Katia05

Can anyone help with a question about Senior Associates at Year 10 - do all the MAs go on to SA1 automatically, or is it a fresh sweep and all the places for Seniors are chosen fresh for SA1? My dd is thinking of auditioning (she didn't get an MA place last year, though it appeared there were hardly any to be had) but I just wondered if there is any point even thinking about it, if the MAs do move straight up? I expect if any are leaving for vocational school, most would have done that for year 9 already, so there wouldn't be any extra spaces for Year 10 on that count... Anyone know? Thanks!

I can relate to you HowMuch! We are just working out whether to go through all the auditions again this year, having had a lot of  'not yet's last year, as you gently put it! I figure it's a rollercoaster, being a dancer's mum, with real highs and lows and too much or then too little adrenaline! My only tip to keep up our enthusiasm is to take the focus off our own kids' dancing sometimes and book to see a ballet or a show together, maybe at Covent Garden/West End, to really enjoy the professionals performing and be reminded of the bigger picture, and draw some new energy and inspiration from the dynamic performing arts world. Good luck with riding out the autumn down-time and hope this forum helps.   

My dd went to a JA Insight day in London before deciding to audition for Junior Associates for the first time. She really enjoyed the session and being at the Covent Garden studios was very exciting for both of us! From what I remember, the level of ballet was very simple, they did a lot of skipping around the room, some floor exercises where they looked at their feet, were taught about core and turn-out with the use of stretchy bands round their thighs, and did some very basic barre work. The pianist was very energetic and the girls had to do some free work to the music eg. 'pretend you're a leaf blowing in the wind' or something like that! I don't think the teachers were looking for potential with a view to future auditions, though I noticed they did pay more attention to the talkative girls and those with nice feet! They had name stickers rather than audition numbers. My dd was quite shy as she didn't come with any friends, but really enjoyed it. You don't get any feedback, but as you're watching the class you can see how they get on. Enjoy!  

Definitely R-A-D, each letter pronounced, like the RAF! ISTD the same.

But RADA and LAMDA are different.

On 05/07/2019 at 09:31, Starshine said:

Just a glimmer of hope for everyone on SWL, we received the ‘Royal’ phone call yesterday and my DD has been offered a Mids place from SWL, we are all absolutely over the moon and DD is as high as a kite. So there is still some movement happening, fingers crossed for everyone else still waiting 🤞🏻

Fantastic news! Congratulations - how exciting to get the phonecall!  

2 hours ago, AuditionIngenu said:

Hi Katia05. My dd didn’t get offered a JA or even SWL last June and has just been offered Mids so that just shows you how things change. All you can ask from a child is that they pick themselves up with your help and get back to the barre. I am learning that resilience is all in this game. Xx

Thanks for the encouragement, AuditionIngenu! You're absolutely right. And huge congrats to your dd - she must be thrilled to bits!x

1 hour ago, Mandy Kent said:

Regarding the sword fighting;  When Romeo and Tybalt were fighting hell for leather, Tybalt sustained an injury! I know because Gary showed me the graze on his hand at the stage door that night 

It doesn't surprise me too much - it did look very authentic swordfighting! Hope Tybalt recovers quickly!

12 hours ago, Mandy Kent said:

Romeo and Juliet is one of my favourite ballets. Last night’s performance went beyond ‘ an old favourite’ to the realm of living and breathing the tragic story step by step, note by note, breath by breath

 

 This was due to the superb dancing and acting skills of all the lead roles, the wonderful orchestra playing Prokofiev’s beautiful music plus a large sprinkling of fairy dust, of fire and spice, of magic and mystery. Just one of those very special nights.

 

Matthew Ball’s Romeo was heartfelt, his dancing a joy to watch, his emotions clearly portrayed as they moved across his handsome features, his supportive partnering giving Lauren Cuthbertson the freedom to fully explore the role of Juliet knowing how well he would look after her.

Lauren’s Juliet was so nuanced, from the delightful child dancing with her nurse, to the young lover and then the desperation and hopelessness of her final scene.

Lauren’s dancing was so light and fluid , her acting skills faultless. She paid attention to every detail required to tell her story.

In a very stellar cast, Gary Avis stood out as a ferocious Tybalt, adding a level of inebriation to his wrath in the duelling scene which fuelled the drama.

Valentino  Zucchetti was a lively mischievous Mercutio with James Hay as Benvolio . Itziar Mendizabel danced a frolicsome lead Harlot with great zest. Ryiochi Hirano showed us a baffled Paris who could not understand Juliet’s disdain for him, his grief at the end sincere, his murder unjust. 

Marcelino Sambe was an expressive and energetic Mandolin Dancer .

So many other characters gave their all. So many of the audience were in tears as the red curtains fell.

Bravo the Royal Ballet !  

I agree wholeheartedly! We were also extremely impressed by the swordfighting, and the quality of the acting in the final act by Lauren C and Matthew Ball was so impressive. Wonderful to see such a performance!

Had a fabulous evening at the performance last night (Cuthbertson/Ball). It was our first visit to the ROH in person, having seen many RB relays in the cinema. Wonderful all round! My budding dancer daughter was mesmerised.

2 hours ago, AMP said:

Well done to all those of the SWL.   It was a no for my DD.  She has been on SWL previously.  I am sure she will want to go through this all again next year! xx 

 

Yes, my dd's first reaction to our email was, 'Well, I'll try again next year all the same!'

London RBS Mids results are finally out! A no for my dd, but did anyone get an actual 'yes' for year 9? Would love to hear. Good luck if still waiting!

10 minutes ago, Balletmummy28 said:

Short wait list for my dd for Birmingham. I’m sure that won’t manifest into a place but proud of her 😊

Great news, well done!

Finally heard from London 1 - it's a no again. Good luck to all still waiting!

2 minutes ago, Dancer123 said:

We just got wait list from LONDON1 on the 20th xx

Well done!!

Just now, AMP said:

I guess it will be tomorrow now at the earliest x

 

 

Almost certain to be a no for year 9, but off to the ROH in the evening to see Romeo and Juliet with dd so could be good timing for cheering up!! Never been before, so can't wait! Good luck to all still waiting!  

1 hour ago, AMP said:

We are still waiting for London x

 

Also still waiting!

Any yes emails for Mids anywhere?!

17 hours ago, AMP said:

Has anyone had London results yet?  We are still waiting x

 

Still waiting here too for London... Hopefully the suspense will soon be over!

We're waiting too  Feels a long time since the auditions! Good luck!

Does anyone know if there will actually be any available London Year 9 MA places or are all current Year 8s continuing? (It helps to have some idea when the no inevitably comes in!)

3 hours ago, Dancer123 said:

I think MA/SA results will be this week as I think Royal’s last day of term is Friday. Good Luck everyone!!! 🤞 

Feels like a very long time since auditions in January!

13 hours ago, glissade said:

I think it's important for children to know the statistics when they go for WL/Elmhurst etc auditions. It really helps if they understand the bigger picture. A 'no' doesn't mean "you're rubbish." It means nothing more than "we saw hundreds of dancers your age, and we chose 12 that scored maybe only half a mark more than you".

So, so true! Good to be reminded of this when it feels as though they're only getting rejections. 

My dd is 13 (Year 8) and just about to take the Intermediate Foundation exam, having done Grade 5 last year. Some girls in her group are the school year above. Not at vocational school.

3 hours ago, Newdancermum said:

Have the "yes's" come out yet? 

I think everything is out today. We heard one friend has got to finals. Good luck!

5 minutes ago, amos73 said:

Normally end of March early April 

Ah thanks, not yet then for a while. Nerve-wracking waiting for these results!