MrsMoo2

We know of a year 7 girl too. So pretty and dances like she's on air! Will be a huge asset...??? xx

Depends how much you like it there hun. You could always make enquiries round to see if the other schools have any better times classes, it won't hurt then you'll have all the information to make an informed decision. We live in a little village so don't have a choice of school! I took my DS to an audition for an associate programme yesterday so we could attempt to broaden his knowledge but that will be a 2 hour commute each way if he's lucky enough to get in. The other thing you could do is go watch a class. As a spectator you may pick on things you like/don't like about the place. Finally don't worry too much about grades, I skiped grades 3-5 and started back on inter years ago and had a successful career for a good 5 years till I was 22, only hampered by injury. Good luck with your decision...????? xxx

Oh and he must have liked it as he's named a pokemon Centre Pointe and his RBS bear "pointe!" ??? xx

Just a quick update for those of you who have yet to audition. We went to the boys audition in Manchester today. It was lovely. All the boys and mums were really chatty and we mums had a lovely time in the cafe while waiting for our stars! ? 14 boys in total. The audition didn't throw up any surprises really. There was some stretching. They all took off their shoes and socks to show off their arches according to DS. There was a bit where they had to pretend to be seaweed under the sea to a piece of music. Some small group work, barre work and plenty of runs/gallops/leaps! (We were downstairs and they were in the upstairs studio, (fairy elephants!!). The guy from RBS, Mark something, said it will be the beginning of July before we hear anything. More space in JA2 though, as that's just year 6, where JA1 is mixed year 4/5. Finally shopping! There were two ladies there selling RBS T shirts, bears, hoodies, pens etc. All quite reasonable I thought. Good experience even if nothing comes of it. Mark did say to the younger ones to make sure they came back if they weren't successful, as their bodies are all changing at different rates. Good luck if you've not already been and enjoy! ???? xx

Oooh, there was DS all ready with his wallet! Best warn him. Sounda like you had a nice day though? Hoping all the children have a lovely day and we will report back tomorrow! S xx P.S. Out of interest anyone sent the bumf off for Elmhurst?? xx

It's all very interesting! DS will be going for a year 6 place so hoping he behaves himself and doesn't burst into random dancing at inappropriate moments! ? Asda aisles are his favourite...? xxx

Does anyone know how many places they have roughly for each year? Also I have been told by another parent that last year there was a lot of RBS "merchandise!" Anyone been before and what are the prices like as DS can't resist ballet gear?? xx

We're auditioning on Thursday morning in Manchester. DS is 9, will be 10 in August, so we're trying for a year 6 place. Can't imagine we will get anything other than a lovely day out, and some 1-1 time but that's ok. DS has a twin sister so gets out shouted quite a lot, when we did a BRB workshop last year he said the best bit was the noodle bar! ?? xx

Help! DS is going to his JA audition next week and I havent a clue where I'm going! It's the Centre Pointe place in Manchester. I'd prefer to get a taxi from the main ManchesterPiccadilly train Station. Is this possible?? How much approximately?? Thank you! S xx

Hiya, my DS started dancing lessons at around 7, it had been fairly clear from early on that the boy had rhythm! At 1, he stole 12 sparkly scarves from new look cause they were "shiny!" At 3, his favourite TV programme was Strictly and when I managed to get tickets to see Russell Grant in Grease, he nearly burst! After the show, I'd asked Russell on Twitter if we could come and say hi at the stage door and he said yes! Sammi was so starstruck, and he told him to keep dancing and he'd see him in the future. After this, one christmas at the turning of the town Christmas lights, he started throwing a few shapes, and before we knew it, he had a crowd stood round him cheering him on!! ?? He's 10 now and all his friends know he dances, he shows them the cool stuff like the acrobatics and gets his street cred that way! His first love though is ballet, and he dances everywhere! In Asda, he literally jete's down the beans aisle. ?? I have to stop him legging people over sometimes. Like all kids he has had moments of "I can't be bothered" especially becoming a tweenager which is when I arrange a trip to a show or ballet, and his dream is back on. As a parent I see that as my job, to ignite his passion for his hobbies, keep his dreams going. Oh and pay up!! ????? PS. Beware negativity from elderly relatives, we had an uncle who just started to say something derogatory one day, and I just cut him short. Enjoy!!! If your son wants any encouragement I'm sure Sammi would write him a post...xx

We've sent off for Manchester audition but my son is currently year 5, so will be 6 in September. Don't know much about it other than a girl at our school went last year and liked it better than RBS. As for pics, I sent a few as it wasn't very clear. Figure they will keep the right ones...? xxx

Hiya guys, Quick question on behalf of the little fella! Any more boys coming to the JA's audition in Manchester on 4th May @10am? He's very excited, mostly about having a day off "boring school" as he calls it! ?? Will be travelling up from North Wales...? S xx

Hi, I have a 9 year old son who is also in grade 2. He never did his grade 1 exam as he was only there for 12 months then moved up to grade 2. I think some schools just focus a lot on exams and some don't. Since its never been a problem for DS, can't say its bothered me. Alongside his grade 2 class he takes tap, acrobatic dance and extended training, all an hour long. In between we have guest teachers coming in from various vocational schools for workshops and a pretty good record of kids getting into JA's, mids and full time courses. Maybe find out what's important to your daughter, does she want to go for the exams or take a more rounded approach. As a former dancer, I know that of my friends very few got "ballet" jobs. It was the all rounders who could sustain longer careers in the arts...???????? xxx

Knowing DS, it's probably for the wrong reasons! ????. He can be a little distractable! ????????

Hi, Just wondered before I go and spend a small fortune on new shoes, can anyone help shoe my expensive twins?? Looking for girls pink satin Capezio Daisy in 3/3.5 Boys Capezio White canvas in 3/3.5 Tap shoes, boys and girls in 3/3.5 Character shoes, boys and girls in 3/3.5 Jazz shoes, etc etc etc!! Twins are expensive...????????

Well in a strange twist of fate, the fella who teaches at the Hammond did a boys workshop at our school today!! He recognised DS, and from what I heard gave him lots of compliments on his jumps, calling him a jumping bean! The only thing he kept pulling him up on was posture, so guess we can work with that. Found out today that there are about 4 kids from our school trying out for RBS ass. too so least I'll have people to drink coffee with!! ???? Looking forward to the day out, hope to see some of you guys there...xx

Coffee on tap? Fabulous! ???? Sounds nice and relaxed and if they let them express themselves DS will be in his element. Looking forward to it now, does it have a car park? ????????

Anyone else going?? DS is, but he recently got a "no" from the Hammond so is feeling a bit wobbly about it. I think he struggled with the names of some of the positions, he's borderline dyslexic so has an amazing memory for some things and picks things up very quickly but may not know what a "fouetté" or a "entrechat" is even though he can do them. Apparantly the teacher at the Hammond just used the French words which threw him. Anyone who has been before or have any advice for him would be fab! Also where are they held? We'd be travelling over so need to look at places to hang out. Thank you! ????????????????????????????????????????

Hiya! Just saying hi and wondering if anyone else will be auditioning in Manchester for JA's?? My son is 9 and hoping to get a place. Sadly we had a no from Hammond last week (Bit hard as he had convinced himself he was in there) so he's desperate for some good news. I know that statistically RBS JA's are a nightmare, but wondering if anyone has any inside info on what he could work on for the next few weeks? His teachers says he has great physique, flexibility and great turnout, but his concentration leaves a little to be desired!???? Well, he is 9!! Any others we've missed? I'm aware of missing Elmhurst but not about any others. He wants to open a dance studio when he's older to get more little boys dancing. Poor lad has spent the last three years in classes as the only boy! (Luckily he has a twin sister so is so over the whole girl thing!!) Please help us to make his year, he'd burst with pride if he got on any associate class. M x

Ha ha, I know, I can send DS in for a two hour class sometimes and when he comes out he's done "not much!!" Shall I start a new thread for us NW Mummies? Maybe between us we can work it all out! ????????????????

Awww, made up for you, I'm still wondering what they were after this morning! ???????? Turns out 1 out of 4 we knew who auditioned for it got through, and she's older, 14? I guess we'll never know, but we are attending a class in a few weeks with the teacher who did the audition, so might become clearer...????????????

He has an RBS ass audition in May, so focus on that one now. I've got the details of the manager of the associates programme but don't want to get a bad reputation by hassling them for feedback (Might go back next year!) I guess it would be useful though! Will sleep on it...???????? Haven't actually heard a yes for any kids from our school yet...???? xx

Booooo, it's a no...???? Not sure what they were after, he's obviously not polished, he's 9, but as far as commitment goes, they won't find another like him. Then they had the cheek to retweet his picture! Be removing that for copyright purposes...???????? S xx

Our letter arrived today after I left home and I'm stuck in work till 4! Lol! ???? Husband on strict instruction to hide it...???? Not sure I can do this again, my nerves are shot! It's not even me auditioning...xx

I'm so impatient!! Sammi hasn't mentioned it since Saturday, I'm stalking the Royal Mail! ????????