Balletgirlsplease

I think most of the JAs will audition. They said at the workshop that 95% of WL year 7's will come from current JAs but with 150 JAs and 12 girls an 12 boy places that's small odds! My DD is going to audition for MAs at manchester but not WL. I wouldn't want her to go to boarding school and neither does she. There are very few MA places so she is realistic about auditioning but she loved the audition workshop and now knows a lot more about what to expect.

There are a few threads on this already. We took my youngest DD todo JA for a day in London in oct 2011. It was lovely an I would highly recommend it. She then auditioned for a year 4 place at Leeds but didn't get a place. We also auditioned my year 6 DD as an after thought bless her but she actually got a place and is at Leeds JA's currently. She is going to try for MAs at manchester but it is much harder to get onto. My youngest DD may audition for a year 5 place this year but to be honet the whole process of auditioning and being unsuccessful (and particularly her DS getting in!) has put her off so we may wait until she is going for a year 6 place or not at all! We are just on our way home from an intensive 2 day audition workshop for year 6 JAs that was in Covent Garden. My daughter has loved it!

That's good to know! Thankyou!

Oh my I'd forgotten that! Lol! I am thinking of leaving my other DD a year and trying her again for year 6 in a year instead of year 5. At least we'll know where we are by then! Thanks for the reminder! How often are the MA classes? Are they every weekend in term time like JAs or fortnightly?

Thank you! Does anyone know if the results come out quickly as dd no. 2 wants to audition for year 5 ja's in Leeds. We might be better to audition her in manchester just in case! I can't do manchester and Leeds on the same day (although better than manchester - Birmingham - bless you!)

Thanks do you know the postcode? We live north Sheffield and would do woodhead pass. It's my DH who is convinced in would be a terrible journey. Yes it might be worth a try anyway! X

Hi does anyone know the exact venue where the Manchester MAs are held? Still trying to decide whether to audition my DD who is a Leeds JA. It's not such a good run for us from Sheffield. Thanks!

Loads of ted baker ballerina range at Meadowhall Sheffield! In 3 for 2 range! Handily next to the hello kitty stuff for her sister too! Thanks!!

Oh and we have got my dancing daughter a sewing machine (second hand) for Xmas too as she helps with making costumes for festivals on my machine.

Thanks! Will try Meadowhall boots in Sheffield tomorrow. Dd 10 has put makeup etc on her Xmas list and is a RBS JA so might be a good compromise (since other than for festivals I am not really keen on her wearing make up yet!) That aside I have seen a RB calendar on amazon for £9 too!

I cant find the ted baker ballet stuf at boots online. Is it only in stores or can someone post a link?

Even of you do get MDAS but still have to pay some fees you could use this scheme I imagine. As long as your workplace do the scheme and the school accept the vouchers. I used to get busy bees vouchers in my wage slip to you for nursery fees and they came out of your salary before NI and tax so was a good saving. My DH has recently bought a bicycle through a similar scheme.

Hi I'm looking for some character /national shoes in around a 12.5. The black canvas ones with the pink elastic and low heel.

I have also forgotton that she has a private lesson once a week and a troupes class where they are currently learning a ballet so she probably gets more than I realise! Plus her tap, jazz, limbering, streetdance, musical theatre, singing...lol!

No not at the moment. She already dances 4 days a week, a piano lesson, now RBS associates on a sat. Plus another daughter doing similar (didn't get on associates), plus a DH who works shifts and me working part time. She is also very bright and considering becoming a doctor when she leaves school. Plus she absolutely loves musical theatre and her biggest strength at comps is her song and dance. Money and time (and my sanity!) currently limiting taking on anymore!

Thank heavens I found this thread! Was starting to panic that my daughter is not doing enough as she is only on grade 2 at 10. She started dancing at nearly 7. However, most in her class are the same age. She does a lot of hours dancing through the week but actual ballet is only 1/2 hr. she does musical theatre, tap, jazz etc. she is just starting RBS associates year 6 which we are hoping will give her the extra ballet.

But my daughter only does 1/2 ballet class with her home dancing but 2 1/4 hr class with associate so that's why I assumed you would get more correction from associates from a trained ballerina than from her home teacher who, whilst qualified to teach ballet, and very good, trained at performing arts school. I think we are in two different worlds! Lol

My brother went to The Laines on a full scholarship at 16 and has never been out of work. Now he's 28 and currently understudy to Frankie Valley in Jersey Boys (sorry proud sister!!!) lol!

Thanks for that! I think I see what you mean. Although from what I saw on our JA for a day class they seemed to go right back to basics including foot exercises and positioning so if there was something that needed correcting, wouldn't it be natural to assume that the associate class would correct it rather than just pointing out the fault? I do agree that if she wants to be a professional dancer then she should get the best training possible. But sometimes this isn't always possible. My DD got a call back for the CAT scheme but we turned it down as she is happy at her dance school and it was too much too soon. She may have blown her chances of being a professional ballet dancer but got on the RBS instead which I think will suit her (and us better). And I don't feel like I'm pushing her too much in one direction just yet (rightly or wrongly!). It's a fascinating journey!!! Good luck Lilac with your decision!

My DD is 10 and just done her Grade 1 (IDTA). This is her 3rd grade plus rosettes since starting 3 years ago. When she goes to her RBS associates (JA year 6) as far as I understand it she won't be doing any grades there. If the grades are so important to progress through why do the associates not do exams? My DD gets so much more from her dance school than her ballet grades (loves musical theatre and tap and festivals - especially song and dance) and I guess the RBS must be going on her potential. What worries me more in your post is the fact that her current school don't seem to be interesting in your DD reaching her potential and not the speed that they go through the grades. If she wizzes through them too quickly might she not have these little faults corrected properly? Can your associates teacher write a letter advising your current teacher of what needs working on or advising them that she needs extra tuition from another school? Are the associates teachers not sorting out these faults? Aren't they the experts? I am new to all this associates so excuse my questions!

I feel if it was a good dance school they would've approached you making the suggestion. It was my DD current dance teacher who suggested that she audition for RBS JA's (not our idea) as she felt they could offer something more and is very excited for her that she has been accepted. Surely it is as much of a talent to spot your weaknesses as a teacher as being able to spot (and work at) the child's weaknesses. However, that said, I would also bear in mind that it needs to be the child's decision also. If it back fires or the child's heart really isn't into becoming a dancer then they could end up blaming you. Only being devils advocate here! Good luck with your decision whatever you decide.

My goodness! That's a busy day!! My DD has musical theatre in the afternoon back at her home dancing school and I though that was mad enough! They'll sleep well on Saturday night won't they!!

Further to my above post my brother also came 3rd in IDTA Dancemaster that year from his local school dance school so obviously didn't hold him back!

Have you considered Phil Winstons at Blackpool if you are looking Preston way? My girls dance teacher trained there and has a pupil go last year. She is very good on her tap and contemporary choreography is amazing!! Always winning best choreography at comps. Also they train monday to wednesday so lots of them work the rest of the week to fund themselves through. Just a thought.

No probs! It's funny the difference in the associates as my DD is starting RBS ja's next week and has to have leather full soles. Good luck though! X