Tinkerbell05

Thank you bestfootforward! I agree, I was quite taken aback when I received her email. I thought maybe this was "normal" however feel encouraged by all the responses I have had that show that there are a lot of children and parents that have managed to make the situation "workable" My daughter loves ballet, and i do believe that I, as her parent should give her every opportunity possible, auditioning for JA's being one of them. If she doesn't get in then nothing is lost, but she would have gained some valuable audition experience. If she did by chance get in then, I would try to make both work. If the principal is dead against it still then I guess that would be a whole new thread! Thank you to everyone for your comments. I feel very welcomed to your lovely forum..

Our principal feels that as an associate you have to commit to the Saturday classes and RBS and therefore you will be letting others down when a festival clashes on a Saturday. She feels that you will be committed to the JA scheme and that the school will become secondary. She says this is due to previous pupils being in this situation and it causes bad feeling at the school, and therefore is now saying it's one or the other. As an non dance mum it's hard to know what is best, her principal believes that performance experience in her opinion is more valuable. However her ballet teacher believes that associates will give her more valuable experience than festivals. I guess it's just a difference of opinion, but never having danced it's hard to know who is right. From the sounds of all the lovely advice I have received there is no right or wrong answer. I think maybe we audition and see where the path takes us! The chances of being accepted are very slim, and I know she will enjoy the whole experience so maybe we go with it and cross that bridge IF we get there I guess!

Thank you all so much. I will certainly keep you all posted!

Aileen, thank you for your reply. I really appreciate your advice. I'm not quite sure, I do know she has had several students at Junior, Mid, and Senior level and she feels that their performance level went down once they started associates, none of whom now have continued with ballet as a career. Maybe that may have something to do with it? It's hard when you have two conflicting pieces advice from two teachers, and I myself know nothing about dance let alone the ballet world. Lots to think about - thanks you!

Thank you all so much for your advice. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. I think that I need to think this through some more. I do think the audition experience would be fantastic for her, but also understand that she needs to be sure this is the path she wants to go down. She would only miss one regular class the rest would be troupes etc and I think the principals feeling is if she isn't there she can't be in troupes (which I understand) but then also feels that if a festival clashes with JA class my loyalty will be to the class and therefore it's best to stop competing all together - which I feel is a little harsh if I am honest. I thought JA's were supposed to complement her normal classes and guess I wanted to know if this was normal. Lots to think about! X

Hello, I am new to this forum, and I am looking for some advice really regarding my daughter. Having never danced myself I am in a position as to not knowing what to do for the best. My daughter is 8 years old. She competes regularly at festivals and has won medals at the national finals /holds national titles etc so takes it all very seriously! Her ballet teacher suggested she should apply to JA programme and is very keen for her to do this. I then spoke to the school principal, who basically has said if she is prepared to say goodbye to festivals, other competitions and may have to miss some exams due to lack of attendance on a Saturday then fine. She feels that other children that have gone down this route have gone down hill once they have been on the programme, that the teachers aren't RBS teachers but outside ones, and that their performance level was not the same again. She feels that RBS make you commit to them being the most important focus and that the school commitments will become secondary. My daughter (seems to be) very good at ballet but is also doing well in tap, modern and commercial. At 8 she doesn't know whether she wants to go down the classical route and give everything else up, but at the same time I don't want her to ever have regrets not trying JA's! Is it possible to do both? Any advice/opinions gratefully received! I understand with her ballet teacher being an ex professional ballerina she would encourage this route, I also understand not being able to commit to Saturdays at the school for rehearsals etc but seems unfair to ask an 8 year old make such a big decision or is this normal in the dance world?! Thanks in advance for any help!