Balletmum4ever

Yes, I agree that there will still be a lot of children competing for only 24 places! It seemed to me that the ' Tours' would be an even bigger part of the programme this year, though I wasn't clear how the children for these would be selected. It sounds as if they're looking for partner dance schools/teachers to work with LCB to take the choreography into their local area but I could have got that wrong!!

Details for 2017 are now up on the LCB website. It's a different format this year - auditions in Oct/Nov for a cast of 24 to launch a 30 minute version of the Secret Garden, at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith. This production will then be taken nationally in partnership with ballet schools, opening it up to more children, going into Care Homes, SEN schools, etc. 2018 will go back to the old format of a full scale production in the West End. Audition applications for the Lyric production are open and they're also asking for teachers with particular interest in partnering with LCB to get in touch. Link here: http://www.londonchildrensballet.com/current-season/auditions/

Has anyone heard anything about LCB 2016/17 yet? I was expecting details to be on their website by now but haven't seen anything.

I am also interested in opinions on these workshops. I called a while ago to enquire about one, I think it was based around Swan Lake. I was told categorically that she could not attend the 11+ workshop even though she is G4/IF standard and 10! The younger one was full so we didn't end up going. Interesting to hear that even the older workshop was quite easy for your DD Southerndancemum.

My DD also attended Emma's Ballet Boost and had a fantastic week. I would echo all that Amos73 has said. The start/finish times worked really well. The days were long enough to provide enough content and challenge without exhaustion. Finishing each day with stretching/yoga was an inspired decision on Emma's part. DD thoroughly enjoyed all of the ballet classes, both technique and repertoire. She also loved the musical theatre sessions. The standard across the board was high and the teaching inspiring. I was able to watch a few classes across the week and was impressed by all that I saw. The only thing that could have been improved on was class size. I was expecting the classes to be capped at a max of 20 but there seemed to be quite a few more than this in the classes that I saw. I think that a smaller group would have enabled more individual attention and corrections from the excellent teachers there. Overall, DD had a marvellous experience and she would attend again, in fact we have already signed up for Easter Ballet Boost!

The YDA Associate programme is excellent, taught by an amazing faculty (Kerry Williams, Anna du Boisson, Roberta Marquez and Klara Houdet). It is attached to a very successful vocational school as others have said. This year, a number of the YDA Associates are taking up full time places at YDA which to me shows that they support and nurture their own students. I have no personal knowledge of LJB but I have heard from another mum with experience of the two programmes that the teaching at both is excellent. I guess it comes down to the style/learning environment that best suits the child. For me, the connection to a strong vocational school is an important factor in favour of YDA.

I just checked my old emails and my DD's application went in on the 15th July last year.

If your DD is currently in Year 4 at school, then she is applying for a Year 5 JA place from September, when she will join Year 5 at school. In this case she could apply next year for a Year 6 place. If she is currently in Year 5 at school, then she is applying for a Year 6 JA place this year and could apply for a MA place next year. Hope that helps!

If NYB would be an option for you with boarding, it may be worth calling them. I think that they are offering boarding to those who they know have had experience of staying away before. Maybe the other DC had not had this experience??

Well congrats to DD anyway. What a shame that she won't be able to do it though. I'd be tempted not to tell her if your plans are fixed now.

Not an Associate scheme but I can also recommend the Tring holiday courses if you are close enough. DD has done a few including the Easter residential. They do specific Jazz or Musical Theatre courses which run from a day to a week or more general dance courses where they do different genres, including ballet, jazz, contemporary and commercial. DD has enjoyed them all so far.

What about something like Urdang Youth Academy? I think it's once a month. Don't think you have to audition. They do ballet, jazz and musical theatre at each session. I don't have any personal experience of this scheme but one of DD's dance school friends has just started and seems to be enjoying it. They stream on ability from what I understand.

My DD has been on the YDA Associate programme since September and absolutely loves it. At our local dance school (where she has continued to take classes during the week and weekends) there is a real mix of abilities and motivation, some of the girls dance just for fun, a few are more serious. I think being part of the YDA programme has given DD a taste for what vocational school is like and has allowed her to mix with a full class of talented, motivated students. Her commitment to dance has increased as a result and she has progressed vastly. I believe that YDA expect you to continue with lessons outside the programme; it is seen as a complementary class not a replacement. That extra training, with a high quality local teacher, would in my opinion be required to prepare her for vocational applications should you decide to go that route. I really understand your concerns. We only embarked on this journey a year ago ourselves and 12 months on my DD is off to full time vocational school in September, something that had not even occurred to me as an option then!! I have tried as far as I can to go with the flow (easier said than done for another planner and organiser!) and follow DDs lead. It is hard on the family but so worth it when you see your child so happy and following their dream.

Completely agree with everything you said Amos. My DD had such a lovely day yesterday, her only disappointment (other than the full sole regulation shoes) was that she couldn't start immediately. She has talked about nothing but YDA since we got home. It was so nice to meet the rest of their year group who all seem fantastic. From what DD said, they all got on brilliantly. She also enjoyed being able to chat informally with the current Y8s. Overall, we too feel very privileged to be taking a place at an amazing school with such high calibre teachers. It came across really clearly that each and every child will get the individual attention required to maximise their potential. DD can't wait to get started and is particularly looking forward to the pointe shoe shopping trip in September with Anna in Covent Garden!!!

Have sent you a PM.

Congrats to your DC Chantalw. How old is your child? My DD is in that class at present (she joined last September) and there are around 20 in the class I think. It's a lovely Associate scheme. However, DD will be moving to a class at 12 noon from September (as will a lot of her class mates I believe) so I am not sure if the 9-12 class is a completely new intake and how many they have offered. Maybe check with Kerry who is very helpful?

DD's friend also got a yes for 9-12 class. Very pleased for her.

Exciting! Keeping fingers crossed for DD's friend and others waiting! Nice that your DD will have another friend in class PV!!

My DD has a friend who auditioned for YDA Associates on Sunday and has not heard anything yet. Wondered if anyone on here has had news?

My DD (age 10) has also been given a residential place. She is SO excited about 10 days at Tring, having boarded there at Easter on their dance course. Anyone else got a JAs who will be staying?? Also, a rather silly question re uniform (which has to be ordered really soon!). It says that they only wear the official JA leotards for press calls and specific rehearsals. So, I wondered how many uniform leotards are needed for the 10 day stay?? DD has loads of other leotards so don't want to order more than necessary but equally don't want her being short of fresh dance wear through the stay!!

Well, there should be another happy wait lister as we ended up declining Tring in the end as DD was offered NYB!!

We are P surname and heard about JAs yesterday so sounds as if it's more post related than alphabetical. Waiting is so hard, especially when others have news. Fingers crossed for those awaiting the postman tomorrow.

Just got a letter offering DD a JA place. She did not have the greatest recall audition experience; enjoyed the first half and spent the second half sitting around doing nothing. She was pretty despondent coming out so it was a nice surprise to be offered a place! Just shows that you cannot second guess what happens in auditions!! Looks like JAs are in 2 pieces this year - JA dance and Special Gala Tribute which I assume is full cast. The issue for us is that there is no mention of boarding in the paperwork. Does anyone know what the chances are of a JA being offered a boarding place? She is 10 and has boarded at Tring before.

My DD had just been offered a place from the reserve list so it looks like there is some movement.

We have signed up too. Looks like an equally impressive faculty. DD is already looking forward to it.