swe

Thanks jellybeans-on that basis if you are auditioning for 2nd year SA, there aren't 'officially' any places as the current SAs haven't had their assessment. So are we really auditioning for a waiting list?

Oh-not sure then-my dd's friend who was an MA last year had an audition with my dd (who is not an associate) for an SA place-may be that's because she was going from MAs to SAs?

I could be mistaken but I think everyone is told at the same time? The RBS 'start from scratch' with their associate programme so even if you have had a place before, you audition with new candidates and the results are sent together... Let me know if I've got that wrong, someone!! swe

We are waiting SA letter-and you're right-the wait is terrible!! Are the MA letters also due out now too?? swe

I am sure that we do have brilliant training over here -and I too would prefer my dd to stay here rather than go abroad. Having said that I don't think we have enough British youngsters training abroad to take a wider view on it. It is only an observation, but having recently attended the Imperial Ballet Awards I noticed the majority of winners (grade 6 and above) seemed to be Italian students -there were plenty of competitors from various associate programmes and one of the adjudicators was a ex-RBS soloist.

To me, Brits in general are not comfortable with the idea of working/training abroad and one of the reasons is language. We see London and other cities full of foreign students doing all sorts of jobs during the summer holidays just to brush up their language skills but this is not the case on the continent with British students. I am a language teacher myself and have tried to persuade my dd to take a summer school in Spain and she panics at the thought! I know I am speaking generally and this is not directly linked to dance training but I honestly believe this is one of the issues which affects our decisions.

Yes I suppose I can see that if you needn't give up your place, then it may be great on your CV and enhance your training, but I have to be honest, I now feel dd's chance of a place are even slimmer and I may not have encouraged her to go for it had I known this previously (as negative as this may sound)!

Still a little early to hear but I wanted to ask about the SA places for RBS because I have just been chatting to my dd's ex-dance teacher and she told me that SAs are very often from vocational school and go to RBS associates at the weekend. I had no idea of this-I thought associate places were intended for those not in full-time training. Can anyone enlighten me please. Swe

Hi Stardancer Yes, like Amethyst, daughter enjoyed herself at the summer school and it gave her the chance to meet some teachers who turned out to be teaching her this term. From memory the class did seem very big but that didn't seem to detract from the standard of teaching. We stayed at a travelodge in the centre and I spent the days at National Trust places with my other daughter. You are right when you say the staff at NB are friendly-they are all so approachable. I think she had to be there at 9.30 ?? but not sure on finish time-maybe 4.30pm. I am sure if you phone they would be happy to help you. Best wishes

Hello Stardancer Not sure what you mean by level-but if it any help Seniors are predominately year 10 and 11 (I think there are some year 9s too) and my dd is working towards Intermediate ISTD - someone on another post recently said ISTD and RAD were similar levels?? She also did the summer school last year and really loved it-parents were invited to watch some of the work at the end of the week. Hope that is some help. swe

Hi there My dd is a senior associate at NB and I think there are around 25 in the class-I think year 8 is intermediate and from memory this group is a similar size, but there maybe someone else out there who has more accurate info. Good luck to your dd!

Wow-that is fantastic Lala-congratulations to your dd! Sorry to hear the other disappointing news but I think the positive attitudes are wonderful-and well done for getting that far in the first place-no mean feat x

..and good luck from us too-I get a knot in my stomach just thinking about yes/no letters! We will be in the same boat in a couple of weeks waiting for RBS SA letters xx

Good luck everyone swe x

....and even to get to finals is an amazing achievement!

Yes I thought there was another final 18th March? That would mean end of this month I would have thought...

Yes I wouldn't have thought that those who are called to finals and don't get a place automatically get mids/sas because not all auditionees tick the white lodge box-there may be a fabulous dancer auditioning who doesn't want full-time and is only interested in associates. swe

My dd an SA at Northern Ballet and I have to say that it is just such a friendly place. I love the way you can speak to a teacher and get a report at the end of the year on how they are progressing or areas to improve on. In fact the communication is great generally there. As little Ballerina says there are all sorts of body shapes and I would encourage anyone to go for it! swe

We know someone who made finals for WL last year and got a place in year 10

My daughter has lost several toe nails! Like lildancer's dd, she said it was better when they came off (don't force it though)! Doing pointe work didn't seem to stop the new ones growing back. swe

Just wondered if anyone had experience of the musical theatre summer school please? I was hoping to let my 2 dds stay with a local landlady (which I believe Laine arrange) but normally I accompany them but I think they are probably old enough to stay together 12/14 this time. Any thoughts/experience would be greatly received.

Ok so we wouldn't be able to enter that any way because dd only grade 6. We are staying at the Crawley Premiere Inn-coz it's cheap!! Hope you enjoy the day swe x

Hi It may have been me who started the thread on the old forum and like you Dancingdreams, it is our first time-we are only dancing grade 6 so that is the Saturday for us but staying over the night before because a 3 hour journey! Just wondered if you knew anything about the Stella Mann bursary-I think we are entered for the Imperial Award only -but didn't know if everyone was automatically entered for this or did you have to tick another box-I can't remember! thanks swe

Has anybody got any experience of this award (I believe it is run by the RAD)? My dd's teacher has mentioned it briefly and I have 'googled' it but wondered if anyone knew the format of the day? Thanks all swe

Can I just check with those who know please-my DD auditioned for SA year 11 (she isn't a current SA) for Birmingham but we didn't tick lower school so I assume we won't hear anything 'til after all the finals-so will that be about early April? That is a looooong wait! Keeping realistic though-I heard there were only about 16 places??! Correct me if I'm wrong.. swe x