MAK

Hi, is Clare not teaching those classes now? My teenage daughter did them for a while when she could fit them in and really enjoyed them. Clare was really good at working with each individual and was really supportive. The classes were usually quite small so plenty of individual attention. I was thinking of suggesting she go back when she turns 16 (and can be left) to do the Advanced 1 classes.

1 hour ago, Dance.Mum said:

 

Thank you - I was being to feel inadequate and couldn't workout how they would manage it!  I know I didn't misunderstand so looks like some over zealous parents on the "look how good my  ******  is doing" front!

Definitely not an over-zealous parent here but I'm wondering if there might be some regional variation? DD1 is at a Comprehensive and will be sitting GCSEs this year - it is standard at her school for all students to take 10 GCSEs (if you assume triple science is counted as three GCSEs) or 9 for those taking double science (English Language, English Lit, Mathematics, two or three Sciences and four further options). DD2 is at a Grammar School where they will take the same plus Religious Education and Statistics (or Further Maths for those in Set 1). However, in her case they have benefited from the school implementing a three year GCSE programme so they have longer to "get through" the syllabus in each subject (at the expense of having to drop some much loved subjects early however, which is certainly sad imho). I agree with everything that has been said about quality over quantity but just for any other parent reading this thinking "oh no, that's worrying that people are saying it would be too much for a student to take on X number of GCSEs" - you are not alone

1 hour ago, HopelessMummy said:

Anyone any recent experience of this please?  Have read previous posts but they're dated

Thanks

Think I (along with others) wrote about our dd's much enjoyed experience of Cinderella in Hollywood in Oxford last June and I thought I'd seen people post since then but not sure what constitutes "dated" these days 😂

Managed to watch some of the livestream solo coaching via Facebook this morning - fantastic!

25 minutes ago, Dancing Kitty said:

 

Yes very true - we asked about auditioning on another day one year and it was a straight no.

 

We have had the same height issue but in reverse!  The first year DD auditioned age 9 we were on our way out as the older group (aged 11) were coming in and she pointed out to me that the girls were the same height as her and said quite earnestly that she knew she wouldn't get in and by the time we were out the gate started talking about the next audition she might be doing.  It was one of her first ever auditions and definitely her first ballet one and thankfully she just keeps on going with the same attitude.  Also now everyone has caught up with her and she is now just average height for her age so at least she is on a relatively  level playing field. 

Very good point!

The audition experiences available in dance are so vast and I think great preparation for what life throws at our kids in the future, as well as being enjoyable in their own right, so we always encourage our two to give things a try if they want to, even where chances of success/progression are slim.

As for height, DD1 was a full head shorter than her peers until she was over 15 and I think DD2 will be the same 😂

On 04/12/2019 at 15:39, Dancing Kitty said:

Never give up hope of a place.  DD's friend was a no or waitlist until the very last year she could apply and then a yes for main company with a part.  By the time you get to finals it does depends on who they need for the roles.  The same applies with regards you place on the waitlist.  You may be at the top of the list for your age group but if someone drops out who is younger or older or a boy and you are a girl it wont happen for you.  Well done to those who have an offer and fingers crossed for those on the wait list.

Height is a determining factor too. You can be on the waitlist in an age group where for whatever reason a place becomes available but not be picked if you don't have the right proportions. Makes total sense as they will be wanting to fill particular roles at this point. It is slightly ironic for us as we pleaded with the team to allow my daughter to do her final audition in an earlier group on this one occasion, owing to the important commitment she (and we) had at the time of her age group's audition. She is the size of someone roughly two years younger than her actual age and we made the point that she would have to be considered alongside those younger girls for any potential roles. However, they politely explained that they absolutely do not allow dancers to audition in a different age group under any circumstances. 

9 hours ago, BalletBear said:

Thank you! Yes, I agree it was a lonely experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’ve auditioned for elmhurst and another smaller one that is reasonably local to me (I live in quite a rural area). I wonder if it may partially be because I’m in year 11 and so there are less places because not many people would leave in such an important year? Anyways, onwards and upwards! Good luck to your dd x

As others have said, there definitely will be fewer places available from the November auditions because the current cohort will only have completed one term in their respective groups and any places that might have become available over the summer (DD1 gave up her place after last year to focus on GCSEs and local dance training) will have only just been filled.

In May (for a September start) there is a better chance as there will be dancers who are coming to the end of their training.

Definitely worth trying again in May!

10 hours ago, BalletBear said:

Hi! I just found out I wasn’t offered a place either. My letter just mentioned the other programmes but nothing about auditioning again. Sorry for anyone else that didn’t get in💕. I was just wondering if anyone knows of any students who weren’t excepted into any associate schemes but got a full-time 16+ place at a school? It’s times like this when it’s all a bit disheartening and I’ve just got to tell my self to keep going! Best wishes to everyone for the future xx

@BalletBear Central School of Ballet definitely has a history of taking dancers who have not previously attended full time vocational school and I believe there are cases where they've accepted dancers who were not Associates. I assume in those cases the local training they were having was very high calibre. It may also have been the case that they were taking private lessons in the run up to auditions.

41 minutes ago, margarite said:

Late to the party but DD got her expected no for the spring intensive - we haven’t applied before as after years of no’s for JAs and MAs we weren’t feeling the RBS love 😆.

I was glad to see that they have started to write the ‘no’ emails with warmer and more encouraging language - so more chance of getting my £36 next year too ...

 

We are with you 😂. M is even doing the SA audition in Feb just for fun 😂😂

DD1 danced this in June in Oxford and loved it. All the parts were great fun. I'm sure someone else will be able to tell you more about parts for junior girls. Great ballet to watch!

6 hours ago, HopelessMummy said:

 

And to think, I never shoulda worried! 

It's a tough process. My elder daughter was advised she shouldn't audition any years we already had holidays booked so only ever had the chance to audition twice before she was too old. Both times she made Finals but was never offered a place as main cast or on the tour. My younger daughter has now auditioned three times. The first time she didn't get Finals and then this and last time she made Finals but not offered main cast (we are still hoping she can make the tour next year). Both girls had to sacrifice performing in their bi-annual local dance school Presentation and Awards to attend LCB Finals (DD1 in 2017 and DD2 in 2019). I think they do get great experience from the audition process and for the younger ones they can try again another year.

Hope your daughter is ok!

4 minutes ago, AMP said:

Well done Mak that is fabulous news for your daughter.  My understanding of the tour is that there are two date options?  Hope she can work it out.  x

 

Thank you. Three - but we're on hols for two (lucky us) and school exams on the other. We'll have to see if we can change our summer holiday but obviously they might not have a place for her on that one anyway.

1 hour ago, AMP said:

We are still waiting, has anyone heard from the oder age groups age 13/14?

 

My daughter has been offered the tour from the 13 year old group. 3rd year auditioning, 2nd consecutive Final and unfortunately likely to be her last chance to audition as committed to All England in 2021. (The tour is a fab opportunity but as it stands currently we don't think we can make the dates work 😪). Congratulations to all those who reached Finals, whatever the outcome!

1 hour ago, Crystaltips said:

Yes I have two very good friends ( married to each other) and discussions about Cambridge are always avoided. She said to me once “Oh he went to Jesus College- medieval foundation very prestigious. I went to Sidney Sussex- handy for Sainsbury’s “. 

😂😂

13 hours ago, Mii said:

Hello, it's our first time apply for RBS spring intensive, and my DD is waitlisted.

I have two questions.

1.We applied spring and summer intensive at the same time. Are there any possibility  to get a yes for summer even if waitlisted in spring?

2. Are all people who are not yes waitlisted? 

Regards, 

 

In answer to question 2 DD got a straight no.

5 hours ago, MAK said:

Hi everyone - it's a bit of a long shot, but is there anyone that has a young dancer who will be at LCB Finals on 24th Nov finishing from 4:30pm onwards that happens to be travelling back to Berkshire or West London? If so, please would you message me?

Many thanks!

 

Just to say, thank you so much to this forum and to the mums who have been in touch to offer help 😍, you are amazing thank you!!!

Hi everyone - it's a bit of a long shot, but is there anyone that has a young dancer who will be at LCB Finals on 24th Nov finishing from 4:30pm onwards that happens to be travelling back to Berkshire or West London? If so, please would you message me?

Many thanks!

Hope it goes well! We definitely would have done but couldn't make one of the main rehearsal weeks 😪

3 hours ago, Pups_mum said:

I am sure you are absolutely right @drdance and @MAK though in my friend's case the other parents actually said "Oh, X College. That's a shame. My son is at Y College, they are far more selective" so I don't think there was any misinterpreting the intention there!

It makes you cringe doesn't it! 

Off track completely but as a Cambridge grad myself I would say that generally the reason we ask people which College they went to is out of genuine interest and to see if we might have friends/acquaintances in common. (At least for my generation, can't of course speak for younger graduates).

Definitely agree with the advice to do what you feel what you feel passionate about - @balletbean hope your daughter is loving her time at vocational school!

33 minutes ago, Sally-Anne said:

Not sure, but my DD got this far last time and then didn’t get in, so we are prepared for that. It is very competitive!

Same here for both DDs and for DD1 it was her second Final in a row and last chance due to age. My (speculative) impression is that anyone who makes Finals has proved they have the dance ability and they are then looking to match dancers to the roles they have in mind for the Production (although of course casting formally happens at a separate, later date). Huge congratulations to your DC!

Definitely going to defer to @Sheila Beelam here!!

Yes DD1 tried them when she was training for RAD Intermediate. She doesn't have very arched feet so the pre-arch gave her a nice shape. However, her feet are still quite strong so they didn't last too long and she is back in the 2007 now. 

Hello

Does anyone happen to be selling a Bloch sheer striped ladies warm up top in black size P? DD2 had her cherished one ruined today by a rather exuberant young friend (totally accidental but she's so upset!) and I think Bloch has stopped doing them and I can only find the raspberry/maroon type colour in her size.

Thank you!

18 hours ago, Newdancermum said:

Here is the link to the rehearsal schedule.

 

https://www.londonchildrensballet.com/files/5015/6820/3499/Rehearsal_Schedule_2020_Provisional_Schedule_FINAL.pdf

 

It takes up virtually every Sunday for six months of the year and most of the holidays.

 

The tour rehearsal dates will vary - I was not able to find out the dates - but these are less intensive in terms of time commitment but I have heard they are very dance intensive so worth it for the experience.

 

Good luck to all those applying.

Thanks for posting this as it's changed slightly from the one I had previously saved 🙂

So sorry to read this news. May John rest in peace.