work for a ballet company - she recognises it is a very competitive world and will have to work hard to achieve this.  I do feel that when she completes her four year training in Moscow she will at least have a chance.  Something significant would have had to have changed for me to say the same had she stayed in the UK vocational system.

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. 

Love that post Zacharovitti.

Yes. Extremely eloquent Zacharovitti.

I can only agree with the positive comments above.

 

It is a small school and that means there is lots of attention during lessons.

The staff are very caring and sensitive to each child's individual needs.

 

Quality of the dance training is excellent and compares well to other much higher profile vocational schools. Many of the children are RBS associates.

There are good opportunities to perform and I feel the link with WLSD helps to instill confidence in the vocational students, yet keeps them grounded.

 

There are facilities for a limited number of students from outside London to stay, but if you're local then it's ideal.

 

The only thing to bear in mind is that as it's a small school, its sometimes difficult to judge quality by the destination the dancers take at 16, as that will depend on interest. Some years will have a classical interest while other years more will head towards a musical theatre training and of course some will choose to pursue academic careers.

 

Last year all those who wanted further dance training at 16 gained places at schools such as Laine's, Central, Elmhurst, Rambert and The Royal Swedish Ballet School.

 

Thanks P1P! 

Hi Sophika9899

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

Hi Amos73. Having abit of trouble answering your PM. I wrote a few paragraphs and when I pressed send it disappeared! Did you get anything?

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