Balletgirlsplease

Does anyone know if you do get an offer how long you get to accept it? My DD is about to do a second audition with Northern Ballet Associates on 23rd march to hear by 1st April. Well she might not get into either but hoping we have time to make the right decision if needed.

1 hours drive for us including dropping the other DD (who didn't get the year 4 place ;() at the dance teachers house (who very kindly has her and takes her with her to dance class). But it's not a flight from Madiera!!

I heard there had been someone fly in from Madeira! Blimey!!

I don't think they would've contacted us even if they wanted to invite my dd down for a WL audition as I had a long chat with a lady at RBS about the politics of only ticking the mids box and how much we didn't want our DD to go to WL. They were very clear on our feelings on that before the mids audition!!

 

Anyway we have left the topic slightly so will leave it there!!

The photos are usually postcard size which is 6x4 inch or 6.5 x 4.5 inch. Full length means a full length shot of the child no arms or legs cut off.

Are you ok with the positions? Your dance teacher should be able to help with them.

I think you have to have realistic expectations from the start. It is easy to get swept along with the whole thing if you get a DC on an associate place. It is our first year at year 6 and whilst my dd has really enjoyed it we had to resist the temptation to get swept along with the White Lodge auditions knowing it wasn't right for my dd nor us as a family. Obviously though this is the perfect route for some children and I'm not saying my DD would have been offered a place but I could feel us getting all caught up in it all when the application forms came out. My DH and I had a serious talk about where this could lead (along with our DD and her dance teacher) and decided to audition for mids only. Having talked to a few mums at the classes some were so relived that there were other people who felt the same way. So just go into them with an open mind. And keep your feet on the ground.

My DDs JA classes are weekly in term time (32 a year) but different centres have different amounts.

Hi my DD got in as a year 4, she was the only one that year, her friend got a swl letter. DD now year 5. Last year there were 3 year 4's got in, two of those had auditioned the previous year and had received a no and a swl. I would say its worth auditioning if your DD wants to even if its just for the experience. My DD really enjoyed the experience.

Ax

How did the 3 year 4's that got in, audition the year before or do you mean they were unsuccessful at year 4 but then got in at year 5?

Having said that my DD was totally put off auditioning again after getting a no for year 4. But I think that was to do with her year 6 sister getting a yes and not the experience of the audition. Especially as we only auditioned her sister as an afterthought and it was the year 4 dd that wanted to audition first. So go for it. The more relaxed you can be about the whole experience the better. Just get her to smile and enjoy!

At my DD's year 6 in Leeds there are at least 2 girls and a boy that have been there since year 4. It's not unheard of.

Hi all,

 

Does anyone know why not many year 4 get a place?

I think it is mainly because they are just not ready at that age for the concentrated 2 1/4 hour class. I do know kids who auditioned at year 4 and 5 that got in at year 6. The potential must have been there but not the maturity maybe.

Thankyou! We have Northern Ballet Associates call back too next weekend. If you live near Leeds they take from year 6 (although too late now for this year) and are also very good.

My Dd couldn't fully get her splits and like I said was only just grade 1 although she did get a 90

and honours in it. She was just about down on her left side but not her right or box spilt. She is very petite though and very driven to work hard! The audition was very enjoyable for both of them and they both came out smiling. I think you just have to treat it as a fun class and not make a big deal out of it! Enjoy and good luck!

Hi my two DDs auditioned for a year 6 and year 4 place in Leeds last year. The audition was a very simple ballet class looking at posture, flexibility, musicality, body shape etc. Both my daughters were grade 1 ballet so not very experienced. I recommend doing the JA for a day experience if you can. They auditioned on the 2nd may and the letters came out on 15th June. My eldest Dd got a year 6 place. My youngest DD didn't get a year 4 place. Her letter did day children develop at a different rate and could try again another year. However, she doesn't want to (SHA is way off her splits, and has short hair she hates to brush so doesn't want a bun - little things!).

Anyway my eldest has absolutely loved her year 6 place and has since auditioned for mids (still waiting to hear!). She has come on amazingly in technique, core stability and confidence. I would definitely recommend it!

 

That's interesting Pastel, we've had to colour pointe shoes twice (black and dark green). Each time I managed to match up ribbon bought from a local market, exactly the same width as pink pointe shoe ribbon and it didn't slip either. :-)

Sometimes other ribbon does slip more but if you use lots of hairspray on the knots it tends to stay. Slightly stiffer ribbon is better!

No but did have an email from RBS asking if we would consider a place at Newcastle over Manchester. Just a general email which I imagine went to all the northern JA's. It's too far for us so just emailed back saying manchester only. But I guess it suggests they are looking at the places at the moment.

We have got a call back for Northern Associates though.

Sorry to hear its a no Angel. We had the same situation when I auditioned my two Dd's for Ja's. the one that REALLY wanted it didn't get in and the one that wasn't that fussed got in! And now the one that wasn't fussed that got in is fussed beyond all belief and the one that REALLY wanted it has been totally put off and is now not fussed. Funny how things work out. I'm sure things work out for a reason. Xx

http://www.nationaldancecats.co.uk/

I only know about the Northern Ballet CAT scheme but it is professional training for kids aged 10-16 (plus?) 8-16 hours of dance training a week designed for children who want to train to dance professionally but don't want /can't get into vocational training. I guess Leeds is too far for you if you are near London though! ;/

Someone else might know about the schemes down south!

I can imagine quite a few will get into Elmhurst off the waiting list if a lot have WL offers too?

I notice someone has WL uniform for sale in the FOR SALE section if anyone hasn't seen it!!

 

Aylesbury and Watford are both within reach for some retail therapy. :-)

How old is your son as Harry Potter Tour is in Watford? I went with our two DD and it was great!

 

Hi all, and thank you for making me feel so welcome. My DD is currently a JA, waiting to hear about MA, although I understand that even getting that is very hard. She wants to carry on seriously with ballet, so I'm not only thinking about year 8 entry but also further along the line. I am wondering whether, in your experience, Associate classes and afternoon ballet classes combined with attending a local, non vocational school, are good enough to hope to eventually get a place not just in WL, but also for example Elmhurst and other comparable vocational schools, with the goal of becoming a professional dancer.

Do you live near a ballet CAT scheme?

 

In trying to work out why Elmhurst send their results so late, I'm wondering what date WL places have to be accepted by? Do parents have to accept before Elmhurst results come through?

On another thread some Elmhurst results are out today! I know some Elmhurst auditions were later than the first final.

Thank you KathG - I looked on that site. Gorgeous costumes, such a shame they don't have a Giselle costume.

 

Thanks Spannerandpony - that is the exact costume dd's teacher had which we thought she was going to wear. It is way too large around the bust/waist area but the sleeves barely fit over the shoulders because there is no opening in the back! She needs to go down at least 3-4 sizes but would not be able to get a smaller one on. Very strange design with a non-stretchy edging on the neckline.

 

Thanks for your help

If you have a costume already but it is too big there are usually places that can take them in (if you aren't handy with a needle and thread yourself!)

I was recently given a lovely tutu for my daughter by her dance teacher but it was way too big. I took all the seams in and she wore it for a festival just recently and the dance teacher asked if my DD had grown as she didn't think the tutu would fit her! She really couldn't tell!

There are often local seamstresses that can take things in / adjust things if you can't for not much money. My husband once had a suit taken totally apart and made to fit him for £20. Just a thought!

You can buy dye for satin ballet shoes I know people who have done red ones for shows before. There's an article and product here:

http://www.dancesport.uk.com/shoes/dyeing.htm